India – Foothills of Himalayas

ITINERARY

• DAY 1

  We;come to Delhi, India

  Arrive at Delhi’s Airport. Welcome to India! You are met by our representative in the arrival area of the airport after you clear all immigration and customs formalities. Depart for your hotel where you will check in for your stay.
  
  Day at leisure and overnight stay at your hotel in Delhi.
  
  Delhi stands as the capital of Modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the Old and New India, the ancient and the modern. Delhi is made up of seven ancient cities, spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries. Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many emperors, which has left behind a plethora of monuments that commemorate the grandeur and glory of bygone ages. Very few cities in the world can express such a profusion of architectural styles.

  What's included?

  • Transfer
• DAY 2

  Delhi - Enjoy a Sightseeing Tour of Old Delhi & New Delhi

  The experience begins after the visit of Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. After this visit, hop on to your rickshaw and ride the colourful, narrow alleys and gullies of Old Delhi.Discover the gems of the main street of Chandni Chowk. Then proceed into busy streets which are forever bustling with the clamour and routine of daily trade, offering a glimpse of life back in the day and age when the city started out as a commercial hub. Visit the famous firecracker market, see exquisite silver jewelry, antique items, perfumes and piping hot, scrumptious jalebis, an Indian deep-fried desert. Proceed Kinari Bazaar or wedding market where one can buy all the paraphernalia required for an Indian wedding.At night, the gold and silver decorated borders, laces and colorful embellishments in this lane twinkle, glitter and shine, casting flirtatious looks upon innocent passers-by.
  
  New Delhi was designed and built by the British in the 1920's -it's a city of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens. In 1911 King George V announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi. The King's architects, Lutyens and Baker, set in motion the design and construction of Delhi's eight cities -New Delhi. Lutyens designed an "Imperial City" having palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. It took 20 years to complete this immense undertaking only to have the British pack up and relinquish the subcontinent in 1947.
  
  Visit two monuments from Delhi's past -Qutub Minar(Historical construction of a landmark in 1199, Qutub-ud-Din raised the Qutub Minar either as a victory tower or as a minaret to the adjacent mosque. From a base of 47 feet it tapers to 9 feet at a height of 238 feet) & Humayun's tomb (This tomb, which was built by emperor Humayun's wife, took eight years to complete and is regarded as an example of the early Mughal architecture.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 3

  Amritsar - Visit the most prominent Sikh Temple

  After breakfast at your hotel, check out and transferred to the airport to fly to Amritsar. Met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.
  
  Amritsar city has been famous for puissant Sikhs and has legends attached to it. According to the legend, when the fourth Guru of the Sikhs Guru Ram Das heard about the healing powers of the pool, he ordered his son Guru Arjan Dev to erect a temple at the site. In 1588, the foundations of a city were laid which later became an emblem of Sikh culture and history.
  
  Evening visit the most prominent Sikh Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib).Sri Harmandir Sahib, also known as Golden Temple (on account of its gold leaf covering the structure), the Mecca of the Sikhs. Unlike most religious structure,Sri Harminder Sahib is open from all four sides denoting‘ God isone’. All religions are welcome to enter and meditate or just listen to the scriptures or marvel at the temple’s size and scope of service. All activities in the Sri Harmandir Sahib are undertaken by volunteers.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 4

  Amritsar - Visit The Largest Kitchen of The World at Golden Temple

  - Morning visit the local bazaars of Amritsar after the breakfast which is served at the hotel.
  - Later, visit the largest kitchen in the world at Golden Temple
  
  Referred to as the world's largest community kitchen, the Sri Guru Ram Das Jee Langar Hall of the Golden Temple complex is unique in several aspects. On average, it feeds over 1,00,000 people daily—from children to old people of all religions, castes, regions, countries; and people from varied social, economic, and political backgrounds.
  
  "It is a 24x7 operation that carries on day and night, all 365 days of the year. This has been going on for centuries since the concept of langar was introduced by GuruNanak Dev (the first Guru of the Sikh religion and its founder; born 1469) and propagated by other Gurus," Wazir Singh, senior in-charge of the langar preparation said.
  
  At any given point of the day or night, the place is not only swarmed by devotees wanting to partake in what is considered as blessed by service, but by hundreds of volunteers who are ever-so-ready to be part of the voluntary cooking and serving process.
  
  - Afternoon visit Wagah Border:
  
  Wagah Border is located 17 miles (28 km) from Amritsar. It is the only border crossing between India and Pakistan.
  
  At the border outpost, there is a complex of buildings, roads, and barriers on both sides. People visit the Wagah border to see the "Beating the Retreat" ceremony performed by the soldiers in the evening. Soldiers from India and Pakistan perform a flag march.
  
  The flags are both the countries are brought down. Then the gates between India and Pakistan are opened. Soldiers perform some drills and then the complex is illuminated. The whole ceremony takes about half an hour.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 5

  Dharamshala - Enjoy Kori Walk – a Holy Trail and Visit The Temple of HH Dalai Lama

  This morning drive to Dharamshala, the terrain changes from the fertile riverbeds of Punjab to the hilly and rocky terrain of the Himalayan foothills.
  
  Dharamshala, is a hill station lying on the spur of the Dhauladharrange, wooded with oak and conifer trees with snow-capped mountains enfolding three sides of the town and the Kangra valley stretching in front. The town divided into two distinct parts. Lower Dharamshala & Upper Dharamshala is famous as "The Little Lhasain India" after Mcleodganj just 5 miles away became a temporary headquarter of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
  
  Afternoon we take you for a Kora Walk-a holy trail around the temple and residence of H.H. Dalai Lama. During this walk (of 45 mins) you see several Tibetan people chanting holy hymns and spinning prayer wheels while they move on this holy trial. Kora walk is always followed by a visit to the temple of H.H. Dalai Lama.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 6

  Dharamshala - Visit Mcleodganj, Norbulingka Institute and Bhagsu Nath Temple

  Today morning proceed on a tour of Dharamshala.
  We start with McLeod Ganj: -The arrival of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, along with thousands of refugees to Dharamshala in 1959 made the life here more active. Several Tibetan settlements with religious education and other rehabilitation centers mushroomed all over the Mcleodganj.
  
  As Dharamshala became the headquarter of the Tibetan Government in exile, headed by Dalai Lama, it gained prominence all over the world and prominent personalities started arriving here. Mcleodganj emerged as a major Buddhist center. The Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts (TIPA) is just 1 kilometre from Mcleodganj and preserves several musical, dance and theatrical traditions of Tibet.
  
  Afterwards we visit Bhagsu Nath Temple and the War Memorial, situated in Dharamshala town. The memorial is situated near the entry point to Dharamshala commemorates the memory of those who fought valiantly for the honor and defense of the mother land. The place is ideally located in the pine forest and offers a very enjoyable walk through pine forest. Near War Memorial is the beautiful GPG College Dharamshala made during the British Era.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
• DAY 7

  Pragpur - Enjoy The Heritage Walk in This Wonderful Village and Explore the Kangra Valley

  This morning drive to the heritage village of Pragpur.
  
  Pragpur is an ornamental village with unchanged shops, cobblestone streets, old water tanks, mud-plastered walls and slate-roofed houses. The narrow streets, lined with fort-like houses, havelis and villas, are indicative of the area's aged charisma. Due to its unique architecture and pristine beauty, the state government of Himachal Pradesh declared Pragpur as the country's first Heritage Village in December 1997.
  
  The village is ideal for exploring the Kangra valley, replete with places of historic, religious and cultural importance. The ambiance of the heritage zone of Pragpur is zealously protected by the residents.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Transfer
• DAY 8

  Shimla - The Capital of Himachal Pradesh

  Today, after breakfast, drive to Shimla. Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the charm of Shimla and overnight at your hotel.
  
  The capital of Himachal Pradesh came into light when the British discovered it in 1819. Till then, it was a part of the Nepalese kingdom. In 1864 Shimla was declared as the summer capital of India. After Independence, Shimla became the capital of Punjab and was later named the capital of Himachal Pradesh. In 1903 a rail line was constructed between Kalka and Shimla. Shimla has been blessed with all the natural bounties; one can think of. Dwelling on a panoramic location, the hilly town is surrounded by green pastures and snow-capped peaks. The spectacular cool hills accompanied by the structures made during the colonial era create an aura, which is very different from other hill stations.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
• DAY 9

  Kandaghat - Enjoy a Toy Train Ride from Shimla Railway Station to Kandaghat

  After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to Shimla Railway station to board the toy train to Kandaghat. Enjoy a two hours journey on this famous track of India. At Kandaghat Railway station, you will be met and driven back to Shimla.
  
  The Kalka–Shimla Railway was built to connect Shimla, the summer capital of India during the British Raj, with the Indian rail system. Now, Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh and Kalka is a town in the Panchkula district of Haryana. The route is famous for its scenery and improbable construction.
  
  Originally 107 tunnels were built on Kalka Shimla Railway Track and 102 remain in use. The longest tunnel is at Barog. Engineer Colonel Barogdug the tunnel from both ends and could not align them and be symbolically fined one rupee. H.S. Herlington later completed the tunnel with help from Bhalku, a local Saint.
  
  Afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city.
  
  Mall Road is the lifeline of Shimla, as it is the point where the people of Shimla socialize. It is mainly the center of all activities that people can enjoy.
  
  The streets are lined with various shops that sell various items. People can enjoy horse riding and shop various handicrafts items from the Mall. The major attractions, like Christ Church, Scandal Point, and Ridge are also located on the Mall.
  
  A pleasant 1.2 miles walk further west of the Himachal State Museum will lead you to the most imposing edifice of Shimla –the Vice Regal Lodge. Located on the Observatory Hill at the western end of the Shimla ridge, the Vice Regal Lodge is a majestic, sprawling, grey-tinted structure ringed by tall pines. It was built in 1888 as the residence of Viceroy Lord Dufferin. Now called Rashtrapati Niwas, the Lodge houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS).

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Tour
  • Train
• DAY 10

  Shimla

  After breakfast at your hotel, day at leisure.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
• DAY 11

  Departure to Delhi by Train

  After breakfast at your hotel, morning at leisure. Afternoon drive to Kalka to board your train to Delhi.
  Arrive in Delhi; met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight at your hotel.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Accommodation
  • Transfer
  • Train
• DAY 12

  Departure to Delhi Back Home

  After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board your return flight.

  What's included?

  • Breakfast
  • Transfer