Highlights of India's Himalayan Foothills
Amritsar, Chandigarh, Shimla, Delhi & Jaipur
based on 11 nights & selected experiences
Price Guide:
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* Pricing is a guideline only and excludes special offers. Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
Price includes:
Internal flights
Accommodation
Private transfers
Selected experiences
Daily Breakfast
per person based on two people sharing.
At a Glance
This thirteen night itinerary will take you to Amritsar, home to the magnificent Golden Temple
Explore the highlights of Northern India including the forts and City Palace of Jaipur
A private tour, using your own driver and expert guides and the best luxury hotels
Possibility to take the famous Shimla toy train up to Kanda Ghat; the line is a UNESCO world heritage site
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Best time to Visit
Good time to visit
Average time to visit
Amristar, tends to have extremes in terms of summers and winters. Summer runs from April – June and can have temperatures up to 49 °C / 120°F as in winters temperatures drop to sub zero. The best time to visit the area is from October to March.
Shimla and Chandigarh have much more constant and salubrious climates making them year round destination, but the best times to visit are from October to November and March to May. However we do advise to avoid the monsoon seasons as these can bring with them mudslides.
For Rajasthan, the hottest months are felt in May and June, whilst the coldest are experienced from December to February with the monsoon season hitting from May to August. The best time to travel to Delhi and Jaipur is from October to March, where you can expect warm and sunny weather, perfect for exploring and relaxing.
For this itinerary as a whole, for the best and most constant weather we suggest traveling from October through to March.
Insider's View
If you want to travel on the Himalayan Queen Train to Shimla in style, you have the option of having your own carriage attached to the back
Every summer the government was moved to Shimla, and all documents, staff and luggage got there on the small mountain railway
The discussions over India Independence took place in the Viceregal Lodge in Shimla
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itinerary is a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your vacation.
Itinerary
This wonderful itinerary guides you through the highlights of northern India, taking in the Punjabi capital of spiritual Amritsar, the heights of Shimla and some of Northern India's most famous cities. Over the 11 fantastic nights you’ll also get the chance to explore the colonial city of Delhi and the culturally impressive city of Jaipur. Slightly off the beaten track this is a fantastic itinerary allows you to explore both the highlights and hidden secrets of the Himalayan Foothills.
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Days 1-3: Amritsar
Start your journey in Amristar and the best way to reach the city is through a short flight, normally connecting in Delhi. The bustling city of Amritsar is famed for Sikhism's most holy temple. The Golden Temple, or Harmandir Sahib is a dazzling monument, gilded with 100kg of gold. Best visited during the 'Going to Bed' ceremony, around 9.30pm, the holy book containing the Sikhism scriptures is carried back to lay to rest for the night. Like the Ganges in Varanasi, this is a truly spiritual experience to behold and you’ll have a private guide here to help you uncover this spectacular site.
Amritsar also holds much importance in the history of India and its colonial past. Here we suggest a visit to the poignant memorial garden which pays homage to the victims of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.Accommodation: Taj Swarna Amritsar (2 nights)
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Days 3-5: New Chandigarh, India
From Amristar you will head by road to Chandigarh which will take approximately four hours. Chandigarh is an Indian city like no other, designed by the architect Le Corbusier. Over the two nights here, we have included a private guide to show you the local highlights such as The Hussain Rose Garden, Sukhna Lake and the Palaces of Pinjore Garden.
Accommodation: The Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa (2 nights)
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Days 5-8: Shimla
Next it is on to Shimla, reachable by car, taking just over four hours. It is also possible to take the Toy Train which is popular, and whilst we feel that it is a beautiful experience, it is lengthy so we suggest driving instead. If the Toy Train is a must, then we feel it is much better to experience this when in Shimla itself. Shimla has changed a lot since independence, and it is now a bustling Himalayan town rolling down the hillside in all directions. You’ll have three nights here and, in this itinerary,, we have not included any guiding for you in Shimla as you may like to take the time to simply relax in your beautiful surroundings but of course if you would like a guide we can include this for you.
Accommodation: Wildflower Hall, Shimla in the Himalayas an Oberoi Resort (3 nights)
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Days 8-10: Delhi
From Shimla you will head to Delhi, reachable via a short flight either from Chandigarh or Shimla Airport. You’ll have two nights in Delhi to soak up all the colonial history being built by the British in 1934 it embodies the spirit of the Raj. On your full day in Delhi we have included a private guide for you, to explore the Lodhi Gardens, through the vibrant bazaars and to the city's most iconic landmarks including Humayun's Tomb.
Accommodation: The Imperial (2 nights)
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Days 10-12: Jaipur
Finally, for your final two nights on your epic adventure, you’ll drive to Jaipur though the beautiful countryside. It is a quite a lengthy journey of just over five hours and it is possible to take a 50-minute flight if this would suit you better. You’ll spend your full day here exploring the capital of Rajasthan with your private guide, from its bustling markets to the ornate City Palace and Amber Fort. Jaipur was painted pink to welcome a visit of Edward, Prince of Wales, in 1876 and soon became known as the 'Pink City'.
This itinerary can be altered to suit your needs and is a great way to see much of Northern India and the cities that make up the foothills of the Himalayas. Throughout your tour you will have your own private driver and expert guides, ensuring you make the most of this fascinating destination.Accommodation: The Oberoi Rajvilas (2 nights)
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Fly home from Jaipur
Experiences
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Agra - Mughal Heritage Walk (Kachpura)
Visit the small village of Kachpura, a rural settlement, with a stunning backdrop of the Taj Mahal.
The youth from the community, who have been trained up as tour guides, take you through the village allowing you to real get a feel of village life.
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Agra - Sunrise at the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal at sunrise is often on many people's ultimate wish lists and it never disappoints. Seeing the sun rise over this amazing monument makes you sit back in awe as Taj's color slowly changes as the sun shimmers against it.
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Colonial Heritage Tour
This walk offers a glimpse of Shimla’s faded but glorious history and takes in lots of old colonial architecture.
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Delhi by night
Delhi has some of the most amazing restaurants. We always keep our ear to the ground about the latest places to dine, and speak to all our guests about dinner reservations before they travel.
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Fatehpur Sikri
Situated 37 km (23 miles) south west of Agra, the ‘lost city’ of Fatehpur Sikri is the abandoned capital of the great Mughal emperor Akbar.
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India by Train
A train journey in India can be an exceptionally rewarding experience. You see the life and soul of India in its many stations, as well as fantastic views of India's countryside.
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Jaipur - Amber Fort
Amber Fort, the ancient Rajput capital is located on a hill 11km / 7 miles north of Jaipur. Amber was the capital of the Kachhwaha Rajputs from 1037 until the Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh founded Jaipur in 1727.
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Jaipur - Bazaars, Cuisine and Crafts of Old Jaipur
Jaipur is awash with craftsman and artisans which make an amazing wander through the streets unforgettable. You will enjoy the sights with a personal guide.
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Jaipur - Walking Tour
A walking tour of Jaipur brings the city to life through its out of the way nooks and crannies, colorful markets and vibrant culture.
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Mughal Heritage Walk
Visit the small village of Kachpura, a rural settlement, with a stunning backdrop of the Taj Mahal.
The youth from the community, who have been trained up as tour guides, take you through the village allowing you to real get a feel of village life.
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Old and New Delhi
Take a full day exploring both Old and New Delhi taking a Rickshaw through Chandni Chowk and visiting the Jama Masjid Mosque, Rajpath & Humayun's Tomb.
Location
Amritsar, Chandigarh, Shimla, Delhi & Jaipur
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