DAY - 1
Fly to Amritsar via Delhi :
Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Amritsar via Delhi with Jet Airways. (N)
DAY - 2
AMRITSAR :
On arrival, transfer to the Hotel Amritsar (or similar) for a 2-night stay. Evening visit to the Golden Temple for the auspicious Palki Sahib night ceremony to witness the evening kirtan (devotional prayers). The temple is profusely lit up and the lights are beautifully reflected in large water tanks surrounding the sanctum. (N)
DAY - 3
AMRITSAR • WAGAH :
Morning visit to the Golden Temple and the community kitchen called Langar. Take a guided heritage walk passing the Gurudwara Saragarhi, dedicated to the heroism of the 21 soldiers of the 36 Sikhs Battalion who lost their lives in 1897 as they defended their posts against Afghan soldiers. Weave your way through Qila Ahluwalia, a fort replete with colonial architectural features, before arriving at the Jalebiwala Chowk with its jalebi shop selling delicious sticky sweets. Late afternoon visit to Wagah, situated on the border with Pakistan, for the unmissable Changing of the Guard ceremony. (B)
DAY - 4
McLEOD GANJ :
Travel by road to McLeod Ganj in Dharamshala. McLeod Ganj is home to the Dalai Lama and is the centre of Little Tibet. This afternoon visit His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s monastery, Tsuglag Khang. Continue with a tour of McLeod Ganj, visiting the handicrafts centre and a local family house to see the regional Gaddi dress. The evening is free to explore McLeod Ganj market. Spend 2 nights at the Resort (or similar). (B)
DAYS - 5
DHARAMSHALA :
After breakfast, visit the Norbulingka Institute, dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture. Later, take a gentle walk through traditional Gaddi settlements to Naddi village, enjoying spectacular views of the Dhauladhar mountain range as the sun sets. (B)
DAYS - 6
MASROOR • PALAMPUR :
Travel by road to Palampur for an overnight stay at Taragarh Palace. En route, visit the rock-cut temples at Masroor and enjoy a visit to a working tea plantation where you can wander through beautifully manicured tea gardens, interact with the estate workers and see how tea is processed in the small
DAYS - 7
PRAGPUR VIA KANGRA MOUNTAIN RAILWAY :
Today drive to Baijnath to board the Kangra Mountain Railway for the 1.5-hour scenic ride to Nagrota. Afterwards drive to Kangra to visit the impressive fort and on to Pragpur. Stay 2 nights at The Judge’s Court, a delightful old manor house that has been converted into a hotel. (B, D)
DAYS - 8
PRAGPUR :
At leisure, with opportunities for leisurely walks in the surrounding villages, including Garli, or visit the temples at Jwalamukhi and Chintpurni. (B, L, D)
DAYS - 9
SHIMLA :
Full-day drive through the Himalayan foothills to the former British hill station of Shimla. On arrival, check in for 2 nights at the Hotel. (B)
DAYS - 10
SHIMLA :
Full-day tour of Shimla, including the Viceregal Lodge, Himachal State Museum and the Gaiety theatre. Later in the day, enjoy some time at leisure to stroll along the Mall and the Ridge. (B)
DAYS - 11
CHANDIGARH VIA TOY TRAIN :
Take the Himalayan Queen toy train from Shimla to Kandaghat (2 hours and 15 minutes) to enjoy the beautiful Himalayan scenery. This narrow gauge railway is considered one of the finest engineering feats in India. Continue by road to Chandigarh (2 hours) for an overnight stay at the Hotel Chandigarh. (B)
DAYS - 12
DELHI :
Morning train to Delhi (4 hours). Spend the afternoon at leisure and overnight at the Hotel (or similar). (B)
DAYS - 13
FLY TO LONDON :
Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)
