Guide

English Speaking Guide for througout the Tour wiill escort you from your arrival in Delhi till departure. All our Guides and Tour Leaders are very knowledgeable about their area and know the palces very well where needed we use local guides also but the Tour Manager / Guide provded to you remains with you till the departure. Language : We do not have Other Language Speaking Guides other than English. Speaking Guide with very good knowledge of the area. http://shimlawalks.com/tour-leaders.html

Meals

In most of the hotels meals are provided n table or buffet. Breakfast : The menu remains North Indian, South Indian, Continental and others. Porridge / Corn Flakes with milk (hot / Cold) are the essential part of the breakfast, added with toast, butter, jam, honey, marmalade, fruit, a variety of Indian breads such as pranthas and poori with freshly cooked vegetables and pickles, sausages, tea / coffee, all depending upon the quality of the hotel. Lunch : In most of the cases we prefer to have lunch outside, in some local restaurant / dhaba. Most of the places, now a days have reasonably okay type restaurants that offer a variety of menu of meals. Dinner : Depending from place to place we prefer to have dinner. For Example Shimla and Dharamsala has a variety of restaurants so we dine out where as at other places we prefer to have dinner in the hotel. After a long days drive it is recommended to have dinner in the hotel and sleep. Delhi : Room + Breakfast. Amritsar : Room + Breakfast + Dinner. Pragpur : Room + Breakfast + Dinner. Dharamsala : Room + Breakfast + Dinnner Palampur : Room + Breakfast + Dinner. Shimla : Room+ Breakfast +Dinner

Others

Train Ticket from Delhi - Amritsar. Train Ticket from Shimla - Delhi. Entrances Tickets. Baggage Handling Charges. All Assistance from the airports / railway stations. All applicable taxes

Transport

All transfers in Delhi by AC Toyota Innova car. Delhi to Amritsar by Shatabadi Express Train. Amritsar to Kalka : Ac Toyota Innova (3 passengers in one car) Kalka to Delhi by Shatabadi Express Executive class.

Accommodation

Delhi : Hotel Park or similar. Amritsar : Hotel Radison Blue / Hotel Best Western. (Amritsar is a busy town and enjooys lots of business. So there are a number of hotels available in the city. If not Radisson then we have may other options to book a room for you in the comfortable hotels). Pragpur : Hotel Judge's Court. (Rai Badur Jai Lal Sood, a judge of Punjab high Court during the British Raj built a manssion for himself in Pragpur. Now the house is inherited by his grand son who have converted this lovely owl house into a Heritage Hotel and won the price to his village Pragpur of being the irst Heritage Villlage of India. Lovely evenings with live music and drinks in the wide spread gardens of Judge's Court make your stay memorable. There is no point that you do not go back with lovely memories after spending a night or two at this place). Dharamsala : Chonor House / Hotel Serkong (These two hotes are run by the Tibetan Government and are always in high demand due to their decoration, interor and services. It is subject to the availabilty of these hotels are they are always in high demand. In most of the cases we have to put the booking request several months in advance. In case these hotels are not available for some date then in Dharamsala / Macleaodganj, we shall have to use some other hotel that mey not be similar to these two). Palampur : Hotel Seclude :This is a small property, like a hidden hamlet, for a grop of 10 paeople staying ontwin sharing basis, built very tasetfully in a tradtional style. Otherwise we shall use the other hotel. Shimla : Hotel Oak Tree / Hotel Landmark / Hotel Combermere or similar. Shimla : (Shimla has a great variety of hotels and come up. in the recent years some Home Stays have also come up. We always try our best to provide the better experience and so we use all of them depending upon the availability).

Not included:

Flights

Insurance

As per the norms of Indian Government all travellers traveling to India must have holiday insurence with them.

Others

Any air fares. Any Lunch / Dinner in Delhi. Any Kind of Personal Expenses or Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered. Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices included”. Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone Calls. The Services of Vehicle is not included on leisure days & after finishing the sightseeing tour as per the Itinerary. Any Kind of Drinks / Table drinks (Alcoholic, Aerated). Camera fee, Soft or Hard drinks, Starters. Medical & Travel insurance. Additional costs due to flight cancellation, train delays road blocks, natural calamity etc. In most cases people ask us about the tips in the restaurants, for the drivers and for the guides. We recommend the following. In the restaurants : Normally it is 10% of the total bill. For the Driver : This man works very hard as he drives on the narrow an bumpy road with a great care and at night hardly finds any place to sleep. Next morning he has to drive again and so a sound sleep is required. He expects the hotelier to provide him a comortable room and some hotels do that but in most cases he sleeps in his car. The tip recommended to him is Rs. 300/- per day. For the Guides/ Tour Manager : This man is your friend, philosopher, guide for throughout the trip and with his knowledge he keeps your trip alive and brings different experiences to the front. He takes care of check ins / check outs at the hotels / organises and decided the venue for your meals, organises local guides for you, takes care of your in case of emergency, helps you with the local language, remains your local care taker and remains your friend for ever even after the trip is over. He deserves the better portion of the tip and so we recommend minimum of Rs. 500/- per person per day for him.

