Explore the holy temples and roam through the green rolling hills of the North!

Travel from Delhi through the mountain ranges and holy temples of the northern area on this tour and you’ll experience the glorious nature and historical charm that this region has to offer. In cities like Amritsar you will not only see the Golden Temple, but also visit a local market and learn how people live. In Dharamshala, we’ll explore the tea gardens, monasteries and the Dalai Lama temple.

Throughout the 14 days we will visit all the must-see temples and historical sights. Whether it’s exploring holy cities, wandering through lush greenery, discovering local delicacies, meandering through markets, this region is awaiting to be discovered!

Day 1: Delhi

Welcome to Delhi, the nation’s capital, a vibrant city with an unbelievable amount of history! Your tour guide will meet you at the airport and then you will transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time and how tired you are, the tour guide will plan the rest of the day with you accordingly, which could include some sightseeing, plus a welcome dinner.

Day 2: Delhi

Today you can do any of the city tours or slum tours which we do. We suggest in the morning visiting Sanjay Colony, a small slum built on 25 acres of land located in the south of Delhi near the Bahai Lotus Temple and Iskcon temple. Learn about the working and residential life and witness how despite the challenging living conditions it remains an area charged with positive energy and strong community. You will also learn about the NGO programs directly supported by your visit.

In the afternoon we suggest doing some more traditional sightseeing of your choice such as visiting India Gate, Qutub Minar, Humayun’s tomb, Agrasen ki Baoli (a stepwell) and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a Sikh temple and one of the largest community kitchens in India which feeds more than 10,000 people per day. In the evening, if you still have the energy, you can explore old Delhi and go on our popular food tour if you wish!

Day 3: Delhi / Amritsar

Today we will take a morning train to Amritsar, arriving at lunch time when we’ll check into your hotel. In the afternoon, we’ll visit the famous Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), the spiritual capital of Sikhism and its holiest place of worship. We will also visit one of the biggest community kitchens in the world which cooks meals for more than 50,000 people per day. In the evening we will wander around the markets, discovering the local Punjabi delicacies such as sweet lassi, kulfi and parathas.

Day 4: Amritsar

Today we will spend the whole day touring Amritsar. We will visit Jallianwala Bagh, a public garden in Amritsar and learn about its national importance, as well as the Partition Museum to understand more about one of the largest human migrations in history in 1947, when India was split into India and Pakistan. In the late afternoon, we’ll head to the India-Pakistan border to witness the daily flag ceremony, a national show of bravado which the military forces of the two countries have engaged in since 1959.

Day 5: Amritsar / Dharamshala

In the morning, we’ll travel from Amritsar to Dharamshala by car (6-7 hrs). This is quite an adventure where you will enjoy great views of the Himalayas along the winding roads. We will stay in McLeod Ganj, a hilltop retreat, home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile, and busy with robed monks strolling between monasteries. Later in the evening, we will visit a local family and enjoy a Himachali style dinner. After dinner you can spend the rest of the evening wandering the peaceful streets, which are set to the backdrop of the Himalayas.

Day 6: Dharamshala

We’ll spend the day exploring McLeod Ganj and its surroundings, in the morning visiting the iconic Dalai Lama Temple. The Dalai Lama visits this important pilgrimage spot, located near His Holiness’s residence, a few times every year to preach and to bless the people. Then we will visit a Tibetan Museum where you will see the history of Dalai Lama and his followers’ exile to India and the Struggle for freedom from China. After that we will see the beautiful Bhagsunag Shiva Temple, tucked into the mountains, and then see some tea gardens and monasteries in the area. We will visit Norbulingka Institute which preserves and develops Tibetan arts and culture. If you are a cricket fan, you can also see the Himachal Pradesh cricket stadium, one of the most beautiful sports venues in the world.

Day 7: Dharamshala / Shimla

In the morning we will enjoy a picturesque drive to Shimla, approximately 6 to 7 hours away, with stopovers at some apple gardens (tasting allowed!) and in some villages in the valleys. We will reach Shimla, the summer capital of British India and home to Victorian architecture and maze-like bazaars, by the evening and once checked in to the hotel, we will visit a local restaurant in the scenic Mall road, the main hangout place in Shimla.

Day 8: Shimla

In the morning we’ll visit the church on Mall road before stopping at a viewpoint that provides sweeping views of the Himalayas. We will then visit the Jakhu Hanuman Temple and its entourage of monkeys at the top of the mountain, accessible by ropeway, where we will also see a magnificent Hanuman statue (Monkey God), the largest in India.

We’ll take you to the Viceregal Lodge, where the partition agreement between India and Pakistan was made. We will then see the handicrafts in Lakkar Bazaar before coming back to the hotel to relax.

Day 9: Shimla / Chandigarh

In the morning we’ll take the famous Kalka Shimla Toy train, a Unesco World Heritage Site built in 1903. We’ll then continue by car to Chandigarh, arriving late in the afternoon. In the evening we’ll go for a market walk in Sector 17 and enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants.

Day 10: Chandigarh

Today will be a day to experience what Chandigarh has to offer. In the morning we’ll pay a visit to its famous Rock Garden- a 24 acre property full of sculptures.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Chandigarh Capitol Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site not to be missed. Designed by a Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, The Capitol Complex comprises the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Palace of Assembly, and the Secretariat, as well as the Open Hand Monument.

Day 11: Chandigarh / Rishikesh

In the early morning, we start our journey (6-7 hrs) for Haridwar and Rishikesh, two of the holiest cities for Hindus. We will stop over at Haridwar and take a walk on the Ghats (river steps) to see hundreds of people bathing and carrying out many types of Hindu rituals including shaving their heads and offering their respects to their dead ancestors.

We will reach Rishikesh, aptly named ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ as it’s a fantastic place to relax and seek enlightenment, in the evening. There is a special and calm energy flowing through the area, where pilgrims and tourists come together for the nightly Ganga Arti (river worship ceremony).

After arriving at our hotel, we’ll take an evening walk around the markets selling religious artefacts and then visit a local restaurant overlooking the Ganges. 

Day 12: Rishikesh

Today we will have a full day tour of Rishikesh including a walk on the Laxman Jhula bridge over the river Ganges, and a visit to Chaurasi Kutia, better known as the Beatles Ashram because the rock band members studied meditation there. In the evening we’ll visit Triveni Ghat to see the evening Ganga Aarti (lamp) Ceremony

We can arrange a lesson for you to learn how to play classical Indian instruments such as the sitar or tabla. You can join a session of Hasya yoga (laughter therapy). Or you could simply take time to enjoy the surroundings, engaging in a day of meditation.

Day 13: Rishikesh / Delhi:

We will drive back to Delhi in the morning, taking 5 to 6 hours. On arrival we will transfer you to the hotel and in the afternoon, you have the option to rest or do some last minute sightseeing.

Day 14: Delhi (Departure)

This morning we will finish the tour and we will transfer you to the airport.

What to expect:

• 14 days duration
• Start and Finish in Delhi
• All Accommodation and Transportation included
• Family meals and some other activities included
• Enjoy a stress free trip as your designated Tour Guide will take care of everything
• Tour is fully customisable to your needs, such as adding another city, upgrading hotels etc

Please Note: Entry fee to any monument and any optional activity is not included in the trip cost.