HIMALAYAN HERITAGE TOUR OF INDIA. - The Big Journey Company

ACTIVITY LEVEL:

Level 2

DESTINATION:

Himalayan Heritage Tour of India

DURATION:

13 days, 12 nights

FLIGHT INFORMATION:Arrive at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee InternationalAirport, Amritsar, India [ATQ] on Day 1 anddepart from Indira Gandhi New Delhi Airport[DEL] on Day 13. You may need to depart yourhome airport up to two days before the tourbegins to arrive on this date.

PICKUP LOCATION:

Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport,

Amritsar, India [ATQ] on Day 1

Full Itinerary

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EXPERTS

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Monday to Friday 09:00 - 18:00GMT

JOURNEY SNAPSHOT

HIMALAYAN HERITAGE TOUR OF INDIA.

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© The Big Journey Company2020 - 2022.All rights reserved.Holiday tours are operated by The Big Journey Company Limited. Registered in England. Registered office: Marron Bank, Branthwaite,Cumbria, CA14 4SZ. Registered number: 6532140. The Big Journey Company Limited is a member of The Travel Trust Associationmember number U5675 and holds an Air Travel Organiser’s License number T7282.

OVERVIEWChoose your own departure date for your group.

Travel through time as we visit Northwest India's Golden Temple in Amritsar, take the Toy Train north to Shimla & spectacularHimalayan scenery before ending on a high at the Taj Mahal

India’s remarkable contrasts come to life in the states of the Northwest, where you can experience the hustle, bustle and energy ofcity life and also the verdant, breaktaking valleys of the Himalayas. Experience for yourself the contrast of the peace and serenityof the picturesque hill stations of Mcleodganj, Norbulingka and Shimla with bustling and vibrant Delhi. Whether this is your firstvisit to India or you have been here many times before, India is so vast and so fascinating that there is always more to see and youcannot fail to be blown away by the chaos and the culture of it all. This tour of Northwest India brings the past to life, taking in oneof most sacred shrines in world, the Golden Temple at Amritsar, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage sites the Toy Train toKalka and the Taj Mahal. Experience for yourself the contrast of the peace and serenity of the picturesque hill stations ofMcleodganj, Norbulingka and Shimla with bustling and vibrant Delhi.

ITINERARY SUMMARY

DAY 1 - Welcome to Amritsar!

DAY 2 - Exploring Amritsar

DAY 3 - Amritsar to Dharamsala

DAY 4 - McLeod Ganj Hill Station - "Little Lhasa"

DAY 5 - Dharamsala to Pragpur

DAY 6 - Explore Pragpur and Traditional Cookery Class

DAY 7 - Travel to Shimla

DAY 8 - Shimla City Tour

DAY 9 - Shimla to Chandigarh by train & Delhi

DAY 10 - Delhi City Tour

DAY 11 - Delhi to Agra & Agra Fort

DAY 12 - Taj Mahal

DAY 13 - Goodbye to India and Home

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FULL ITINERARYDAY 1 - WELCOME TO AMRITSAR!On arrival at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar [ATQ] we will be met in the arrivals lounge and transferred to check in atthe hotel.After an early welcome dinner together, where you will meet you Big Journey Company Tour Director and the rest of your tour group, we willbe thrown right in to the local culture and customs. Tonight we will enjoy an evening excursion to one of most sacred shrines in world - thePalanquin Ceremony at the Golden Temple. To the accompaniment of drums and with hymns filling the air, devotees carry the Guru GranthSahib (the Holy Book) on a gold and silver-gilded palanquin from the main shrine in Hari Mandir to the gateway of the inner sanctum.

Included meals: Welcome Dinner

DAY 2 - EXPLORING AMRITSARToday we will explore the most iconic city of the Punjab region, Amritsar. We will make a return visit to the glorious Golden temple. Located inthe heart of the city, the Golden temple is the holiest religious shrine of the Sikh Religion, but welcomes everyone regardless of the religion orfaith one follows. The stunning sanctum, shimmering in the water of the holy tank, flanked by spotlessly clean marble walkways and pavementsmakes it breathtakingly beautiful. We will also visit the Community Kitchen where food is served free of cost all day and night to anyone whoattends. We will also visit Jallianwala Bagh, a historical monument of national importance. Late in the afternoon, we travel to the Wagah border to witness the “Change of Guard” ceremony. Here Indian and Pakistani soldiers march toa very enthusiastic crowd and the flags are lowered with great skill and precision. This is a daily military practice that the security forces of bothnations have jointly followed since 1959 and is a symbol of the rivalry between these two countries as well as a demonstration of brotherhoodand cooperation

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 3 - AMRITSAR TO DHARAMSALAToday we say farewell to Amritsar and enjoy a picturesque drive to Dharamsala (approx 6 hrs). Set against the backdrop of the dramatic DhaulaDhar Mountains, Dharamsala is one of the principle towns of the Kangra valley. With dense forests and cool healthy air, Dharamsala haseverything for a perfect retreat. Today Dharamsala has become home to the Tibetan government in exile. It is also the home of His Holinessthe Dalai Lama, spiritual head of the Buddhist faith. We arrive in Dharamsala and check-in to our hotel before enjoying a late lunch.The rest of today will be spent at your leisure to enjoy the slower pace of live, beautiful scenery and picturesque surroundings.


