Day 1: Fly from Delhi to Amritsar
Starting today, you will travel deep north to explore some of India’s less-visited beautiful places. We will arrange the air ticket from Delhi to Amritsar for you. Depending on the flight time, we will arrange a private car with chauffeur to take you to the for a flight to Amritsar. Our local driver will wait for you there and transfer you to the hotel.
► Tip: Amritsar, a city known for numerous Sikh and Hindu shrines in the northwestern India, is just 28 kilometers from the Indo-Pak Border. If time and energy allow, you can explore the city on your own and then return to the hotel for a good rest.
|
Day 2: Get Inspired in Golden Temple of Amritsar
Sightseeing Activities: In the morning, our guide will accompany you to visit the dazzling Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib), a prominent Sikh pilgrimage site with golden facade. ★ What makes us different: We offer the most authentic experience, not just a quick look. Follow our guide, who is well acquainted with the local culture and customs, you need to wrap your hair in a turban or scarf, take off your shoes, and walk through the small pool at the entrance to the temple, as a proper Sikh would do. After viewing the exquisite Sikh architecture, our guide will take you to the Langar Hall opposite the temple, the world's largest Community Kitchen, for a free meal. Every day, more than 100 employees and devotees serve 100,000 people free meals, usually including coconut porridge, beans, cakes and drinking water. Afterwards, we will proceed to the Ram Bagh Garden, where you could appreciate the ancient palaces and the peaceful garden. In the afternoon, we will drive to the Attari-Wagah Border to watch the unique flag-lowering ceremony, a daily military practice jointly performed by the security forces of India and Pakistan since 1959. Featuring impressive parade and elaborate dances, the ceremony is popular with both locals and tourists. Watch it from the India side, and you’ll get the Indian sense of humor through their lively singing and dancing. In the evening, the guide will escort you back to the hotel. Meals: Breakfast Golden Temple Community Kitchen
|
Day 3: Drive from Amritsar to Shimla (300 km; 8 Hours)
After breakfast, we will drive to Shimla, a hillside town in the Himalayas brimmed with European-style mansions and Hindu ruins. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and have a good rest to relieve the fatigue of the long ride.
Meals: Breakfast
|
Sightseeing Activities: After breakfast, our guide will show you around Shimla, once a colonial city full of Tudorbethan and neo-Gothic buildings. We will first visit the Jakhoo Temple, an ancient temple housing a towering statue of the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman. You will meet many lovely monkeys in the temple and get an awesome view from the top. Next, we will proceed to the Himachal State Museum & Library, where you can learn about the history of Himachal Pradesh through various artifacts. Afterwards, we will go to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), a historical research institution built in the colonial era. In the afternoon, the guide will lead you to visit the Christ Church constructed 160 years ago in the neo-Gothic style and take a leisurely stroll at the nearby Scandal Corner, once the rendezvous point for the dramatic elopement in 1892 of a maharaja and the viceroy’s daughter. Meals: Breakfast Christ Church, Shimla Scandal Corner
|
Day 5: Drive from Shimla to Manali (250 km; 8 Hours)
Today, we will drive north to Manali, a tranquil Himalayan resort town located in the Beas River Valley more than 2,000 meters above sea level. Surrounded by rolling snow-capped mountains, the town is endowed with lush forests, clear rivers, and fresh air. Upon arrival, check into the hotel and have a good rest.
