DAY 1
Depart on your scheduled flight to Amritsar.
DAY 2
Arrive in Amritsar and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. We enjoy an afternoon tour to Wagah at the border between India and Pakistan. It is fascinating to watch the pomp and ceremony of the Beating the Retreat and the change of the guard within handshaking distance of the Indian and Pakistani forces. This evening we revisit the illuminated Golden Temple, one of the most sacred sites for Sikhs and famed for its golden dome which is decorated with gold leaf. The official name of the temple, Harmandir Sahib literally means Temple of God.
DAY 3
This morning we include a short tour of Amritsar which is an important Sikh city and re-visit the Golden Temple. It grew from a small sacred village, to a sprawling city. The old city with its bazaars and markets and the Tower of Baba Atal are among the city’s many attractions. Baba Atal is a nine storey octagonal tower and one of the tallest buildings in Amritsar. On the interior walls are paintings of gods and gurus, and the tomb of Guru Granth Sahib can be found encased in wrought brass. We visit the Jallianwala Bagh, a moving memorial to those who died in protests here in 1919, before driving on to Dharamsala for a two night stay.
DAY 4
Dharamsala is one of India’s loveliest hill resorts in the lower Himalayas. The Dalai Lama made his home here in 1959 and you can see why with its beautiful conifer and oak trees and snow-capped mountains encircling the town with the valley nearby. Sadly, an earthquake meant that the area was flattened, but it has since gone from strength to strength. There are two parts to Dharamsala, the business quarter, and the area soaked in history. We include a visit to this area, Upper Dharamsala. It is also known as Mcleod Ganj and is the centre of the exiled Tibetan Buddhist community. The War Memorial is at the entrance to the city and provides a wonderful photo opportunity with splendid mountain views. Continue to the Norbulingka Institute, dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture.
DAY 5
We leave for the overland journey to Shimla in the Himalayas. On arrival transfer to your hotel for a two night stay.
DAY 6
Beautiful Shimla is known as the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. At 6,500 feet above sea level, it offers relief from the searing heat of the Indian summer, which is why the British made it their summer capital. Today it is a calm and relaxing place to spend a couple of days, and is packed with wonderful sights. We include a half day tour visiting the Mall in the heart of the city, Shimla State Museum and the serene gardens of the Viceregal Lodge. This afternoon and evening you are free to relax, or join an optional excursion.
DAY 7
We leave Shimla and take the narrow gauge train to Kalka. The journey is picturesque and quite spectacular as the railway desends from 6,000ft, passing through over 100 tunnels and over bridges through spectacular landscapes. On arrival, we board the Shatabdi Express train to New Delhi. Transfer to your hotel for a two night stay.
DAY 8
Delhi is actually two cities. New Delhi is a spacious, imperial city created by the British as the capital of India in 1911. Old Delhi is a 17th century walled city with city gates and narrow alleys. This is the Delhi of the Mogul Emperor Shah Jehan, and is largely preserved in its original layout. The enormous Red Fort dominates Old Delhi with its solid sandstone ramparts that date back to the 17th century and we have included a full day tour so you can step back in time with this city. You will see the Red Fort, Jami Masjid Mosque – the largest mosque in India and the Raj Ghat, the cremation grounds of Mahatma Gandhi, as well as the fabled street bazaar of Chandni Chowk, which was once an imperial avenue. You will also visit Humayun’s Tomb (aptly described as the predecessor of the Taj Mahal) and the Qtab Minar, a soaring tower of sandstone and marble - one of the most impressive in the world, before driving past the President’s official residence and the Indian Gate.
DAY 9
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. As you are flying westwards, your arrival will be later the same day.