Flight: UK976 Delhi - Amritsar 13.40 - 14.50

Meet & greet, transfer to hotel: Welcome to India! You will be met on arrival in Amritsar by a local representative and introduced to your private driver. Together they will take you to your city hotel to check in. You will then have some time to freshen up and recuperate from the flight.

Evening ‘Palki ceremony’ at the Golden Temple: Later in the evening, you will be taken back out to visit the centrepiece of Amritsar, the Golden Temple. Here you will witness the ‘Palki ceremony’, which involves a procession of the holy book of the Sikhs from the main temple to its resting place for the night.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Ranjit's Svaasa (Luxury Room)

Morning tour of Amritsar: After breakfast today, you will join a private guide and be taken for a half day city tour of the city. The first stop - where else - is at the majestic Golden Temple. Founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das, and completed by his successor Guru Arjan Dev, this spectacular place of worship is among the most striking in India. The Golden Temple itself is housed within a sprawling gurdwara complex, and surrounded by the Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar). Like other Sikh religious sites in India, the temple stands in simple majesty, the gilded splendor of its paneling, dome and minarets shining in the morning light, silhouetted softly in the water. At the temple you will be taken to visit the community kitchen where food is prepared for thousands of pilgrims every day – you will have the opportunity to participate in preparing the food or even partake in the simple vegetarian meal. Note that before entering the compound you will be required to remove shoes and socks, wash your feet, and cover heads. Scarves can be borrowed or bought locally if required. 

Later you will visit Jalianwala Bagh, a solemn, grim reminder of one of the bloodiest chapters of India's freedom movement. The park is a moving monument to the 1,500+ Indians killed or wounded at the hands of a rogue British officer, who ordered his troops to turn on a crowd of unarmed protesters. This 1919 event proved a pivotal event in Indian history, helping to fire the quest for independence, and as such few national monuments has as much significance or resonance than Jalianwala Bagh. 

The morning tour will be concluded at the Partition Museum where you will learn about the largest migration in human history, affecting an estimated 18 million people. The building in which this Museum is located was used as a jail during British rule and the prison cells still exist and are open to the public.

Afternoon visit to the Wagah Border Ceremony: Later in the afternoon, you will be taken outside the city to the Wagah border point between India and Pakistan. Here you will see the closing-of-the-border ceremony, performed nightly by soldiers of both countries. The experience is quite surreal, as each side takes turns to lower their flags in an increasingly elaborate fashion, accompanied by nationalist slogans shouted at high volume, and repeated en mass by the large crowds of spectators on both sides. In truth the effect is more fun than threatening, but a totally unique experience nonetheless!

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Ranjit's Svaasa (Luxury Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Punjabiyat: After a leisurely breakfast, you will depart Amritsar and head north by road into the Punjab countryside. A drive of approximately 1.5 hours will bring you to the Punjabiyat farmstay, where you will arrive in time for lunch.

Afternoon at Punjabiyat: In the afternoon, you are free to explore the Punjabi countryside with the assistance of local staff. Punjabiyat is set in a live farm, amidst acres of lush fields, criss-crossed by canals and small walking tracks. Each stay is unique and you can discuss an exact plan locally with your hosts, but sample activities would include: visits to nearby villages, schools, or gurdwaras; walking or cycling in the fields; horse or bullock cart rides; or joining the farmers to learn more about their rural way of life.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Punjabiyat (Cottage)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Road journey to Dharamsala: This morning, you will be collected again by your driver, and then set off by road to Dharamsala. This journey will take approximately 3.5 hours, heading up from the fertile plains of Punjab and up into the dramatic hill scenery of Himachal Pradesh. On arrival you will check in and have the rest of the day free to explore the central markets of McLeod Ganj.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Chonor House (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Dharamsala: Today, you will be taken for a guided city tour of Dharamsala which will take in Namgyal Monastery, Nechung Monastery, the Church of St. John-in-the Wilderness and Lord Elgin’s Memorial. The Namgyal Monastery, informally known as 'Little Lhasa', is considered the centre of Tibetan studies in India. Found just five minutes off the main bazaar of McLeod Ganj, it is the personal monastery of the Dalai Lama, situated directly opposite his residence. The monastery is richly decorated and contains several large gilded bronze Buddha likenesses, including those of Avalokitesvara and Padmasambhava. The Dalai Lama will often personally lead prayers here when he is in the residence, and if you sign up at the security office, an audience with him is sometimes possible.

