New Delhi Trip Overview
Our Himalayan Foothills Tour features The Golden Temple & The Yoga Capital of India – Haridwar & Rishikesh, Shimla & Dharamshala. If you’re looking for a travel experience that has all the quintessential Indian elements plus a whole lot of surprises, this north Indian circuit is for you. Think spirituality and shopping, bustle and solitude, leisure and adventure. We start at historic New Delhi, India’s capital city that has retained its colonial and Mughal influence while embracing modernity. Marvel at the turn-of-the-century buildings and even older monuments (Red Fort, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid). Proceed to Haridwar & Rishikesh & fall in love with foothills of Himalayas. Dive in the spirit of spirituality. Later we will move to Shimla & observe an Era which British lived here. At the second half of the tour we will visit the home in exile of His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama & Golden Temple at Amritsar.
Additional Info
Duration: 12 days
Starts: New Delhi, India
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore New Delhi Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi, India
Our Himalayan Foothills Tour features The Golden Temple & The Yoga Capital of India – Haridwar & Rishikesh, Shimla & Dharamshala. If you’re looking for a travel experience that has all the quintessential Indian elements plus a whole lot of surprises, this north Indian circuit is for you. Think spirituality and shopping, bustle and solitude, leisure and adventure. We start at historic New Delhi, India’s capital city that has retained its colonial and Mughal influence while embracing modernity. Marvel at the turn-of-the-century buildings and even older monuments (Red Fort, India Gate, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid). Proceed to Haridwar & Rishikesh & fall in love with foothills of Himalayas. Dive in the spirit of spirituality. Later we will move to Shimla & observe an Era which British lived here. At the second half of the tour we will visit the home in exile of His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama & Golden Temple at Amritsar.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive at New Delhi
Pass By: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, Delhi 110037, India
On your arrival at New Delhi International airport, you will meet our representative and get transferred to pre booked hotel in a private vehicle. Check in at designated hotel for overnight stay.
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Hotel in New Delhi
Day 2: New & Old Delhi Sightseeing Tour
Pass By: Red Fort, Netaji Subhash Marg, New Delhi 110002 India
One of the historic monuments located in Delhi and gets its name from the red colour sandstone used for construction by the Mughals. This fort was used as a ceremonial spot for the royals and is used for political and national ceremonies even today. Constructed in 1639 by the fifth Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the palace of his fortified capital Shahjahanabad, the Red Fort is named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone and is adjacent to the older Salimgarh Fort, built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546 AD. The imperial apartments consist of a row of pavilions, connected by a water channel known as the Stream of Paradise.
Stop At: Chandni Chowk, Near Red Fort, New Delhi 110006 India
The Chandni Chowk (Moonlight Square) is one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi, India. Chandni Chowk is located close to Old Delhi Railway Station. The Red Fort monument is located within the market. It was built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor of India Shah Jahan and designed by his daughter Jahanara. The market was once divided by canals (now closed) to reflect moonlight and remains one of India’s largest wholesale markets. The market’s history dates to the founding of the capital city of Shahjahanabad when Emperor Shah Jahan established the Red Fort on the banks of the Yamuna River beside his new capital. Chandni Chowk also famous for foodies. if you want to taste local food of delhi, have to visit Chandani Chowk. Delicacy food is Babu Ram Paranthe wala, Old Famous Jalebi wala, Kuremal ki Kulfi, Natraj Dahi Bhalla and many more….
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Stop At: Humayun’s Tomb, Mathura Road Opp Nizamuddin Mosque, New Delhi 110013 India
This magnificent garden tomb is the first substantial example of Mughal architecture in India. Humayun’s Tomb It was built in 1565 A.D. nine years after the death of Humayun, by his senior widow Bega Begam. Inside the walled enclosure the most notable features are the garden squares (chaharbagh) with pathways water channels, centrally located well proportional mausoleum topped by double dome. There are several graves of Mughal rulers located inside the walled enclosure and from here in 1857 A.D; Lieutenant Hudson had captured the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II.
Duration: 2 hours
Pass By: Rashtrapati Bhavan, Rajpath, New Delhi 110004 India
Home to the President of the world’s largest democracy, epitomizing India’s strength, its democratic traditions and secular character. It was Sir Lutyens who conceptualized the H shaped building, covering an area of 5 acres on a 330 acre estate. This mansion has a total of 340 rooms spread over four floors, 2.5 kilometres of corridors and 190 acres of garden area. Painstaking efforts of thousands of labourers including masons, carpenters, artists, carvers, and cutters saw the completion of this masterwork in the year 1929.
Pass By: India Gate, Rajpath Near Connaught Place New Delhi, New Delhi 110001 India
Right opposite the Rashtrapati Bhavan, at the centre of New Delhi stands the 42 m high India Gate, an “Arc-de-Triomphe” like archway in the middle of a crossroad. Almost similar to its French counterpart, it commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I. The memorial bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the North western Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919.
Stop At: Qutub Minar, Qutb Minar, Mehrauli, New Delhi 110030 India
A soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi’s last Hindu kingdom. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone. At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. An inscription over its eastern gate provocatively informs that it was built with material obtained from demolishing ’27 Hindu temples’. A 7 m-high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque. It is said that if you can encircle it with your hands while standing with your back to it your wish will be fulfilled.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast: In Delhi
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Hotel in New Delhi
Day 3: New Delhi – Rishikesh (By Road)
Pass By: Rishikesh, Rishikesh, Dehradun District, Uttarakhand
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Rishikesh. On arrival check-in in Aashram. After check-in, you will relax for a while. Later in the evening, we will proceed to Haridwar. Haridwar – The city of holy Ganges, Haridwar is lies on the foothills of the Himalayas, is the point from where the legendary Ganges reaches the plains. Experience evening ceremony at the famous bank of Holy river Ganges ‘Har Ki Paudi’. Later visit the local market & temples of Haridwar. Return to Rishikesh & stay at the Ashram.
