Day 01. Arrive in Delhi where you will meet your guide and driver to assist you to the hotel for check-in procedures. Relax at the hotel after Jetlag. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.
​
Delhi is India's capital and comprises two distinct halves. Old Delhi was the heart of Muslim India between the 17th and 19th centuries and is home to several grand mosques and crumbling monuments, a majestic fort, and bustling street markets. In contrast, the planned district of New Delhi, with its government buildings, tree-lined avenues, and colonial-era bungalows was purpose-built in the 1930s by the British and remains the epicentre of Indian political power.
​
Day 02. Today after breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Amritsar. Arrive Amritsar, meet your driver at the airport who will accompany you for the duration of your trip. You will be driven to your hotel and have some time to relax and recover from the flight. This evening, head to the Wagah Border 1 hour {35 km} to the Wagah border which is the line of demarcation between India and Pakistan. It was planned, decided, and placed during the partition of Pakistan from India. The Wagah border map was also made in a complex manner for increased security. The border is situated 600 meters east of the Wagah village. The border is strategically placed on the grand trunk road between Lahore, Punjab and Amritsar, India. It is 24 kilometres from Lahore and 32 kilometres from Amritsar.

 

Be the part of the ceremony held each evening as the border closes where you can see the guards from both sides march in elaborate military costumes and face-off across the border in front of packed crowds. Return to your hotel for Dinner.
 

Please note that

The border is sometimes closed when relations between the two countries are at a low.
Stay informed about the situation by reading the news and asking around when you arrive in Amritsar.
 

Arrive at least an hour early for the ceremony, as it can get quite crowded.
The ceremony lasts about 45 minutes. Bring your passports to the border; you may need them to see the ceremony.
​
Day 03. Early breakfast at the hotel and visit the Golden Temple early morning.
​
The legendary Golden Temple is a place of great beauty and sublime peacefulness. Buddha is known to have spent time at this place in contemplation. Two thousand years after Buddha's time, another philosopher-saint came to live and meditate by the peaceful lake. This was Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of the Sikh religion. After the passing away of Guru Nanak, his disciples continued to frequent the site; over the centuries it became the primary sacred shrine of the Sikhs. The lake was enlarged and structurally contained during the leadership of the fourth Sikh Guru (Ram Dass, 1574-1581), and during the leadership of the fifth Guru (Arjan, 1581-1606), the Hari Mandir, or Temple of God was built. From the early 1600s to the mid-1700s the sixth through tenth Sikh Gurus were constantly involved in defending both their religion and their temple against Muslim armies. On numerous occasions, the temple was destroyed by the Muslims, and each time was rebuilt more beautifully by the Sikhs. From 1767 onwards, the Sikhs became strong enough militarily to repulse invaders. Peace returned to the Hari Mandir.

 

The temple's architecture draws on both Hindu and Muslim artistic styles yet represents the unique coevolution of the two. During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), Hari Mandir was richly ornamented with marble sculptures, golden gilding, and large quantities of precious stones. Within the sanctuary, on a jewel-studded platform, lies the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. This scripture is a collection of devotional poems, prayers, and hymns composed by the ten Sikh gurus and various Muslim and Hindu saints. Beginning early in the morning and lasting until long past sunset, these hymns are chanted to the exquisite accompaniment of flutes, drums, and stringed instruments. Echoing across the serene lake, this enchantingly beautiful music induces a delicate yet powerful state of trance in the pilgrims strolling around the marble concourse encircling the pool and temple. An underground spring feeds the sacred lake, and throughout the day and night, pilgrims immerse themselves in the water, a symbolic cleansing of the soul rather than an actual bathing of the body.
​
Continue to Dharamshala today 06 hrs drive; the road conditions can be very poor but your driver can suggest places to stop along the way for refreshments. It's a particularly scenic drive, and always a wonderful moment the first time you see the Himalayas peeking above the skyline. Check into your hotel pre-booked. Later you will be visiting St. John Church also known as St. John in the Wilderness is one of the oldest Anglican churches in the region, dedicated to John the Baptist. Built in 1852, amidst deodar forests, the church is built in neo-Gothic architectural style and is known for its Belgian stained-glass windows that were donated by Lady Elgin, wife of Lord Elgin. This church itself is dedicated to Lord Elgin, the British Viceroy, who died in 1863 in Dharamshala. During a strong earthquake in 1905 in Kangra, the church’s bell tower got destroyed. A new bell was built in 1915 by Mears and Stain bank, which was brought from England. Return to your hotel for an early dinner.

