From iconic palaces and colonial hill stations to vast tea estates, the spiritual center of Rishikesh to the Golden Temple of Amritsar at the heart of Sikhism, experience India's diverse cultural traditions.
Stay in classic luxury and heritage hotels, based in pulsing cities, amid rolling hills beneath the source of the Ganges River, with an epic backdrop of the snow-capped Himalayas. Visit Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama, and experience local village life including a Himachali dinner, with options to take part in meditation, craft classes and yoga sessions.
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Arriving in Delhi, transfer independently to our hotel, the Taj Palace. Set among gardens in the city center, the hotel has Mughal-inspired palace architecture, with facilities including an Ayurvedic spa and an outdoor swimming pool.
Delhi is a rich cultural hub which blends the ancient and modern. Since 1911, when the British moved the seat of their empire from Kolkata (previously Calcutta) to Delhi, it has been India's dynamic capital. 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.
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The Shivalik Express, affectionately referred to as the 'Toy Train', travels between the Indian town of Kalka and Shimla, capital city of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The Toy Train's 60-mile narrow-gauge route through the Shivalik foothills of the Himalayas is one of three Indian mountain railroads which together constitute a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built by British colonists, the Kalka-Shimla Railway opened in 1903. An extraordinary feat of engineering, the line negotiates 102 tunnels, more than 860 bridges and 919 curves. The Toy Train's passengers have plenty of time in which to admire and marvel these features as well as the spectacular mountain panorama that lines the route, tackling the 1 in 33 gradient as the train makes its ascent to Shimla at a leisurely pace.
One of India's lesser-known Himalayan 'Toy Trains' is also the country's longest narrow-gauge line. Its full title is the Kangra Valley Toy Train, and the full route runs 100 miles from Pathankot in Punjab to Joginder Nagar in Himachal Pradesh. First opened in 1929, the railroad was built to serve hilly regions and connect remote areas across the country. Because the train travels very slowly, passengers can enjoy spectacular views of the Himalayas and the scenic foothills from their windows.
The Shatabdi Express trains are some of the fastest in India and are the pride of Indian Railways. Fully air-conditioned and of a superior standard to most Indian trains, the Shatabdi Express apparently always arrives at the station's best platform! The average speed on most lines is 68mph although the service between Delhi and Kalka and Chandigarh to Delhi can reach speeds of 80mph. During our journeys, we travel in air-conditioned Chair Class.