13 days tour

Mountains & Mystics Of India

$ 1,634 .00 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $1,634.00

Mountains & Mystics Of India

This tour includes:

Others

Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) Shimla - Leader-led walking tour Shimla - Viceregal Lodge Mandi - Leader-led walking tour Dharamsala - Norbulingka Institute Dharamsala - Dalai Lama Temple Amritsar - Golden Temple Amritsar - Jallianwallah Bagh Amritsar - Wagah Border ceremony Rishikesh - Leader-led walking tour Rishikesh - Chaurasi Kutia โ€™The Beatles Ashramโ€™

Meals

1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Accommodation

ACCOMMODATION: Some of the accommodation along the way is basic or simple, staying in local guesthouses and homestays. Some may have shared bathroom facilities with cold water only. We use a mixture of air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned rooms. Some areas of India experience daily load shedding. This is where the power may be turned off at certain times of the day and usually occurs for a few hours in the early afternoon. Most hotel properties have a restaurant or cafe serving local meals. Many restaurants and hotels do not serve alcohol for religious reasons or due to local laws. SHOWERS: Showers at some hotels only have hot water at peak times (usually morning and evening). Outside of these times, you may need to speak to reception to obtain hot water. ROOM ISSUES: If you have any issues with your room, please speak to the hotel and your tour leader right away rather than your travel agent so that the problem can be addressed without delay. SLEEPER TRAINS IN INDIA: Sleeper trains are clean and air-conditioned (fan-cooled at times), a great way to travel long distances and still get maximum time in each place. Depending on the route, we travel 2AC or 3AC class as not all classes are available on all routes. Due to the complexity of the ticket purchasing system and high demand for tickets, we are unable to offer upgrades to other classes. Second Class or 2 Tier AC (2AC) carriages have 4 berths in the compartment section and 2 berths in the aisle bay and individual reading lights. Third Class or 3 Tier AC (3AC) has 6 berths in the compartment and 2 in the aisle bay. Both have curtains for privacy. There are no sinks or charging points in these classes. During the day, bunks are folded away and serve as seats. Toilet facilities are located at either end of the carriage. There is usually an Indian style squat toilet at one end and a western-style toilet at the other. You will need your own toilet paper or tissues and cleanliness will depend on the number of people using them. Beds are padded bunks, with sheets, pillow and blanket provided. Some people prefer to bring and use their own sleeping sheet. Your luggage travels with you on the train, so packing light will make your journey more comfortable. Many trains have a dining carriage or a food/snack cart that is brought through the carriages. There are also plenty of vendors selling tea, coffee, water and snacks during the journey, although the hygiene may not be up to standards you are used to at home. Please note you may be sharing with other members of your group or locals on a mixed gender basis. Tickets are booked on a real-name basis using your passport details. We book for all members of the group at the same time, but unfortunately, this is no guarantee that we will be accommodated all together on the train. Your leader will do their best to swap with other travellers to allow people who booked together to travel together, but please be aware that this is not always possible. We may at times ask male travellers to swap with solo female travellers for safety considerations. Hotel (10 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night), Heritage Hotel (1 night)

