Spiritual India Amritsar - Himalayas - Jim Corbett Tour (131092),Holiday Packages to New Delhi, Amritsar, Shimla, Chandigarh City, Rishikesh

Package Overview

Explore the sacred sites of 3 religions in the beautiful Punjab & Himalayas. Visit the Sikh Golden Temple in Amritsar, the Buddhist headquarters of His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala & Hindu's sacred River Ganges in Rishikesh. Enjoy Shimla & Jim Corbett Park, famous for its wild Asian elephants. English speaking city guides, private driver, jeep safaris & sightseeing included.

HIGHLIGHTS
Old & New Delhi
Amritsar
Golden Temple
Dharamshala
Dalai Lama Monastery
Manali Hill Station
Shimla
Chandigarh Gardens
Rishikesh & River Ganges
Jim Corbett Natonal Park

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Day wise Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive

You will be met at Delhi Airport by your driver and transferred to your hotel in this ancient capital of kingdoms and empires that is now a sprawling metropolis.

Delhi's strategic location was one of the main reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power and today it is a conglomerate of seven cities. The division between the old walled city and New Delhi marks a division in lifestyles, with the old city retaining its past traditions whilst New Delhi strives to match the pace of the 21st century.
Day 2 : Old Delhi

Today enjoy a full day tour of modern New Delhi and the 17th century walled city of Old Delhi, which came to prominence when Shah Jahan moved his capital here from Agra.

In Old Delhi enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through 300-year old Chandni Chowk market, a maze of lanes crowded with noisy shops selling an extraordinary variety of items and foods, and past the Jamia Masjid (or Friday Mosque), the largest in India, and drive past the imposing walls & battlements of the Red Fort, once the most opulent palace in the Mughal Empire. We continue to the Raj Ghat - the simple but moving memorial on the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.

In the afternoon our tour of New Delhi starts with a visit the Qutub Minar, an ancient victory tower built of red sandstone and marble in 1199 and still the tallest minaret in India. With its imposing cylindrical towers and surrounding ruins, it is today a World Heritage site. Our next stop is Humayuns Tomb, the beautiful mausoleum of the Mughul emperor Akbar, that inspired the Taj Mahal.

We drive along the Rajpath - the capital's broadest avenue - where you will see the imposing arch of the India Gate war memorial, Parliament House, the Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential residence built for the Viceroy of India, and the government buildings on Raisina Hill.
- Hotspots : Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate
- Themes : Heritage
Day 3 : Amritsar

Rise early this morning and transfer to New Delhi Station to board the express train (air conditioned chair class) departing 07.20 for Amritsar in the Punjab.

Enjoy wonderful views of the countryside as you travel through northwest India, arriving in Amritsar around 13.35. Here you will be met and transferred to your hotel in this pilgrimage city that is spiritual centre of the Sikh religion. This city is also known for its magnificent carpets and fabrics, farm produce, handicrafts, rich cuisine and culture.

Note: Because of the very short (2-minute) stops at each station, train travel in India is not recommended for the elderly or those travelling with children, when it is better to fly. Likewise during December & January when heavy fog can causes long delays.
Day 4 : Golden Temple

This morning we visit the magnificent Golden Temple. Shining in the morning light, with its large dome surrounded by elegant minarets and splendidly gilded interior panelling, this temple is a magnificent place of worship for devotees of the Sikh faith worldwide.

Afterwards we visit Jallianwala Bagh - the site where hundreds of innocent Indian men, women and children were massacred by General Michael Dyer on 13 April 1919, during the British rule of India. A memorial and garden have been created here as a national monument.

