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Home » destinations » Asia » India » Cox and Kings India: Journey through the Himalayan Foothills
Travel to the holy city of Amritsar and McLeod Ganj, home to the Tibetan government-in-exile. Explore the north-west Indian regions of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, from the Golden Temple through the foothills of the Himalaya to Shimla. Along the way, appreciate the cultural diversity of the region through its temples, monasteries and museums.
– 3- & 4-star accommodation
– Flexible extensions, room & flight upgrades available
– Small group size – 12 people (max 14)
– International flights
– Internal flights in India
– Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
– Express train in air-conditioned executive class
– Experienced local tour manager
– 11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 7 dinners
– Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
– Porterage at airports and stations
– Day at leisure in Pragpur
– Heritage walk through Amritsar
– Ride on the Kangra Mountain Railway and the toy train to Nagrota
– Visit a local family in Dharamsala
– Take a sunset walk through Gaddi Villages
Day 1: Fly from London to Delhi
Fly from London to Delhi
(No meals)
Day 2: Amritsar
On arrival, transfer to the Hyatt Amritsar for 2 nights. Evening visit to the Golden Temple for the auspicious Palki Sahib night ceremony to witness the evening kirtan (devotional prayers). Enjoy a welcome dinner
(Dinner)
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.
(Breakfast)
Day 4: McLeod Ganj
Travel by road to McLeod Ganj in Dharamsala. 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 local markets,
(Breakfast)
Day 5: Dharamsala
After breakfast, visit the Norbulingka Institute, dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture. Visit a local family to see regional Gaddi dress. Later, take a gentle walk through traditional Gaddi settlements to Naddi village, enjoying spectacular views of the Dhauladhar mountain range as the sun sets.(Breakfast)
Day 6: Palampur
Visit Kangrato see the ruins of the fort and the Bajeshwari Temple. Then drive to Palampur and visit the Tashijong Monastery
(Breakfast and dinner)
Day 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. Then, travel to Pragpur for a 2 night stay.
(Breakfast and dinner)
Day 8: Pragpur
In the morning, join a walk to Garli Heritage Village and see the architecture. Later, you can enjoy an afternoon at leisure or join an optional visit to the Jwalamukhi and Chintpurni temples.
(Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Day 9: Shimla
Full-day drive through the Himalayan foothills to the former British hill station of Shimla. (Breakfast and dinner)
Day 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.(Breakfast and dinner)
Day 11: Shimla
Travel on the Himalayan Queen ‘toy train’ from Shimla to Kandaghat (2 hours 15 minutes) to enjoy the beautiful Himalayan scenery. This narrow-gauge railway is considered one of the finest engineering feats in India. Afternoon at leisure before a farewell dinner.
(Breakfast and dinner)
Day 12: Delhi
Travel by road to Chandigarh (3 hours) to take the midday train to Delhi
(Breakfast)
Day 13: Fly to London
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
(Breakfast)
Hyatt Amritsar, Amritsar
Set in the heart of the city with easy access to the Golden Temple and other important sites, Hyatt Amritsar is a modern contemporary style hotel. All 248 rooms and suites offer panoramic views of the historic city and are elegantly designed in warm wooden hues. The hotel has some of the best dining options in Amritsar with restaurants serving Japanese, Italian, Thai and Chinese food. There is also a spa that offers a holistic blend of international wellness treatments and a temperature controlled outdoor swimming pool.
The Maidens Hotel, Delhi
Built in 1903, The Maidens hotel is a jewel of colonial architecture set amid three hectares of emerald-green lawns which has retained its old world charm down the years. Conveniently located, the hotel is 24km from the airport and 10km from Connaught Place, the main shopping and commercial centre. Rooms are well-appointed and spacious featuring all the amenities of a modern international hotel. Features: 54 rooms, Wi-Fi, 3 restaurants, bar, outdoor terrace and swimming pool. Room amenities: Flat-screen TV, safe, radio-alarm, minibar, tea & coffee making facilities.
Fortune Park Moksha, McLeod Ganj
Located just 6km from McLeod Ganj, in a quiet and scenic corner of the Strawberry Hills, the Fortune Park Moksha is an elegant hillside property with beautiful views of the snow-capped Dhauladhar mountain range and the pristine Dharamshala valley. Each of the 59 rooms has its own charm and character and are spread across three blocks of the property.
Taragarh Palace, Taragarh
In 1931, the Nawab of Bahawalpur built a large European style summer residence up in the cool Himalayan jungles of the Kangra district. He laid out gardens and built a glass pavilion and a mosque. The property was taken over by Maharani Tara Devi of Kashmir in 1950, and renamed Taragarh. The palace is situated on a forested estate surrounded by tea gardens in one of the most scenic and unexplored areas of Himachal Pradesh.
The Judge’s Court, Pragpur
Set among 4.8 hectares of exotic trees and fruit orchards, the Judge’s Court comprises a colonial-style country manor that was built at the turn of the 20th century and an ancestral cottage, which is nearly 300 years old. Each of the 21 rooms and suites spread between the manor house and the ancestral cottage is spacious, elegantly furnished with period-style furniture and retains much of the old-world charm and character. Facilities include a restaurant that serves Indian as well as continental cuisine with many vegetables and fruits from their own garden, a bar and an outdoor swimming pool.
The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla
The hill stations provided a cool retreat for the Raj during the heat of the Indian summer. This heritage is captured by the Oberoi Cecil, which provides a luxurious base from which to explore the surrounding town and countryside. A view of the hills and forests is offered from many of the hotel’s 71 rooms.
Please call us free on 0800 707 6229 for pricing and availability
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