Meals included:
• Breakfast: In Delhi
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Hotel in Rishikesh
Day 4: In Rishikesh (Rishikesh Walking Tour)
Stop At: Lakshman Jhula Bridge, Rishikesh 249137 India
Morning breakfast & relax at Ashram. You can go out to the closest beach at your Aashram & enjoy the tranquility on the bank of River Ganges. Later we will visit Rishikesh Laxman Jhula, Temples & Aashram there, later walk down to colorful market of Rishikesh & evening Ganga Aarti Ceremony. It is amazing to observe Indian rituals. Overnight stay at same Ashram in upper part of Rishikesh – in the lap of hills.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: In Rishikesh
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Hotel in Rishikesh
Day 5: Rishikesh – Shimla (By Road)
Pass By: Shimla, Shimla, Shimla District, Himachal Pradesh
After an early breakfast check-out from the Ashram and drive towards Shimla – also known as Queen of Hills. The popular summer capital of the British times is a proud capital city of the state of Himachal Pradesh. Drive is long but amazing as you will be passing through some of the major towns of North India. Later in the evening, we will be reaching Shimla & check-in at resort.
Meals included:
• Breakfast: In Rishikesh
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Hotel in Shimla
Day 6: In Shimla (Colonial Walk of Shimla)
Stop At: The Mall, Shimla 171001 India
To know more about Shimla & it’s beautifully crafted past, one has to take a heritage walk in the old town of Shimla. You will feel the British era and listen the oldest stories from your guide. You will get to know why Shimla was once the summer capital of British. On the passage, you will visit gaiety theater (if open), church, ridge, The Mall, Indian institute of advance study (close on Monday), vice regal lodge. This walk is amazing in many ways. Later in afternoon lunch at any nice local restaurant. Later a hike to Jakhu hill where on the top, you will see a big statue of Hindu God Hanuman.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: In Shimla
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Hotel in Shimla
Day 7: Shimla – Dharamshala (By Road)
Pass By: Dharamsala, Dharamsala, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh
Morning after breakfast check out from hotel & drive towards Dharamshala. It’s a six hours scenic driving (236 Kms) to reach the home of His Holiness The Dalai Lama at Dharamshala. While crossing the region & suddenly footing down at Himalayan region of Dhauladhar, you will see the Himalayan peaks gazing in the skyline. It feels amazing to see Dhauladhar mountain range of Himalayas guarding the Kanga valley all around. On arrival in Dharamshala which is a major town in Kangra valley, you will be transferred to designated hotel.
Meals included:
• Breakfast: In Shimla
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Hotel in Dharamshala
Day 8: In Dharamshala (Kora walk, Tea garden walk, Dalai Lama Temple Visit)
Stop At: Dharamsala, Dharamsala, Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh
Morning after breakfast proceed for guided tour of Dharamshala & Mcleodganj. Your guide will take you for a sacred Kora walk, It’s a clock wise walk which will start from Dalai Lama official residence in Mcleodganj. Walk will go through beautiful pine forest where the five colours Tibetan prayer flags beautifying the entire course. After sacred kora walk & knowing about Buddhism, we will proceed to visit the Mecleodganj impressive monasteries & Tibetan government in exile (their official building, parliament house – from outside) & knowing about their struggle for “Free Tibet” campaign. You will amazed to this how a government works out of their homeland. Our guide will brief you about their official establishment idea & how it works.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: In Dharamshala
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Hotel in Dharamshala
Day 9: Excursion to Palampur from Dharamshala (Sherbaling Monastery, Dungyu Gatsal Nunnery & Toy Train Ride)
Stop At: Kangra Valley, Dhauladhar Ranges, Dharamsala India
Morning after breakfast proceed for an excursion to Palampur & nearby areas. Proceed to visit Sherbaling Monastery (around 2 hrs from Dharamshala). We will also visit a beautiful nunnery & enjoy a short ride at Toy Train of Kangra Valley from one station to another small station at Foothills of Dhauladhar Mountains of Kangra Region. Evening return to Dharamshala after experiencing the beauty of Himalayas.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: In Dharamshala
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Hotel in Dharamshala
Day 10: Dharamshala – Amritsar (By Road)
Pass By: Amritsar, Amritsar, Amritsar District, Punjab
Morning after early breakfast drive down to northern plain of India. We are heading towards Amritsar Today. On arrival in Amritsar, we will check-in at hotel. Later we will proceed to visit Indo-Pak border closing ceremony. Overnight at the same hotel in Amritsar.
Meals included:
• Breakfast: In Dharamshala
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Hotel in Amritsar
Day 11: Amritsar Sightseeing – Delhi by train
Stop At: Golden Temple Road Atta Mandi, Katra Ahluwalia, Amritsar 143001 India
Morning after breakfast we will check out from hotel on given time & proceed to explore the historical town of Amritsar. Today we will visit Golden Temple, Jaliawalan Bagh & a walk to local-colorful market of down town. Later at 1650 Hrs, we will take a train back to Delhi. You will be reaching back at Delhi station by 2315 Hrs. Meet our representative at Delhi railway station & get transferred to pre-booked hotel.
Duration: 5 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: In Amritsar
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Hotel in New Delhi
Day 12: Departure from Delhi
Pass By: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, Delhi 110037, India
As per your return flight timings get transferred to New Delhi International Airport. Return with sweet memories of foothills of Himalayas.
Meals included:
• Breakfast: In Delhi
No accommodation included on this day.
