Journey Through the Himalayan Foothills

Arrive in Delhi for your onward connection to Amritsar. Check in to the Hyatt Amritsar for a 2-night stay. Evening visit to the Golden Temple for the auspicious Palki Sahib ceremony and nightly kirtan (devotional prayers). The temple is profusely lit and the lights are beautifully reflected in large water tanks surrounding the sanctum. Attend a welcome dinner this evening.

Morning visit to the Golden Temple and its vast community kitchen (langar). Take a guided heritage walk passing the Gurudwara Saragarhi, dedicated to the 21 soldiers of the 36th Sikhs regiment who lost their lives in 1897 as they defended their posts against Afghan soldiers. Weave your way through Qila Ahluwalia, a fort replete with colonial architectural features, before arriving at the Jalebiwala Chowk with its jalebi shop selling delicious sticky sweets. Late-afternoon visit to Wagah for the famous changing of the guard ceremony.

Travel by road to McLeod Ganj in Dharamsala. McLeod Ganj is home to the Dalai Lama and is the centre of Little Tibet. This afternoon, visit the Dalai Lama's monastery, Tsuglag Khang, and gain insights into Buddhism from a local monk. Continue with a tour of McLeod Ganj, visiting the local markets. Stay 2 nights at the Fortune Park Moksha.

After breakfast, visit the Norbulingka Institute, dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture, and the Thosamling Nunnery. Visit a local family to see the regional Gaddi dress. Later, take a gentle walk through traditional Gaddi settlements to Naddi village, enjoying spectacular views of the Dhauladhar mountain range as the sun sets.

Visit Kangra to admire the ruins of the impressive fort and the Bajeshwari Temple. Drive to Palampur, stopping en route for a tour and tasting at a tea estate. Arrive at Taragarh Palace for an overnight stay, and to visit Tashi Jong Monastery.

This morning visit the Shiv Baijnath Temple, carved from rock and inscribed in sanskrit. Drive to Baijnath to board the Kangra Mountain Railway for the 1.5-hour scenic ride to Nagrota. Travel to Pragpur for a 2-night stay at The Judge's Court* (or similar), a delightful old manor house converted into a hotel.

Your morning is at leisure, or you have the option of a shared visit to the temples of Jwalamukhi and Chintpurni†. In the afternoon, join a walk to Garli Heritage Village to see an interesting fusion of architectural styles.

Full-day drive through the Himalayan foothills to the former British hill station of Shimla. On arrival, check in for 3 nights at the Oberoi Cecil (or similar).

Full-day tour of Shimla, including the Viceregal Lodge, Himachal State Museum and the Gaiety Theatre. Later in the day, enjoy some time at leisure to stroll along the Mall and the Ridge.

Travel aboard the Himalayan Queen toy train from Shimla to Kandaghat to enjoy the beautiful Himalayan scenery. This narrow-gauge railway is considered one of the finest engineering feats in India. Afternoon at leisure. Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight.

Travel by road to Chandigarh to take the train to Delhi. Overnight at the Trident Gurgaon (or similar).

Tour ends in Delhi.