Foothills of the Western Himalayas Tour

Arrive in Amritsar, home to the Golden Temple, where gold-clad domes shine over a tranquil sacred pool. Join evening prayers and watch the Palki Sahib ceremony, as the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture, is carried to its resting place by chanting devotees.

Step inside the Langar, the vast community kitchen serving thousands of free meals daily, reflecting the Sikh ideals of equality and service.

At the Wagah Border, see the daily flag ceremony, a lively show of marching guards and cheering crowds marking the boundary with Pakistan.

Then the choice is yours to share a home-cooked Punjabi meal with a local family for an insight into rural life, or explore the city’s bustling old town lanes on a food walk, tasting Amritsari kulchas, creamy lassi and spicy street snacks.

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

Head north to Dharamshala, a peaceful hillside town known as the home of the Dalai Lama and the heart of Tibetan Buddhism in India. Wander the Kora Circuit, a prayer path lined with spinning prayer wheels and colourful flags, where pilgrims circle the Tsuglagkhang Complex, the Dalai Lama’s temple and residence.

Discover the Norbulingka Institute, which is dedicated to preserving Tibetan arts and crafts, and visit St John in the Wilderness, a stone church shaded by tall deodar trees that dates back to British colonial days.

Walk through markets selling prayer beads and Tibetan thangkas. Before relaxing in the evening at your mountain retreat, hike through cedar forests to hilltop viewpoints.

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

Continue into the gentle hills of Palampur, known for its rolling tea gardens framed by the snow-dusted Dhauladhar range. Step inside the ancient Kangra Fort, one of North India’s oldest stone fortresses, with walls that have witnessed centuries of Rajput rule and Mughal intrigue.

Walk among tea bushes where workers hand-pick the tender leaves, and visit a local tea factory to see the traditional drying and rolling process. Wander quiet village paths, pausing at small shrines and streams, before returning to your eco-friendly homestay on a family-run estate. Evenings offer fresh, home-cooked meals made with local produce and views of mist settling over the fields.

Accommodation: The Lodge at Wah, a lovingly restored, eco-conscious homestay on a family-run tea estate, offering farm-to-table dining.

Travel to Shimla, the former summer capital of British India, where colonial history meets crisp mountain air. Walk the Mall Road, the town’s main promenade lined with old bookshops, cafés and the mock-Tudor State Library.

Pause at Scandal Point, a bustling meeting spot named for a 19th-century royal scandal, and step inside the Gaiety Theatre, an ornate venue that once hosted society plays and concerts. Visit the Viceregal Lodge, a grand stone mansion that housed British viceroys, set among manicured lawns and pine trees.

Follow Kipling’s Trail, a quiet hillside path with views across cedar forests, and spend your evenings in a heritage hotel where verandas and wood-panelled lounges recall a bygone era.

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 to Kalka toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage narrow-gauge railway. Winding through pine forests, arched bridges, and mountain tunnels, the train offers a slow, scenic farewell to the Himalayas, a nostalgic journey through picturesque hill villages and ridgelines aglow in morning light.

At Kalka, board the Shatabdi Express for a comfortable ride across the fertile plains of northern India, arriving in the capital by early evening.

On arrival at New Delhi Railway Station, you’ll be met and transferred to a modern hotel near the airport for a relaxed final night.

Alternatively, we can arrange a flight from Chandigarh to Delhi should you prefer a quicker return.

Accommodation: Pullman Aerocity, a modern, contemporary hotel near the airport.

At the scheduled time, you will be transferred to Delhi International Airport to board your return flight, carrying with you lasting memories of the Foothills of the Western Himalayas Tour’s rich heritage, diverse landscapes, and warm hospitality.