Spirit of the Himalayas & Amritsar’s Golden Temple

Your discovery of Himalayan spirituality and mystical destinations begins as you meet the Tour Manager at London Heathrow.

Boarding a direct overnight flight to India's capital, we can begin to look forward to our exploration of northern India and the Himalayas. On our way, we will view gleaming temples, the sacred Ganges River, tea plantations and ashrams that inspired the Beatles. From the golden home of Sikhism to the base of the Dalai Lama, this journey takes us through an enchanting tapestry of religious and culturally significant places.

Arriving in Delhi this morning, we are transferred to our five-star hotel for an early check-in. Set in a grand building near New Delhi's Connaught Place, the hotel facilities include a spa and an outdoor rooftop pool.

Delhi is a rich cultural hub which blends the ancient and modern. The city has been India's capital since 1911, when the British moved the seat of their empire from Kolkata. Echoes of Delhi's long history can be found among its beautifully preserved monuments, ancient forts and tombs. New Delhi's wide tree-lined avenues contrast with the narrow, bustling streets of Old Delhi, the historic heart of the city.

Early this evening, we reconvene at the hotel before sitting down for our first dinner together.

• Dinner

With a packed breakfast provided by the hotel, we head out early this morning and board the AC Chair Class carriages of the Shatabdi Express. Aboard this modern, high-speed train, we journey northwards through Haryana state and into Punjab.

Our destination is the holy city of Amritsar, the heart of the Sikh faith. Located in India's far northwest, between Pakistan and the Himalayan foothills, it's a city that brims with spirituality. The name Amritsar translates as Pool of Nectar, and relates to the Amrit Sarovar, the holy tank that surrounds its most famous landmark, the Golden Temple. On arrival, we are transferred to our five-star hotel in time for lunch.

Afterwards, we head to a nearby village to learn about life at a traditional Punjab farm. During this immersive experience, you can help prepare rotis, feed the livestock or harvest fruits and vegetables. This evening, we return to our hotel and have dinner.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking in Amritsar, we explore the heart of the city with a knowledgeable local guide and see the Golden Temple in the daytime, its golden façade shimmering in the sunlight.

Nearby, we then visit Jallianwala Bagh, a sombre memorial to the events of 13th April 1919, when British troops opened fire on people peacefully celebrating the Punjabi new year. We also visit the Partition Museum, before heading out of Amritsar to witness a reminder of the effect of Partition. At the Wagah border with Pakistan, we gather to view the Changing of the Guard ceremony, carried out with great skill by the border security forces of both countries. We return to our hotel for dinner.

Dinner is served back at our hotel before you have the option to revisit the Golden Temple this evening to see the Palki ceremony. This revered procession sees the Sikh holy book taken between the main temple and room opposite. The evening event begins at 10pm, and we return to our hotel at around 11.30pm.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Amritsar after breakfast this morning, we drive towards the mountains, crossing the border into Himachal Pradesh. As the foothills of the Himalayas draw closer, our coach ascends enroute to our destination, Palampur.

This picturesque hill station is overlooked by the imposing snowy peaks of the Dhauladhar mountains and sits amid breathtaking landscapes of extensive tea gardens. Surrounded by lush forests of deodar trees, a type of cedar native to the Himalayas, the area is popular as a film location and for its colonial buildings and shrines.

Arriving early evening, we check in to our hillside hotel in the Kangra Valley. There are spectacular views of tea plantations and snow-covered mountains from this excellent location. There's some time to unwind or soak up the vistas before dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

A tour of the vast Wah Tea Estate awaits after breakfast. This breathtaking plantation spread across hundreds of acres and is celebrated for its high-quality Kangra teas from the original Camellia Sinensis cultivar, known to have the highest antioxidants.

Our tour continues to the Kangra State Museum where we view exquisite Pahari Miniature paintings from artists of the sub-Himalayas and Kangra region. Miniature paintings evolved in the 17th and 18th centuries as a distinctive style which fuses Hindu mythology, Mughal and Rajput techniques with local folk art.

This afternoon, we head to an area known as Little Tibet, Dharamshala. Our first stop is at the extraordinary 16th-century Namgyal Monastery, home of the leader of the Buddhist faith, the Dalai Lama. Here, we uncover the rich Tibetan culture and learn about the teachings of Buddhism, before visits to the Tibetan Museum, Norbulingka Monastery and the Gyuto Monastery. Back at our hotel, we enjoy dinner this evening.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After a scenic journey through the Himalayan foothills, we arrive at the historic town of Shimla.

Enjoying a cooler climate than India's bustling cities, Shimla can often feel comfortingly familiar yet pleasingly different to British visitors - due to the fact it was the summer capital of the British Raj. Between May and September each year during that period, a fifth of the world's population was ruled from this charming hill town.

On arrival, we check in to our five-star hotel for three nights. Nestled within forests on the edge of Shimla, there's time to unwind at our new base and soak up panoramic vistas across the valleys and Himalayan foothills. This evening, we gather for dinner and settle into life in this historic colonial town.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Author and historian Raaja Bhasin presents an informative talk full of spellbinding stories about his hometown and its role during the Raj. Discussing the history of British rule in India, Raaja provides expert insights into key moments such as the 1857 uprising and the legacy of the East India Company.

