Himalayan holiday is part-spiritual adventure and part-celebration of the world’s highest mountain range. Our Himalayan Foothills Tour features The Golden Temple, Dharamsala and Shimla, travels via Amritsar to Dharamsala, through the Kangra Valley to Shimla.
We start at historic New Delhi, India’s capital city that has retained its colonial and Mughal influence while embracing modernity. We set on a journey ahead to the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is the holiest place of worship in the Sikh faith and a monument that, just like the Taj Mahal, has to be seen to be believed.
From the plains of Punjab, it’s on to the lofty peaks of Himachal Pradesh. The first stop is Dharamsala, the seat of the Dalai Lama in India. Depending on the mood you’re in, visit the monastery or the market. You then head to Pragpur, India’s only heritage village. Its cobblestone streets, slanting roof houses and, of course, views of the lush Kangra valley make Pragpur as pretty as a picture, which is just as well, because this place is also home to the Kangra School of Painting.
Chandigarh the first planned city of India will be our next stop. The winding roads then take you to Himachal Pradesh’s capital Shimla, which was also the summer capital of the British. The Raj influence is still apparent is many of its monuments. Enjoy the buzz of the town, or take quiet little walks through the pines.
Then it’s back to where it began, Delhi, with a lot of memories and a little piece of India in your heart.
| Day | Activities |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive at New Delhi airport. Drop to the hotel. |
| Day 2 | Train transfer to Amritsar. Pick up from railway station & drop to the hotel. |
| Day 3 | Full day sightseeing of Amritsar. |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Dharalshala. |
| Day 5 | Sightseeing of Dharamshala. |
| Day 6 | Transfer to Pragpur & sightseeing of the heritage village. |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Chandighar & sightseeing of the city. |
| Day 8 | Transfer to Shimla. |
| Day 9 | Sightseeing of Shimla. |
| Day 10 | Transfer to Delhi. |
| Day 11 | Drop to the airport. |
Arrive at New Delhi International airport, and meet our representative waiting for you with your name board at the exit gate no. 6 of Terminal 3. You will be introduced to your private driver by the representative, who will assist you in getting transferred to your pre-booked hotel. This day is to relax to get rid of the jetlag. Overnight in Delhi
Meet our driver early in the morning to get transferred to New Delhi railway station to board the train to Amritsar. Amritsar, literally meaning the ‘Pool of the Nectar of Immortality’, is the major spiritual and cultural centre of Sikhs.
The city was founded by Guru Ram Das in 1574 on land bought by him for 700 rupees from the owners of the village of Tung. It is home to the Harmandir Sahib (referred to as the “Golden Temple” in the western media), the spiritual and cultural center for the Sikh religion. This important Sikh shrine attracts more visitors than the Taj Mahal with more than 100,000 visitors on week days alone and is the most popular destination for Non-resident Indians (NRI) in the whole of India.
On reaching Amritsar – “the city of Nectar”, meet our driver at the railway station. He will assist you in getting transferred to your hotel. This day will be at leisure.
This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of the historic Amritsar, including the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh. Amritsar’s main attraction – the beautiful Golden Temple, is made of white marble, bronze and gold leaf. To enter the temple, you must don a traditional headscarf, wade through a shallow pool (a purification ritual) and merge with the mass of bodies that circle the embankment around the holy structure.
The Jallianwala Bagh is a particularly sacred place for all Indians today, as it is associated with a poignant episode in India’s freedom struggle. Besides a thriving industry, Punjab is also known for handicrafts and handlooms.
This afternoon travel approximately 28km to Wagah, which is the only border crossing between India and Pakistan. Visiting Wagah is an interesting experience especially at sunset when the ‘Retreat’ ceremony takes place with the BSF on the Indian Side of the Border. The changing of the guards and the ceremonial lowering of the flags ceremony is carried out with great pomp. Return hotel for dinner and stay.
Today get driven towards Dharamshala – The Land of the Lamas. It is full of life and yet peaceful. Covering a wide area in the form of twin settlement, Lower Dharamshala (1380m) is a busy commercial centre. While upper Dharamshala (1830m) with the suburbs of Mcleodganj and Forsytheganj, retains a British flavour and colonial lifestyle.
As the sun sets, get ready to be spellbound. Opening up to views of the Milky Way, the clear skies of Himachal is a beauty beyond words. Stargazing is a pleasure which you must definitely indulge in. Enjoying the starlight reflecting on the snowcapped peaks is one of the most interesting things to do in Mcleodganj.Dinner and Overnight stay at Hotel.
The 2nd day is scheduled for half-day sightseeing in Dharamshala including Dal Lake-placed amidst lush greenery the lake also has a Shiva temple on its banks, St. John’s Church- an Anglican church built in 1852, it is dedicated to John The Baptist, Tibetan Monastery- for witnessing the worshipping rituals of the region and Bhagsu Nag Temple- an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Snake God, Nag and Lord Shiva.
Explore Mcleodganj in the latter half of the day and pay a visit to the Namgyal monastery where his holiness Dalai Lama resides. Another highlight of Mcleodganj is the cultural shows on Tibetan culture – folk dance and music at the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts. Make your evening a one to remember as you watch Tibetan cultural stage performances including traditional Lhamo, the local folk opera at the cultural center. Overnight at hotel.
Today we will visit Pragpur – the first heritage village. It has been notified as ‘Heritage village’ because of the ancient rural beauty and architecture that it has.
Pragpur is a small hamlet with very little population. It is located at an elevation of 1800 ft above the sea level in the Kangra Valley. Pragpur village lies on the foothills of the massive Dhauladhars popularly referred to as the White Ranges.
Take a walk through this quaint village. Sight the essence of an earlier era – unchanged shops, cobbled streets, ornamental village tank, mud plastered and slate roofed houses.
Overnight in Pragpur.
Following early breakfast, drive to Chandigarh, India’s first planned city and was modeled by the renowned architect Le Corbusier. Chandigarh proudly embodies a unique blend of urbane architecture and natural beauty. The temple of goddess Chandi, from whom Chandigarh derives its name, is perched on the majestic Shivalik range and looms over the city skyline.
First up on the private sightseeing tour of Chandigarh is the Rock Garden. This beautiful garden is the brainchild of Nek Chand, a former road inspector of Chandigarh, in 1957. The garden has been constructed as an open-air exhibition made of urban and industrial wastes by Nek Chand.
Resting at the foothills of Shivaliks, Sukhna Lake is a beautiful lake located in Chandigarh and is the next place to visit in our trip. The Rose Garden of Chandigarh is one of the most serene places in the one day tour of Chandigarh. Rose Garden is a massive garden spread over an impressive area of almost 30 acres. Spend the night in Chandigarh
After having sumptuous breakfast, leave for Shimla, once the Summer Capital of the British India. The place still has the touch of British architecture and designs in certain places. Walking around the Mall is just awesome. The lush green hills and the snowcapped mountains stand tall, making it a very scenic place. Overnight in Shimla.
Walking through the Heritage Zone, is an experience in itself. It is all about storytelling and talking about the past and the present of this lovely Himalayan town. You learn a lot about the British Raj, their influence on the Indian society and their rule. The lovely engineering and architecture of the buildings and other projects such as water supply, electricity, railways, bazaars, schools, postal services, medical facilities, hospitals, hotels, clubs, theatres and layout of the towns were just noticeable. The British lifestyle ran parallel to Indian life and left a great influence on it which still can be seen. Shimla displays all that in an elegant way and if the tales are narrated by a local writer and an explorer, it makes it more and more interesting. Overnight in Shimla. Overnight in Shimla.
Today we drive to Shimla railway station and experience the grandeur of the picturesque Himalayas on a toy train. The train chugs passing through the valleys down to the Shivalik foothills at Kalka. Board the train to Delhi on reaching Kalka and get received by our driver at New Delhi railway station. Overnight in Delhi.
Morning check out of the hotel and get driven to Delhi airport for boarding flight to your onward destination. Services from HNK Travel Solutions end here.
The Foothills Of Himalayas, Price Guideline Per Person in US ₹ based on two people sharing.
| Seasons | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| High Season | From INR 71000 |
| Low Season | From INR 67000 |
To avoid any fluctuation in the exchange rate we fix the price as per the prevailing rate, the day guest contacts us. No matter the currency goes up or down our rate of exchange will be fixed and hence, the payment will be collected in accordance to it.
The best time to visit India is between October and April. High Season falls in November and February, with a peak season applying over New Year, Easter & Fair. Low season typically runs from May to mid-September. For more information please feel free to write us.
All prices are subject to availability at the time of booking. Prices do not include International flights, are on a per person basis, based on two people sharing a room, and a minimum group size of two. Single and sole traveler supplements will apply.
Accommodation for 10 nights on bed & breakfast basis.
Airport assistance on arrival..
All transfers and sightseeing by a private chauffer driven air-conditioned car.
Bottled mineral water for each person each day in the car.
Rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi).
Walking tour of Pragpur.
A walk through the historic lanes of Shimla.
Train journey from Delhi to Amritsar and Chandigarh to Delhi by Shatabdi Express.
Toy train ride from Shimla to Kala.
An English Speaking licensed guide accompanying you at the time of sightseeing.
Bottled mineral water for each person each day in the car.
All applicable taxes.
International flights.
Domestic flights.
Visa application fees.
Personal Purchase (laundy, shopping, tips, etc).
Monument Entry Fees.
Meals other than breakfast.
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