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: New Delhi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: New Delhi

On arrival meeting and assistance as our representatives welcome you and escort you to your car. Whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would introduce the tour to you and hand over the documents to you. Welcome to India, or as we say ‘atithi devo bhava’ (the guest is an incarnation of God). Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you!
Day 2 Day 2: Amritsar
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Amritsar

Morning drive to New Delhi Railway Station to board Shatabadi Express to Amritsar. The train leaves at 07.20 and arrives at 13.45 Amritsar, home of the Golden Temple, is one of the most ancient and fascinating cities in India. It is an important seat of Sikh history and culture. Being the gateway for travelers coming to India on the overland route from Central Asia, it soon became the center of various commercial activities. The Golden Temple was founded by the fourth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Ramdas, and completed by his successor Guru Arjan Dev. It is famous for its full golden dome, one of the most sacred pilgrim sites for Sikhs. The Mandir is built on a 67-foot square of marble and is a two-storied structure. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had the upper half of the building built with approximately 400 kg of gold leaf. The Golden Temple is surrounded by a number of other temples, such as the Durgiana Temple. The ceremony of The Retreat every evening at Wagha Boarder is not to be missed. The parade of the soldiers of both the countries at the boarder attracts everyone's attention. So we leave the luggage at the hotel and then after a short rest rive to Wagha Boarder. A stadium type arena with Grant Trunk Road passing through its walls invites you to come and sit to watch the ceremony. After the ceremony is over we drive back to Amritsar for 35 kilometers and go to our hotel fr dinner. This is really going to be a long day as after the dinner now we are bound to visit the Golden Temple for the evening ceremony. The holy book is closed and taken inside to be opened next morning. Evening visit to Wagha Boarder for the Retreat ceremony.
Day 3 Day 3: Amritsar
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Amritsar

The best time to visit Golden Temple in Amritsar is any time of the day. We shall have breakfast at the hotel and then drive to Golden Temple. Shoes to be taken outside the temple and are kept on the shoe rack. You are required to cover your head before your enter the temple. The main temple is located in the middle of the holy pond that is approachable through a bridge.
Day 4 Day 4: Pragpur
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Pragpur

Distance : 190 km. Driving Time : 5 hours Today is day to enter the hills. We shall in the lower foothills for two days. Paragpur is the first Heritage Village of India with an old mansion made by a Judge, Mr. Lal. His son has converted this place into a hotel named as Judge's Court. Pragpur and Garli - the two villages are known for their age old houses and there architecture built by the Sood community, nearly 200 years ago. Most of the houses are abandoned now as the families have moved away and relocated to some other places in the country but looking at the house from the point of view of the architecture is such a visual delight that the visitor spends hours and hours in clicking the. Arrive Pragpur by the evening and check into your hotel.
Day 5 Day 5: Pragpur
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Pragpur

Morning the breakfast is served in the hotel and then later walk through the villages of Pragpur and Garli. Pm : free to yourself.
Day 6 Day 6: Dharamsala
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Dharamsala

Distance : 75 km. Driving Time : 2.5 hours. Dharamsala once settled by the British, today is the seat of Dalai Lama and his government in exile. One the way we shall visit to Kangra Fort. Built by Pandawas the age old fort was annexed by many rulers including, Mughals, Sikhs, Gurkha and finally by the British. The view of Dhauladhar range of Himalaya from the fort are eye catching. Arriva Dharamsala by lunch time and check into the hotel. Later in the afternoon we visit the Dalai Lama Monastery and Tibetan Museum.
Day 7 Day 7: Dharamsala
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Dharamsala

Today is a day to have a real introduction to nature. So we drive to village Naddi but before that we shall visit to the Tibetan Children’s Village. This is a school run by Dalai Lama’s government, for orphans from Tibets. There are nearly 1500 children in the school. Later we drive to Naddi for a kilometer and we start our walk through a forest. The initial stretch is through the village and then we enter the forest. The view keeps changing and we walk around the hill that gradually takes us to a tea shop at Dharamkot, in two hours. Here the vehicle waits for us to drive us to the hotel. Afternoon we shall visit to Bhagsunag, a small village now occupied by many modern structures.
Day 8 Day 8: Dharamsala
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Dharamsala

A visit to Narbulinga Institute where the Tibetan students learn how to make Thangka paintings, wood craft, metal sculptures and embroidery. A sales center to sell all this material is also established here. Later we visit a Nunnery and a Tibetan education center. Late afternoon return to hotel.
Day 9 Day 9: Palampur
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Palampur

Distance : 40 km. Driving Time : 1.5.hours We leave by 8.30 for Palampur and continue our drive to village Bir (50 km from Palampur). Ths place is known for paragaliding but we are all prepared to proceed for a village walk. This lovely walk through a marvelous landscapes of Himalayan foothills, tiny villages, streams, rivulets, forests and meadows takes us to a Budhist Monastery known as Sherbaling. In 2002 the monks of this monastery won Grammy award for their chanting of mantra.
Day 10 Day 10: Palampur
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Palampur

This is day dedicated to artists’ village. We drive to Andreta – the home of artists. A visit to a world renowned artists Sardar Sobha Singh, who made world class paintings of Sikh and Hindu gods and Goddesses. Sobha Singh moved to this place from Punjab in 1949 and settled his studio. Today most of his original work is displayed in his house. Next to Sobha Singh Art Gallery is the house of a famous play write and director – Nora Richard. Nora live in this house for last 35 years of her life this house. She is buried in the courtyard of her own house where as the old structure still stands and is well maintained by Punjab University. Another attraction of this village is a Pottery maker who makes clay pots and exports to other contrives from here. A 20 minute trial of learning pottery from him is worth experience.
Day 11 Day 11: Shimla
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Shimla

Distance : 225 km. Driving Time : 8 hours. Shimla came into existence after the Gurkha British wars in 1816. From then till 1947 the British used it at a holiday resort and then as their Summer Capital. Completely developed by the British Officers Shimla takes you back to the bygone era as the town is a Victorian and post Victorian architecture. Large number of buildings built by the Imperial government remain scattered and the climate of the town has a clear resemblance to Europe.
Day 12 Day 12: Shimla Heritage Walk
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Shimla Heritage Walk

Shimla is a Walker's paradise and if you want to see the countryside of Shimla there is no better way other than, on foot. We walk through the Heritage zone of the old town and have an expericne of by gone era. The walk includes visit to some British time buildings, such as Viceregal lodge, Railway Board building, Gaiety Theatre and Crist Church.
Day 13 Day 13: Shimla - A Day In A Himalayan Village
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Shimla - A Day In A Himalayan Village

Today is a day to have some more glimpses of Village life. A 45 minute drive takes us to an old dynasty around Shimla. After the various invasions made by Mohammad Gori on Delhi and Rajasthan the Chauhan rulers, direct descendants of Prithavi Raj Chauhan had found Refuge at this place. The Rulers had played a vital role to expel Gurkhas from Shimla Hills during the Gurkha British War in 1815. The last formally recognised Rana was Rana Dilip Singh who died in 1987 had built a house for himself, known as Dhami House, near Darbar. Later the house was inherited by his son Kunwar Dushyant Singh, a well-known naturalist and a bird watcher. Our today’s day is spent with Kunwar Dushyant Singh and his family. The best enriching time is the interactions with Kunwar Dushyant on his dining-table. On arrival you are met and welcomed by Kunwar Sahib. Tea is served and then it is time to go around his estate spotting some rare species or birds in these hills. A binocular is recommended while walking with him. The walk is followed by a visit to a Gun smith Mr. Chet Ram, in the village (Subject to his availability). Chet Ram is the fourth generation from his family carrying on the same business. People as far as from Delhi and Punjab come here looking for Chet Ram to get their guns and rifles repaired. His ancestors used to work for the Rulers of Dhami, and today Kunwar Dushyant has made involved a visit to his shop to his programs for the visitors. Lunch at the House and the rest for a while.
Day 14 Day 14: New Delhi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: New Delhi

Today we drive to Shimla Railway Station to board the Toy Train to Kalka. Take train to Delhi from there. Arrive in Delhi at 10. PM and directly transfer to the International Airport Delhi to board your flight.

+11

14 days tour

All The Heritage

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip All The Heritage

Day 1: New Delhi

Day 2: Amritsar

Day 3: Amritsar

Day 4: Pragpur

Day 5: Pragpur

Day 6: Dharamsala

Day 7: Dharamsala

Day 8: Dharamsala

Day 9: Palampur

Day 10: Palampur

Day 11: Shimla

Day 12: Shimla Heritage Walk

Day 13: Shimla - A Day In A Himalayan Village

Day 14: New Delhi

Experience Style

Accomodation level

Experience Type

Physical Rating

Age range

Who talk about us:

Best cities to travel to

America

Europe

Asia

Africa

Oceania