Afterwards, we enjoy a ride on the charming Himalayan Queen toy train, soaking up the views on a four-mile route to Taradevi. From here, we are driven back to Shimla for a sightseeing tour. Our first stop is the Viceregal Lodge, Shimla's most historically important building, now surrounded by manicured gardens. This elaborate stately home has sat at the top of Observatory Hill since 1888 and was the setting for discussions which lead to the Partition of India in 1947. Next, we stroll to Scandal Point and view the Gothic revival Gaiety Theatre, an irrefutably British hall that has seen many famous people tread its boards, including Rudyard Kipling and Robert Baden-Powell.

Later, we dine back at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is spent at leisure among the fresh mountain air and beautiful tree-covered slopes of Shimla. One option is to take a trip to Mashobra, where the sense of entering the elemental Himalayas really dawns. Although a resort with many amenities, visiting this area really feels like you are heading off the beaten track. From here, indulge in the luxury of a high-tea lunch in opulent Wildflower Hall.

Alternatively, you might prefer to uncover Shimla independently. Still reflective of India's character, there's a much more leisurely pace of life compared to the bigger cities, inspired by the cooler climate. Stroll down Mall Road and the Ridge, the centre of colonial Shimla, before admiring the Children's Library and stately Christ Church. With classic British architecture, these buildings wouldn't look out of place around a peaceful English village green. In the afternoon, you could make your way to Lakkar Bazaar to view traditional woodwork and souvenirs.

This evening, we regroup at our hotel for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Shimla after breakfast, we journey by coach to our next destination. Views of verdant valleys, rolling hills and everyday life in the Himalayan foothills guide us to Nahan, where we stop for lunch.

Early this evening, we arrive in Rishikesh and check in to our boutique hotel on the banks of the Ganges, which enjoys incredible views of the sacred river. As one of the seven holy pilgrimage sites of Hinduism, or 'Sapta Puri', Rishikesh holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. Sacred rivers and mountains set the scene for yoga, river rafting and reflective hikes. Famously, The Beatles got in touch with their Eastern spiritual side here, during a 1968 stint at a local ashram, writing songs which appeared on their White Album and Abbey Road.

This evening, we gather for dinner at our hotel.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Waking up in this beautiful, peaceful setting, we head out after breakfast to explore more features of Rishikesh.

Visiting the ashrams at Sivananda, Swarg, Geeta Bhavan and Parmarth Niketan, we embrace the atmosphere of this spiritual town. We also cross the iconic Ram Jhula suspension bridge, which spans the rushing Ganges - offering amazing views of local life and the soaring mountains - and the wide Janki Setu bridge, completed in 2023. On our return to the hotel you are free to lunch independently, relax in the tranquil atmosphere or possibly take part in a yoga or meditation class.

In the evening, a breeze blows down the valley, setting temple bells ringing as holy men, pilgrims and tourists prepare for the nightly Ganga Aaarti. Later, we visit Bharat temple where we experience the evening 'aarti' fire ceremony, a soul-stirring ritual which is made daily without fail, in honour of the Ganges. Starting with the singing of bhajans (prayers) an offering of lit candles and flowers is made to the fire god, Agni.

• Breakfast

There's the opportunity to take part in a yoga session before breakfast this morning.

Later, we take a sightseeing tour of Chaurasi Kutia, popularly referred to as 'the Beatles Ashram'. Abandoned and overgrown for decades, the site was reopened for tourists in 2016. The ashram retains some of its mystical atmosphere and is adorned with vibrant murals paying tribute to the legendary band who visited in 1968 to study transcendental meditation with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It was here that the Fab Four wrote a number of songs including Cry Baby Cry and Blackbird. Our tour ends with a gentle stroll along the banks of the Ganges to take in views of this majestic river.

From here, we board a train for our journey back to Delhi, with a picnic dinner to enjoy at our seats. Arriving late this evening, we return to our five-star hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we explore the striking architecture and churches from the period of the British Raj. Setting out from the historic Kashmiri Gate in characterful Old Delhi, we visit the churches of St James and St Mary, ponder the ruins of the 1857 war, and see the stunning red brick Sacred Heart Cathedral.

After a break to find lunch independently we drive through New Delhi's wide leafy avenues, which showcase the inventive planning of the British architect Edwin Lutyens. Old Delhi's walled city and modern New Delhi reflect the heritage of the Mughals and the British Raj. The older, walled city still retains the energy, colours and magical atmosphere of the past. In contrast, New Delhi is an energetic 21st-century city.

Our tour takes us past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament Complex and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President's residence. We also visit the outstanding Humayun's Tomb, commissioned by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor Humayun. Built in the Indo-Persian style, this remarkable tomb is a precursor of the Taj Mahal. We return to our hotel where there's time to unwind before dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

From the country's buzzing capital, we have travelled to the renowned spiritual sites of the Himalayas, visited beautiful Hindu temples and the Beatles ashram, staying close to the very source of the sacred fast-flowing Ganges. We've travelled high into the Himalayan foothills to popular hill stations, seen glorious green tea plantations and visited Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama to learn about Tibetan Buddhism. We've witnessed one of the most important ceremonies of the Sikh religion at the dazzling Golden Temple and stayed in beautiful heritage hotels and modern luxury.

Checking out of our hotel after breakfast, we transfer to Delhi airport for our direct flight back to London Heathrow. Landing the same day, your discovery of northern India and the Himalayas comes to an end.

• Breakfast