DAY 01: ARRIVE DELHI: BY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT
Today you will arrive at Delhi’s International Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, our representative will meet you as you exit the arrivals terminal building and transfer you to your hotel.
Delhi – India’s capital and a major gateway to the country. Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds – the ancient with the modern. On arrival, check in at your hotel. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 02: DELHI
Your guide will meet you in the hotel lobby, to review the suggested itinerary and plan the pace and inclusions of your days. Today, discover Delhi in all its majesty.
Enjoy unique yet fascinating experience of Old Delhi – Happily Chaotic. You will visit Jama Masjid – the largest mosque of Asia, followed by a private tricycle rickshaw ride through the lanes of Chandni Chowk, also known as Silver Street. Next we shall drive past the mighty Red Fort, built by the Emperor Shah Jahan – the builder of Taj Mahal. Conclude the tour of Old Delhi with visit to Gandhi Memorial where Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead.
The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub Minar, which is the tallest stone tower in India. The Qutub Minar was started in 1199 AD by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak and completed by the sultan’s successor and son-in-law, Iltutmish. Then visit Humayun’s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun’s, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal.
Our drive back to the hotel will be through one of the most colonial part of New Delhi called Raisina Hill. Drive past the Presidential House and India Gate – a war memorial arch. Overnight at Hotel
DAY 03: DELHI – KALKA: BY: TRAIN & KALKA – SHIMLA: BY: TOY TRAIN
Morning with packed breakfast transfer to Railway station to board train for Kalka. (Dep at 0740 Hrs, Arr at 1105 Hrs)
Upon arrival at Kalka Railway station, board toy train to Shimla. The British called Shimla the “Queen of Hill Stations.” Situated in the northwest Himalayas, Shimla the summer capital of India before independence is now the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 04: SHIMLA
After breakfast you will proceed to explore the colonial past of this beautiful hill station. Walk down on the Mall, from this central area, the town spills downwards, with winding roads linking up settlements and stone steps connecting each layer. Dominating the eastern end of the Ridge is the Christ Church, which was consecrated in 1857. It is a prominent yellow painted building with a Victorian-Gothic spire.
Afternoon visit the most impressive colonial edifice of Shimla is the Viceregal Lodge, now known as the Rashtrapati Niwas (President’s House). Our last stop will be the Jakhu Temple, sitting on top of Jakhu hill at 2,455 metres is the highest point on the ridge. This temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the monkey god, is quite appropriately beset with hordes of very aggressive monkeys. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 05: SHIMLA – TARAGARH: BY SURFACE
After buffet breakfast you will be driven to Taragarh (255 Kms, 06 Hrs Drive), upon arrival check-in at hotel.
Taragarh is a picturesque residential estate nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas. The property belongs to the royal family of the erstwhile Princely state of Jammu & Kashmir. Formerly known as Alhilal (land of the crescent moon), Taragarh Palace, was built in the early 1930s as a summer resorts. It was bought by the royal family of Jammu & Kashmir in 1951 for the dowager Maharani who lived there for several years.
Remaining day will be at leisure. You can enjoy the activities (like horse riding, Ayurvedic massages etc….). Overnight at the hotel
DAY 06: TARAGARH – PARAGPUR: BY SURFACE
After buffet breakfast you will visit the Andretta Potteries (17 Kms), the charming village, once the home of the famous painter Sardar Shobha Singh and playwright Norah Richards. You could actually see the works of Sardar Shobha Singh. It is now transferred into a center for varied artistic activities.
Later you will drive to Paragpur (80 Kms, 02 Hrs Drive), upon arrival check-in at Heritage hotel Judge’s Court. It is a Country Manor located in the medieval hamlet of Pragpur, at an elevation of 2000 ft. Overnight at the hotel
DAY 07: PARAGPUR – DHARAMSHALA: BY: SURFACE
After leisurely breakfast you will be driven to Dharamshala (65 Kms / 1. 5 hours), upon arrival check-in at hotel. Dharamshala is the principal township of the Kangra Valley region and is magnificently set to the background of the Dhauldhar mountains.
Lower Dharamshala is the civil and business area while the upper Dharamshala, some 1,500 metres higher, is where Raj Era Places like Mcleodganj and Forsyth Ganj are located which have now become distinctly Tibetan. The area is famous for the Kangra School of miniature paintings. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 08: DHARAMSHALA
After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for half-day city tour of Dharamshala.
Spend the day visiting the Buddhist learning centers and other places of interest at Mcleodganj, home to the Dalai Lama – visiting Tsuglag Khang; Namgyalma Stupa; Church of St. John’s in wilderness; Dal Lake; Bhagsunag.
Evening will be free to stroll around the famous Tibetan Market. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 09: DHARAMSHALA – AMRITSAR: BY: SURFACE
After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to Amritsar (200 Kms / 05 Hours). Upon arrival you will proceed for check-in at your hotel.
Amritsar is one of the most ancient and fascinating cities of India. It is an important seat of Sikh history and culture. Being the gateway for travellers coming to India on the overland route from central Asia it soon became the centre of various commercial activities. Upon arrival proceed for check in your hotel.
In the late afternoon, proceed to the Wagah Border (less than 30 kilometers from the city) between India and Pakistan. At Wagah Border, witness the ceremonial changing of guard, the march-past followed by the singing of national anthem and other patriotic songs. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 10: AMRITSAR – DELHI : BY: TRAIN
After a leisurely buffet breakfast at the hotel, proceed for sightseeing tour of Amritsar visiting Golden temple and Jallianwala Bagh.
Shining in the morning light, the gilded splendor of its panelling and big dome and small minarets, this temple is a fairy world palace to the devotees of the Sikh faith. Continue to visit the Jallianwala Bagh – the historic site where hundreds of innocent Indian men, women and children were massacred by British General Michael Dyer on April 13, 1919.
Later in the evening our representative will transfer you to Amritsar railway station to board train for Delhi (Dep. At 1700 Hrs, Arr at 2230 Hrs).
Upon arrival our representative will meet you and transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 11: DELHI – BACK HOME: BY: INTER FLIGHT
After breakfast transfer to airport to board flight to onward destination.
*****Visit India again for another Memorable Trip *****