Mountains & Monasteries

Mountains & Monasteries

This magical tour of the Himalayas, allows a spellbinding glimpse into the intriguing fusion of the cultures and vistas of northern India & the foothills of the Himalayas. Your journey will begin in the Imperial capital Delhi where you will witness the heritage and grandeur of the many cultures that have informed the creation of this historic city. During this tour, prepare to be humbled by the marble, mirrored Golden Temple of Amritsar - Sikhism's holiest shrine and one of India’s most serene sights. Stay at the recently renovated Ran Baas Palace Hotel located in the princely state of Patiala, home to the richly ornate 18th Century fort of the erstwhile maharajas.

Visit the mystical, misty valleys of Dharamsala, known as mini-Tibet, home to the Dalai Lama & his people in exile. Traverse through the lush valleys containing hidden hill stations peppered with beautiful temples, rich cedar forests and babbling brooks all framed by the spectacular snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Stay two nights at the Lodge at Wah - a charming, working tea estate with just a handful of rooms set amongst the rolling tea plantations. Leaving the scenic valleys, head to the summer Raj retreat of Shimla, where the roses and rhododendron still bloom and you can wander amid the cobbled streets and cottages of a bygone era, even taking a trip on the famous Toy Train. Finally, your tour will end in first planned city of India, Chandigarh one of the finest examples of the Swiss architect - Le Corbusier. Explore the famous brutalist designs with bold geometric lines, and see how time has treated this mighty master peace.