Transport

TRANSPORT IN INDIA: Main roads in India are usually very busy with an assortment of vehicles from the biggest trucks (who always have right of way) down to bikes (and animals!). Overtaking on blind corners at speed is common as is the total use of the horn as a form of communication. Our leaders have complete authority to remove groups from local transport if the driver is not driving safely. Drivers of our private vehicles are experienced and well trained. if you are uncomfortable with your driver, please always let your tour leader know immediately. Please ensure you wear your seat belt at all times. TRAVEL TIMES: Distances in India do not reflect the driving time and to cover 100km may take much longer than you would expect at home, even if much of the route is on a highway. TRAINS: India has a massive network of trains and millions of people travel by rail every day. Trains often travel the length of the country over several days. Trains are a great way to see the countryside and get you away from the busy road system. Delays and cancellations are common on trains. Your tour leader will check the train status to see if there are delays and will do their best to keep you informed of any changes. From December to February, delays are more common, especially in the north of the country due to fog. Itโ€™s not uncommon for trains to be delayed for up to 12 hours. On occasion, your trip will may to be rerouted to allow for these delays. Your tour leader in conjunction with our local office will advise any changes to the itinerary. The Indian Railway system is one of the largest railway networks in the world and quite complex. Seat allocation is completely computerized on a centralized reservation system and we do not have control over seat allocations. Despite booking tickets months in advance of a departure your groupโ€™s seats, or sleeping berths on overnight trains, maybe spread out within one carriage or multiple carriages of the same class. Thereโ€™s a chance youโ€™ll be sharing a compartment with local travelers of either gender. For a detailed look into the experience of travelling by overnight trains read more here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/ AUTO RICKSHAWS: On this trip, we travel on the local style of transport called an auto-rickshaw. These small, motorised three-wheeled vehicles are a common form of transport in India and do not have seatbelts. FLIGHTS: Airlines in India are of excellent quality. Airports are becoming more modern (especially in the major and tourist cities). To enter the airport, you must have a copy of your flight ticket and passport. Schedule changes and delays do occur, especially when weather conditions make visibility poor. Overnight sleeper train , Private vehicle , Public bus , Train , Heritage Train , Metro , Cycle rickshaw , Taxi

Not included:

Flights

International flights not included.

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Others

Other activities and services not included

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Mountains & Mystics Of India

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

      Day 1: Delhi

      Welcome to Indiaโ€™s capital, Delhi! Join your group and guide for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you happen to arrive in Delhi early, there are plenty of things to see and do. Perhaps pay a visit to the 12th-century Qutub Minar or the World Heritage-listed Humayunโ€™s Tomb. As the former residence of royal families and British soldiers, the Red Fort plays a vital part in Delhiโ€™s history and is a must-see. Sampling spicy street food or trying your hand at haggling in the cityโ€™s bazaars are other great introductions to India.

  • Day 2 Day 2: Delhi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2: Delhi

      This morning, join the group for a walking tour around Old Delhi, which has been an important city in India for over 2000 years. Climb aboard a traditional cycle rickshaw and be driven through the colour and chaos of Delhiโ€™s traffic. In the afternoon, learn about the Sikh religion at the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) and visit the Jama Masjid โ€“ Delhiโ€™s oldest and Indiaโ€™s largest mosque.

  • Day 3 Day 3: Shimla
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3: Shimla

      Depart Delhi by train for the 4-5-hour journey across the state of Punjab to Chandigarh. From Chandigarh, youโ€™ll travel by private vehicle to Shimla. On arrival, get your bearings and explore the townโ€™s faded charm on an orientation walk with your group leader.

  • Day 4 Day 4: Shimla
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4: Shimla

      Wake up early this morning to board the World Heritage-listed โ€™toy trainโ€™ for a 30 minute scenic journey offering views of quaint villages and gorgeous mountain passes. Afterward, head out and explore Mall Road โ€“ Shimlaโ€™s most popular shopping stretch. A nearby viewpoint also offers fantastic views of the Himalayas. Visit the Viceregal Lodge to witness where the partition agreement that separated India from Pakistan and Bangladesh was drawn up. If you like, join the hordes of monkeys milling about Jakhu Temple or stock up on souvenirs and specialty wooden crafts at Lakkar Bazaar. Set among rolling hills, Shimla also offers an array of nature walks that range from gentle to challenging. In the evening, you might like to enjoy an optional trip to the cinema and bop along to a Bollywood blockbuster.

  • Day 5 Day 5: Mandi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5: Mandi

      Travel by private transfer to the small town of Mandi. Situated on the Beas River, Mandi has a rich cultural heritage of both historical and theological significance. Once part of the salt route to Tibet, today itโ€™s the gateway to the Kullu Valley. Head into town for a walk and explore a huge sunken shopping centre โ€“ the only one like it in India and the focal point of entertainment in Mandi. You can also spend time at the bathing ghats along the river or hike to hilltop temples just outside of town. In the evening, enjoy an included dinner and stay in the simply restored former palace of the Raja of Mandi.

