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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Spirit of the Himalayas & Amritsar's Golden Temple

Fourteen-day escorted journey through northern India by rail, coach and flight

Illustration of Spirit of the Himalayas & Amritsar's Golden Temple

Great Rail Journeys operates this 14-night escorted tour from London Heathrow through northern India, departing October through March in 2026, 2027 and 2028. The journey begins with an overnight flight to Delhi, then travels by Shatabdi Express to Amritsar for the Golden Temple and Palki ceremony, moves into the Himalayan foothills to visit tea estates and Tibetan monasteries in Palampur and Dharamshala, rides the Himalayan Queen toy train on the Kalka-Shimla Railway, and descends to Rishikesh on the banks of the Ganges for spiritual sites and the Beatles Ashram. The tour returns to Delhi for tours of Humayun's Tomb and colonial landmarks before the return flight home. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout; all accommodation is four or five-star, and the itinerary balances guided group experiences with free time on Days 9 and 11. This tour suits first-time visitors to India seeking escorted comfort, history enthusiasts, and those interested in spiritual and cultural sites.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of GBP 3,499 is per person in double occupancy; the single supplement from GBP 4,779 is substantial, representing a 37% increase.
  • The tour includes 12 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 11 dinners; not all meals are provided, and some lunches and dinners are at your own cost.
  • The group size can reach 30 people, which is large for an escorted tour.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: In flight

    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.

  2. Day 2overnight: Delhi

    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

  3. Day 3railovernight: Amritsar

    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

  4. Day 4overnight: Amritsar

    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

  5. Day 5overnight: Palampur

    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

  6. Day 6overnight: Palampur

    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

  7. Day 7overnight: Shimla

    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

  8. Day 8railovernight: Shimla

    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

  9. Day 9overnight: Shimla

    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

  10. Day 10overnight: Rishikesh

    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

  11. Day 11overnight: Rishikesh

    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

  12. Day 12railovernight: Delhi

    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

  13. Day 13overnight: Delhi

    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

  14. Day 14

    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

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: Travel by AC Chair Class Shatabdi Express northward through Haryana and Punjab to Amritsar, with a packed breakfast on board.
  • Day 4Day 4: Witness the Palki ceremony at the Golden Temple of Amritsar in the evening, and visit the Partition Museum and Jallianwala Bagh memorial.
  • Day 6Day 6: Tour the Wah Tea Estate in the Kangra Valley, then visit the Tibetan Museum and monasteries in Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama.
  • Day 8Day 8: Ride the Himalayan Queen toy train for a four-mile section of the UNESCO-listed Kalka-Shimla Railway, then tour Shimla's Viceregal Lodge and colonial landmarks.
  • Day 11Day 11: Visit ashrams in Rishikesh and attend the Ganga Aarti fire ceremony on the banks of the Ganges.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 14 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • Standard Class and AC Chair Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Direct return flights from London Heathrow to Delhi
  • 12 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 11 dinners
  • Group luggage transfers between all hotels
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes AC Chair Class on the Shatabdi Express (Delhi to Amritsar and return) and Standard Class on the Himalayan Queen toy train (a four-mile section of the Kalka-Shimla Railway). Flights London to Delhi and return are also included.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
It is a fully escorted tour. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from start to finish, and all guided tours, excursions and transfers are included.
What are the hotels?
The tour stays at four and five-star hotels: Taj Palace in New Delhi (five-star), Hyatt Regency in Amritsar (five-star), Araiya Hotel in Palampur, WelcomHeritage Elysium Resort and Spa in Shimla (five-star, three nights), and Ganga Kinare in Rishikesh.
When does the tour run?
Great Rail Journeys operates 11 departures, running in October, November, February and March of 2026, 2027 and 2028.
How much walking is involved?
The tour includes walking tours of temple complexes, ashrams and historic districts in cities, and crossing suspension bridges in Rishikesh. Day 9 in Shimla is free, allowing you to choose your activity level. No specific hiking or altitude challenges are mentioned.
What is not included?
Cancellation and travel insurance are not included. Yoga, meditation and cultural classes in Rishikesh are optional extras, as is a high-tea lunch at Wildflower Hall on an optional trip to Mashobra.

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