Foothills of the Himalaya

Our adventure begins in Delhi, a colourful and chaotic city full of architectural masterpieces. Around 6pm, say namaste to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner at a nearby restaurant. Want more time in Delhi? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

We have an early start with our train booked for approximately 6.45am. The hotel prepares a light breakfast for us, and we transfer (approximately 45 minutes) to New Delhi railway station, where we take the train (4hr 45min) to Haridwar. Upon arrival, we lunch near Har Ki Pauri, the most popular ghat in the city. Local legend says Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu frequented this place during Vedic times and there is a temple nearby believed to be built around a giant footprint of Lord Vishnu. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or, if you’d prefer, your tour leader can take you to Rajgarhia Ashram to experience a sit-down lunch like an Indian pilgrim. After, walk around the Har Ki Pauri area (approximately one hour) to see the bustle of local life and various activities taking place at the ghats. Late afternoon, we continue by road. In Khara, we switch from bus to auto rickshaw to complete the journey to Rishikesh, a spiritual city considered the yoga capital of the world, an adventure hot spot, and a gateway to the Himalaya.

This morning, we head to the local ferry boats to cross the river and take a leisurely stroll from Laxman Jhula up to Ram Jhula – the two iconic iron and cable suspension bridges in Rishikesh. From there, we visit what’s left of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, where the Beatles stayed in 1968 and wrote songs for the White Album. After years of neglect, the ashram is now a melancholic set of semi-ruined buildings with interesting graffiti, though work is underway to renovate the property. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to wander the local market close to the Ganges before heading to the eastern bank to visit Swarg Ashram. In this complex of ashrams and ancient temples dedicated to Hindu deities, who are depicted through exquisitely carved statues, you can learn about the principles of yoga and spiritual tenets. End your day by attending the evening aarti session at Shatrugan Ghat as the sun sets.

Drive (eight hours) to Shimla after breakfast. We recommend picking up some light snacks, but we also stop along the way for comfort and tea/coffee breaks. One of those is a visit to the Gurudwara Paonta Sahib, built in memory of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th and last human Sikh Guru. Here, he is said to have written the Dasam Granth, a sacred collection of writings, plus we can see a palki (palanquin) made of gold. After, we head to the She Haat Café in Sarahan for lunch. This vital women-run cooperative serves traditional Pahari food and was created to provide financial stability and independence to women living in rural areas. This afternoon, we continue our drive to Shimla and check into our hotel, where we spend the next three nights. Shimla was once the summer capital of the British Raj, who moved here for relief from the scorching heat of the plains.

We explore Shimla today. Our first stop is the Sankat Mochan Temple, which is located amid verdant greenery and dedicated to Hindu deity Hanuman. After, we drive to Shimla railway station to take the Viceroy’s Toy Train to Tara Devi station in the town of Kalka. Our 50-minute journey is a memorable one, as the train steadily rolls through pine forests, which open to valley and hill villages. After disembarking, we transfer a little further up the hill to Devi temple for a picturesque view of Shimla. After, we take a short transfer to a local restaurant for lunch before heading to the most impressive monument in Shimla: the Viceregal Lodge, a seat of imperial power and location for crucial talks prior to independence. The building is now called the Indian Institute for Advanced Studies and is used by scholars, though the woodwork inside is kept as it was during British rule. In the afternoon, we visit the Sanat Art Foundation. This gallery and residence for artists has a scenic spot among pine and cedar trees with a view of Chedwick Fall. During our trip, we enjoy tea and see the varied and well-displayed art collection.

Prefer a later start? Take the opportunity to relax at the hotel and linger over breakfast. However, if you’re keen for adventure, join your tour leader for a nature walk in the Shimla Glen, a dense forest of deodar, oak and pine. Returning to the hotel mid-morning, we have time to refresh before driving into Shimla city to visit the Lower and Lakkar bazaars, which cling to the hillside and show Shimla at its most vibrant. We also take a leisurely stroll along the Mall Road (the main thoroughfare in Shimla) to Scandal Point – make sure to ask your tour leader about the name. En route, you can take a look inside the historic Gaiety Theatre or the neo-gothic Christ Church. Alternatively, find a spot for refreshments while viewing snowcapped Himalayan peaks, if the weather is clear.

An early morning drive (seven hours including lunch stop) takes us to Palampur in the Himalayan foothills, which is surrounded by tea estates, pine and deodar forests, and historic temples. This hill station is blessed with a temperate climate and verdant landscape, interspersed by narrow rivulets and streams. Here you can marvel at the snowy peaks of the Dhauladhar range (part of the Himalaya) or take invigorating nature treks through the numerous trails.