​

Day 04. Explore Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj today with your local guide on a private tour. In the area you will notice the Tibetan population and vibrantly robed monks, making it feel like another country. The Tsuglagkhang Complex is particularly fascinating, home to the Dalai Lama and the Namgyal Monastery. Your guide can explain the complex history of Tibetan refugees arriving across the border with Tibet, as well as a visit to the Tibet Museum (which does have irregular opening hours so not always possible).

 

Day 05. Early breakfast today and trek in the region of Dharamshala today, discussing with your guide the type of walk you'd like dependent on your interests. The 8 km (5 miles) Triund Trek is a scenic choice - but quite steep so best discussed with your guide beforehand. The rest of the day is kept for leisure or wander in the local market area. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

​

Day 06. You have a couple of hours in the car today as you head to the heritage village of Pragpur, with its winding cobbled lane, mud-plastered walls, and slate-roofed houses, this village offers what most destinations can only dream of promising — a return, if briefly, to the simple life of an erstwhile era.
​
The scenic Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh is no stranger to heritage and history. It even lends its name to a mid-18th century school of miniature painting. It is also home to Pragpur, a quaint little village that drew attention when the state government, in 1997, certified it as a Heritage Village, making it the first such village in India.

In the evenings today do wander through the street, meet the people, and enjoy the peace.

​

You will be staying at the Judge's Court - Lovingly restored over several years, The Judge’s Court is Pragpur‘s chief attraction. Set amidst expansive acreage replete with mango and litchi orchards, this two-story brick-red mansion has six spacious rooms furnished with colonial-era furniture and paintings. The hotel gardens are also beautiful to relax in.

​

Day 07. Enjoy your healthy breakfast and be ready for a six-hour journey to Shimla today with your private driver, passing some great vistas. The drive is through Hamirpur Village – in case of rain showers, this will add a lot to the beauty of your drive to Shimla.
 

On arrival, take some time to relax at your hotel. It's well located on one end of the (pedestrianism) Mall Road where you can safely explore. You might like to head out in the evening as the shops and restaurants stay open late. Return to y our hotel for Dinner.

​

Day 08. Breakfast at the hotel and later enjoy the heritage guided walk with a local guide in Shimla. The time taken for the heritage walk of Shimla is about 5 hrs. The starting point being Vice Regal Lode or near Clark’s hotel at one end of the mall road. Through Combermere bridge, Mall Road, Christ Church, The Ridge, Bandstand, Gaiety Theater, Townhall, Scandal Point, Grand hotel ( Bentinck’s Castel), Gorton Castle, Kennedy cottage( the sight of the first British house in Shimla), Cecil Hotel, Museum and reach Viceregal Lodge which is nowadays known as Indian Institute Of Advance studies. Each of these buildings possesses many Historical and Heritage buildings with a different style of architecture and holding many stories of the past Era. Driving is also an option till Viceregal Lodge from there you can walk back towards the town on the Heritage walk of Shimla. It is a very easy and interesting walk of 5 hrs. You can experience all the places and buildings at your own pace.

 

Today afternoon you have the opportunity to spend some time on the famous 'Toy Train'. A variety of tickets are on offer and your specialist will be able to suggest the best choice for you.

 

Day 09. Today is at your leisure. Explore Shimla further, independently, or drive up to Wildflower Hall for some pretty woodland hill walks, or afternoon tea in the dining room. Evenings are free for shopping or enjoying a walk again through the Mall Road. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

 

Day 10. Today travel by road and rail, via Kalka, to Delhi. A full day's travel, there are a few different journey options back to Delhi depending on your preferences. Arriving late in the evening you're met on the platform by our representative and transferred to your hotel, which is well located for easy access to the airport tomorrow.

 

Day 11. This early morning after breakfast you will be met at your hotel and taken to the airport by private transfer to catch your onward flight.