Holy Himalayas Private Tour

Delhi - Haridwar - Shimla - Palampur - Dharamsala - Amritsar

Duration

12 days

Tour Type

Private

Price From

£2,185 pp

Overview: Holy Himalayas Tour

Discover the spiritual heart and breathtaking landscapes of northern India on this guided tour through Delhi, Haridwar, Shimla, Palampur, Dharamsala and Amritsar. From sacred temples and Himalayan hill stations to Tibetan culture and Sikh heritage, this journey combines fascinating history, spirituality and spectacular mountain scenery.

Tour Highlights:

Explore historic Old and New Delhi, including Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Humayun’s Tomb and Qutab Minar
Experience the sacred city of Haridwar and witness the mesmerising Ganges Aarti ceremony
Visit Rishikesh’s Parmarth Niketan Ashram and the historic Gurudwara of Paonta Sahib
Discover Shimla’s colonial heritage, including Christ Church, the State Museum and Viceregal Lodge
Visit a traditional tea garden and factory in the Himalayan hill town of Palampur
Explore McLeod Ganj and the Dalai Lama Temple Complex, discovering the rich Tibetan culture of Dharamsala
Visit the Norbulingka Institute and learn about the preservation of Tibetan arts and traditions
Experience the Wagah Border ceremony before exploring Amritsar’s Golden Temple and Jallianwallah Bagh

From sacred cities and historic landmarks to lush valleys and mighty Himalayan landscapes, this guided tour offers a fascinating journey through the spiritual, cultural and natural wonders of northern India.

Day 1 - UK departure

Depart the UK with international economy flight to Delhi. We can also arrange departures from your local airport at no extra cost.

Day 2 - Delhi arrival

Today arrive New Delhi, the capital city of India. Upon your arrival, you will be met by our representative at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. After a warm welcome, transfer to your hotel for 2 nights stay.

Day 3 - Delhi

Today, enjoy the day discovering Delhi, pacing through the city which is as historic as modern, like 2 sides of the same coin! Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, which includes a visit to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; a rickshaw ride through narrow alleys and lanes in Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and largest trading markets of the country; and drive past Red Fort, the place that marked the announcement of India’s freedom from the British Raj. While returning back to New Delhi make a brief stop at Rajghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.

Later in the afternoon, discover the modern city of New Delhi, visiting Humayun’s Tomb the first tomb in India with beautiful gardens, continue visit to Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and the world’s tallest brick minaret and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the largest Sikh temple of Delhi, with a gold dome, still in active worship. Drive past President’s House, Parliament House and other Government Secretariat Buildings, the most imposing features of Lutyen’s Delhi and take a photo stop at the iconic war memorial arch, the India Gate. Also visit Humayun’s Tomb and Rajghat (Cremation site of Mahatama Gandhi).

Day 4 - Delhi to Haridwar

After breakfast, drive to Haridwar. Upon arrival in Haridwar, check in at your hotel for overnight stay. The holy city of Haridwar is situated on the banks of River Ganges. According to Hindu mythology Haridwar is among the seven sacred cities of India. Also known as ‘Hari Ka Dwar’ or ‘The Gateway to Gods’, Haridwar stands as the gateway to the four Hindu pilgrim sites of Uttrakhand, Rishikesh, Badrinath and Kedarnath.

Later this afternoon visit the enchanting temples of Haridwar and conclude the evening with the beautiful Aarti ceremony (rituals and prayers) along the ghats of River Ganges in Haridwar.

Day 5 - Haridwar to Shimla

After an early breakfast, embark on a full day mountain drive to Shimla. En-route, we stop to visit the famous Parmarth Niketan Ashram at Rishikesh, host to the annual International Yoga Festival held in March. After driving another 100 km, we take a stop to visit the famous Sikh Gurudwara of Paonta Sahib, home to ‘Dassam Granth’ the Holy book of the Sikhs written by the 10^th Guru, Gobind Singh Ji himself.

Continue drive to Shimla, the former summer capital of British India, set amidst snow capped mountains, which offers stunning views of the Himalayas. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 6 - Shimla

After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Shimla, visiting the famous Christ Church, the second oldest church in Northern India. Also visit the Shimla State Museum, which houses a collection of miniature ‘Pahari’ paintings, sculptures, coins, woodcarvings and also costumes, textiles and jewellery of the region. Conclude the day with a visit to the Viceregal Lodge, also known as Rashtrapati Niwas, which is located on the Observatory Hill of Shimla. Built in 1888, this was formerly the residence of the British Viceroy of India. This historic building with its beautiful surrounds houses a collection of ancient articles and photographs dating back to the times of the British rule in India. Spend the evening at leisure.

Day 7 - Shimla to Palampur

After breakfast, drive to Palampur, a small hill town in the Himalayas. En-route there are opportunities to take brief stops at local villages or other places of interest. Upon arrival in Palampur, check in to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 8 - Palampur to Dharamsala

Enjoy the morning at leisure in Palampur. Later this morning, check out of your hotel. Visit a local tea garden and factory and learn the secrets to a perfect brew! Later embark on your drive to Dharamshala.

Upon arrival in Dharamsala, enjoy the evening at leisure.

Day 9 - Dharamsala

Today, visit Mcleod Ganj, the current home of spiritual Buddhist leader Dalai Lama. Owing to the development of several monasteries and Tibetan schools at McLeod Ganj, the hill station is also referred to as the ‘Little Lhasa of India’.

We will visit the Dalai Lama Temple Complex (Tsuglagkhang Complex) – inside the temple complex are residential facilities for the monks (not open to tourists), stupas, monastery, and temples.

Later visit the Church of St. John in the wilderness, which is the final resting place of Lord Elgin, a British Viceroy of India during the 19th century.

Later in the afternoon, visit Norbulingka Institute, an institute dedicated to the preservation of the Tibetan culture in its literary and artistic forms. The institute is named after Norbulingka, the traditional summer residence of the Dalai Lamas, in Lhasa, Tibet. The main building is a replica of the Norbulingka palace in Lhasa. Guided tours here offer the opportunity to observe the creation of colourful thangkas (painted or embroidered wall hangings), wood carvings, statues, metal ware, furniture, and traditional garments.

Day 10 - Dharamsala to Amritsar

After breakfast, drive to Amritsar. Upon arrival in Amrtisar this afternoon, drive on to visit the Wagah Border (less than 30 km from the city) between India and Pakistan where one can view the guard changing retreat ceremony with lowering of the flags.

Day 11 - Amritsar to Delhi for departure

This morning, visit the Golden Temple (also called Harmandar Sahib or Swarna Mandir), which is one of the holiest and most popular Sikh Gurudwara in India. Also visit Jalianwallah Bagh, a memorial of the martyrs of the 1919 massacre.

Later, transfer to Amritsar Railway Station to board your afternoon train to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight back home.

Day 12 - UK Arrival