DAY 4 - MCLEOD GANJ HILL STATION - "L ITTLE LHASA"Today we visit Norbulingka, a self-sustaining place dedicated to the preservation of the Tibetan arts and culture. In this way, the communityhelps to conserve the unique identity of Tibetans and the sacred traditions which took root in Tibet. Here you will find museum-qualityartwork using methods that have been practiced and passed down for many centuries.This afternoon we will enjoy an escorted tour of McLeod Ganj. McLeod Ganj is a hill station with bustling bazaars. Its culture is a beautifulblend of Tibetan, Indian and some British influence. This area is also known as Little Lhasa and is famous around the world for being home tothe Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. We will enjoy a visit to the Namgyal Monastery, the Dalai Lama's temple, and the Centre ofTibetan Studies. We will also explore Gangchen Kyishong, the offices of the Tibetan government-in-exile and the Library of Tibetan Worksand Archives. The Nechung Oracle, located within the Gangchen Kyishong complex, is a beautiful monastery where we may have theopportunity to witness a daily service.


DAY 5 - DHARAMSALA TO PRAGPURToday after a leisurely breakfast, we say goodbye to the fascinationg region of Dharamsala and drive to Pragpur. On the edge of the HimalayanMountains and at an elevation of 2000 ft, the Kangra Valley is home to this heritage village.On arrival we will check in at one of India's finest country hotels, which is located in the heart of the medieval hamlet of Pragpur, allowing youthe freedom to explore the village from the hotel for the afternoon.

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DAY 6 - EXPLORE PRAGPUR AND TRADITIONAL COOKERY CLASSFounded in the late 16th century in memory of a Princess, Pragpur well deserves its heritage village status. This morning we will enjoy anescorted walk through the winding cobbled lanes, mud-plastered walls and slate-roofed houses and make a return, if only briefly, to the simplelife of an older era. We will return to the hotel for lunch.This afternoon we will enjoy a traditional cooking session, making our own dinner in the local way.


DAY 7 - TRAVEL TO SHIMLAToday we travel to Shimla, a journey of approx. 6 hours, with rest stops and lunch en-route. Late in the afternoon we reach our destination for today, Shimla. Strung out along a 12km ridge, with steep hillsides in all directions, theHimachal capital of Shimla is often referred to as the Queen of Hill Stations (a term coined by the British). Located in north-west Himalayas atan altitude of 2,130 meters (6,988 feet), the city of Shimla, draped in forests of pine, rhododendron and oak, experiences pleasant summers andcold, snowy winters. Traffic is banned from the central part of town, so walking is pleasant even while huffing and puffing uphill.


DAY 8 - SHIMLA CITY TOURToday we will enjoy a guided exploration of Shimla. We will explore the Gaiety theatre, Christchurch and The Mall, the main promenade thatruns along the top of the ridge. This is now a busy shopping area with old colonial buildings. Then we will visit the summer residence of the Indian Viceroy, the British Raj leader of India between 1888 -1946. This beautiful building issurrounded by spacious gardens and beautiful pine trees. The story goes that during the British Era in 1892, the Maharaja of Patalia fell in lovewith the Viceroy’s daughter. The king and the Viceroy’s daughter eloped and ever since were banned from entering Shimla. Instead of returning,the Maharaja of Patalia founded the new summer capital of Chail for himself and his new wife, about 45 km away. The intersection betweenthe Mall and the Ridge from where the lovers eloped is now named Scandal Point.


DAY 9 - SHIMLA TO CHANDIGARH BY TRAIN & DELHIThis morning we say farewell to the majestic Himalayas and head to Delhi. The first leg of the journey begins with a "Toy Train" ride on theHimalayan Queen on the historic narrow gauge railwayline known for its many tunnels and bridges and an incredible 900 curves offeringbreath-taking views of the surrounding mountains. The historic UNESCO World Heritage Shimla toy train is like travelling back in time. Therailway, built by the British in 1903 to provide access to their summer capital of Shimla, provides one of the most scenic train journeys in India-travel with your camera at the ready.We will connect with the fast train, The Shatabdi Express in Kalka to complete the rest of the journey to Delhi, arriving in the evening to checkinto our hotel.