Meals: Breakfast
|
Day 6: Explore Manali: Hidimba Devi Temple, Leisure Walk in the Old Manali
Sightseeing Activities: Our first stop today will be the Hidimba Devi Temple, a historic wooden Hindu shrine built in a forest. Next, let’s get refreshed by an enjoyable walk in the Old Manali, a laid-back place with few high structures and famous for its mountain trails and vibrant orchards. In the afternoon, the guide will escort you to a Hot Sulphur Spring in a nearby village, where you can have a relaxed shower or soak. Afterwards, we will head to the Tibetan Temple for a visit. There you could get close to the Tibetan Buddhism and admire the colorful Tibetan handicrafts. Meals: Breakfast
|
Day 7: Himalayan Excursion to Hampta Village
Sightseeing Activities: After breakfast, we will set off to the Hampta Village, a wonderland located in the breathtaking Himalayas and a perfect hiking place for nature lovers. After an in-depth trek, we will escort you back to the hotel in Manali. ★ What makes us different: Our local guides are all professional mountaineering leaders, with more than 10 treks into the Himalayas every year and very familiar with the local routes and road conditions. The guide will take you to the most classic Hampta Pass trek, offer professional hiking and river-crossing instructions, and provide medicines when necessary to keep you safe and healthy. You just need to enjoy the beautiful isolated world. The bright sky with fluffy clouds, the hills covered with endless plants, and the clear rivers will together create the scenes of natural beauty that you will never forget. Meals: Breakfast Tibetan Temple Hampta Village
|
Day 8: Road Trip to Chandigarh by Private Car (312 km; 9 Hours)
In the morning, we will take a road trip to Chandigarh, a charming city featuring elaborately-designed layout. Upon arrival, we will check into the hotel to have a break. At dusk, our driver will take you to visit an amazing manmade lake - the Sukhna Lake with an area of 3 square kilometers. In the golden sunset, the satin-like surface of the lake turns into a wonderful color and you could enjoy the ultimate serenity there.
Meals: Breakfast
|
Day 9: Visit Chandigarh & Drive to Rishikesh
Morning Sightseeing: After breakfast, the guide will lead you to visit the Rock Garden featuring a cluster of interesting sculptures. Next, we will head to the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, honored as the largest rose garden in Asia. Here you will see an ocean of beautiful roses and trees, which not only make a wonderful scenery, but also provide medicinal value. Afternoon Transfer to Rishikesh: (240 km; 6 hours) After the visit of Chandigarh, our driver will escort you to Rishikesh in our private car. We will arrive in the evening and check into a nice local hotel. Meals: Breakfast
|
Day 10: An Intensive Visit to Rishikesh
Sightseeing Activities: After breakfast, we will start to explore Rishikesh. You will be first guided to visit the Ram Jhula and Laxman Jhula, two remarkable iron suspension bridges across the holy Ganga River. ★ Special Experience of Yoga Class: Our guide will take you to visit several famous local ashrams, including the Sivananda Ashram, Beatles Ashram, and Parmarth Niketan. They are all on the banks of the Ganges, and offer yoga courses and meditation sessions. If you are interested, you can stay longer or contact our customer service in advance to book additional meditation room and class for you. In addition, we will visit the Geeta Bhawan, which is a popular free residence for the Hindu devotees to listen to discourses and do meditation. In the evening, we will go to the Triveni Ghat by the river to watch the most genuine and sacred Ganga Aarti Ceremony. Meals: Breakfast Rock Garden Laxman Jhula Bridge
|
Day 11: Head to Haridwar; Afternoon Sightseeing & Ganga Aarti
Sightseeing Activities: In the morning, we will set out for Haridwar, a holy religious city in India, endowed with a large number of temples. On arrival, the guide will accompany you to visit the Daksha Mahadev Temple, Saptrishi Ashram, Pawan Dham, Kushavarta Ghat, Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple, and Daksha Mahadev Temple. At the Kushavarta Ghat, you will see the devotees bathing in their holy river – the Ganges. In the evening, the guide will take you to the Hari-Ki-Pauri Ghat for another wonderful Ganga Aarti. Meals: Breakfast
|
Day 12: Drive to Delhi and See-off at Airport
Departure Note: After breakfast, our driver will transfer you to the Delhi Airport in 5 to 6 hour and see you off. There you can take your own-booked flight home or to the next destination. Wish you a nice trip! If you would like to extend your stay in India or would like a customized itinerary to another country, please feel free to contact us.
Meals: Breakfast
|
