Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met by our representative at the airport, who will escort you to your hotel for check in.

Delhi, the Empress of Indian cities has a fascinating history and a stimulating present. The capital of India, Delhi has been the seat of power of a number of dynasties – the Rajputs, the Afghans, the Turks and the Mughals who continued their imperial line until the British. Scattered over are surviving ruins, remnants of mighty edifices, tombs of warriors and saints, which in an impressive sense of magnificence are memorials not of a single city but of supplanting nations.

Overnight in Delhi.

Following breakfast, proceed for a city tour of Old Delhi.

Visit the Red Fort, the 300-year-old walled city built in red sandstone by Emperor Shah Jahan. The magnificent Fort dates from the very peak of the Mughal power, and just opposite the fort are the black and white onion domes and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the most elegant mosque in India. Drive past Feroz Shah Kotla, ruins of an old fort from the 14th century with the 13-meter-high Ashoka Pillar. Visit Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Take a rickshaw ride through the marketplace in the Old City to experience the unique environment of Delhi streets.

Later in the afternoon enjoy sightseeing in New Delhi.

Visit the new capital designed by Sir Edward Lutyens. Drive past the Presidential Palace, the Rashtrapati Bhawan and the secretariat buildings – the center of all government activity. Continue down the main avenue, the impressive Rajpath, to the World War I memorial arch, the India Gate, the High Court Building, and the Old Fort. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, built in 1565 AD by his grieving widow Haji Begum; the Qutab Minar, standing 72 meters high; and the ruins of Quwwat ul-Islam (Light of Islam) Mosque. Also see Delhi’s most curious antique, the uncorroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD. Visit the Birla Temple (Laxmi Narayan) with its many idols.

Overnight in Delhi.

Following breakfast, travel by vehicle to Rishikesh, in northern Uttar Pradesh. Surrounded by hills, and with the Ganges flowing through, Rishikesh is widely regarded as the “Yoga Capital of the World”. Made famous when the Beatles came to town in the 60s, the city is home to a host of ashrams, some of which are internationally recognized as centers of philosophical studies, yoga and meditation. For those seeking a more active holiday, there are many options on offer – from watersports such as kayaking and rafting, to rock climbing and rappelling, and trekking and camping.

On arrival to Rishikesh, check in to your hotel then enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Rishikesh

Head out for a sightseeing tour of Rishikesh following breakfast.

Visit the Triveni ghat – a sacred bathing spot along the banks of Ganges, where every evening an Aarti to river Ganga is performed. See the Lakshman jhoola – a suspension bridge across the Ganga along the old route to the holy shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. Explore the city’s famous temples, including Raghunath Temple, Pushkar Temple, Venkateshwsar Temple, Chandra Mauleshwaran Temple, Shatrughan Temple, Bharat Mandir and Lakshman Temple.

In the afternoon take an excursion to Haridwar, situated along the on the right bank of the Ganges. The city is among the seven sacred cities of India, and an important Hindu pilgrimage site.

Enjoy a panoramic view of Haridwar from the temple of Chandi Devi. The temple is a 3km trek from from Chandi Ghat. Legend has it that Chanda-Munda the army chief of the local demon king, Shumbha-Nishumbha, was killed by Goddess Chandi here. Visit the 8 storey Bharat Mata temple, a building in which the images of cities, heroes and great men are installed, and the Shanti kunj, the famous ashram of Gayatri. Followers and pilgrims from far and wide converge here for yoga and natural cures.

In the evening visit the famous ghat Har-ki-pauri, where a holy dip is a must for every devotee. The Ganga Aarti performed every evening is a spectacular sight when thousands of lighted lamps are set afloat on the river, prayers are chanted and bells chime from the many temples in the city.

Overnight in Rishikesh.

In the morning, leave Rishikesh behind and travel to Shimla. Set in the foothills of the Himalayas, this former summer capital for the British offers a cool climate year round, and wonderful panoramic views of the surrounding area.

Upon arrival, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Shimla.

Following breakfast, take in the highlights of Shimla on a city tour.

Walk up Jakhu Hill and see Jhaku Temple, dedicated to the monkey god Hanuman. You’ll see many actual monkeys around the temple, but its best to leave them alone and not offer food. It takes about 45 minutes of walking to reach the temple, but it is well worth the effort. From its lofty perch at 2455m, the temple offers spectacular views of the town and the snow-capped Himalayas.

Visit the Viceregal Lodge, the former residence of the British Viceroy of India. This magnificent building is now the home of the Indian Institute of Advanced studies, India’s premier academy for higher research.

Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Shimla.

Day free at leisure

Overnight in Shimla.

Following breakfast, set out for the northwestern border of the country, to Amritsar. This 400-year-old city has been the center of Sikh religion and culture since the time of its inception and is famous for the Golden Temple.

Overnight in Amritsar.

In the morning following breakfast, explore the highlights of Amritsar on a city tour.

See the spectacular Golden Temple, located in the heart of the city. Set in the center of a sacred lake, known as the Amrit Sarovar, or Pool of Nectar, and flanked by marble walkways on all sides, the temple is breathtakingly beautiful. From early morning until late in the evening music and chanting fills the air, adding to the Golden Temple’s wonderful ambiance.

Visit the Jalianwala Bagh, a historical monument that tells the sad story of mass killing during the India’s independence movement. Here lies the memorial for the martyrs of the 1919 massacre by British General Dyer. The Martyr’s Gallery is open from 9 am to 5 pm in summers and from 10 am to 4 pm during winters.

Look out onto Pakistan with a visit the Wagah Border. Located on the Indo-Pakistan border, Wagah is 28 kilometres from the Amritsar main town. A good number of visitors come to this place to see the change of guard’s ceremony and the flag hoisting and lowering activities which are done with great skill and precision by the border security forces of both the countries.

Overnight at Amritsar.

Enjoy the morning at leisure prior to departures, and then transfer to the airport for the flight to Delhi. If travelling onwards from Delhi, on arrival in Delhi, stay in the transit area to connect to your onward flight.

Overnight in Kovalam.