DAY 10 - DELHI CITY TOURThis morning you will be guided to the city tour of Delhi. The city consists of two parts - Old & New Delhi. Old Delhi was the capital ofMuslim India between 17th and 19th century and has many mosques, monuments and forts. New Delhi, the imperial city was created by theBritish as the capital of India. We begin the day with an exploration starting in Old Delhi, visiting the Jama Masjid, the royal mosque built bythe Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in 1656. It is one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world and is constructed in red sandstoneand white marble. The main prayer hall has a seating capacity of more than 20,000 worshippers. Here we will enjoy a cycle rickshaw ridethrough the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk, the spine of Old Delhi.Later we also visit New Delhi, driving through it's majestic boulevards to the Rashtrapati Bhawan, or Presidential Palace. This is where theViceroy once lived and is now the official residence of the President of India. Today also includes a visit to Humayun’s Tomb, the first greatexample of Mughal architecture in India. This has developed to become the hallmark of the Mughal Dynasty. The squat building of white

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marble and red sandstone, with a dome and high arched entrances, surrounded by formal gardens, is generally regarded as a prototype of thefamed Taj Mahal of Agra. Humayun’s wife is buried in the sandstone and marble tomb.Last stop before returning to ou hotel is the Sikh temple of Bangla Sahib. This magnificent and spacious bungalow in Delhi was once owned byRaja Jai Singh Amber (Jaipur). It has become a place of pilgrimage for both Hindus and Sikhs and is also known as the holy shrine “GurudwaraBangla Sahib”. The Art Gallery located in the basement has paintings depicting historical events connected with Sikh history.


DAY 11 - DELHI TO AGRA & AGRA FORTThis morning, after breakfast, we head off by road to Agra (approx. 4 hour journey)When we arrive in Agra, after lunch we will visit the spectacular Agra Fort. This imposing structure with walls of red sandstone is almost twomiles long and contains palaces, audience halls and mosques.

After some time at leisure and an early night tonight, as we will rise early tomorrow to see the Taj Mahal at daybreak.


DAY 12 - TAJ MAHALIt is said that the world can be divided in half into those who have seen the Taj Mahal and those who haven't yet seen it - today is your chanceto join the other half! The 17th century Taj Mahal is often called a poem in stone, a love poem created by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for hisfavourite wife. It took 22 years to complete its stunning design and perfect symmetry. We'll gather early this morning to enter the Taj Mahalsoon after daybreak.

After spending some time at the Taj Mahal, we'll return to the hotel for breakfast before heading back by road to Delhi for free time for somelast minute sightseeting, before our farewell meal together.


DAY 13 - GOODBYE TO INDIA AND HOMEAfter breakfast in the hotel you will be transferred to the airport for your flights home you have arranged.

Included meals: Breakfast

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W H A T ' S I N C L U D E D

ATOL ProtectionFor UK guests, return economy flights to/from LHR are included in the cost of the journey. For US/International guests,

international flights are not included - please arrange your own international flights. Regional UK airport departures may be

available - please ask at the time of booking. Supplements may apply.Meet & Greet at the airport on arrival and transfer to the hotel.Transfer from the hotel to the airport on the final day.Transport in an air-conditioned deluxe vehicle.Accommodation & all transport as detailed in the itinerary.Meals as detailed in the itinerary.English speaking national guide.All activities, visits and excursions as detailed in the itinerary.Tour Director from The Big Journey Company as well as the local tour guide (subject to minimum group size being reached.)

W H A T ' S N O T I N C L U D E D

Drinks.Gratuities. Visas, travel and medical insurance.Any personal items and anything not mentioned under included in price above.Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary.Any optional activities offered.Any COVID tests or related entry & exit requirements

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I M P O R T A N T I N F O R M A T I O N

Please let The Big Journey Company know prior to travelling if you have any medical needs or take any medication that we need tobe made aware of to ensure that you have a safe and pleasant tour.Check in is after 2 - 3pm and check out is before 10am unless otherwise specified in the itinerary.Cancellation 90 – 0 days prior to departure cancellation fee is 100%. It is your responsibility to ensure the correct travel insurance inplace to protect you against the need to cancel your holiday. Deposits are non-refundable.Further terms and conditions apply and will be provided upon request or at the time of booking. The Big Journey Company reservesthe right to withdraw any offer prior to accepting a reservation request. This does not affect your statutory rights. This offer issubject to availability and space is limited.Please consult your doctor for advice on vaccinations and innoculations before travel.

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B O O K Y O U R J O U R N E Y

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0844 3350 197Monday to Friday 09:00 - 18:00 GMT

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HIMALAYAN HERITAGE TOUR OF INDIA. - The Big Journey Company

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