  • Day 6 Day 6: Dharamsala (Mcleod Ganj)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6: Dharamsala (Mcleod Ganj)

      Todayโ€™s journey through the mountains today is an adventure in itself. Travel by private vehicle for the 6-hour drive along bumpy, winding roads to Dharamsala, also known as McLeod Ganj. Strung with prayer flags and busy with robed monks strolling between monasteries, this hilltop retreat is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile. Spend the afternoon wandering the peaceful streets, which are set to the backdrop of the Himalayas. Thereโ€™s a lot to gain here from learning about the many facets of Tibetan Buddhism.

  • Day 7 Day 7: Dharamsala (Mcleod Ganj)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7: Dharamsala (Mcleod Ganj)

      Today, visit the fascinating Norbulingka Institute, developed to train Tibetan refugees in skills needed to preserve the traditional arts and crafts of Tibet. Its grounds feature a beautiful temple and several workshops where you can see woodcarving, painting, and needlework in action. Then make your way to the Tsuglag Khang complex to see the Dalai Lamaโ€™s temple. You may also like to visit the Losel Doll Museum, which is a great way to learn about the daily lives and customs of people all over Tibet.

  • Day 8 Day 8: Amritsar
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8: Amritsar

      Today, travel down the mountains to Amritsar, situated in the heart of the fertile plain known as Indiaโ€™s โ€˜breadbasketโ€™ and the centre of Sikhism in India. Tour the sights and wander through the rambling streets and bazaars of the Old City by foot. Explore the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), which sits in the middle of a sacred lake. Listen to the soothing sounds of the devout chanting verses from the Sikh holy book โ€“ the Guru Granth Sahib.

  • Day 9 Day 9: Amritsar โ€“ Overnight Train
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 9: Amritsar โ€“ Overnight Train

      Visit Jallianwala Bagh โ€“ the site of the tragic 1919 massacre that played a vital role in Indiaโ€™s independence. Then head out to the Indiaโ€“Pakistan border to witness the pomp and circumstance of the daily flag ceremony โ€“ a military practice that the security forces of India and Pakistan have followed since 1959. Tonight, take an overnight sleeper train from Amritsar to Haridwar.

  • Day 10 Day 10: Rishikesh
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 10: Rishikesh

      After pulling into Haridwar in the morning, thereโ€™s a 1-hour drive to Rishikesh. Check in to your hotel before going on an orientation walk with your leader. Pay a visit to the faded but mural-lined walls of Chaurasi Kutia โ€“ the ashram made internationally famous (long with Rishikesh by association) when the Beatles visited in the 1960s. Explore the crumbling beauty of the former ashram, now covered in graffiti related to the band and counterculture. In the evening, take a stroll along the holy Ganges River as temple bells ring and the nightly fire ritual of Ganga Aarti begins.

  • Day 11 Day 11: Rishikesh โ€“ River Ganges
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 11: Rishikesh โ€“ River Ganges

      The morning is yours to roam around Rishikesh. Perhaps tuck into a masala dosa for breakfast before walking it off on one of the trails along the Ganges. Aptly named the โ€™Yoga Capital of the Worldโ€™, Rishikesh is a great place to relax and seek a little enlightenment with your own yoga class, if youโ€™d like. For something more adventurous, there is the option to white-water raft down the Ganges. In the afternoon, reunite with your group for a walk through the jungle nearby.

  • Day 12 Day 12: Delhi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 12: Delhi

      Bid farewell to Rishikesh and take the train back to Delhi (approximately 7-9 hours). The train arrives back into Delhi around 11 pm from where youโ€™ll be transferred to your hotel on arrival.

  • Day 13 Day 13: Delhi
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 13: Delhi

      There are no activities planned for today, so youโ€™re free to depart the accommodation at any time. Donโ€™t forget to check out the great range of Urban Adventures if you have extra time in Delhi, including Hidden Gems of Delhi. Head to urbanadventures.com/destination/delhi-tours for more information. If you would like to spend some more time in Delhi, weโ€™ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 15 / Max: 99

Age range allowed for this experience.

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