When to go
February – April and September – November
Price
From £2,395 pp (including flights) | Private: £2,795pp (including flights)
Flight time
8hrs 22mins
Introduction
Take a spiritual journey through the Himalayan Foothills. Along the way, you will visit the holy city of Amritsar and McLeod Ganj, the Himilayan Foothills, and Shimla, a strung-out ridge with a deep hillside. You will also visit iconic landmarks, such as monasteries and temples and museums, and learn about their historical significance and their place in Indian culture.
Good For
At a Glance
Duration
13 days & 11 nights
Guide price
Group: £2,395pp (including flights) | Private: £2,795pp (including flights)
Cities/Destinations (in order)
Amritsar | Wagah | McLeod Ganj | Dharamsala | Kangra Fort | Palampur | Pragpur | Shimla | Delhi
Tour Type
Experienced local tour manager and guided sightseeing
Tour Theme
Group Tour
Activity Level
Age Range
N/A
Star Rating of Tour
Standard
Accommodation
Hyatt Amritsar | Fortune Park Moksha | Taragarh Palace | The Judge’s Court | Oberoi Wildflower Hall | Oberoi Maidens
Board Basis
Varied - please see the sample itinerary for details
Min|Max Group Size
Average 12 people with a maximum of 18
Start/Finish
Amritsar | Delhi
Extensions
Haridwar & Corbett extension (5 days & 4 nights) from £865
Highlights
Take a Guided Heritage Walk Through Amritsar
Visit the Gurudwara Saragarhi, built in memory of the 21 Sikh soldiers (of the 36 Sikh Regiment) who heroically fell defending Fort Saragarhi in Wazirstan on September 12, 1897. You will also visit the Golden Temple, the most spiritually significant shrine in Sikhism.
Ride the Kangra Mountain Railway and the Toy Train to Solan
Located in the sub-Himalayan region of Kangra Valley, the Railway reaches the highest point at Ahju station on an elevation of 1,290 meters. On your train ride you will also see the popular para-gliding and hang-gliding sites of Bir and Billing. The Toy Train to Solan runs on a narrow-gauge track and it features stunning views of the hills and surrounding villages.
Visit a Local Family in Dharamsala
The winter capital of Himachal Pradesh is home to many family resorts. They provide spacious and comfortable accommodation in a traditional setting. Authentic cuisine, prepared by the family, is also offered to complete your stay at these one-of-a-kind resorts.
Walk Through the Gaddi Villages at Sunset
Take a memorable stroll through traditional Gaddi Villages as the sun hides behind the mountain ranges. See how the colors change the landscape. And marvel at the beautiful scenery as light fades to dark.
Recommended Hotels
Hyatt Amritsar | Fortune park Moksha | Taragarh Palace | Judges Court | Oberoi Cecil (pr upgrade to Oberoi Wildflower Hall | Oberoi Maidens
Sample Itinerary
Experience the Himalayan Foothills
This sample itinerary will show you everything that you need to know about your trip to the Himalayan Foothills. Take a memorable train ride on the Kangra Mountain Railway. Experience a guided heritage walk in Amritsar. And see the cut-rock temples at Masroor, a historic sight to behold. Along the way, you will learn about the cultural diversity in Indian, including their history and sites of cultural significance; most notably the Golden Temple, a preeminent spiritual sit of Sikhism.
Day 1: Fly to Amritsar via Delhi
Fly overnight from London to Amritsar via Delhi. Regional connections available.
(N)
Day 2: Amritsar
On arrival, head to the Hyatt Amritsar for a 2-night stay. In the evening, visit the Golden Temple and witness the Palki Sahib ceremony, a twice-daily ritual where the Guru Granth Sahib (holy book) is transported from the Golden Templte to Sri Akal Takht, and vice versa. Also witness the evening kirtan (devotional prayers). The temple is brilliantly lit, and you can see the lights reflect in the water nearby.
(N)
Day 3: Amritsar • Wagah
In the morning, visit the Golden Temple once more and the langar (community kitchen). Take a guided heritage walk through the Gurudwara Saragarhi, dedicated to the 21 soldiers (of the 36 Sikhs Battalion) who lost their lives defending Fort Saragarhi in 1897. Then, proceed to Qila Ahluwalia, a heritage-status fort with intact colonial structures, before arriving at the Jalebiwala Chowk. Here, you can purchase various Indian sweets, including the tantalizing Jalebi which slightly resembles a pretzel.
In the late afternoon, visit Wagah. There you will witness the Changing of the Guard Ceremony.
(B)
Day 4: McLeod Ganj
Travel by road to McLeod Ganj in Dharamsala. The suburb is most famous for being the residence of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama and for being home to a large Tibetan population. In the afternoon, visit the Dalai Lama’s monastery, Tsuglag Khang. Then take a guided tour of the area, visiting the local markets and handicrafts.
Stay 2 nights at the Fortune Park Moksha.
(B)
Day 5: Dharamsala
After breakfast, visit the Norbulingka Institute, a sited dedicated to preserving Tibetan arts and culture, along with the Thosamling Nunnery, an international community that lives and studies within the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Then visit a local family and see the Gaddi dress. On special occasions, the Gaddies wear traditional dresses with full ornaments, with ladies wearing silver and gold and gentleman wearing mostly silver.
Lastly, take a gentle stroll through Gaddi settlements. Then reach a Naddi village, which provides jaw-dropping views of the massive Dhauladhar Range, particularly at sun set.
(B)
Day 6: Kangra Fort • Palampur
Drive to Kangra to visit the forts and see the Bajreshwari Devi Temple. The temple provides deep insight into the history of the Shakti Pitha, a series of shrines and pilgrimage destinations in Shaktism, one of several major denominations of Hinduism. Then proeed to Palampur to stay overnight at Taragarh Palace. Visit the Tashijong monastery in the afternoon.
(B, D)
Day 7: Pragpur via Kangra Mountain Railway
Drive to Bajinath to board the Kangra Mountain Railway. This 1.5-hour scenic ride will take you to Nagrota. You will then visit the rock-cut temples at Masroor, an early 8th-century complex of Hindu temples in the Kangra Valley. Despite the impressive size and complexity of the temples, archaeological studies suggest the scope of the location was much bigger but never fully realized.
Travel to Pragpur and stay 2 nights at The Judge’s Court.
(B, D)
Day 8: Pragpuar
Day of leisure. Take the opportunity to walk among the surrounding villages and visit the temples at Chintpurni and Jwalamukhi.
(B, L, D)
Day 9: Shimla
Drive to the Himalayan Foothills for a full day. Visit the former British hill station of Shimla, the largest city of the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.
On arrival, check in and stay for 3 nights at the Oberoi Cecil. Optional upgrade to the Oberoi Wildflower Hall (Deluxe Garden View room) from £295pp.
(B, D)
Day 10: Shimla
Full-day tour of Shimla. Here you will visit the Viceregal Lodge, the Himachal State Museum, and the Gaiety Theatre. The theatre is a popular tourist destination and often used to shoot many Bollywood music videos and films.
In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely stroll through the Mall and the Ridge, the main shopping and dining street in the city.
Day 11: Shimla
Take a first-class carriage ride on the Himalayan Queen ‘toy train’ from Shimla to Kandaghat. This 2.5-hour ride lets you admire the amazing Himalyan scenery from a unique perspective. You will enjoy pleasant views of the green valleys, rugged mountains, waterfalls, and pine-covered forests. Enjoy afternoon leisure.
(B, D)
Day 12: Delhi
Travy by road to Chandigarh for 3 hours. Then take a midday train to Delhi. Stay overnight at the Oberoi Maidens.
(B)
Day 13: Fly to London
Transfer to the airport and fly back to London.
(B)
