Day 0: Departure
Fly out from the UK (recommended night flight from Heathrow) VS 300 2000 hrs departure OR AI 166 2145 hrs
Day 1: Arrival in Delhi
Arrive Delhi at 0930 hrs by VS 300 OR BY AI 166 at 1035 hrs, on arrive at Delhi’s International Airport (suggest arrive Delhi between 0830 hrs – 1000 hrs), you’ll be met by our representative and transfer to your hotel.
Afternoon (around 1400 hrs) start with the World Heritage site of Qutub Minar, followed by the grandest of early Mughal monuments in India, Humayun’s Tomb.
Day 2: Old Delhi
Today, we marvel at the glory days of Mughals in Shahjahanbad, starting with an early visit to Jama Masjid, the grand mosque. Climb one of the minarets of the mosque for a truly spectacular bird’s eye view (if open and permitted by the Authorities)
Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the busy Chandni Chowk markets, where the street food has something for everyone – lip-smacking kebabs, paranthas and mithais.
During the afternoon, you’ll visit a traditional family-owned perfumery to observe the medieval art of making natural perfumes.
Meet a Kabootar-baaz and learn all about the intricacies of this sport from the rooftops of Old Delhi for a truly unique cultural experience to end your day. Then drive along the wide treelined boulevards of New Delhi.
This evening, join a unique City Walk tour with the Salaam Balak trust – an English-guided tour of almost two hours conducted by the children who used to live in the streets of Delhi before joining the Trust. These adolescents are fully trained as local guides and want to improve their communication and speaking skills. City Walk gets the children’s stories heard and gives people a view of their world through their eyes. Led by a teenager at the Trust, the City Walk tour covers the streets of the inner city of Paharganj and the area around New Delhi Railway Station. The respective child is someone who once lived and worked on the streets. This makes the tour special and personal for the tour guide. You will experience a tour far from the typical and touristy places and cover lesser-known attractions. City Walk is an example of how a volunteer’s creativity can translate into a unique and enduring programme, which is both popular and economically viable. Over the last 19 years, thousands have taken the Walk and empowered several children, thus helping them to join mainstream life.
Day 4: Wildlife SOS – Agra
After an early breakfast drive to Agra (04.5 hours) via Yamuna Express Way
Enroute, stop at Wildlife SOS Elephant centre to see rescued elephants with their guide. End your visit with a home style simple lunch.
Proceed to Agra, and visit the Mehtab Bagh, a lost Mughal Garden which has gradually been restored and is the best place to watch dusk fall over the Taj Mahal from across the river.
Day 5: Agra
After breakfast, visit Agra Fort, followed by a short walk around old bazaars of Agra.
Visit Agra’s Jama Masjid, tucked away in the streets of the old city.
To gain insight on Agra’s living arts and distinctive cuisines, see some of Agra’s speciality foods being prepared – the sweet ‘Petha’, the savoury ‘Dal Moth’ (Agra’s tangy version of Bombay mix).
The mausoleum of Itmad-ud-daulah (often called ‘Baby Taj’) is perfectly formed, and profusely decorated in marble inlays.
Later, visit the Roman Catholic cemetery in Agra to gain insight into the lives of the British and European powerful folk who lie buried here in grand mausoleums, one of which is a smaller version of the Taj, built in red sandstone (often called the ‘Red Taj’)
Day 6: Agra
Fall in love with the Taj Mahal at sunrise. An early morning start to beat the crowds is the best way to appreciate its sublime beauty. No matter how many times one has seen the photos, the experience is truly memorable. Watch marble inlay artisans at a marble workshop.
After breakfast back at hotel, drive to Sariska National Park.
En-route, visit the Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri Stepwell.
Arrive in Sariska and check into your hotel.
Day 7: Sariska National Park
Enjoy morning and evening safaris in shared jeeps (max 6 people in a jeep).
Day 8: Sariska – Jaipur
Enjoy your last safari this morning in Sariska.
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to Jaipur (3.5hrs), stopping enroute at the romantic ruins of Bhangarh Fort, allegedly one of the most haunted forts of India – but perfectly safe during the day.
Arrive Jaipur and check in at your hotel. In the evening, visit the Birla temple if time permits.
Day 9: Jaipur – Delhi
Explore the Pink City on a guided tour that takes in the majestic City Palace, including exclusive tour of the Royal and private apartments, followed by visits to the iconic Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar.
Enjoy the ‘Culture Gully’ Rickshaw tour with the Pink City Rickshaw, a not-for-profit organization that aims to provide a new aspirational employment opportunity to 200 women from low income households in Jaipur. Skilled to ply custom designed e-rickshaws, they have enrolled as equity holders in the Pink City Rickshaw Co. that they now proudly own and manage. On this tour you will visit markets and see local craftsmen in action.
