London - Delhi - Amritsar - Dharamsala - (Kangra) - Pragpur - Nalagarh - Shimla - Delhi - London

Situated in the middle of a man-made lake the Golden Temple is the most important pilgrimage centre for Sikhs. Guarded by towering Sikhs with flowing beards and lances the temple is open to people of all faiths. The historic city of Amritsar is also full of interesting markets located in narrow lanes. Your short stay is an ideal way of sampling the robust and rich lifestyle of the Panjab. Shimla was the summer capital of the Raj and is now the capital of the mountainous state of Himachal, or the "abode of snow". At 7000' the summer days are pleasant and evenings nippy. The Kangra Valley is home to some delightful heritage properties and we get the chance to stay in some of them, experiencing a lifestyle long forgotten.

This bed & breakfast based tour flies direct from Heathrow to Delhi on Virgin Atlantic.
You travel by yourself on a departure date of your choice.

Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast.
Season: March through to November. It snows in Shimla in mid-winter and rains in July and August.
Clothes: Light to heavy woollens.

Itinerary
Day 1 London-Delhi Fly from Heathrow on an evening direct flight of Virgin Atlantic.

Day 2 Delhi Arrive Delhi at midday and transfer to the Imperial or Oberoi Hotel for one night. Afternoon free.


Day 3 Amritsar The day is at leisure with optional sightseeing of Delhi. Board the Shatabdi Express in the evening to Amritsar. Transfer to the Ritz Plaza for 2 nights.

Day 4 Amritsar This morning visit the Golden Temple and Jalianwala Bagh. Afternoon free. In the evening enjoy a trip to the border with Pakistan at Wagah to witness the joint "retreat" ceremony conducted by the border forces of the two countries.

Day 5 Dharamsala Drive to Dharamsala, current home of the Dalai Lama, and check in at the Surya Resorts/Cloud's End Villa/Chonor House for 2 nights. Dharamsala is set along a spur of the Dhauladhar range, overlooking the Kangra Valley and the Shivalik mountains.

Day 6 Dharamsala Visit the headquarters of H.H. The Dalai Lama in Mcleodganj and the Norbulingka Institute, centre for Buddhist teaching, housing over a thousand painted images. You can also visit the Namgyal Monastery, the Kalachakra Temple and the Bhagsunath Temple. Paintings by Roerich can be seen in the Museum of Kangra Art.

Day 7 Pragpur Drive on to Pragpur for 2 nights at the Judges Court, a heritage property where you enjoy traditional hospitality of the royal family. Pragpur is a medieval "heritage" village with cobblestone streets and slate-roofed houses.

Day 8 Pragpur At leisure to explore the village. You could take a ride on the Kangra narrow gauge railway.

Day 9 Nalagarh Proceed to the delightful Nalagarh Fort, another heritage resort offering warm local hospitality, for 1 night. The fort commands beautiful views of forests and orchards and the area is rich in birdlife.

Day 10 Shimla Transfer by car to Shimla (7000') and check into the Chapslee House, belonging to the royal family of Kapurthala, for 3 nights. You can opt to stay at the luxury Cecil Hotel or the super luxury Wildflower Hall in Mashobra, for a supplement.

Days 11 & 12 Shimla At leisure. Shimla is ideal for walks and life revolves around the busy Mall in the centre of town. One can visit the mock tudor Library, the Christ Church, the Gaiety Theatre and the Viceregal Lodge or drive to Naldera for a round of golf.

Day 13 Delhi Drive to Kalka and take the train back to Delhi today and transfer to the Imperial or Oberoi Hotel for 1 night.
Day 14 London Fly back to London at midday, arriving the same evening.

For further enquiries or to book please call or mail 020 8566 2109 or 07947 628 268 rab@bonvoyageonline.co.uk