Enchanting Himachal with GT Tour Exploring Flamboyant India

Duration: 16 nights - 17 days
Locations: Delhi + Amritsar + Dharamshala + Manali + Kullu + Shimla + Chail + Kufri + Nalderha + Chandigarh + Delhi + Jaipur + Agra via Fatehpur Sikri + Delhi

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi

Arrive by International flight, after traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representative would assist you at airport & transfer to hotel for check in.
Delhi isa bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds the ancient with modern.Its strategic location was the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. In fact, more mythological cities are believed to be here, like the city of Indraprastha from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, founded around 5000 BC. Numerous monuments were built over several centuries by different rulers like Qutub-ud-din Aibek, Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaks, Humayun & Shah Jahan, who built the Walled City Shah Jahanabad. Later in first half of 20th century much of New Delhi was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who laid out a grandiose central administrative area as a testament to British rule in India. The division in walled city & New Delhi also marks the division in life styles.

Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)

Day 02 : Delhi - Amritsar (By Morning train )

After Morning breakfast check out hotel and proceed to delhi railway station to board the train to Amritsar,. Upon arrival transfer to hotel for check in.
Later proceed for a sight-seeing of Amritsar including the Golden Temple. Evening visit Wagah Border to watch Border Retreat Ceremony The pageant of the beating of the retreat and the change of guard within handshaking distance of the Indian and Pakistani forces here makes the most charming of the spectacles as a daily evening drill. Ascertain the timings before you leave to see this spectacle since these are changed seasonally.Wagha is the only land border open between Pakistan and India. Evening return back to hotel and over night stay at hotel.

Overnight hotel - Amritsar (B)

Day 03 : Amritsar - Dharamshala ( 210 Kms. / 06 Hours )

After Morning Breakfast check out hotel and proceed to Dharamshala, where His Holiness Dalai Lama lives in exile on arrival check in to hotel and rest of the day is free for your own activities.

Overnight Hotel - Dharamshala (B)

Day 04 : Dharamshala Sightseeing

After Morning breakfast proceed for a half day local tour of Darmashala visit The Tibetan Medical Center, Church of St. John, meditation courses & local monasteries. Evening return back to hotel and rest of the day is free.

Overnight Hotel - Dharamshala (B)

Day 05 : Dharamshala - Manali ( 235 Kms. / 07 Hours )

After Morning breakfast check out hotel and proceed to Manali enroot enjoy the most beautiful & picturesque part of the Himachal Pradesh which takes you through some exhilarating scenery. In the evening on arrival in Manali check in hotel and rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight hotel - Manali (B)

Day 06 : Manali

After morning breakfast proceed to visit the Jagatsukh Nagar Art Gallery, Hadimba Devi Temple and the Tibetan Monastery before proceeding to Vashisht village, just outside Manali, across the river Beas, known for its hot sulphur springs whose water is said to have curative properties evening return back to the hotel and rest of the day is free dinner at hotel restaurant.

Overnight Hotel - Manali (B)

Day 07 : Manali - Rohtang Pass - Manali

After Morning breakfast proceed for an excursion to Rohtang Pass located 51 km from Manali, 3978 meters high, which for centuries was the gateway to the trading routes that led to Lhe, Ladakh and Central Asia. From the crest of the pass, one can take in a sweeping panorama of mountain ranges, pinnacles, precipitous cliffs, ridges; huge glaciers, moraine and deep ravines.evening return back to your hotel and have dinner at hotel restaurant.

Overnight Hotel - Manali (B)

Day 08 : Manali - Kullu - Shimla

After Morning breakfast drive to Shimla which was once the Summer Capital of India during the British Raj Enroot visiting the famous Kullu valley and Kullu Shawl Industry. Upon arrival Shimla check in hotel and rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight Hotel - Shimla (B)

Day 09 : Shimla

After Morning breakfast proceed to visit Jakhu Temple, dedicated to Hanuman from where you enjoy an excellent view of Shimla. Next visit the Viceregal Lodge which once served as the seat of power rest of the day is free to explore Shimla's famous mall road.evening return back to hotel and have dinner at hotel restaurant.

