A Journey To Delhi & Beyond

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

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

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. 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

DAY 3- TUESDAY 2ND AUGUST 2022: DELHI

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.

  • Overnight at Hotel Shangrila Eros
  • BD

Harmandir Sahab, Amritsar

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.

  • Overnight at Hotel Oberoi Clarks
  • BD

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.

  • Overnight at Hotel Oberoi Clarks
  • BD

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 center and so there are possible shopping opportunities for those who want to indulge.

  • Overnight at Hotel Oberoi Clarks
  • BD

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).

  • Overnight at Hotel Hyatt
  • BD

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.’

  • Overnight at Hotel Hyatt
  • BD

Amber Fort Jaipur

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.

  • Overnight at Hotel Hyatt
  • BD

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)

  • Overnight at Norling House
  • BD

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.

  • Overnight at Norling House
  • BD

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.

  • Overnight at Norling House
  • BD

DAY 13 – FRIDAY 12TH AUGUST 2022: TO NEW DELHI

Departure for London Heathrow or a regional UK airport of your choice or to your home country.
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

DAY 14 – SATURDAY 13TH AUGUST 2022: INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE

Departure for London Heathrow or a regional UK airport of your choice or to your home country.
Extension tour of Jaipur & Agra

DAY 14- SATURDAY 13TH AUGUST 2022: TO JAIPUR

Leave after breakfast for Jaipur by road. The journey by road will be about 5 hours with rest stops and refreshments en-route. On arrival in Jaipur check in at Shahpura House ( Suite ) for 2 nights.

  • Overnight at Shahpura House
  • B

DAY 15 – SUNDAY 14TH AUGUST 2022: JAIPUR

Morning excursion to Amber Fort. We will ascend to the fort by jeep to enjoy its austere exterior and its delightful murals, frescoes, paintings, wonderful intricate carvings and complex mirror work.

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

DAY 16 – MONDAY 15TH AUGUST 2022: DRIVE TO AGRA VIA FATEHPUR SIKRI

Depart for Agra after an early check out. Drive to Agra en-route visiting the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. Sunset visit to Taj Mahal to view it beauty against a setting sun. Transfer Stay at Hotel Crystal Sarovar for 1 night (Deluxe room).

  • Overnight at Hotel Crystal Sarovar
  • B

DAY 17 – TUESDAY 16TH AUGUST 2022: TO DELHI AFTER AGRA SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast proceed for Agra to tour the Agra Fort – seeing the many varied architectural styles of the complex, built by successive Mughal rulers & the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula. Afternoon transfer to Agra railway station to board the train to Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi).

Afternoon drive to Delhi.

  • Overnight at Ibis Aerocity, Delhi
  • B

DAY 18- WEDNESDAY 17TH AUGUST 2022: INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE

Departure for London Heathrow or a regional UK airport of your choice or to your home country.