What Makes it Special?
- Watch the daily ritual at the Wagah Border Ceremony.
- Explore McLeod Ganj, home of the Dalai Lama.
- Stay on a working tea estate near Palampur.
- Ride the UNESCO-listed Shimla toy train.
- Wander Shimla’s historic Ridge.
- Visit Pragpur or Garli, villages frozen in time in Himachal.
Your tailor-made holiday will be as unique as you are. These itineraries are just a starting point, a bit of inspiration to show what’s possible. Your own trip all starts with a conversation with one of our India experts, who’ll take the time to understand what matters most to you and design the perfect holiday to match.
This journey takes you up into the foothills of the mighty north-western Himalayas. This region of India is wonderful, with charming towns and villages set against stunning mountainous backdrops. Our trip starts with flights from London to Amritsar, home to the glistening Golden Temple. Next, you'll journey to Dharamsala, an incredibly scenic area home to the Dalai Lama. On the way to Shimla, stop in the villages of Pragpur, Garli, or a tea region near Palampur.
Shimla, famous for its colonial-era toy train, is a hill station used as a British getaway during colonial rule, which can be seen reflected in its charming architecture. If time permits, we highly recommend extending your time in this area. Consider an overnight stay in Chandigarh to discover the Rock Garden. If you want to incorporate soft trekking, chat to us about the opportunities around the Shimla district. This region is famous for its apple orchards, and the apple blossom is stunning to witness in springtime.
9 hours from London
When to go
- September to May
Average temperature
- 23°C
Average rainfall
- 60mm/month
Itinerary at a Glance
Day by Day
Here's a summary of what you might get up to day-to-day on this India holiday. As always, this is just an idea. Every single day of your trip will be tailored to suit you.
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Today, your Shimla and foothills adventure begins with an overnight flight from the UK to Amritsar.
After landing in Amritsar today, you'll be met by your driver and guide and whisked straight off to your hotel in the city for your first two nights. Amritsar is the Sikhs' holy city and the largest city in the Punjab.
Today, you'll head off on an Amritsar City Tour, which takes in the shimmering Golden Temple and plenty of other highlights along the way. Later on this afternoon, you'll soak up a big slice of authentic culture at the Wagah Border Ceremony.
Your driver will take you to Dharamsala today. Dharamsala, or more specifically, McLeod Ganj, is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile. It's a fascinating place to explore for a few days.
Today, you'll explore everything this unique region has to offer, with a local guide to help you along the way. You'll visit the temples, explore the monasteries and look around the workshops in and around McLeod Ganj.
From Dharamsala, your driver will take you into rural Himachal Pradesh. The heritage villages of Pragpur or Garli make for a wonderful stop on the way to the tea region near Palampur.
Today is completely free for you to enjoy Himachal Pradesh at your own pace. Of course, if you'd like a little more structure to your day, chat to us and we'll be more than happy to recommend some more adventures in the area.
Today you'll be picked up ready for a long journey to Shimla by road. It might be the longest drive of the trip, but it's worth it. Shimla is India's most famous hill station and is nestled deep in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Today will be a real highlight of your India holiday. You'll start your day with a walking tour of Shimla’s Ridge before catching a ride on Shimla’s colonial toy train. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the toy train part of this journey is a real must-do during your time in Shimla.
Enjoy today completely at leisure doing whatever you please. You might want to head out for a stroll through the streets or simply relax in your hotel. If you're the energetic type, there are plenty of fantastic trekking routes in the surrounding areas – we'd be more than happy to recommend a couple of our favourites!
It's time to head south down from the hills to Delhi today. You have the option to either transfer to Kalka and take the train back to Delhi, or head to Chandigarh and catch a flight. Stay in a hotel close to the airport for your flight home tomorrow.
Your India holiday comes to an end today as it's time to head to the airport in time for your flight back to the UK.
We have hundreds of partner hotels across the world, with our tailor made trips you can pick from our range of beautiful hotels
What You're Saying
“
First time clients of Holiday Architects and what a memorable trip they planned and delivered for us. Lisa and Clare put together 5 weeks of criss-crossing Sri Lanka and Rajasthan in India, whilst their excellent partners on the ground made sure we had the best experience possible. What made it so special were the quirky places we stayed, the unique experiences scheduled just for us and above all the generosity of our drivers and the many guides willing to share their personal insights on local customs and culture. It goes without saying we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Holiday Architects if you are planning that special trip and thank you Lisa and Clare, we loved it all!
Debbie O'Shea
”
“
We recently booked a holiday to India; we were helped all the way by Clare, who put together a wonderful itinerary for us. Whilst in India, we were really well supported by the local team. Our driver was fabulous and really looked after us. India is a truly amazing country with so much rich history, culture, wildlife and scenery. Above this, the people we met were friendly, interesting and interested, and a joy to meet. Thank you for a truly memorable trip.
HA India client
”
“
We have just returned from India and it was honestly the best holiday we have had! The itinerary was brilliant, Holiday Architects were so helpful while booking the holiday and the information and help before we travelled was great. When we arrived in India we couldn't have felt more looked after. I highly recommend this company. We really can't fault anything. Thank you for the memories.
Nicky Edwards
”
Holiday Gallery
Meet our India expert
We offer tailor-made holidays to suit a wide range of tastes. Our expert Clare is dedicated to all things India and is here to help you plan your perfect trip.
Clare Burkey
Destination Manager
Clare’s travelled all over India and loves nothing more than planning holidays that reflect you. Whether it’s temples, tea, trains or tucked-away towns, she’s got the experience (and enthusiasm) to make it unforgettable.
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