Duration: 11Days
/ 10Nights
Places Covered:Delhi – Amritsar – Paragpur – Shimla – Delhi
Day 1:Arrive Delhi
You will be received on arrival and transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon, drive to visit Humayun's Tomb built in the Indo Persian style and a predecessor to The Taj Mahal in Agra, the tomb of the second Mugal emperor then also houses the graves of his wives; India Gate - A War Memorial Arch built in the honour of 90,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. Below it burns the Amar Jawan Jyoti, the eternal flame in tribute to all martyred soldiers of India. Also drive past the President's House called Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament House, Government Secretariat buildings and Connaught Place - the heart of New Delhi and a busy shopping center.
Overnight stay in your Hotel.
Day 2:Delhi - Amritsar - By Amritsar Shatabdi / Dep
At 1630 Hrs / Arr At 2215 Hrs
The morning is at leisure for independent activities. In the afternoon you will be transferred in time to New Delhi Railway Station to board your train for Amritsar. On arrival at Amritsar you will be received and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight stay at your Hotel.
Day 2:In Amritsar
Today you will have a full day for sight seeing at Amritsar. Amritsar, the original name of first the ancient lake, then the temple complex, and still later the surrounding city, means "pool of ambrosial nectar." Looking deeply into the origins of this word amrit, it indicates a drink of the gods, a rare and magical substance that catalyzes euphoric states of consciousness and spiritual enlightenment. With this word one has a very clear example of the spirit, power, or energetic character of a particular place becoming encoded as an ancient geographical place name.
You visit the Golden Temple. It is a place of both stupendous beauty and sublime peacefulness. Originally a small lake in the midst of a quiet forest, the site has been a meditation retreat for wandering mendicants and sages since deep antiquity. Guru Nanak (1469-1539), the founder of the Sikh religion a philosopher-saint came to live and meditate by the peaceful lake. After the passing away of Guru Nanak, his disciples continued to frequent the site; over the centuries it became the primary sacred shrine of the Sikhs. The temple's architecture draws on both Hindu and Moslem artistic styles, yet represents a unique co-evolution of the two. During the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh (1780-1839), Hari Mandir was richly ornamented with marble sculptures, golden gilding, and large quantities of precious stones. Within the sanctuary, on a jewel-studded platform, lies the Adi Grantha, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs. This scripture is a collection of devotional poems, prayers, and hymns composed by the ten Sikh gurus and various Moslem and Hindu saints.
Later, in the afternoon, proceed to what was known as the final frontier, Wagah about 28 km from Amritsar. It was once the only border crossing between India and Pakistan. It's an interesting experience especially at sunset when the 'Beating of the Retreat' ceremony takes place, which is a daily highlight in the evening. The ceremonial lowering of the flags ceremony is carried out with great pomp with soldiers from both countries marching in perfect drill, going through the steps of bringing down their respective national flags. As the sun goes down, nationalistic fervor rises and lights are switched on marking the end of the day amidst thunderous applause.
Overnight stay at your Hotel.
Day 3:Amritsar - Paragpur - By Surface / 200 Km / Approx 4 ½ Hrs
Today, after breakfast you drive in to the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh. The drive takes you past the well developed countryside of Punjab with well cultivated farm land as well as through the hustle and bustle of typical North Indian towns. You would arrive at the idyllic village of Paragpur by late afternoon. The evening is at leisure.
Overnight stay at your heritage home.
Day4:In Paragpur - Day's Excursion To Chintpurni, Haripur
And Guler
Spend an engrossing day on a visit first to Chintpurni - a Shakti Temple famous for granting wishes. Nearby is Dharamsala - Mahanta a village where time has stood still with a temple complex having many fading Kangra Wall Paintings. From here proceed to Haripur - the fort of Haripur and an ornamental tank below are historical. The principality of Haripur was founded in 1464 AD. Also visit Guler - famous as the cradle of the Kangra School of Paintings. The narrow gauge train is quaint with equipment from the turn of the last centaury. An oil lamp is still used to light the signal at dusk.
Return to your accommodation of an overnight stay
Day 5:In Paragpur
Experience the local flavour of India's first Heritage Village. Walk down streets dressed with cobblestone that retain the medieval essence. Sun - baked houses stand in close harmony to the wooden facades of the colonial style buildings. The architectural wonders emit a strong aesthetic statement with undertones either historical, cultural, religious, architectural, archeological or antiquarian significance. The village has retained its traditional character and charm. Visits to weavers can be very satisfying. Excellent shawls and blankets are hand woven with the wool that is available in the village market. Local silversmiths offer a variety of handcrafted trinkets. Handloom and other fabric can be quickly "Block Printed" to your choice. Enjoy the courteous hospitality of these rustic but extremely gracious villagers. Besides the village hart, there is the herbal park, museum, and village theatre to be seen.
