Delhi, Dharamshala, Amritsar & Kashmir Valley Tour 12 days

Day 1 Arrive Delhi

Upon arrival at Delhi airport, assistance and transfer to the hotel (hotel check-in/out time: 1200 hours, early check-in subject to room availability). Rest time is free and easy to relax and personal activities. You can opt to go out for dinner with your driver. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel, city tour of Delhi. Visit the landmark of Old Delhi, which includes the Red Fort, the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market, a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewellery and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath is the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, where he was cremated after his assassination.

In New Delhi, visit Humayun Tomb, the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture, commissioned by Humayun's first wife, Empress Bega Begum, in 1569-70. Qutab Minar, a 73-metre tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex a fine example of Afghan architecture. The Lotus Temple, a Baháʼí House of Worship notable for its flowerlike shape open to all, regardless of religion. Drive through VVIP areas passing the President House, Parliament & India Gate, etc.

Rest time is free and easy to relax and personal activities. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 Delhi - Dharamshala (flight)

Breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport to board the flight for Dharamshala. On arrival at Dharamshala airport, assistance and transfer to the hotel. Rest time is free and easy to relax. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 Dharamshala and McLeodganj

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit McLeodganj, which is home to most of the Tibetan exiles. At McLeodganj, the Tibetans have established many monasteries, schools and temples. McLeodganj has a distinctly different character, with its brightly painted buildings, Buddhist temples, prayer flags fluttering in the air and saffron monks and nuns hurrying along the streets. The main Buddhist temple, Tsuglagkhang, is a five-minute walk from the main bazaar. Said to resemble the one in Lhasa, the temple is surrounded by red and gold prayer wheels that are set in motion by devotees to scatter prayers in the air.

Bhagsunath Temple old temple of Bhagsunath with a fresh water spring. Further, about 0.5 km away is the beautiful Bhagsunath waterfall, which is enough to soothe one’s eyes and mind. Dal Lake is surrounded by Deodar trees, with the temple of Durgeshwara Mahadev by the lakeside. Church of St. John in the Wilderness, built in 1860, is worth a visit for its beautiful stained glass windows. The church was severely damaged in a major earthquake that rocked the region in 1905. Rebuilt subsequently, the church has old bells that were cast in London and installed in 1915. Lord Elgin, one of the few Viceroys of India who died in office, lies buried here. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 Dharamshala - Amritsar (210kms/ 5hrs approx)

Breakfast at the hotel, drive to Amritsar, check in at the hotel. Later in the afternoon, visit the Bagha border to attend the Beating Retreat Ceremony. Every evening, just before sunset, the soldiers from the Indian and Pakistan military meet at this border post to engage in a 30-minute display of military camaraderie and showmanship. Officially, the purpose of the ceremony is to formally close the border for the night and lower the national flag. However, it is an entertainment ceremony and a display of national pride for the thousands of people who come here every day. During the build-up to the ceremony, the crowd engages in chanting the Indian national anthem, rounds of applause and Bollywood-style dancing to Hindi songs. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6 Amritsar

Breakfast at the hotel, visit Golden Temple, one of the most sacred pilgrim spots for Sikhs, famous for its full golden dome. The ‘Guru Ka Langar’ offers free food to around 20,000 people every day. The number shoots up to 1,00,000 on special occasions. The Durgiana Temple, though a Hindu temple, its architecture similar to the Golden Temple. The Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum is famous for its rare and priceless collections, particularly Paintings, Weapons, armours, Manuscripts, & Coins. Gobindgarh Fort was originally built by Gujjar Singh Bhangi, the local chieftain, in the 18th century. Gobindgarh was conquered and enhanced in the early 19th century by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, who renamed it after the 10th Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh. The fort had five cannons, which included the famous two ‘Zamzama' cannons. Rickshaw ride and walking tour of the old market in Amritsar. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 Amritsar - Srinagar (flight)

Breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport to board the flight for Srinagar. On arrival at Srinagar airport, assistance and transfer hotel/ houseboat for check-in.

Later, visit Shalimar Bagh, the largest garden of the 3 breathtaking Mughal Gardens and one of the most sublime places to see in Srinagar. This stunning garden was constructed by Jahangir back in the year 1619 for his beautiful wife Noor Jahan. Nishat Bagh, located near the Dal Lake, is an enchanting twelve terraced garden, packed with green trees, scented flowers, and beautiful fountains. Known to be the 2nd biggest Mughal garden, this garden was constructed by Noor Jahan’s elder brother, Asif Khan, in the year 1633. Chashma Shahi is a well-manicured triple-terraced garden, showcasing the Persian style of architecture. A two-storey hut has been positioned atop the garden’s top terrace, and this structure is considered the source of origin of the natural spring. Tulip Garden is the largest tulip garden in Asia, in the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain overlooking the mesmerising Dal Lake. Shankaracharya Temple, the sacred 250BC temple, occupies the top of the hills known as Takht-I-Sulaiman in the south-east of Srinagar. The temple boasts breathtaking views of the valley.

Evening Shikara ride on the Dal Lake, visiting floating vegetable gardens. Overnight at a houseboat/ hotel.

Day 8 Srinagar - Gulmarg (56kms/ 2hrs approx)

Breakfast at the hotel, drive to Gulmarg (The Meadow of the Flowers) located at an altitude of 9,000ft. Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty; it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650m, and is the country's premier ski resort in the winter. Enjoy a cable car ride on the Gondola, which will take you to the Majestic height of 13,000ft above sea level, covering the magnificent views of the Himalayan Mountains and Pirpanjal ranges. You can also enjoy a view of Nanga Parbat if the weather permits. Golf playing, Horse Riding, Hiking, & Snow Skiing are other optional activities available here at additional cost. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9 Gulmarg - Pahalgam (142kms/ 3hrs approx)

Breakfast at the hotel, drive to Pahalgam, the Valley of Shepherds, 7,000ft above sea level. On the way, visit the famous Saffron growing fields and Awantipur Ruins (a 1100-year-old temple of lord Vishnu built by King Awantivarman). Enjoy the beautiful countryside on the way. On arrival, check in at the hotel. Pahalgam, once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking views, is surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine at the confluence of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder River. Rest time is free and easy to relax. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 Pahalgam

Breakfast at the hotel, visit the Mamleshwara Temple, a famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the few temples constructed purely of stone by the then King Jayasimha. Inside the temple complex is a shrine completely covered in gold. Aru Valley is the base camp for trekking to the Kolhoi Glacier and Tarsar-Marsar Lake, noted for its scenic meadows. The Kolahoi is the largest glacier in the Kashmir Valley and is located near Mt. Kolahoi (5425m), the highest peak in the Valley. There are about 20 alpine lakes, peaks and meadows around the Aru Valley. Other popular activities include fishing for trout in the Lidder River, trekking, hiking, horse riding, sightseeing and photography. Betaab Valley is a breathtaking combination of picturesque surroundings encircled by tall deodar trees and pine forests, with the Lidder River flowing right through it. Lolab Valley is an oval-shaped valley famous for its scenic natural beauty, dense pine forests and bubbling springs. It is also home to some animals like the Himalayan brown and black bear, snow leopard, hangul and musk deer. Sheshnag Lake is one of the topmost attractions of Pahalgam and an epitome of natural beauty, peace and serenity. Enveloped in snow-capped mountains and surrounded by tall alpine meadows, the lake is a haven for nature lovers. Rest time is free and easy to relax. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 Pahalgam - Srinagar (83kms/ 3hrs approx) / Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel, drive to Srinagar to board the flight for Delhi. On arrival at Delhi airport, assistance and transfer hotel for check-in. Rest time to visit any place of your interest with your driver or relax in your hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 Delhi - Departure (flight)

Breakfast at the hotel. As per the flight schedule, transfer to the airport to board the flight for the onward destination.