In the afternoon we drive 2-hours to the Wagha Border, the only crossing point between India and Pakistan. Here the changing of the guards and flag-lowering ceremony is performed daily with blustering pomp and perfect drill by both side - described by Michael Palin as "carefully choreographed contempt". A jawan (infantryman) stands at attention on each side and as the sun sets, the iron gates at the border are opened and the two flags are lowered simultaneously. The ceremony ends with a retreat that involves a brusque handshake between soldiers from either side, followed by the closing of the gates again. Afterwards we return to Amritsar.
- Hotspots : Golden Temple
Day 5 : Dharamshala

Today we drive 4-hours to the city of Dharamshala in the Kangra Valley, surrounded by dense coniferous forests.

This is the home of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama - the spiritual leader of the Buddhists of Tibet. It is also the headquarters of the government of Tibet, in exile since 1960 (the Central Tibetan Administration).

After checking into your hotel, relax in the beautiful Dhauladhar mountains.
- Themes : Hill Stations & Valleys
Day 6 : Sightseeing

This morning we visit Tsuglagkhang - the Dalai Lama Monastery complex at McLeod Ganj in the upper reaches of the Kangra Valley. Here you can learn more about the Buddhist faith and see traditional Tibetan prayer wheels.

We hike to see the beautiful Bhagsunag Falls and visit the old Bhagsunag Temple. We also visit the Anglican church of St. John in the Wilderness, in whose churchyard the former British Viceroy of India and Governor General of Canada, Lord Elgin, is buried. The church has lovely Belgian stained glass windows donated by Lady Elgin.

Then visit Kangra Art Museum and the War Memorial that honours those Gurka soldiers - "the bravest of the brave" - who died in two world wars and fighting for the independence of India.

We continue to the Norburlinka Institute, dedicated to preserving Tibetan culture by handing down its traditions in art and literature and providing training, education and employment for the exiled people of Tibet. This includes high quality thangka painting, traditionally crafted statues, screen-printing, applique, woodcarving, wood painting, papermaking and metal craft.

Note: The Norburlinka Institute is closed on Sunday.
- Themes : Hill Stations & Valleys
Day 7 : Manali

Depart early for a full day on the road today, as we travel 6-hours from Dharamshala through breathtaking landscapes of deodar and pine trees, meadows, valleys, fruit orchards and snow capped peaks of the mighty Himalayas Mountains to the hill station at Manali.

On arrival check into your hotel in this small town, through which the clear waters of the Beas River meander.
- Themes : Hill Stations & Valleys, Hill Stations & Valleys
Day 8 : Shimla

Another full day on the road today as we travel 6-hours from Manali through stunning Himalays scenery to the hill station at Shimla.

Referred to as the "Queen of Hills", Shimla was the summer capital of British India and is steeped in colonial history. On arrival check into your hotel and relax in the fresh mountain air.
- Themes : Hill Stations & Valleys
Day 9 : Shimla

Today enjoy a half day tour of Shimla.

We start with a visit to the splendid Rashtrapati Niwas (Viceregal Lodge) that was built in 1888 by Lord Dufferin in Scottish baronial style, to house the British Viceroy and his staff for the six months they were based in the town. It is now a museum with beautifully laid out Botanical Gardens and a touching collection of hotographs from the late Victorian era and the last years of the Raj. It also houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies.

Afterwards we walk along the pedestrianised Mall - from Scandal Point and Christ Church, past the Post Office, Gaiety Theatre and Town Hall. Here commerce rubs shoulders with stately colonial buildings, churches and other landmarks and at one end is the city's colourful local market, the Lakkar Bazaar. Shimla is particularly known for the quality of its locally made pashmina shawls.

The afternoon is free to relax at your hotel or visit the hot springs that are believed to have medicinal value. You can also visit the ancient Jakhoo Hindu temple, situated at the highest point in the town (pay for guide & entrance fees locally).
Day 10 : Kalka

This morning transfer to Shimla Railway Station to board the Himalayan Queen Train to Kalka, travelling 5-hours through beautiful scenery to Kalka.

One of India's five 'Toy Trains' built by the British, it is registered in the Guinness Book as the greatest narrow gauge engineering achievement in India. The train passes through breathtaking landscapes of the majestic Himalayas - with 103 tunnels, 969 bridges, 919 curves and over 20 railway stations along the way. Enjoy splendid views of the snow-clad Himalayas, covered with thickly populated pine and oak forests.