Explore Amber Fort.
Visit the Anokhi museum to learn about the rich tradition of textile weaving in India
End your time in Jaipur with a drive back to Delhi (5hrs) to check into your hotel near New Delhi Railway Station.
Day 10: Delhi – Amritsar
Early transfer to New Delhi Railway Station to board the express train to Amritsar (#12029,0720-1330) Executive class for a scenic journey to a city of charm and historic significance.
Upon arrival in Amritsar, you’ll check into your hotel and take some time to unwind after your journey or explore the city at your own pace.
Later in the evening, visit the grandiose Golden Temple at night, when numerous lights illuminate its beauty jewel-encrusted dome, and cast mesmerizing reflections in the expansive holy pool.
Witness the Palki, or ‘putting to bed’ ceremony where devotees the holy book from the main shrine to another room for the night. Accompanying the ceremony is singing, drumming, music, and the reading of hymns by a priest. Dinner at a local restaurant (Vegetarian)
Day 11: Amritsar
After an early breakfast, visit Jallianwala Bagh, a historic garden and memorial to one of the most horrific events in the history of the British Empire – the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. As you stroll around the grounds, the signs of the tragic events of 13 April 1919 when British soldiers opened fire on a peaceful gathering of unarmed Indians are all around you. The museum offers an excellent overview of the Empire’s politics and events leading up to the fateful day.
Then, visit the Golden Temple again to explore the complex and community kitchens used by devotee volunteers to produce up to 20,000 meals per day. Here, you’ll enjoy a simple yet delicious lunch with other visitors from all over India and beyond – all are equally welcome to partake and this is among the most authentic of Indian experiences.
Visit the Partition Museum, dedicated to the Subcontinent’s Partition of 1947. The museum is a repository of oral histories and personal artefacts, documenting experiences of millions.
Later that afternoon, drive out to the India – Pakistan border for the military ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony marks the closure of the border gates, and involves a colourful, coordinated parade of the lowering of the two nations’ flags.
Day 12: Amritsar – Delhi
This morning, drive from Amritsar to Dharamsala – 200 kms / 5 hours
Dharamsala once settled by the British, today is the seat of Dalai Lama and his government in exile.
On the way we shall visit to Kangra Fort. Built by Pandawas the age-old fort was annexed by many rulers including, Mughals, Sikhs, Gurkha and finally by the British. The view of Dhauladhar range of Himalaya from the fort are eye catching.
We will visit Masroor group of old temple.
Day 13: Dharamshala
Drive to Naddi village and visit to the Dalai Lama School. Afternoon visit to Bhagsunag temple
Day 14: Dharmashala
Guided tour of Dharamshala including the Narbulinga Institute of Tibetan culture, where the Dalai Lama often preaches, and the nearby town of McLeodganj. At the Narbulinga Institute Tibetan students learn how to make Thangka paintings, wood craft, metal sculptures and embroidery.
Day 15: Dharamshala – Palampur
Drive Dharamsala – Palampur (distance: 50 km – driving Time: 1.5 hrs) and check in to the Lodge at Wah Palampur. Visit the tea Estate and the tea Factory and enjoy a Tea Testing Session
Day 16: Palampur
Spend a leisurely morning at Palampur. After lunch, drive to Shimla (05-06 hours), and check in at your hotel
Day 17: Shimla
Full day guided tour of the colonial city of Shimla – (includes a Heritage Walk) and the surrounds.
There are beautiful Churches, the Viceregal Lodge, Army Heritage Museum, Annandale Ground, Gaiety theatre and of course The Mall road – a busy street but meant only for the pedestrians.
Day 18: Himalayan Village
Visit a Himalayan Village. The host is a descendant of a Royal family from the area and live in his ancestral house that he inherited from his father. Kunwar Dushyant Singh, the host is a naturalist by profession and has recently opened his house for the visitors. We go around with him on a short walk in and around the village Dhami.
Lunch will be cooked by the royal family members. Enjoy your lunch and after lunch return back to your hotel and relax
Day 19: World Heritage train journey
Transfer to Shimla station to board the heritage train from Shimla to Kalka.
Vehicles will carry luggage to Kalka
Arrive Kalka and connect with the Shatabdi Express to Delhi (1715-2150, Executive Class)
Arrive Delhi, met upon arrival and transfer to your hotel
Day 20: Departure
On the last day of your trip, enjoy a leisurely morning. Depending on the time of your flight, you’ll be transferred to the airport.
