A Journey To Delhi & Beyond Led by Pamela Draycott DUE TO CORONA VIRUS PANDEMIC THIS TOUR HAS BEEN MOVED TO 31ST JULY – 13TH AUGUST 2022. (OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO 17TH AUGUST).

Pamela is widely experienced as a tour leader and in the field of Religious Education. Before her recent retirement, she worked for many years for RE Today, was a Curriculum Adviser for RE and Citizenship for Kent County Council, and an Associate Headteacher at a rapidly improving inner London school. She has been an educational consultant working principally in a couple of Church of England Dioceses and conducting church school inspections around England.

This tour is an opportunity not to be missed. The visit is a must as it provides a range of opportunities to enjoy places of worship, historical sites, and the beauty of the countryside on our journey to Delhi and beyond. We will experience first-hand the sights, sounds, smell, and tastes of parts of northern India and reflect on the diversity of religions and cultures practiced here. The tour is varied. There is time for relaxation, fun, and exploration. It will also offer ample opportunity to deepen knowledge and understanding and of course to take photographs/video and buy artifacts (a particular help for teachers!). The tour is open to teachers and others.

If this is your first trip to India the tour is designed to give insight into this captivating continent. If you have traveled with Pamela on her ‘Southern India: Coast to Coast,’ this tour complements your previous experience very well indeed. If you have travelled on her ‘Encountering Religions’ tour you will find new places to enjoy as well as re-visiting some ‘old favourites’.

The Itinerary

Meal Code: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner

New Delhi – Shimla – Amritsar – Dharamshala – New Delhi
(Extended Tour)
New Delhi – Jaipur – Agra Via Fatehpur Sikri – New Delhi

Akshardham Temple, Delhi

DAY 1 : SUNDAY 31ST JULY 2022: DEPART LONDON.
Departure from London by direct British airways flight. Departures from regional UK airports are available on request.
If you wish to join the tour from any other country other than UK please see land only prices in the cost section.
DAY 2 : MONDAY 1ST AUGUST 2022: TO DELHI.
Arrive Delhi & Meeting, assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel by a private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned coach. During the afternoon we will have a sightseeing tour of old Delhi including an exhilarating cycle rickshaw ride to the Jama Masjid through the bustling Chandni Chowk and its back roads. This area was the centre of the city of Shah Jehanabad in the Mughal times. We will visit the Digambar Jain Temple and bird hospital before continuing onto the Raj Ghat- Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation site. Short evening talk by a local historian on Delhi.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight in Shangrila Eros Hotel  JourneysFortheSoulBLD
DAY 3: TUESDAY 2ND AUGUST 2022: DELHI SIGHTSEEING.
Morning enjoy sightseeing of dynamic New Delhi including the visit to impressive Humayun’s Tomb, stunning Baha’i Temple, Qutab Minar and the India Gate. Also drive past the Parliament Buildings & President’s House. We will also visit the site of Gandhi’s assassination (now a thought-provoking museum) and the ISKON centre.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at Hotel Shangrila Eros  JourneysFortheSoulBD
DAY 4 : WEDNESDAY 3RD AUGUST 2022: TO SHIMLA.
Early morning transfer to New Delhi Railway Station to board your train to Kalka.
Depart New Delhi Kalka Shatabdi (12011) 07:40
Arrive Kalka 11:45.
At Kalka, board the narrow-gauge train, Himalayan Queen, to Shimla from the same railway station. This slow journey follows the route taken by the British when they decamped from the heat of the plains to the relative cool of their hill station during the period of the Raj.
Depart Kalka Himalayan Queen (52455) 12:10
Arrive Shimla 17:30
Meeting, assistance and transfer to Hotel Oberoi Clarkes for 3 nights stay (Superior Room). Our luggage, from Kalka to Shimla, will go before us by road, so we won’t be encumbered by it during our train travel.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at Hotel Oberoi Clarks  JourneysFortheSoulBD
DAY 5 : THURSDAY 4TH AUGUST 2022: SHIMLA SIGHTSEEING.
After breakfast, we will visit the Hill station with its decided British air – wander down the Mall seeing the Anglican Church, Gaiety Theatre and mock Tudor houses. Walk to the imposing Vice Regal Mansion with its pretty English garden. Visit the nearby Hindu temple, dedicated to Hanuman. Late afternoon/evening at leisure.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at Hotel Oberoi Clarks  JourneysFortheSoulBD
DAY 6: FRIDAY 5TH AUGUST 2022: WALKING TOUR OF RURAL SHIMLA.
After breakfast, leave for a walk to explore the delightful rural surroundings of Shimla where the air still refreshes its visitors. There are many beautiful houses accessible through narrow cobbled streets. We will have a home cooked lunch with a family to enjoy a typical local taste. Return to the hotel for a free afternoon – we are near to the town centre and so there are possible shopping opportunities for those who want to indulge.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at Hotel Oberoi Clarks  JourneysFortheSoulBLD

Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Golden Temple, Amritsar

DAY 7 : SATURDAY 6TH AUGUST 2022: TO AMRITSAR.
Leave Shimla after breakfast by coach for Amritsar. This will be a long day driving from which to enjoy the changing countryside from the comfort of the coach. Rest stops are arranged en-route. On arrival in Amritsar check in at Hotel Hyatt for 3 nights (Hyatt Room).

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at Hotel Hyatt  JourneysFortheSoulBD
DAY 8 : SUNDAY 7TH AUGUST 2022: SIGHTSEEING AT AMRITSAR.
Morning sightseeing of Amritsar, including the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and the partition Museum. Afternoon excursion to Wagha-the Indo-Pakistan border to witness the electrifying ‘Changing of the Guard Ceremony.’

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at Hotel Hyatt  JourneysFortheSoulBD
DAY 9: MONDAY 8TH AUGUST 2022: DAY TOUR AROUND AMRITSAR.
Morning visit nearby Tarn Taran and Goindwal. The main religious centre at Tarn Taran Sahib is Sri Darbar Sahib Tarn Taran, built by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji and has the largest Sarovar (Holy Tank) in the world. At Goindwal there is a baoili (well of 84 steps) constructed under the instruction of Guru Amar Das Ji. Many Sikhs show their devotion through prayer and bathings in the baoili. During the afternoon we will visit the Nahang Martial arts centre.
Evening at leisure at the hotel. An optional second visit to the Golden Temple for the Sackhkand Ceremony when the Guru Granth Sahib is laid to rest for the evening. This will be organised for those who wish to take the opportunity at a small extra cost.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at Hotel Hyatt  JourneysFortheSoulBD
DAY 10 : TUESDAY 9TH AUGUST 2022: TO DHARAMSHALA.
Leave after breakfast for Dharamshala by road. The journey will take about 5 hours with rest stops en-route. On arrival Dharmashala check in at Norling House for 3 nights (Superior Room).

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at Norling House  JourneysFortheSoulBD
DAY 11 : WEDNESDAY 10TH AUGUST 2022: DAY TOUR OF DHARAMSHALA.
Early morning walk to the town of McLeodganj to see the devotees engrossed in their morning prayer. After breakfast visit the Buddhist sites including a visit to Kangra Art Museum, War Memorial, and Namgyal Monastery often referred to as the Dalai Lama’s temple. This is where the Dalai Lama has his residence & administrative offices.


JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at Norling House  JourneysFortheSoulBD
DAY 12: THURSDAY 11TH AUGUST 2022: DHARAMSHALA.
Day at Leisure. You are free to explore the town of Dharamshala. You may wish to visit The Thekchen Chöling Temple Complex, aspiritual centre for Tibetan Buddhism, or the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives which houses thousands of precious manuscripts.You could also experience a sense of community at the LHA charitable Trust.

JourneysFortheSoulOvernight at Norling House  JourneysFortheSoulBD

Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh