Himalayan Foothills
This tour combines the holy Sikh city of Amritsar with the emerald valleys of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Explore McLeod Ganj, the present home of the Dalai Lama and experience the peaceful atmosphere of Tibetan Buddhism. Visit Shimla, once the summer capital of the British, before you take the Toy Train to Kalka and return to Delhi.
9 days/8 nights
Hotels
Departs daily ex Delhi
Highlights:
- Visit Amritsar’s sacred Golden Temple to witness holy worship
- Chance to view the changing of the guard at the Indian-Pakistan border at Wagah
- Tour McLeod Ganj, present seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lamai
- Explore the 16th century Hadimba Temple and the hot springs of Vashisht from Manali
- Enjoy the beauty of Shimla, the former summer capital of the British Raj
Himalayan Foothills
Itinerary
9 days/8 nights
Hotels
Day 1
Amritsar
Early morning departure by air-conditioned train to Amritsar. Transfer to your hotel. Evening visit to the Golden Temple to witness holy worship.
Day 2
Amritsar
Morning city tour of Amritsar. Afternoon drive to the Indo-Pakistan border at Wagah (35km) to see the changing of the guard (subject to change). B
Days 3/4
McLeod Ganj
Drive to McLeod Ganj (5 hrs), headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile and seat of his Holiness the Dalai Lama. On day 4 enjoy sightseeing in McLeod Ganj, including the Institute of Tibetan Arts and Namgyal Monastery. BL/B
Days 5/6
Manali
Morning drive to the hill station of Manali (7 hrs). Afternoon at leisure. On Day 6 tour the 16th century Hadimba Temple and the village of Vashisht, renowned for its hot springs and temples. BL/B
Days 7/8
Shimla
Drive to Shimla (8 hrs), situated at an altitude of 2,213 metres. This former summer capital of the British is also known as the “Queen of Hills” in India. On Day 8 enjoy a morning sightseeing tour including the Viceregal Lodge, Jakhoo Hill and Himachal State Museum. Afternoon at leisure. BL/B
Day 9
Tour ends Delhi
Transfer to railway station to board the Toy Train “Himalayan Queen” for Kalka, change trains and board the “Shatabdi Express” bound for Delhi. Transfer to airport or hotel. Tour ends. B
Featured
Itineraries
The following tours are private, independent and can be easily customised to suit your personal travelling requirements. Please contact us to begin designing your personalised India experience.
Hidden Kingdom
In India's mountainous north is the remote kingdom of Sikkim, a spectacularly scenic region with warm, vibrant people.
Himalayan Foothills
This tour combines the holy Sikh city of Amritsar with beautiful hilltop towns including McLeod Ganj, present home of the Dalai Lama.
Himalayan Wonderland
Ladakh is a Himalayan wonderland, whose foothills are dotted with ancient monasteries cared for by Tibetan monks.
India Himalayas Overview
Why visit the Himalayas? The Himalayas offer some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. In contrast to much of India, this mountainous region has a strong Buddhist influence, and Macleod Ganj in Himachel Pradesh is the headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile as well as the seat of his Holiness the Dalai Lama.
When is the best time to go to the Himalayas? The summer months of May – Aug are the best time to visit to the high altitude areas of Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh as this region can be extremely cold in winter, and deep snow renders many mountain passes and valleys impassable. In summer, Shimla and the cool foothills provide welcome respite from the scorching heat of the plains, with April to August being the best time to visit. The best time to visit Amritsar is in winter.
What can I combine Himalayas with? Other areas of India such as the Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra and Jaipur), or with neighbouring Bhutan or Nepal.
How do I get to the Himalayas? Shimla can be reached from Delhi by train. Most visitors to Ladakh fly into Leh Airport. For Kumaon and village walks, you can take a train from Delhi to nearby Kathgodam. For Sikkim, fly to Bagdogra.