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Planet Rail · Tailor-made rail holiday

To the Foothills of the Himalayas

Rail journey from Delhi through Sikh heartland to Himalayan hill stations

Illustration of To the Foothills of the Himalayas

Planet Rail's 11-day tailor-made tour travels by rail from Delhi to the Himalayan foothills, a journey rooted in India's history, Sikh spirituality, and colonial heritage. Starting with two nights at the five-star Taj Mahal Hotel in Delhi, you tour the capital's landmarks from the 17th-century Red Fort to Raj Ghat before boarding a train to Amritsar, the spiritual heart of Sikhism. There you visit the Golden Temple and witness the Wagah Border ceremony between India and Pakistan. The journey then shifts to the mountains: Dharamsala, known as Little Lhasa for its Tibetan culture; the heritage village of Pragpur with its narrow-gauge railway option; and Shimla, the British summer retreat. The climax is the UNESCO-listed Toy Train from Shimla to Kalka, described as one of India's most scenic train journeys, with dramatic views of hills and villages. Local guides accompany all sightseeing tours, and representatives from Planet Rail's partner company meet and transfer you at each stop.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price (GBP 2,495) is for the tour package; check with Planet Rail whether rail fares are included or booked separately.
  • Hotels in Dharamsala and Pragpur are listed without star ratings; confirm the standard of accommodation in these smaller towns before booking.
  • The itinerary includes optional extras (rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, Kangra Valley Railway excursion) not covered in the base price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Delhi

    Arrival in Delhi

    Arrive into Delhi's International Airport, where a representative from Planet Rail's partner company meets you and transfers you to the glamorous Taj Mahal Hotel (5 star) for a two-night stay, set amidst 6 acres of landscaped grounds. Spend the afternoon relaxing at the hotel or start discovering India's capital, a bustling metropolis combining the ancient with the modern.

  2. Day 2overnight: Delhi

    Delhi

    After breakfast, a full-day combined city tour of Old and New Delhi. In Old Delhi visit the 17th-century Jama Masjid, walk the lanes of Chandni Chowk (with the option of a rickshaw ride), see the Red Fort and stop at Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. In New Delhi drive past the Presidential Palace, India Gate and Parliament House, then visit Qutab Minar and the 16th-century Humayun's tomb, a precursor to the Taj Mahal.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Amritsar

    Delhi to Amritsar

    After an early breakfast, transfer to Delhi railway station for the train journey north to Amritsar, arriving in the early afternoon for a two-night stay at the Hyatt Hotel (5 star). Amritsar is the major centre of the Sikh religion, home to the magnificent Golden Temple. This evening see the temple brilliantly lit for the Palki Ceremony, when the Sikh Holy Book is carried amongst worshippers to its resting place for the night.

  4. Day 4overnight: Amritsar

    Sightseeing in Amritsar and the Wagah ceremony

    A tour of Amritsar including the Golden Temple, the spiritual nerve centre of the Sikh faith, where the community kitchen (langar) feeds 30,000 people daily, and the historic Jallianwala Bagh, commemorating the victims of the 1919 massacre. Tonight visit the Wagah Border between India and Pakistan for the impressive Changing of the Guard ceremony and the lowering of the flags on both sides.

  5. Day 5overnight: Dharamsala

    Amritsar to Dharamsala

    Leave Amritsar and drive north-east into steadily more mountainous territory to Dharamsala. Set on the Dhaula Dhar Range, Dharamsala is known as 'Little Lhasa' for its place at the heart of Tibetan culture. Check in to your hotel for a two-night stay.

  6. Day 6overnight: Dharamsala

    Exploring Dharamsala

    A tour of Dharamsala and its cultural heritage, including the upper town McLeod Ganj, seat of the Dalai Lama and home to the Tibetan community, plus the colourful temple and Gompas reflecting the culture of Tibet.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Pragpur

    Dharamsala to Pragpur

    After breakfast, drive along the Kangra Valley to Pragpur, arriving in the early afternoon for an overnight stay. Explore the Heritage Village of Pragpur or take an optional excursion on the Kangra Valley Railway, a fascinating narrow-gauge line through sub-Himalayan scenery.

  8. Day 8overnight: Shimla

    Pragpur to Shimla

    Drive to Garli village, a noted heritage village with a medieval feel, then continue to Shimla, the fashionable summer retreat of the British colonial years, for a two-night stay.

  9. Day 9overnight: Shimla

    Discovering Shimla

    A tour of Shimla including the Vice-Regal Lodge, where the partition of India and Pakistan was planned, now the Institute for Advanced Studies, and a Hindu temple with shrines to many Hindi gods. In the evening stroll along the Mall to Scandal Point, perhaps looking inside the Gaiety Theatre or Christ Church, or find a spot for refreshments with views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Delhi

    Shimla to Delhi - The Toy Train

    Transfer to Shimla station for the UNESCO World Heritage toy train ride from Shimla to Kalka, one of the most scenic train journeys in India, with dramatic views of the hills and surrounding villages. At Kalka change trains and continue back to Delhi, where a transfer returns you to the Taj Mahal Hotel (5 star) for the final night.

  11. Day 11

    Depart Delhi

    After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to Delhi International airport for the connecting flight to your onward destination.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: Arrive in Amritsar and see the Golden Temple brilliantly lit for the Palki Ceremony, when the Sikh Holy Book is carried amongst worshippers to its resting place.
  • Day 4Day 4: Witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Wagah Border between India and Pakistan, with the lowering of flags on both sides.
  • Day 6Day 6: Visit McLeod Ganj in Dharamsala, seat of the Dalai Lama and home to the Tibetan community, including colourful temples and Gompas.
  • Day 10Day 10: Ride the UNESCO World Heritage Toy Train from Shimla to Kalka, described as one of the most scenic train journeys in India, with dramatic views of hills and surrounding villages.

Questions travellers ask

Is this escorted or independent?
Planet Rail provides local partner-company representatives to meet and transfer you at each stop, and local guides accompany all included sightseeing tours. It is a tailor-made tour with guided experiences at main destinations.
Which trains are included?
Three train journeys: Delhi to Amritsar, the UNESCO-listed Toy Train from Shimla to Kalka, and Kalka to Delhi. The Toy Train is specifically described as one of the most scenic train journeys in India.
Where do I stay?
Five-star hotels in Delhi (Taj Mahal Hotel, 3 nights total) and Amritsar (Hyatt Hotel, 2 nights); unrated hotels in Dharamsala (2 nights), Pragpur (1 night), and Shimla (2 nights).
What does the 11 days include?
The tour covers Delhi, Amritsar, Dharamsala, Pragpur, Shimla, and Kalka, with guided sightseeing tours in major cities, three train journeys, hotel accommodation, and transfers. Optional extras such as a rickshaw ride or Kangra Valley Railway excursion are additional.
How much walking is involved?
City tours include walking through Old Delhi's lanes, the Golden Temple, and along Shimla's Mall. Most sightseeing is guided tours with vehicle transport between sites; no strenuous hikes are described.
What is not included?
Meals are not mentioned as included. Optional extras like the rickshaw ride and Kangra Valley Railway excursion incur extra cost. International flights are not included.

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