ClassicFrom iconic palaces and colonial hill stations to vast tea estates, the spiritual centre of Rishikesh to the Golden Temple of Amritsar at the heart of Sikhism, experience India's diverse cultural traditions.
Stay in classic luxury and heritage hotels, based in pulsing cities, amid rolling hills beneath the source of the Ganges River, with an epic backdrop of the snow-capped Himalayas. Visit Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama, and experience local village life including a Himachali dinner, with options to take part in meditation, craft classes and yoga sessions.
Unforgettable Experiences
What’s included on the tour?
Itinerary
Your mystical Himalayan adventure begins when you meet the Tour Manager and travelling group at London Heathrow before boarding an overnight flight directly to India's energetic capital of Delhi. Ahead of us lies the majestic Himalayas, magnificent temples, the sacred Ganges River and places of great spiritual, historic and cultural significance.
Additional information
Hotels
More information on the different trains that are used on this tour.
The Shatabdi Express trains are some of the fastest in India and are the pride of Indian Railways. Fully air-conditioned and of a far superior standard to most Indian trains, the Shatabdi Express apparently always arrives at the station's best platform! The average speed on most lines is 68mph although the service between Delhi and Kalka and Chandigarh to Delhi can reach speeds of 80mph. During our journeys, we travel in air-conditioned Chair Class.
The Himalayan Queen, affectionately referred to as the 'Toy Train' travels between the Indian town of Kalka and Shimla, capital city of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. The Toy Train's 60-mile narrow-gauge track through the Shivalik foothills of the Himalayas is one of three Indian mountain railways which together constitute a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built by British colonists, the Kalka-Shimla Railway opened in 1903. An extraordinary feat of railway engineering, the line negotiates 102 tunnels, more than 860 bridges and around 919 curves. The Toy Train's passengers have plenty of time in which to admire and marvel these features as well as the spectacular mountain panorama that lines the route, tackling the 1 in 33 gradient as the train makes its ascent to Shimla demands a leisurely pace.
Enhance your holiday
Flight upgrades are available. For information regarding the types of upgrades offered by the various airlines we use, call our expert team for details.
Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.
We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.
Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.
We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.
For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.
