Himalayan Foothills & Wild Heartlands of North India

Begin your journey in Amritsar, the beating heart of Punjab’s culture and spirituality. Settle into your elegant heritage hotel tucked in the old city’s charming streets. As evening falls, experience the Palki Sahib ceremony at the Golden Temple, where the Sikh holy scripture is carried in a golden palanquin amid sacred chants and shimmering lights. The temple’s golden walls, reflected in the surrounding pool, create a magical sight.

At dawn, return to the temple’s calm and witness seva, the community kitchen where free meals are served daily to thousands, reflecting Sikh values of equality and service.

Later, visit the Wagah Border to see the lively daily flag-lowering ceremony between India and Pakistan, a spirited display of patriotism and precision.

For a deeper local experience, visit a nearby village for a tractor ride and home-cooked Punjabi meal or join a guided food walk sampling iconic street foods like flaky kulchas and creamy lassis.

Accommodation: Ranjit’s Svaasa, a charming colonial-era haveli in the heart of Amritsar.

Leave the plains behind as you ascend to Dharamshala, nestled among cedar forests with the majestic snow-capped Dhauladhar mountains as a backdrop. Known worldwide as the home of the Dalai Lama, Dharamshala offers a peaceful mix of Tibetan spirituality and natural beauty.

Explore sacred sites like the Dalai Lama Temple, Namgyal Monastery, and the Norbulingka Institute, where traditional Tibetan arts are carefully preserved. Visit the charming Bhagsu Nag temples and the serene Dal Lake framed by forests.

For a touch of adventure, take the Triund Trek, a rewarding hike with sweeping views over the mountain range and Kangra Valley below.

Accommodation: Brij Anayara Dharamshala, a first-class boutique hideaway nestled among whispering pines and sweeping mountain views.

Journey deeper into the Himalayas to Shimla, once the summer capital of British India, perched over 2,000 metres above sea level. The route winds through terraced hills and cedar forests before arriving in this graceful hill station.

Explore Shimla’s heritage with visits to the impressive Viceregal Lodge, the picturesque Mock Tudor Library, and the historic Gaiety Theatre, once the social hub for the colonial elite. Stroll along Mall Road, a lively promenade lined with quaint shops and cafés, and pause at Scandal Point for sweeping views. Don’t miss Christ Church, an iconic landmark with stunning stained-glass windows.

For a quieter experience, take Kipling’s Trail, a heritage walk through narrow lanes and pine-scented woods, passing locals going about their daily lives before reaching the gates of the Viceregal Lodge.

Accommodation: The Oberoi Cecil, a period hotel perched in the Himalayan foothills, offers a serene retreat amidst Shimla’s scenic beauty.

Begin your day aboard the iconic Shimla–Kalka toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage narrow-gauge railway. Enjoy a slow, scenic journey through pine forests, charming hill villages, and tunnels, a nostalgic farewell to the mountains.

From Kalka, transfer by road to Chandigarh, India’s first planned city and a masterpiece of modernist design by architect Le Corbusier. Explore highlights like the expansive Rose Garden, home to hundreds of rose varieties, and marvel at the city’s clean, geometric layout and innovative architecture.

Accommodation: JW Marriott Chandigarh – A deluxe grade modern hotel in the city centre.

Travel to Haridwar, one of India’s holiest cities, where the sacred Ganges River emerges from the Himalayas. These two days offer a soulful immersion into the spiritual heart of India, with nature, ritual and devotion.

At dusk, witness the breathtaking Ganga Aarti ceremony at Har Ki Pauri, where hundreds of oil lamps float on the river in a dazzling display of light and devotion.

Spend the next day exploring Haridwar’s temples, ashrams, and spiritual hubs. Then continue to nearby Rishikesh, famed worldwide as the yoga capital of India, with peaceful riverfront temples set against a Himalayan backdrop. Experience the evening Aarti by the Ganges here, a serene ritual of chant and flame.

Accommodation: IHCL SeleQtions – Pilibhit House, Haridwar, a riverside heritage retreat offering refined comfort and Ganges-facing serenity.

Venture into Corbett National Park, India’s oldest tiger reserve, in the Himalayan foothills. The park’s varied landscapes of river forests, grasslands, and dense Sal trees shelter Bengal tigers, elephants, leopards, and over 600 bird species.

Enjoy guided morning and afternoon safaris led by expert naturalists searching for these elusive creatures. For a different pace, join early morning birdwatching walks or visit local villages where communities live alongside the forest. Photography safaris are also available for keen wildlife photographers.

Accommodation: Jim’s Jungle Retreat – A peaceful, sustainability-minded eco-lodge on the edge of the forest, offering spacious cottages and immersive nature experiences.

After a final morning game drive in Corbett, continue your journey to Bareilly, a city in Uttar Pradesh that offers a convenient overnight stop. This pause will allow you to rest and recharge, breaking up the longer travel between Corbett and Dudhwa National Park.

Accommodation: Ramada Encore by Wyndham – A modern, comfortable hotel offering all essential amenities, perfect for a short, seamless transit stay.

Travel to Dudhwa National Park, a hidden gem on the Terai plains near the Nepal border. This pristine reserve boasts a mix of grasslands, marshes, and dense Sal forests, creating diverse habitats for some of India’s rarest wildlife. Here you may spot Bengal tigers, the endangered Indian one-horned rhinoceros, swamp deer, sloth bears, and an extraordinary variety of birds, including the Bengal florican and swamp francolin.

Your base is Jaagir Manor, a charming colonial-era lodge set amidst sugarcane fields and forest. Spend your days on expertly guided game drives, birdwatching walks, and night safaris to glimpse elusive nocturnal creatures. Visit nearby Tharu villages to meet indigenous communities and experience their traditional way of life. For a quieter option, enjoy gentle cycling or nature walks along forest fringes and farmland.

Accommodation: Jaagir Manor – A boutique safari lodge combining colonial elegance, personalised service, and deep immersion in the wilderness of Dudhwa.

Finish your journey in Lucknow, the cultural heart of Uttar Pradesh and former seat of the Nawabs of Awadh, famed for its grace, art, and cuisine. Explore architectural marvels such as the grand Rumi Darwaza gate, the majestic Bara Imambara with its famed labyrinth, the ornate Chhota Imambara, and the evocative ruins of the British Residency. Don’t miss La Martinière College, an Indo-European masterpiece.

Wander the bustling old city lanes where traditional etiquette still thrives. Discover stalls selling fine attars (perfumes), vibrant flower markets, and shops showcasing chikankari, Lucknow’s famous hand-embroidered fabric.

Immerse yourself in the city’s culture with a visit to a master artisan’s studio or a private demonstration of traditional music or crafts in a heritage home. On a guided food walk, taste the rich flavours of Awadhi cuisine, including melt-in-the-mouth galouti kebabs, aromatic biryani, flaky sheermal bread, and creamy kulfi, from family-run eateries that have preserved these recipes for generations.

Accommodation: Taj Mahal Lucknow – A serene city retreat combining Mughal-inspired elegance with colonial charm and the warm hospitality of the Taj.

In plenty of time, you will be transferred to Delhi International Airport to board your return flight carrying with you lasting memories of the Himalayan Foothills and the wild heartlands of North India Tour’s rich heritage, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality.