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Tibetan Retreats and Toy Trains in the Western Himalayas

Head into the heart of the Himalayas on this 11-day mountain adventure. You’ll visit sacred temples, hike to hidden villages and explore remote Tibetan retreats including Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama. In Shimla you’ll discover the colonial influences that have shaped this iconic hill station, before descending out of the mountains by toy train towards Delhi - India’s energetic capital.

Tour type Itinerary

Duration 9 nights

Visiting 9 nights Amritsar to Delhi Amritsar: 2 nights Dharamshala: 2 nights Pragpur: 1 night Shimla: 3 nights Delhi: 1 night

Min price range p/p

£2,675 - £2,875pp including international flights

Recommended itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Amritsar

On arrival in Amritsar, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The morning is free to enjoy this spiritual city, regarded as one of the country’s holiest centres for Sikhism. In the afternoon, you’ll be driven to the India-Pakistan border to witness the memorable evening ceremony, when guards march and lower flags in a display of cooperation between the two nations. Overnight at Ranjit Svaasa.

Day 2

Amritsar

Enjoy a city tour of Amritsar this morning. You’ll start at the Golden Temple – the centrepiece of the Sikh faith, built from white marble and gold leaf and set in the middle of a sacred lake, where pilgrims come to bathe. While here, visit the community kitchen, where volunteers feed 35,000 worshippers every day. Afterwards, stop by the historic Jallianwala Bagh, a historic garden which commemorates the thousands of unarmed protestors who were massacred by British forces here in 1919. The afternoon is free to explore as you wish. Overnight at Ranjit Svaasa.

Day 3

Amritsar & Dharamshala

Travel further into the mountains this morning to reach Dharamshala – home of the Dalai Lama and the exiled Tibetan government, where Buddhist temples meet robed monks, Tibetan gongs and bronze prayer wheels. Spend the afternoon exploring this fascinating city, or head out on a short hike to admire its cedar forests, icy peaks and waterfalls on foot. Alternatively relax at the hotel and take in the views. Overnight at Amritara Surya.

Day 4

Dharamshala

Enjoy a full day in Dharamshala today. Wander its heritage-filled streets on your own terms or choose from one of several experiences; options include a visit to the Dalai Lama Monastery Complex and a guided mountain walk via the Tibetan Children Village – a non-profit community for Tibetan children in exile. Overnight at Amritara Surya.

Day 5

Dharamshala & Palampur

After breakfast, you’ll be driven to Palampur – a quaint town in the Kangra Valley, set between tea plantations, pine forests and streams in the snow-capped Dhauladhar mountains. The region is a hotspot for trekking as well as tea-tasting, with historic sites scattered around the surrounding area. Visit a 3,500-year-old fort on an optional tour through the valley, complete with a ride on a toy train, or head out on an independent walk to take in the captivating landscape in your own way. Overnight at Lodge at Wah.

Day 6

Palampur & Pragpur

Transfer towards the village of Pragpur this morning, stopping en route at the Masroor Rock Temples. Also known as the ‘Ellora of the Himalayas’, this is one of northern India’s most impressive architectural treasures, comprised of 15 monolithic temples that were carved from a single rock in the 6th or 7th century. Afterwards, continue to Pragpur where you’ll have free time to explore this historic village, dating to the 16th or 17th century and home to cobbled streets and postcard-pretty architecture blending Kangra, Rajput and European influences. Overnight at Judges Court.

Day 7

Pragpur & Shimla

Travel to Shimla today with an optional stop along the way in Garli. This was the most prosperous village in the region until India’s independence and is lined with elegant havelis and Italianate buildings, decorated with stained-glass windows and elaborate tilework. Walk around the village before continuing to Shimla, the 19th century seat of the British Raj, where colonial influences are felt in everything from the English uniforms to the buildings. Overnight at Oberoi Cecil.

Day 8

Shimla

Explore Shimla at leisure today, or opt for a guided walking tour through meadows, brooks, grasslands and forests to reach the village of Heaun, where famous artist Sanath Chatterjee lived. An optional day trip to the Dhami estate – once a favourite hunting ground for the British Viceroys – is also available. Here you’ll meet local resident Kunwar Dushyant Singh and his wife for a home-cooked lunch and nature walk, learning more about the flora and fauna that surrounds this stately house. Overnight at Oberoi Cecil.

Day 9

Shimla & Delhi

After breakfast, transfer to Shimla station for a ride on the famous toy train, Himalayan Queen. You’ll meander past pine forests, waterfalls and mountain peaks before reaching Kandaghat station. From here, travel by road to Kalka to board the Shatabdi Express to Delhi. On arrival in the capital, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy. Overnight at Haveli Dharampura.

Day 10

Delhi

Enjoy a full day in the capital today. If you’re feeling energetic, opt for a Delhi by Dawn tour to see the city come alive in the early hours. Alternatively, you might opt for a culinary tour with a local food expert, take a rickshaw ride round Old Delhi’s higgledy-piggledy lanes or embark on a photography-themed amble to capture the city’s spice markets and bazaars. Otherwise, head out to explore this captivating city independently as you make the most of your final day; don’t miss the Red Fort, the UNESCO-listed Humayun’s Tomb and the elaborate Jama Masjid Mosque. Overnight at Haveli Dharampura.

Day 11

Delhi & Departure

Your tour ends today. Transfer to Delhi airport for your flight home or onward travel.

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