North India And The Himalayas
Shimla And The Beautiful Kullu Valley
A perfect tour for anyone wishing to appreciate India’s fabulous history along with the astounding landscapes that are found in the beautiful Indian Himalayas. In many ways this combination makes for a complete trip to India.
Upon arrival discover Old Delhi, the sprawling, fascinating Indian capital and explore the historic markets and bazaars that lie around The Red Fort. New Delhi features the elegant and imposing buildings of Sir Edwin Lutyens, which came to symbolise the British Raj.
Onwards to Agra, once the heart of the Mughal Empire and visit The Taj Mahal, the great monument to love that adorns the banks of the Yamuna River, for an experience you will probably remember for a lifetime.
The regal splendor of the Rajput city of Jaipur includes an assortment of fairytale palaces, imposing hill forts and some of Asia's most interesting bazaars.
Upon your return to Delhi, the overnight Howrah-Kalka Mail train takes you towards the towering Himalayas. From Kalka, the famous Toy Train ascends to Shimla, the former British Summer Capital of India. Continue your journey onwards through magnificent Alpine valleys and pine forests to reach Kullu and Manali. Depending on weather conditions you may even venture towards the snow-filled glaciers of Rohtang Pass with majestic views of Tibet and the High Himalayas beyond.
Recommended For: Anyone who wishes to see North India’s main historic sights along with an extended stay in the Himalayas.
Day 01
Depart UK
Depart UK – Overnight flight.
Day 02
Delhi
Relax On Arrival At Delhi
Relax on arrival at your hotel, inside a leafy and exclusive area of Delhi.
Early Evening Rickshaw Ride Through Old Delhi
Take a Cycle Rickshaw Ride through the famous Chandni Chowk, Dariba (silver market), Khari Baoli (spice market) and the Kinari Bazar for trimmings and tinsel. At one end is the huge Jama Masjid mosque (1656)
With a circumference of about a mile, The Red Fort Of Delhi (1639) has three gates with walls surrounded by a moat fed by the River Yamuna.
Day 03
Drive Through Lutyens Imperial New Delhi
Formerly the Viceregal Lodge, the massive Rashtrapati Bhavan is the highlight of Lutyen's New Delhi. The circular Parliament House is the seat of the Indian Parliament. The Secretariat Complex, popularly known as the North Block and South Block are the ministry of Finance and External Affairs respectively.
A great way to sample the ambience of the colonial era would be to stop for tea at the lovely Imperial Hotel or Claridges.
Sights Of Southern Delhi
Emperor Humayun's Tomb (1570) lies in an attractive park on the outskirts of the city. The unusual Qutub Minar, constructed in 1200 AD is one of the finest monuments in India and is the tallest brick minaret in the world (239 ft).
If you plan your day carefully you can also if you wish, see Rajghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, as well as new landmarks of Delhi such as the Akshardham and Lotus temples.
Day 04
Agra
Akbar’s Tomb Sikandra
The impressive tomb of Akbar The Great (1612) lies conveniently on the roadside near Agra.
The Red Fort Of Agra
The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the construction of the Agra Fort in 1565 A.D. The massive ramparts and forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise. There are a number of exquisite buildings like Moti Masjid - a white marble mosque akin to a perfect pearl, audience halls like the Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-I-Khas, Jahangir's Palace, and the mirror-laden Shish Mahal.
Day 05
Jaipur
The Amazing Beauty Of The Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal (1631), is one of the great treasures of the world. The monumental labour of love of a great ruler for his beloved queen took 22 years in the making. An estimated 20,000 people worked to complete the enchanting mausoleum, on the banks of the Yamuna.
The Tomb Of Itmad Ud Daulah (1622)
A lovely surprise in Agra is this delightful tomb of a nobleman that is often called the ‘mini’ Taj Mahal.
Fatehpur Sikri
Built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years. The complex of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style, includes one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid.
Laxmi Vilas At Bharatpur
The Laxmi Vilas Palace (1887) is an ideal place to have lunch on the way to Jaipur.
Day 06
Jaipur
Amber
Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Impregnable battlements and massive walls protect a delightful palace with courtyards and pavilions where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's ultimate expression.
The top attraction here is the chance of an Elephant Back Ride to ascend to the top of the fort in a long procession.
Jaipur
Jaipur is the pristine jewel in the arid semi-desert of Rajasthan. Settled in the rugged hills of the Aravali mountains, it is surrounded by hills on three sides, crowned by formidable forts and majestic palaces.
Private Guided Tour Of Jaipur City Palace
A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
Hawa Mahal - The ornamental facade of this "Palace Of Winds" is the prominent landmark in Jaipur. The five-storey structure of sandstone is plastered in pink and encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
The Jantar Mantar (1734) is a fascinating astronomical observatory that is also well worth visiting.
Day 07
Delhi-Kalka By Overnight Sleeper
BY EXPRESS TRAIN FROM DELHI-KALKA
HOWRAH KALKA MAIL - 2245- 0500 HRS
Travel back to Delhi and board the night train to the foothills of the Himalayas. This train contains comfortable 1st Class A/C Sleeper Compartments.
Day 08
Shimla
TOY TRAIN FROM KALKA TO SHIMLA
SHIVALIK EXPRESS – 0530 – 1015 HRS
The narrow gauge train up through the pine-filled hills to Shimla takes 5 hours and is one of the most scenic train journeys in India, passing through 102 tunnels and 87 bridges.
The Hill Station Of Shimla
From 1830 until 1947 Shimla was the summer capital of the British Indian Empire. A scattering of colonial bungalows and country houses still rise out of the deodar forests including The Viceroy's Lodge, which crowns Summer Hill with Victorian towers and pinnacles,
The Mall is the main shopping avenue and situated on the Ridge is Christ Church (1844), the second oldest church in Northern India.
Day 09
Shimla
The environs of Shimla contain amazingly beautiful forests of firs, pines, oaks and rhododendron. Jakhu Hill at a height of 8000 ft is the highest local peak and offers a beautiful view of the town and the snow-covered Himalayas.
Kufri and Chail are charming and beautiful mountain resorts with verdant forests alive with many species of birds and deer. The more adventurous may ski at Narkanda and Kufri from January to mid-March.
Day 10
Manali
Driving northwards towards the majestic peaks of the Himalayas, you reach the beautiful Kullu Valley.
Kullu is a natural paradise with its pastoral ambience, fruit orchards, temples and mountain scenery. It is truly one of the most enchanting valleys in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Day 11
Manali
Manali is often described as 'India’s Switzerland' and is situated at a height of 6725 feet above sea-level with awe-inspiring views of snow coated peaks and wooded gorges. The River Beas gushes across the valley amid grasslands wrapped in layers of wild flowers and bushes. This invigorating environment offers marvelous walks through fruit orchards and mesmerizing forests of pines and deodars.
Day 12
Manali
The Solang Valley around 14 kms from Manali, boasts a glacier replete with terrific picnic-spots, and amazing ski slopes during January - February.
The Rohtang Pass is located at a height of 13058 feet and once served as a crucial trade route. It still remains the gateway to the remote, barren districts of Lahaul and Spiti. The pass is open from June to November each year, and provides wonderful views of the Tibetan Mountains and the so-called ‘’Roof Of The World’’.
Day 13
Delhi Near Airport
INTERNAL FLIGHT: KULLU – DELHI 
1 HOUR 20 MINS
A breathtaking flight over the peaks of the Himalayas from the Kullu Airport takes you back to Delhi.
Note: This flight can get suspended during bad weather.
Day 14
Depart Delhi
Depart India – Daytime flights arrive back in UK the same day.
The best time to visit Shimla and Kullu/Manali is March -July when the holiday season is in full swing. Otherwise the skiing and winter snows from October-February also attract plenty of visitors.
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= Boutique Hotel
Amazing High Altitude Valley Near Kullu
The Manor Hotel At Delhi
Akshardham Temple At Delhi
The Red Fort At Agra
The Taj Mahal At Agra
The Exquisite Palace Inside Amber Fort
The Toy Train To Shimla
Christ Church At Shimla
An Orchard In The Kullu Valley
Tibetean Temple At Manali
Rushing Stream At Manali
Annette
Sophie
Tony
Aaron
Natalie 
Manali To Leh Highway On The Roof Of The World
