Fly from UK to Delhi.

Arrive Delhi. Meeting and assistance on arrival by Novaturient’s representative and transfer to Boutique hotel The Manor for 2 nights. Rest of the day at leisure.

After breakfast take a Heritage walk of Old Delhi passing through the very busy Chandni Chowk. Then onto the Jama Masjid, the great Mosque of Old Delhi. Its vast courtyard can hold 25000 devotees.  Old Delhi is also renowned for its beautiful havelis - some more than 200 years old. Visit one to see its architecture, intricately carved arches, wooden doors and panels. Meet the family over a cup of tea and learn about the history of the haveli. In the afternoon visit the 16^th C. Humayun’s Tomb built by Haji Begum, for her husband Humayun the 2^nd Mughal Emperor. Drive past India Gate, built to commemorate the 90,000 soldiers who died during World War 1. The 42-metre-high, free-standing arch was designed by Lutyens and built in 1931.  Finally visit the Bangla Sahib Sikh Temple with its huge community kitchens which feed thousands of people every day.

Early morning Shatabdi express train to Phagwara. Drive to Manaswal village and check in at the beautiful Gaj Retreat Resort for 3 nights. Rest of the afternoon is at leisure. 

After breakfast explore the village of Manaswal to experience rural way of life. You might see pottery making, cow/buffalo milking, tractors ploughing the fields, carpentry, jaggery making units (Jan-Mar only) and other village activities. Also visit the local girls’ school and have an opportunity to talk with some students and staff. Later, in the early evening, explore the organic garden of the resort. Learn about seasonal produce, help pick the vegetables and take them to kitchen table for a culinary workshop with the chef. Learn the preparation of some of the local delicacies.  Don’t forget to ask for the recipes! 

Early morning bird watching. The lush green surroundings of Gaj Retreat offer excellent opportunities for bird watching. At least 60 local and migratory birds’ species have been spotted here. After breakfast visit the dera (village) of the Nihangs community. Nihangs are Sikh warrior monks. In the past, they played a crucial role in fighting their war against the Mughals. Dressed mainly in blue with saffron turbans, the masters of sword and spear fighting, still cut imposing figures. Today their warrior skills are mainly ceremonial with displays during festivals etc.  

After breakfast drive to Amritsar. On arrival check in at Ranjit's Svaasa a restored heritage colonial haveli restyled into an artistic culturally rich residence, for 2 nights stay. Afternoon excursion to Atari village, to witness the lowering of flag ceremony on both sides of the Indo-Pakistan border.  The ceremony can be roughly compared to the 'Changing of the Guard' in London, but with an edgy Bollywood twist! The atmosphere is electric on both sides of the fence during the ceremony.

Morning Amritsar Heritage walk through the old bazar and to the historic town hall before reaching the awe-inspiring Golden Temple- the most sacred Sikh shrine in the world. Visit the stunningly beautiful Golden Temple- the holiest sites of the Sikhs. Visit The Partition Museum and, pause at the historic Jallianwala Bagh, filled with heart breaking poignancy, where so many needlessly died. In the evening visit the Golden Temple to see the Palki Ceremony. The air is emotionally charged as devotees lay the Holy Book to rest for the night. The ceremony is without doubt extraordinary and totally unmissable.

Drive to Dharamshala, known for its large Tibetan community and home to the exiled Dalai Lama in neighbouring McLeod Ganj. On arrival check into your Tibetan themed guest house, the Chonor House, close to the Dalai Lama's residence, for 2 nights stay.

This morning visits the Tibetan Settlement in McLeod Ganj - the seat of HH the Dalai Lama. Visit the museum, the main Tibetan Temple and the Norbulingka Institute, which is dedicated to the preservation of the artistic lineage of Tibetan culture and its traditional integrity. Afternoon Mcleod Ganj Market walk filled with Tibetan goods.

Morning drive to Kangra railway station to board the Kangra Narrow gauge train to Palampur station.  This lesser-known toy train is still used by locals for daily commuting and you don’t see many tourists on board. On arrival transfer to picturesque The Lodge at Wah, an eco-friendly homestay on the Wah Tea Estate – the largest in the Kangra Valley, for 2 nights stay. Late afternoon take a tour of the Tea estate and factory. Naturally sip a fragrant cup of their tea! Tea plucking is between mid-April to mid-October. At other times of the year only pruning can be seen. 

Morning visit to Andretta village; home to several artists for decades. Andretta Pottery is India’s first studio pottery and was set up by a renowned Sikh family in the 1900s.  You can try your hands at the wheel and/ or purchase handmade ceramic souvenirs. In the afternoon, visit Sherabling Monastery at Bir. It’s one of the most ornate and beautiful Buddhist monasteries in Himachal Pradesh.

After breakfast enjoy a long but interesting drive to Shimla. Check in to the colonial-style heritage homestay Sunnymead with a delightful rambling English garden, for 3 nights stay.

This morning take guided Heritage walk of Shimla. The walk includes the State Museum and Library, Vice Regal Lodge (now the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies) and the Victorian Gaiety Theatre which opened in May 1887. End the walk meandering around the colourful Mall. Rest of the day at leisure.

Today morning Nature Walk in the fabled Himalayas. The trek starts at Potters Hill and passes through swathes of Oak and Rhododendron. See Chadwick waterfall and a pass couple of local villages. Have a picnic lunch and relax before the ascent back to Shimla. 

Morning transfer to Shimla railway station to board the Himalayan Queen toy train for Kandaghat. The historic and UNESCO listed Shimla-Kalka train journey was inaugurated by the British Viceroy, Lord Curzon in November 1903. The 96 km journey from Shimla to Kalka is filled with twists and turns and overflowing with spectacular views. Leave the train at Kandaghat and drive to Kalka railway station (suggest to have lunch en route) to board the evening train for Delhi. Overnight stay at Novotel Aerocity.

Transfer to the airport to board your flight back home.