Cultural and Spiritual Tour
Overview
Tour Description
Duration : 11 Nights & 12 Days
Destination : Delhi - Shimla - Dharamshala - Dalhousie - Amritsar - Delhi
Accommodation : Luxury or Heritage Hotels.
Best Time to visit : October to June
Journey Type : Group & Private Journey
Plan an enchanting cultural and spiritual vacation in India. We will visit peaceful and picturesque hill stations in the mystical Himalayas, which are filled with mysteries and stories of sages and spirituality, the historically and culturally rich capital city of Delhi and the holy city of Amritsar, one of the most revered sites in the world.
Transcend the trappings and worries of everyday life as you go on a journey to enrich your soul.
Itinerary
Delhi, India's capital is a bustling city and offers something for everyone. Magnificent monuments, beautiful parks and bustling markets and sumptuous food will make your visit to Delhi one to remember. While in Delhi you will visit old capital buildings like the Lok Sabha and President's House, striking monuments like India Gate, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb, Qutab Minar and the Akshardham Temple.
No visit to Delhi is complete without a trip to the vibrant old market of Chandni Chowk. We will explore this market by cycle rickshaw to give you the local flavour!
On the 3rd day, we will take an early morning train to Kalka, and then take a connecting train for our onward journey to the scenic hill station Shimla.
Shimla is one of India's most popular hill stations. It used to be the summer capital of the British and one can see remnants of the colonial era as we walk through the streets. Shimla is at the foothills of the Himalayas and offers breathtaking views of the mountains, valleys and lush forests.
While there you will visit the popular Sankat Mochan (which means one who eradicated pain and suffering) temple dedicated to the Hindu God Hanuman. We will climb up the Jakhoo Hill, which is the highest point in Shimla, for amazing views and also a visit to the famous Jakhoo temple. We will also visit the stunning Christ Church, a colonial landmark, and one of the oldest churches in North India.
On the 5th day of our tour we will drive 6-7 hours to reach Dharamshala.
Nestled in the Dhauladhar mountain range, Dharamshala is famous for being the home of the Dalai Lama. It offers something for every kind of traveller, from vibrant monasteries, tea gardens, forts, waterfalls, temples, diverse cuisines, India's most beautiful cricket ground to the peace and tranquility of Buddhism. You can enjoy the Tibetan culture, trek, take a yoga and meditation class, or simply relax and stroll on the bustling mall road while here. Bhagsunag waterfall and Namgyal monastery are popular with visitors to Dharamshala. You can even make a trip to one of the many picturesque villages around Dharamshala like Mcleod Ganj, Dharamkot and Palampur.
On day 8 of the tour, we will drive 4 hours to Dalhousie.
The beautiful and unspoilt hill station of Dalhousie is located on the foothills of the Dhauladhar mountain range. This quiet place offers remarkable views of the Himalayas. The town comprises of colonial style buildings and bungalows along narrow lanes, surrounded by fir and pine trees. There are marvellous forest trails that overlook wooded forests, springs and waterfalls. The town's main market, the Mall Road, is a good place to shop for woollen shawls, traditional jewellery and Tibetan handicrafts.
On day 10 of our tour, we will drive 4-5 hours to Amritsar.
Inextricably linked with the history of Sikhism, Amritsar is one of the most revered sites in the world. The name of this city is derived from Amrit Sarovar (pool of nectar) amidst which stands the stunning Golden Temple, the most sacred Sikh shrine. This buzzing city has all the makings of a well-rounded tourist destination; its ancient legends, places of worship, old bazaars, historical monuments and colourful festivals. We will visit the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and Govindgarh Fort. Amritsar has gained tremendous popularity for its hospitality and gourmet traditions; especially the dhabas (roadside eatery) that churn out irresistible delicacies like kulchas, chola-bhaturas, tandoori chicken and fried fish.
A visit to the India-Pakistan border at Wagah is an absolute delight where one can see changing of the guard ceremonies of both countries, just separated by a gate. The energy at the ceremony is electrifying!
Day 12 will mark the end of the tour and with precious memories, you will fly to Delhi for your onward journey.
