Skip to content
Kalachakra Temple in Dharamshala

Western Himalaya explored

16 days from $5,785pp

Kalachakra Temple in Dharamshala
Request a quote

Tour highlights

  • Enjoy a ride on a 'Toy Train' to the colonial hill station of Shimla.

  • Visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

  • Enjoy the spectacular 'Closing the Border Ceremony' at the Wagah border.

  • Explore Tibetan culture at Dharamshala.

  • Witness an evening aarti ceremony in Haridwar.

  • Stay at a beautiful tea estate nestled in the Kangra Valley.

  • Spot a diverse mixture of wildlife at Corbett National Park in the foothills of the Himalayas.

Price includes:

  • Private driver throughout your trip
  • Activities and excursions as detailed
  • All accommodation
  • 24-hour support while you travel
Make an inquiry

Itinerary idea in detail

Ask us if you would also like us to arrange your international flights at our preferred rates.

  • Arrive in Amritsar, where you'll be met by an Audley representative and introduced to your private driver, who will stay with you for the remainder of your trip. They will transfer you to your hotel where the remainder of the afternoon is at your leisure. After dinner, you will visit the temple with your local guide to see the putting-to-bed ceremony of the holy book.

  • After breakfast, visit the incredible Sikh Golden Temple along with pilgrims and families from all over the country on a private tour. Witness the incredible kitchens which churn out thousands of meals each day for free. Return to your hotel for lunch. Later this afternoon your driver and local guide will accompany you to the Wagah Border, 45 minutes away from the city on the Pakistan border, to watch the border closing ceremony. It is an elaborate affair which occurs every day.

  • Travel east for six hours to arrive at Dharamshala. This busy hill town is home to a huge Tibetan community which makes it feel like a different country. With the rest of the day free, you might like to explore some of the local shops around your hotel which sell a range of Tibetan products. Alternatively, a momo cooking class can be arranged for you if you fancy exploring the local cuisine.

  • Against the dramatic backdrop of the Himalayas’ snow-clad Dhauladhar range, discover the myriad of delights of Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj. Throughout the tour, there will be plenty of opportunities to learn about Tibetan culture, with visits to the Norbulingka Institute, the Tibet Museum, and the Tsuglagkhang Complex, where you will find the Dalai Lama's official residence located opposite the Namgyal monastery.

  • An hour-and-a-half drive will bring you to a beautiful tea estate spread over 526 acres nestled in the Kangra Valley. Enjoy and explore the surroundings by staying at a charming, eco-friendly homestay, tucked away on the edge of the estate.

  • Apart from the various walking options in and around the estate, art lovers can visit an artists’ colony that focuses on pottery-making or spend half a day at a Thangka painting experience. For culture buffs, visit the nunnery for a morning or evening chanting session. The lodge offers yoga in the tea estate and many of the activities can be followed by a picnic breakfast by the river.

  • Today you will travel three hours south to spend a night at a lovely, restored property right in the heart of the sleepy village of Garli. The remainder of the day will be at leisure; however, village walks can be organized from the hotel to explore its historic houses and the market.

  • You will leave Garli to travel to the erstwhile summer capital of the British. It is a fairly long drive to Shimla and, therefore, the rest of the day will be at leisure.

  • Enjoy a guided walk around Shimla’s pedestrianized streets, where highlights include the Viceregal Lodge, the timbered post office and the art gallery in the Gaiety Theatre. The Glen and the Jakhu Temple can also be visited on the tour, reached by road and then on foot.

  • You will travel on the famous Toy Train to Kandaghat where you will be met and driven through the Himalayan foothills to Chandigarh. Discover Chandigarh, the first planned city of independent India. You can visit the surreal site of Ned Chand’s Rock Garden, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Corbusier Complex, or go on an expert-led walking tour with in-depth knowledge about Le Corbusier, the French architect who conceptualised the city.

    Stay at Lalit Chandigarh   
  • The drive southeast to Haridwar will take approximately four and a half hours. The rest of the day is at leisure.

  • Today you will explore the town of Haridwar, one of India's seven most holy cities, and see Hindu rituals being performed as people cleanse themselves of their sins at the bathing ghats. This evening you will experience Ganga Aarti, a moving and atmospheric experience that provides a real insight into Indian spirituality.

  • An early start is suggested as it takes about four to five hours on a road that is mostly lined by trees and fields to arrive at Corbett National Park.

  • Corbett has a wonderfully diverse mixture of wildlife due to its location in the foothills of the Himalayas and its proximity to the Ramganga River. Morning and afternoon game drives will be arranged, when your driver and naturalist will take you to different zones of the park to give you the chance of spotting some of the best wildlife and any species you are particularly keen on seeing.

  • After breakfast, you will travel to Delhi, a six-hour drive from Corbett National Park. Spend a night at a comfortable hotel close to the airport.

  • Today you're driven to the airport by private driver to catch your onward flight from Delhi Airport. Your return flight will arrive the same day.

Accommodation options

While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodations, Audley trips are 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.

Audley Travel Specialist Niall
Contact an India specialist

The specialist who designs your trip to India will have explored the country many times and, in some cases, lived there. Their first-hand knowledge gives us the belief that no other travel company can match our expertise in helping you plan your trip.

Request a quote

When to go

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Place Daily max temperature (°F) Monthly rainfall (mm)
Delhi
 
Amritsar
 
Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj
 
Shimla
 
Haridwar
 
Corbett Tiger Reserve
 

Other tours you may be interested in