Himalayas and Temples of India!!         

Day 1 - Welcome to India! An Active India Holiday representative will greet you at the arrival hall at the Delhi International Airport. As you drive to the hotel in comfort, enjoy the sights along the way while our representative briefs you about the experience that awaits you. Check in at the hotel and freshen up. Rest of the day is free to explore the national capital with its many attractions, be it monuments, museums, galleries or bazaars. If you arrive on Thursday: Take a guided walk through the narrow streets of Nizamuddin, a Sufi area in Delhi, to uncover the traditions, monuments, flavours, and history of this neighbourhood with a vibrant mix of old and new, upscale residences and ancient tombs. Travellers and pilgrims flock to the Nizamuddin Dargah, the saint’s tomb, to hear Qawwali, Sufi devotional songs, eat kebabs, and shop in the lively market area.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 2 - Today we discover the history of Old Delhi; crowded, bustling, and still bearing remnants of the great Mughals who once ruled from the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort. First, we drive past the Red Fort–the palace of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who also built the Taj Mahal. We then reach Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India, built in the 17th century. We take a rickshaw ride through bustling bazaars and historical lanes of "Chandni Chowk” and Asia’s largest spice market. Our next stop is Raj Ghat–the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation. Post lunch, we head to British Delhi (New Delhi area), to visit India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the President of India, the Parliament House, and some other colonial buildings built during the British era and designed by a British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens in the first half of the 20th century. We end the tour with a visit to Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the mausoleum of the second Mughal emperor Humayun and was built by his widow Haji Begum in 1564 during the reign of her son Akbar. Evening transfer to the railway station to board the overnight train to Pathankot.

Overnight - Train

Day 3 - Arrive at the Pathankot railway station in the morning and drive to Dharamsala, current residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in-exile. In 1959, the Dalai Lama travelled to India with his supporters and made Dharamsala his home, converting it into a miniature Lhasa. For many years, Dharamsala has been a centre of meditation and calm, with thousands of people travelling from all over the world. Upon arrival we check-in at the hotel. In the evening we visit the wonderful bazaars with strong Tibetan influence. We return to the hotel and stay overnight at Dharamsala.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 4 - We spend the morning exploring Mcleodganj, the revered seat of the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan government in-exile is based here and has opened schools and craft-workshops and monasteries that have been built in and around the town. In the morning we visit the Buddhist monasteries and the Parliament. In the afternoon we walk out of the village, first visiting the Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts. Then we walk through the forest, enjoying stunning views of the mountain ranges to the Tibetan Children's Village School, which serves over 2,000 refugee children. From here we board our vehicle and drive back to the hotel. Walking : 3-4kms

Overnight - Hotel

Day 5 - Today we go for a gentle and gradual walk from Mcleodganj to visit the villages of Dharamkot and Naddi. Dharamkot is a well-known tourist destination with extensive Pine and Deodar woods. Naddi is another village and very close to the snow point in the Dhauladhar ranges. We set off for this walk from Mcleodganj to Dharamkot by taking a shorter route. It's roughly a four-kilometre trek from Dharamkot to Naddi through the Deodar forest. The village provides a beautiful view of the Dhauladhar range. From here we board a vehicle and head back to Dharamsala. In the afternoon, we visit the Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture, a registered trust dedicated to preserving Tibetan literary and artistic culture. Here we see the Thangka paintings, statue building, and wood carving being done at the workshops, set in a beautiful garden. Walking: 8 kms / 4 hrs

Overnight - Hotel

Day 6 - In the morning we drive to Amritsar, one of the most holy and sacred cities of the Sikhs. Upon arrival we check-in at the hotel and freshen up. In the evening we visit the spectacular Golden Temple - the sacred Sikh gurdwara (temple) to experience the impressive evening ceremony. Amritsar derives its name from the pool that surrounds the Golden Temple (aka Harmandir Sahib) and means ‘holy lake of nectar’. We also visit the world’s largest community kitchen that serves langar (food) to every visitor. On an average, the kitchen feeds about 75,000 people every day. We also get an option to volunteer at the kitchen, an opportunity not to be missed. Overnight stay at Amritsar.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 7 - After breakfast, we visit a traditional village on the outskirts of Amritsar. The journey will take us through the rich and traditional villages of Amritsar. On arrival we are welcomed with a traditional drink called - Lassi. Then we visit the flour mill to witness the process by which grains are ground into wheat flour. During the visit we get to interact with locals, enjoy scrumptious Punjabi food and join the ladies of the house in their cooking activities. We get to observe cows being milked, get an exciting ride on a tractor through the village's meandering lanes and enjoy a bullock cart ride through lush green fields. We also visit the carpet weaving factory to see how people use their skills and art of phulkari work to manufacture beautiful carpets. After lunch we bid farewell to the village. In the evening we witness the ‘Flag Down’ ceremony at the Wagah-Attari border, an entry point to Pakistan. This ceremony by the soldiers of India and Pakistan takes place every evening before sunset and is witnessed by a large number of visitors/tourists from both sides of the border. The ceremony begins with a blustering parade by the soldiers from both sides and ends up in a perfectly coordinated - lowering of the two nations' flags, to be hoisted again the next morning. We spend a second night in Amritsar.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 8 - Our tour of Himalaya’s and Temples of India comes to an end and it’s time to pack your bags and head back with memories of a lifetime. After breakfast, we check out from the hotel and get a transfer to the Amritsar airport for onward travel.

Tour Ends