You will then head downhill to the Nechung Monastey, situated in Gangchen Kyishong, which is considered the head building of the Tibetan Government in exile. It contains a Tibetan library with a wide range of books and magazines as well as a small museum. The central Tibetan Administration Offices are located here and, should you have time and sufficient interest, you can also attend lectures and classes on Tibetan culture and Buddhism. The other major attraction nearby is the Church of St. John in the Wilderness, found in a peaceful spot surrounded by tall pine trees. This church is known for its attractive stained glass windows, and is the burial site of Lord Elgin, one of the few viceroys of British India to die in office. His final wish was to be buried here in Dharamsala as it reminded him of his beloved native Scotland.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Chonor House (Superior Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning tour of the Kangra Fort: After breakfast, you will be driven to visit Kangra Fort, a journey of around one hour. The perfect blend of rich history and scenic beauty, the Kangra Fort lies on a patch of land between the Manjhi and Banganga rivers. The Fort was built by the royal Rajput family of Kangra State (the Katoch dynasty), which traces its origins to the ancient Trigarta Kingdom, mentioned in the Mahabharata epic, hence making it the oldest surviving fort in India. Its strategic hilltop position overlooks the surrounding area making it particularly prominent. There is a popular local saying that goes ‘Whoever holds Kangra Fort holds the hills’. Keeping in line with this adage, the fort has a violent past, and its history talks of the various attempts to win this fort, along with innumerable stories of betrayal and destruction. The Kangra Fort was once famous for its immense wealth, which was believed to have been stored in 21 large wells, so it is not surprising that the fort has endured many devastating attacks.

Continue on to Pragpur: After ample time exploring the fort, continue the journey to Pragpur, a journey of around 1 hour, to check-in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day in leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Judge's Court (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure: Today is at leisure to relax in your atmospheric surroundings or explore the local area. The heritage village of Pragpur offers a host of activities: it has a quaint market where several silversmiths ply their trade and will quickly modify trinkets to satisfy individual taste. The several village weavers will make shawls and blankets to order and tailors will make up dresses overnight. For the more active there are also opportunities to arrange fishing, cycling, trekking and bird-watching (payable locally). Your car and driver will be at your disposal today should you need them.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Judge's Court (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Shimla: This morning, you will set off on the long drive to Shimla. Depending on road conditions and refreshment stops this journey is likely to take you 6-7 hours. On arrival, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Clarkes Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Ride the toy train from Shimla to Kandaghat: This morning, you be transferred to the railway station in time to board the famous ‘toy train’ which departs from Shimla at 10.30 and arrives in Kandaghat at 12.00. This short ride will take you along the Kalka Shimla Railway - one of the very few heritage railways in the world and one that is recognized by UNESCO. The first survey for this railway line was carried out in the year 1884 followed by another one the very next year. Initially the rail line was supposed to be only two feet broad. However later, with the insistence of the military authorities, the gauge breadth was increased to the standard 2 feet six inches. It was inaugurated by the British Viceroy, Lord Curzon in November 1903. The entire journey from Kalka (at 640m from sea level) covers a distance of 96 km through the curving tracks, up to Shimla hills (at 2,060m) - the summer capital of colonial India. Along its entire journey the train passes through 102 tunnels, across 969 bridges, around 919 curves and stops at 20 railway stations. Whilst you will only cover a small section of India's most scenic train journey you will still get a sense of why this is one of world's most famous railway lines. On arrival in Kandaghat you will meet up with your driver and transfer back to Shimla.

Guided tour of Shimla: In the afternoon, you will be taken to explore Shimla, visiting the Viceregal Lodge, the State Museum and library, and the Jakhu temple. Your first stop will be at the former Viceregal Lodge which was constructed in 1884-88 during the tenure of Lord Dufferin and now houses the ‘Institute of Advanced Studies’. A commanding building on the Summer Hill, it is built of Himalayan grey stone in the English Renaissance style and has extensive gardens. Continue to the nearby Himachal State Museum, which has twelve galleries projecting hill-art and the cultural wealth of the state. Your final stop of the day is at the Jakhu Temple. Dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the temple is situated on Jakhu Hill, the town's highest peak and vantage point for Shimla's famous views. This is a fine spot to round out the day, after which you will be returned to your hotel to relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Clarkes Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Day at leisure: You have today at leisure to soak in the highland air. Shimla is a lovely place to relax with a picturesque walking streets and a bustling but not overwhelming commercial centre. If you wish to get out into the hills, then a full range of short hikes can be arranged locally through your guide or the hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Clarkes Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Chandigarh: After breakfast, you will be picked up from the hotel and you will set off by road down to Chandigarh. The journey will take around 4 hours (with stops) and on arrival you will be taken for a quick visit to Chandigarh's famous Rock Garden. Nek Chand, the founder of the Rock Garden, was a former government official who started building the garden secretly in his spare time. He kept it hidden from the government authorities for 18 years, up until 1975, by which point it has grown to a 12-acre complex of interlinked causeways running canal and waterfalls, landscaped with pottery and sculptures of dancers, animals and musicians. You will then be dropped at the airport in time to board your onward flight.

Flight: SG253 Chandigarh - Delhi 15.35 - 16.35

Private transfer: You will be met on arrival in Delhi and taken to the nearby Aerocity complex to spend a final night at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Pullman New Delhi Aerocity (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast