Hill Stations of the Western Himalaya
Example Itinerary
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Overview
Starting in Delhi, your journey takes you north to the holy town of Rishikesh, the lap of Hindu philosophy and learning. Here you can explore ashrams and temples, hanging bridges and aarti ceremonies, before driving through spectacular Himalayan mountain scenery to the famous hill station of Shimla. Once the summer capital of the British Raj, and now the capital of Himachal Pradesh, the town is an intriguing mix of old and new. Soak up the beauty of the surrounding forested foothills as you ride ...
Starting in Delhi, your journey takes you north to the holy town of Rishikesh, the lap of Hindu philosophy and learning. Here you can explore ashrams and temples, hanging bridges and aarti ceremonies, before driving through spectacular Himalayan mountain scenery to the famous hill station of Shimla. Once the summer capital of the British Raj, and now the capital of Himachal Pradesh, the town is an intriguing mix of old and new. Soak up the beauty of the surrounding forested foothills as you ride on the famous ‘Toy Train’ and explore on foot along remote mountain trails.
From here you make your way to Kangra Valley and the 16th century heritage village of Pragpur, home to unique architecture and pristine beauty, old cobbled streets and mud-plastered walls. Having remained almost untouched over the years, here you can step back in time and learn about life in this remote village centuries ago. Continue on to the home of the Dalai Lama’s Tibetan government in exile in the twin towns of Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj, then from the foothills to the plains, you can pay your respects at the glorious Sikh Golden Temple in Amritsar and witness the colourful Wagah border ceremony, before heading back to Delhi.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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Example Itinerary
This is an example itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes and budget, or build a trip from scratch.
Day 1 ARRIVE DELHI
On arrival in Delhi you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day will be free to relax or explore the city independently.
Day 2 DELHI – HARIDWAR
This morning you’ll transfer back to Delhi airport for your flight to Dehradun. From here you drive along beautiful mountain roads to Haridwar, where you can check into your hotel and unwind. Just upstream from Haridwar on the banks of the River Ganges is the holy town of Rishikesh. This small town is the point where the holy Ganges crashes down in full glory onto huge boulders and creates long stretches of white sandy beaches. The banks are lined with ashrams, where saints and holy men rest before beginning their arduous pilgrimage up into the snow-covered land of the gods. The town acquired prominence in the west when the Beatles visited to meet Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and begin their quest for spiritual salvation. Even today, foreign travellers visit the ashrams to study Hindu philosophy, yoga and Ayurvedic medicine. This afternoon can be enjoyed at leisure or with a gentle walk along the ghats to watch a bit of daily life in this fascinating region.
Day 3 RISHIKESH
You will spend today exploring Rishikesh, also known as the 'place of sages'. Its many ashrams – some clearly humbly ascetic, with others verging on opulent - continue to draw devotees and followers from around the world. The whole place is considered to be sacred, as it is believed that meditation here leads to attainment of salvation. Visit Laxman Jhula, a hanging bridge on the river Ganga, and Bharat Mandir, the oldest temple in Rishikesh. Take a stroll around the market, where you can end at Parmarth Ashram, before returning to Haridwar in time for an evening aarti ceremony. The Ganga Aarti is an unforgettable spiritual experience, generally beginning at sunset, with sacred chants and a 'Yagna' or fire ceremony. The sounds and smells of this stunning performance, framed by the ripples of the setting sun in the flowing river, make it a real highlight, and a wonderful introduction to your journey.
Day 4 HARIDWAR – DEHRADUN
You return north today and head for the tranquil setting of Shaheen Bagh, located just outside of Dehradun. Here you can relax in the gardens, or if there’s time explore a little of the area, but overall this is the perfect stopover on your way to Shimla where you can enjoy a quiet setting and some downtime in between the longer drives.
Day 5 DEHRADUN – SHIMLA
Today is a long but beautiful journey, as you travel through some stunning Himalayan countryside, to the hill station of Shimla, the former summer capital of the British Raj. Along the way, you will have the chance to stop for a cup of tea and to take photographs in order to break up the journey, which usually takes around 8 hours.
Day 6 SHIMLA
Begin the day by boarding the UNESCO World Heritage Himalayan Queen ‘Toy Train’ which will carry you on a picturesque journey through the forested foothills of the Himalayas. You then will have the rest of the day to explore Shimla. Often described as ‘Epsom in the hills’, the quaint hill station is today a surreal place, with a mall lined by mock Tudor cottages, the Viceroy’s neo-Gothic palace at one end and Christ Church at the other. Halfway along is the Gaiety Theatre, a charming miniature Drury Lane. But today Shimla, like Darjeeling, is a very mixed town, on the one hand buzzing with modern Indian life while on the other echoing that of its colonial past. All in all, a fascinating place to spend a couple of nights.
Day 7 SHIMLA
Today you’ll explore the surrounding area on foot as the Britishers of old would have once done, taking in the colonial buildings of the Raj period. The forested foothills around Shimla offer some excellent opportunities for walking and later today there will be the opportunity to stretch your legs and take in some more of the stunning scenery.
Day 8 SHIMLA - PRAGPUR
Today you have a full day’s drive north to the Heritage Village of Pragpur, located in the beautiful Kangra Valley on the edge of the Himalaya Mountains. On arrival you’ll check in to your hotel where you have a chance to relax before dinner.
Day 9 PRAGPUR
Today you can enjoy some rest time or explore the area further. Pragpur offers a fascinating insight into the history of the area, and visitors can enjoy exploring the local market where they will see silversmiths and weavers at work. Kanga Valley is also has a lot to offer, with the fort and rock temples of Masur, as well as multiple walking options and some birdwatching.
Day 10 PRAGPUR – DHARAMSALA & MCLEOD GANJ
This morning you’ll drive to visit Tashijong Monastery, built by Buddhists who fled from the Kham region of eastern Tibet in the 1950s. You’ll also pay a visit to a tea garden, from where you’ll continue your journey to Dharamsala and McLeod Ganj. Established in the mid-1850s as a British garrison, McLeod Ganj sits 4km from Dharamsala (with which it is intrinsically linked) and is situated at a height of 1,770m. It is now the seat of the Tibetan government in exile and as residence to his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, it is also a place to view Tibetan culture outside of Tibet, and is considered a ‘little Lhasa’.
Day 11 DHARAMSALA & MCLEOD GANJ
You will have the whole day to enjoy this legendary hill station and take a walk in the surrounding area. You’ll start with a visit to the Tibetan Children’s Village in McLeod Ganj. If the Dalai Lama is in residence there may even be the chance to attend one of his audiences. You will then drive up through the forest to Dharamkot where you’ll reach Naddi Village, visiting a Buddhist stupa and some meditation caves en route where Tibetan Buddhist monks live and meditate for many months during the year. From Naddi village you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the peaks of Dhauladhar before descending back down to the town and wandering through the fascinating bazaar. Those preferring not to walk can easily pass their time soaking up the fascinating interplay between Tibetan and Himachali cultures.
Day 12 DHARAMSALA – AMRITSAR
Descending from the foothills back to the plains you enter the Punjab and travel to the famed city of Amritsar. This evening you will have a look around the most holy of Sikh sites – the Golden Temple, which is at its most evocative at night. The stunning setting of this temple is a spiritual masterpiece, and reflected in the lake, the temple glistens in the sun and is spectacularly lit up at night. Visitors can also witness Palki Sahib, also known as the ‘putting to bed’ ceremony. The temple is home to the Guru Granth Sahib, the principle scripture of Sikhism, which is placed on a pillow and carried to its resting place for the night, accompanied by chanting.
Day 13 AMRITSAR
This morning you can pay another visit to the iconic Golden Temple. From here you’ll visit Jallianwala Barg, the scene of the British massacre in 1919. Time permitting, you can also visit the important landmark of Baba Atal Rai Tower, located just outside of town. Climbing to the top of this nine-storied building gives you a panoramic view of the entire area. In the late afternoon you’ll head out to the famous Wagah border ceremony, which involves a colourful parade by soldiers from both India and Pakistan, culminating in the perfectly coordinated lowering of the two nations' flags!
Day 14 AMRISTSAR – DELHI
You’ll catch the train back south to Delhi today, arriving in time to transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
EXAMPLE ACCOMMODATION
The Claridges, Delhi
The Claridges has been a veritable treasure in Lutyens Delhi since the 1950's. Amidst the rush of new modernity, the soul of The Claridges lives on. Refurbished, redesigned and revitalized, the hotel now offers guests an experience that is new and yet so familiar. The hotel is also in an excellent location just a short auto ride from Khan Market and not much further to Connaught Place. Under current management, the hotel has a blend of tradition and modernity. Leading designers of international repute have helped enhance the heritage and elegance of this four star hotel. There are 132 different rooms and suites, all designed with an elegant blend of 19th century character and contemporary style. Wine and dine to your heart's content in the Dhaba, inspired by rustic Punjabi villages; the Jade, serving Chinese-Cantonese cuisine; Sevilla, for all your tapas needs; Pickwicks, a multicuisine buffet that is always open; Ye Old Bakery, where the corn pudding is a must try; or the Aura, a romantic, dimly lit bar. There is also a refreshing outdoor pool, indoor gym and relaxing spa to enjoy at the end of a busy day.
Ranjit's Svaasa, Amritsar
A charming 250-year-old historic hotel in the heart of Amritsar, this intimate lodging is the city's only boutique, characterful property, built with distinctive red bricks. The owner Rama Mehra is an interior decorator and the hotel has been beautifully decorated, the walls have old photos and family pictures and there is antique furniture throughout, creating a homely, traditional atmosphere. The rooms are comfortable, each with their own distinct flavour and decor with an evocative, traditional style. There is a wonderful small garden and alfresco dining. Yoga is on offer and the spa is a marvellous haven of calm from the hustle and bustle of the city, one of the main draws of this little lodge.
Chonor House, Dharamsala & Mcleod Ganj
Chonor House is an intricately decorated house in the heart of McLeod Ganj, and the best in the area. The walls have been decorated by Norbulingka artists, and each of the 11 rooms has been uniquely designed to maintain a true Tibetan atmosphere, complete with handmade carpets and wooden furniture. This is an ideal stop for utter peace and quiet in authentic cedar forest surroundings.
The Judge's Court, Pragpur
The Judge’s court is classified as ‘Heritage’, therefore making it India’s first classified Heritage Country Manor. The hotel consists of two buildings, the Country Manor and an Ancestral Cottage which is over 300 years old and the buildings stand in a 12-acre orchard made up of mango, lychee, citrus, plum and exotic trees including camphor, clove and cardamom. The accommodation at Judge’s Court is made up of 10 spacious rooms, of which 3 are suites that are inclusive in the ancestral courtyard. The hotel is eco-friendly, organic and green as it grows its own wheat, maize, fruit, vegetables and oil seeds and water is exclusively piped from an ancestral mountain spring.
Chapslee House, Shimla
Originally built in 1830 and once the summer residence of the Hon'ble Raja Charanjit Singh of Kapurthala, this charming house is now a beautiful family-run hotel. First established in 1976 by the Raja's grandson, the late Kanwar Ratanjit Singh, affectionately known as Reggie, the property is now run by Reggie's wife Pronoti who has successfully continued the 'Chapslee Experience', one that embodies the magic of true Indian hospitality in the heart of what is first and foremost a family home. Guests can marvel at the endless memories that decorate the property, snapshots of a bygone era and happy childhood memories, and learn not only about the family's history but also that of the house itself, one of the oldest in Shimla. Each room or suite comes with its own story, from the Red Room which was once the family nursery, to the Luxury Suite, once the living quarters of Reggie's grandfather. Guests will step back in time as they are treated to the truly unique 'Chapslee Experience', a dedication to what Reggie remembers as 'gracious living', which celebrates old hospitality traditions and the very best standards of service.
Hotel Rating
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Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
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When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
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