Overnight stay at the heritage home.
Day 6:Paragpur - Dharamshala - By Surface / 65 Kms / Approx 2 Hrs
In the morning you will drive on an excursion to Dada Siba (15 km) to see Kangra wall paintings.
Thereafter, you drive to Dharamshala en route visiting Kangra Fort - it guarded the strategic route to the plains of upper India from the mountain of the Northwest. The British originally built Dharamsala as a hill station in 1840's. Its colonial monuments and public buildings include a church in the Victorian gothic style and a cemetery with carvings and funeral tributes. With the exodus of the Dalai Lama and many of his countrymen after the Chinese invaded Tibet in 1960 it has become the Tibetan capital-in-exile with a large community of lay people and monks. Dharamsala is also the home of Dalai Lama, the spiritual head of the Tibetan Buddhists, who is now headquartered at McLeodganj. Also known as the 'Little Lahsa', McLeodganj is an enchanting world in itself where the spinning prayer wheels and fluttering prayer flags spread the message of peace and universal harmony.
Overnight stay at your Hotel.
Day 7:In Dharamsala
Today visit Mcleodganj, the Tibetan town, with its library, Buddhist temples and markets. Thereafter proceed to Norbulingka Institute. The Norbulingka Institute is a major centre for Buddhist teaching and practical working for survival of Tibetan Buddhist's cultural heritage.
Overnight stay at your hotel
Day 8:Dharamsala - Shimla - By Surface / 245 Km / Approx 8 Hrs
After breakfast drive to Shimla. Situated in the northwest Himalayas, Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh. Spread across 12 km along a ridge that overlooks terraced hillsides and cultivations, Shimla is magnificently robed in dense forests of oak and pine, fur and rhododendron. On arrival you will check in to your hotel.
Overnight stay at your Hotel
Day 9:In Shimla
Drive to the Naldehra Golf Course. Viceroy Lord Curzon was so enchanted by this spot that his daughter's middle name is Naldehra. He also created India's first nine-hole golf course at this site, and the perfect season is between April and October. Later drive to Shimla City and take a leisurely stroll on the Mall that is Shimla's main promenade. Here, contemporary commercial enterprises rub shoulders with stately colonial edifices, churches and other landmarks of the town. At one end of The Mall is the city's colourful local market, called Lakkar Bazaar. Walk to The Viceregal Lodge built in 1888 by the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin, the premises also house a museum, and beautifully laid out gardens. Through its grand history, it has also been the Rashtrapati Niwas (The President's residence). Today, it houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies.
Overnight stay at your Hotel
Day10:Shimla - Kalka - By Toy Train - Delhi - By Shatabdi
Express
Today you have the unique experience of traveling in a Toy Train. Sit back and enjoy the ride that winds through the hilly countryside. At Kalka you board a special fast train called the Shatabdi Express. On arrival at Delhi you will be received and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 11:In Delhi - Departure Delhi
In the morning you will proceed on a tour of Old Delhi to get a feel of the hustle and bustle of a vibrant city. The tour will include the Red Fort built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1638 and was the seat of the Mugal power till the last emperor was dethroned. Jama Masjid, one of Asia's largest mosques built is 1656 and enjoy a walking tour in Chandni Chowk - the silver street of Delhi bustling with activity. On your way back visit Raj Ghat - the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation.
In the afternoon drive past Purana Qila. It is one of the most prominent monuments in Delhi. Then proceed to Bahai Temple. Bahai faith represents the equality of mankind and oneness of its soul. The same feeling has been successfully transcended into the beautifully and scientifically deigned Bahai Temple in Delhi, designed by Fariburz Sahba, an Iranian-born Canadian architect, in the shape of a lotus flower, the symbol of purity. Thereafter you visit the Qutab Minar - a soaring stone tower, 72 m high that was built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1193. The tower has five distinct storeys, each with a projecting balcony At its base is the Quwwat-ul Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. A 7 m high iron pillar (4th century) stands in the courtyard of the mosque.
Later in the evening you will be transferred in time to board your flight back home.
Heritage
Culture 