Arrive at Kalka Station in the late afternoon and transfer 1-hour to Chandigarh, a beautiful modern regional capital that is one of the best planned cities in India.

Note: The small Toy Train is not air-conditioned, so be prepared for an interesting cultural experience (not a luxury journey).
Day 11 : Chandigarh to Rishikesh

We travel 5-hours today from Chandigarh to Rishikesh situated on the sacred River Ganges.

Rishikesh is a holy city with many temples along its banks and is vegetarian by law. Legend states this is where Lord Rama did penance for killing Ravana, the demon king of Sri Lanka. After checking into your hotel, balance of day at leisure in this town of yoga and ashrams.
Day 12 : Rishikesh

Today enjoy a City Tour, including the famous iron suspension bridges of Ram Jhula and Lakshman Jhula, which offers magnificent views. It is said that Lakshmana (the brother of Lord Rama) crossed the River Ganges on jute ropes at this point.

We also visit the Hindu temples at Haridwar, before proceeding at dusk to the Triveni Ghat (bathing steps) to experience the daily Aarti prayer ceremony on the banks of the River Ganges.
- Hotspots : Triveni Ghat, Lakshman Jhula
Day 13 : Rishikesh to Jim Corbett National Park

This morning we travel 4-hours from Rishikesh to Jim Corbett National Park, the oldest wildlife sanctuary in Asia magnificently situated in the foothills of the majestic Himalayas Mountains.

This national park was named after Jim Corbett - the famous hunter turned conservationist who played a key role in its development. Established to protect the endangered Royal Bengal tiger, over 73% of the park consists of dense and moist deciduous forest, with a wide diversity of flora and fauna including nearly 500 different plant species. Check into your lodge near the entrance to this famous reserve.
Day 14 : Jim Corbett National Park

Rise early today and depart before breakfast on a jeep safari into Jim Corbett National Park.

This national park is home to the Royal Bengal tiger, over 50 mammals, 25 reptiles and more than 570 different bird species. It is also one of the very few places in India where you can enjoy viewing Asian elephants in the wild.

The Ramganga River, which originates in the lower Himalayas, traverses more than 60 miles (100 km) before entering the park near Marchula and provides a vital perennial water source to this national park, which also provides sanctuary to sloth bears, Himalayan black bears and the Indian grey mongoose.

Early morning is the best time to track tigers and other wildlife, but be aware that it is extremely difficult to find tigers in this national park and sightings are rare. Best viewings are generally at the end of the dry season (March to May), when the tigers search out the waterholes. Game drives usually last 3 to 4 hours, but you can return to your lodge sooner if you wish.

After lunch at your hotel, in the afternoon enjoy another game drive in the park, where the bird watching is also outstanding.

Note: This tiger reserve is closed during the Holi & Diwali festivals, as well as during the monsoon season (mid June to mid November).

Please note we always try to book jeep safaris, but these can only be reserved 90 days in advance and cannot be guaranteed - in which case your game drive will be in a 20-seater canter. Jeep safaris require warm clothes, including woolly hats and gloves, to protect you from the wind chill in your open vehicle.
- Themes : Jeep Safari
Day 15 : Delhi

A full day on the road today as we drive 6-hours from Jim Corbett National Park to Delhi, travelling through the rural countryside of northern India.

You will be dropped off at your hotel situated conveniently for the airport.
Day 16 : Departure

Transfer to Delhi Airport for your flight home.

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Inclusions

Hotel
Sightseeing
Pickup-Drop

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Price & Rates

No of pax	Age Limit	Price per pax (Rs)
Adult	Above 12 years	$ 2900 / Adult

* Mentioned prices may vary depending upon date of travel, hotel availability, surge pricing and seasonal rush.

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Package Start From

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Asia

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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