Planet Rail
Delhi to the Divine: An Indian Odyssey (Cultural Odyssey with Shimla)
15 daysfrom $11,746
Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour
Spirit of the Himalayas & Amritsar's Golden Temple
On this new tour for 2026, travel into the Himalayan foothills to uncover spiritual sites, iconic temples and experience local life beside the sacred Ganges.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Delhi
Welcome to Delhi and the Taj Palace
Transfer independently to the Taj Palace hotel, set among gardens with Mughal-inspired architecture. First dinner together this evening.
Meals: Dinner
- Day 2overnight: Delhi
Uncovering Delhi's rich colonial history
Explore British Raj-era architecture from Kashmiri Gate, visiting St. James and St. Mary churches and the Holy Trinity Church, then a drive past India Gate, Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhawan and Humayun's Tomb.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 3railovernight: Rishikesh
The sacred city of Rishikesh
Board the Shatabdi train to Haridwar, then transfer to Rishikesh. A sightseeing tour of Chaurasi Kutia ('the Beatles Ashram') and a stroll along the Ganges.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 4overnight: Rishikesh
Relaxing and exploring Rishikesh
Visits to the ashrams Sivananda, Swarg, Geeta Bhavan and Parmarth Niketan, crossing the Ram Jhula and Janki Setu bridges, a visit to Bharat temple, and the evening Ganga Aarti fire ceremony.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 5overnight: Chandigarh
To Chandigarh, city of 'Le Corbusier'
An optional morning yoga session, then travel by coach to Chandigarh, the planned city designed by Le Corbusier.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 6railovernight: Shimla
To Shimla on the Himalayan Queen Toy Train
An orientation tour of Chandigarh including the UNESCO-listed Capitol Complex, then board the narrow-gauge Himalayan Queen 'Toy Train' from Kalka to Shimla, with a picnic lunch en route, for a three-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 7overnight: Shimla
Exploring the British summer capital of Shimla
A talk by author and historian Raaja Bhasin, then a sightseeing tour by private car taking in the Viceregal Lodge, Sankat Mochan temple and the Gaiety Theatre.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Day 8overnight: Shimla
A free day to explore Shimla
A free day, with optional excursions to Kufri and Wildflower Hall (payable locally), or a wander down Mall Road, the Ridge, Scandal Point and Lakkar Bazaar.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 9overnight: Palampur
To the beautiful hill station of Palampur
Drive to Palampur in the Kangra Valley, checking in to a chalet villa hotel with tea garden views. Optional hikes, cultural excursions or an evening village walk (payable locally).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 10overnight: Palampur
Touring Dharamshala, or 'Little Tibet'
Visit the Gyuto Monastery, Norbulingka Monastery and Tibetan Museum, then the 16th-century Namgyal Monastery, home of the Dalai Lama, concluding at the Kangra State Museum.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 11railovernight: Pragpur
Exploring India's first heritage village, Pragpur
Tour the Wah Tea Estate, then a short 'toy train' ride on the Kangra Valley Railway from Palampur to Nagrota, before driving to the heritage village of Pragpur.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 12overnight: Amritsar
Down the mountains to Amritsar
A walk through the heritage village of Garli, then travel by air-conditioned Jeep-style vehicles to Amritsar, visiting the Partition Museum on arrival. An evening visit to the Golden Temple's Palki ceremony (beginning 10pm, returning around 11:30pm).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 13overnight: Amritsar
Golden Temple and the Wagah border ceremony
A guided daytime visit to the Golden Temple and its free kitchen, then Jallianwala Bagh memorial, followed by the 'Changing of the Guard' ceremony at the Indo-Pakistan Wagah border.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 14railovernight: Delhi
Returning to Delhi by rail
Board the Vande Bharat Express for a roughly 5.5-hour journey in AC Chair Class back to Delhi, with the remainder of the day at leisure and a final group dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 15
Homeward bound
After a final breakfast, transfer to Delhi airport for your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
- 14 nights' 3, 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
- Standard Class and AC Chair Class rail travel
- All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
- Breakfast and dinner each day, 3 lunches
- Group luggage transfers between all hotels
- All guided tours and excursions
Not included
- Cancellation & Travel Insurance
- Flights and Airport transfers
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