Our Past
Tours
A Journey To Delhi & BeyondLed by Pamela Draycott
31st July – 13th August 2022. (Optional Extension to 17th August)
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 was 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, smells, 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/videos 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 traveled on her ‘Encountering Religions’ tour you will find new places to enjoy as well as re-visiting some ‘old favorites’.
The Itinerary
London - Delhi - Shimla - Amritsar - Dharamshala - Delhi - London
Agra Jaipur extension
Jaipur - Agra - Delhi - London
If you wish to join the tour from any other country other than UK please see land only prices in the cost section.
Meeting, assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel by a private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned coach. Check-in at Shangrila Eros Hotel for 2 nights (Deluxe Room).
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
Overnight at Hotel Shangrila Eros BD
Overnight at Hotel Shangrila Eros BD
Harmandir Sahab, Amritsar
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
Overnight at Hotel Oberoi Clarks BD
Visit the nearby Hindu temple, dedicated to Hanuman.
Overnight at Hotel Oberoi Clarks BD
Return to the hotel for a free afternoon – we are near to the town center and so there are possible shopping opportunities for those who want to indulge.
Overnight at Hotel Oberoi Clarks BD
Overnight at Hotel Hyatt BD
Overnight at Hotel Hyatt BD
Amber Fort Jaipur
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..
Overnight at Hotel Hyatt BD
Overnight at Norling House BD
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.
Overnight at Norling House BD
Overnight at Norling House BD
Depart Dharamshala SpiceJet SG – 2194 16:10
Arrive Delhi SpiceJet SG – 2194 17:35
On arrival at the airport check in at Ibis Aerocity for an overnight stay. (Standard Room)
Overnight at Ibis Aerocity BD
Extension tour of Jaipur & Agra
Overnight at Shahpura House B
Afternoon will be spent sightseeing in Jaipur city visiting the Palace of Winds, City Palace Complex and the Jantar Mantar Observatory and will include a walk through a typical market in Jaipur.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight at Shahpura House B
Overnight at Hotel Crystal Sarovar B
Afternoon drive to Delhi. Overnight stay at Ibis Aerocity Delhi.
Overnight at Ibis Aerocity, Delhi B
- It is essential to have adequate travel insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.
Cost of single room supplement for Jaipur Agra Extension £182.00
- International flights with British Airways or Virgin Atlantic airlines in economy class inclusive all taxes.
- Internal flights in economy class inclusive all taxes.
- Train reservations in First air-conditioned class on Shatabdi & Gatiman Express. Chair car seats on Toy Train.
- Airconditioned accommodation with private facilities.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast and dinner at all hotels. Home-cooked lunch in Shimla. Jaipur and Agra extension is on a breakfast basis only.
- All transfers and sightseeing by an air-conditioned coach.
- Services of a local English-speaking guide for sightseeing arrangements.
- Services of Pamela Draycott as Trip leader.
- Services of our representative for all arrival and departure transfers.
- 100% protection of your monies by our ATOL & ABTA licences.
- Complimentary mineral water while travelling and on sightseeing.
- Lunches, except home-cooked lunch in Shimla.
- India visa fee. You can now apply for a visa on arrival in India- please click here for more information. https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html
- Any expenses of a personal nature like laundry, telephone calls, beverages etc.
- Tips and Gratuities.
- Camera fees at monuments and other places of interest.
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel Insurance: It is essential to have adequate travel insurance in place before your departure. This should be appropriate for your age, health and destination you are visiting.