Spirit of the Himalayas & Amritsar's Golden Temple

Overnight flight from London to Delhi

Meet the Tour Manager at London Heathrow and board a direct overnight flight to Delhi. Begin to look forward to exploration of northern India and the Himalayas.

Welcome to India's capital

Arrive in Delhi and transfer to a five-star hotel for early check-in near New Delhi's Connaught Place, featuring a spa and outdoor rooftop pool. Reconvene at the hotel for the first dinner together.

Meals: Dinner

By rail to the Punjab city of Amritsar

With a packed breakfast, board the AC Chair Class Shatabdi Express northwards through Haryana and into Punjab to Amritsar. Visit a traditional Punjab farm village for an immersive experience including preparing rotis, feeding livestock and harvesting produce.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Amritsar's Golden Temple & Palki ceremony

Explore the Golden Temple with a local guide, visit Jallianwala Bagh memorial, the Partition Museum, and witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Wagah border with Pakistan. Optional evening visit to the Golden Temple for the Palki ceremony at 10pm.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Heading to Palampur in the Himalayas

Drive from Amritsar towards the mountains, crossing into Himachal Pradesh and ascending to Palampur, a picturesque hill station overlooked by the Dhauladhar mountains amid tea gardens and deodar forests. Check in to the hillside hotel in the Kangra Valley.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Wah Tea Estate & Dharamshala

Tour the vast Wah Tea Estate, then visit the Kangra State Museum to view Pahari Miniature paintings. Afternoon visit to Dharamshala (Little Tibet): Namgyal Monastery, Tibetan Museum, Norbulingka Monastery and Gyuto Monastery.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Driving to the historic hill town of Shimla

Scenic journey through the Himalayan foothills to Shimla, the former summer capital of the British Raj. Check in to a five-star hotel nestled within forests on the edge of Shimla with panoramic vistas.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Uncovering the history of colonial Shimla

Author and historian Raaja Bhasin presents a talk on Shimla's history during the Raj. Ride the Himalayan Queen toy train on a four-mile route to Taradevi. Sightseeing tour including the Viceregal Lodge, Scandal Point and the Gothic revival Gaiety Theatre.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Free day to explore Shimla

Day at leisure. Options include a trip to Mashobra with high-tea lunch at Wildflower Hall, or independent exploration of Mall Road, the Ridge, Christ Church, Children's Library and Lakkar Bazaar.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Through the Himalayas to Rishikesh

Coach journey from Shimla through verdant valleys and Himalayan foothills, stopping for lunch at Nahan. Arrive in Rishikesh and check in to a boutique hotel on the banks of the Ganges.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Soaking up the spirituality of Rishikesh

Visit ashrams at Sivananda, Swarg, Geeta Bhavan and Parmarth Niketan. Cross the Ram Jhula suspension bridge and Janki Setu bridge. Free time for lunch, yoga or meditation. Evening visit to Bharat Temple for the Ganga Aarti fire ceremony.

Meals: Breakfast

Visiting the Beatles Ashram & returning to Delhi

Optional yoga session before breakfast. Sightseeing tour of Chaurasi Kutia (the Beatles Ashram), followed by a stroll along the Ganges. Board a train back to Delhi with a picnic dinner. Arrive late evening at the five-star hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Uncovering Delhi's rich history

Morning tour of British Raj architecture in Old Delhi: Kashmiri Gate, St James and St Mary churches, ruins of the 1857 war, Sacred Heart Cathedral. Afternoon drive through New Delhi past India Gate, Parliament Complex, Rashtrapati Bhawan and Humayun's Tomb.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Homeward bound

Check out after breakfast and transfer to Delhi airport for the direct flight back to London Heathrow, landing the same day.

Meals: Breakfast