From Golden Temple to the Taj Mahal tour package

Begin in Amritsar, home to the magnificent Golden Temple with its striking gold domes. Witness the stirring Palki Sahib ceremony as sacred scriptures are carried to their evening resting place, and return at dawn to see the temple at its most peaceful. Visit the Langar hall to experience the spirit of seva, where thousands are fed daily by volunteers.

Later, feel the buzz and pageantry of the Wagah Border flag ceremony. For a taste of local life, choose between a guided food walk through the old city’s narrow lanes, sampling Amritsari kulchas and sweet jalebis, or visit a nearby village for a home-cooked meal and a gentle tractor ride through green fields.

Accommodation: Ranjit’s Svaasa – a welcoming heritage haveli tucked away from the bustle.

Travel through Punjab’s fertile fields to Chandigarh, India’s first planned city. Explore its striking modernist architecture, see the unique Rock Garden made from recycled materials, and wander through the vast Rose Garden with its hundreds of varieties.

The city’s broad boulevards and green spaces offer a fresh contrast to the busy bazaars of Amritsar.

Accommodation: JW Marriott Chandigarh – contemporary style in the heart of town.

Ride the UNESCO-listed Kalka–Shimla Railway, part of the Mountain Railways of India, into the Himalayan foothills, passing pine forests, stone bridges and mountain villages.

In Shimla, visit the grand Viceregal Lodge, once the summer seat of British India, and stroll Mall Road lined with colonial-era buildings and cosy cafés. See the iconic Christ Church and pause at Scandal Point for sweeping views.

For a deeper glimpse of local life, walk Kipling’s Trail past hillside homes, hearing snippets of daily life against a backdrop of forested slopes and distant peaks.

Accommodation: The Oberoi Cecil – an elegant heritage hotel with old-world charm.

Fly to Jaipur, Rajasthan’s famous Pink City. Wander through the grand halls and mirrored chambers of Amer Fort, admire the intricate façade of the Hawa Mahal, the sandstone “Palace of Winds”, and explore the City Palace’s courtyards and museums.

Browse vibrant bazaars filled with gemstones, blue pottery and block-printed fabrics. Enhance your visit with a private cooking session hosted by a royal family, a block-printing workshop in nearby Bagru, or float above palaces and rugged hills on an early morning hot air balloon ride.

Accommodation: Samode Haveli – a beautifully restored royal residence with serene courtyards.

Travel to Agra, stopping at Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted Mughal capital whose red sandstone halls and courtyards tell stories of past grandeur. In Agra, explore the impressive Agra Fort with its palaces and pavilions overlooking the Yamuna River.

Then it’s time for the highlight of this Taj Mahal tour package. Visit the iconic Taj Mahal at sunrise or sunset when it seems to glow softly in changing light. Wander through its gardens and discover the moving story behind this iconic symbol of love.

Accommodation: ITC Mughal – inspired by Mughal design with modern comfort.

Explore the contrasts of Old and New Delhi. In the old city, ride a rickshaw through Chandni Chowk’s bustling lanes, see the towering Jama Masjid, a 17th-century Mughal mosque, and stop at Raj Ghat, the peaceful memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

In New Delhi, admire grand boulevards planned by Lutyens and visit Humayun’s Tomb, 16th-century Mughal mausoleum.  Admire the soaring Qutub Minar, a towering 12th-century UNESCO-listed minaret, and see India Gate framed by colonial architecture.

Add something special: Hear real-life stories of resilience on a walk with the Salaam Baalak Trust, a charity supporting street children in Delhi or join a food tour to sample street food from spicy chaats to rich desserts.

Accommodation: The Claridges – period elegance and central convenience.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home, leaving with memories of Golden Temple to the Taj Mahal Tour Package’s temples, majestic forts, hill towns and local encounters that reveal India’s many layers.