Journey Through the Himalayan Foothills
Itinerary
On arrival, transfer to the Hyatt Amritsar. Evening visit to the Golden Temple for the auspicious Palki Sahib ceremony and nightly kirtan (devotional prayers); after dark, the temple and its surrounding sacred pools lit beautifully. Attend a welcome dinner this evening.
Morning visit to the Golden Temple and its vast community kitchen. Take a guided walk by the Gurudwara Saragarhi war memorial, weave your way through Qila Ahluwalia, a fort in the city known for its colonial architecture, and stop by the well-known Jalebi Wala Chowk shop, selling delicious, local sweets. Late-afternoon visit to Wagah, on the Pakistani border, for a changing of the guard ceremony.
Travel by road to McLeod Ganj in Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama. 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 local markets. Stay at the Fortune Park Moksha.
After breakfast, take in 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 walk through a traditional Gaddi settlements to Naddi village, enjoying sunset views over the Dhauladhar mountain range.
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.
Visit the 13th century Shiv Baijnath Temple. Drive to Baijnath to board the Kangra Mountain Railway for the 90 minute scenic ride to Nagrota. Travel to Pragpur for a stay at The Judge's Court†, a lovely, converted old manor house.
Morning at leisure, with the option of a visit to the temples of Jwalamukhi and Chintpurni*. In the afternoon, walk to Garli Heritage Village to see its mix of European and Asian architectural styles.
Full-day drive through the Himalayan foothills to the former British hill station of Shimla. On arrival, check in to the Oberoi Cecil.
Full-day tour of Shimla, including the Viceregal Lodge, Himachal State Museum and the Gaiety Theatre. Later, enjoy time at leisure for a stroll.
Travel aboard the Himalayan Queen toy train from Shimla to Kandaghat and enjoy the striking Himalayan scenery. This narrow-gauge railway is considered one of the finest engineering feats in India. Afternoon at leisure. Later, enjoy a farewell dinner.
Travel by road to Chandigarh to take the train to Delhi. Overnight at the Trident Gurgaon.
Tour ends in Delhi.
Trip Inclusions
- Visit the Dalai Lama's home town and meet with local monks
- Take a scenic ride on the Kangra Mountain Railway
- Meet a local family in Dharamsala
- Enjoy a sunset walk through pastoral Gaddi villages
- Experience a tour and tasting at a tea estate
- Welcome & farewell dinners
- Small group size - average 12 people (max 18)
- 3- & 4-star accommodation
- Flexible - extensions and room upgrades available
- Internal flights
- Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Express train travel in air-conditioned executive class
- Experienced local tour manager
- 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 6 dinners
- Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
- Porterage at hotels & railway stations
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- † These activities can be pre-booked and incur an additional cost.
Cox & Kings groups rarely exceed 18 guests, and ninety percent of journeys have at least one guaranteed departure date, letting you plan with peace of mind.
Cox & Kings tours feature deep, authentic local experiences that reveal hidden truths and cultural secrets about each destination.
Cox & Kings partners with charming hotels that are comfortable and capture the essence of their surroundings, whether it’s a historic, characterful building, or an ideally placed location.
All Cox & Kings tours are guided and supported by experienced locals, who use their knowledge and on-the-ground relationships to improve and deepen the travel experience.
Dates & Pricing
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cox & Kings. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