Overnight Hotel - Shimla (B)

Day 10 : Shimla - Chail - Kufri - Nalderha - Shimla

After morning breakfast drive to Kufri valley located 16 kms from Shimla it commands a panoramic view of the majestic Himalayas. Later in the afternoon visit Naldehra - 23kms - under a skyline etched with conifers, Naldehra offers a well-groomed nine whole golf course evening drive back to your hotel and at hotel restaurant.

Overnight Hotel - Shimla (B)

Day 11 : Shimla - Chandigarh ( 90 KMs. / 03 Hours )

After Morning breakfast proceed to Chandigarh On arrival Chandigarh check in hotel and later in the afternoon proceed for local tour of Chandigarh, the best-planned city of India, designed by renowned French architect Le Corbuiser. Here visit Rock Garden, Rose Garden, Sukhna Lake, Sector 17 Market etc.evening return back to hotel.

Overnight Hotel - Chandigarh (B)

Day 12 : Chandigarh - Delhi ( 250 Kms. / 05 hours )

After Morning breakfast check out hotel and proceed to Delhi. Up on arrival check-in to the hotel.

Rest of the day st leisure.

Overnight Hotel - Delhi (B)

Day 13 : Delhi

Full Day Tour

Today we take a guided tour of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, Visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Later we walk down or take a rickshaw rideChandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shah Jahanabad now a picturesque bazaar to reach Red Fort, built in the year 1648 by Shah Jehan.

In New Delhi, we visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. Further we drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India. We will also visit Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutub Minar & its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Optional - Sound & Light Show at Red Fort with dinner at Chor Bizarre

Overnight Hotel - Delhi (B)

Day 14 : Delhi - Jaipur (262km - 5hr)

Today we drive to Jaipur, popularly known as Pink City, the flamboyant & colourful capital of Rajasthan. With its rich & colourful past, resplendent with tales of valour & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in the year 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors.

Optional - Chokhi Dhani

An evening excursion to Chokhi Dhani complex, ethnic village resort located at a distance of 15 km from Jaipur. Rajasthani village atmosphere is recreated on the sprawling ground & includes the entertainment by folk dancers & musicians. Later drive back to hotel.

Overnight Hotel - Jaipur (B)

Day 15 : Jaipur

Full Day Tour

Today we take an excursion to Amber Fort, the palace complex which stands to this date was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh. We take an Elephant ride to reach the Fort situated on the hill, an overwhelming experience.
Later we visit the City Palace, a perfect blend of Rajasthani & Mughal architecture. The center of the palace is a seven-storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine views over the gardens & the city. Further we visit Jantar Mantar (Solar Observatory), an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date. We also visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied structure of pink sandstone. It was built in the year 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down the busy street market unseen by the world through its 593 stone Jharokas (mini windows).

Overnight Hotel - Jaipur (B)

Day 16 : Jaipur - Agra via Fatehpur Sikri (260 km - 6 hr)

Today we drive to Agra, en route we will visit Fatehpur Sikri (Ghost Capital), the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from the year 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water. We visit Emperor Akbar's Residential complex, Mosque & Tomb of Salim Chisti.

Further we continue our drive to Agra, beautifully situated on the banks of river Yamuna. It achieved prominence as the capital of the Mughal Emperors from the year 1526 to 1628, remains major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era monuments, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Fatehpur Sikri, all three are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Overnight Hotel - Agra (B)

Day 17 : Agra - Delhi (220km - 5hr)

Half Day Tour

Today we visit Taj Mahal, symbol of eternal love, which stands on the banks of River Yamuna. It was built by the 5th Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in the year 1631 in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was completed in 22 years. Further we visit Agra Fort, taken over from the Lodhis by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. The Fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. It was built from red sandstone, often inlaid with white marble & intricate decorations. We will also visit Sikandara, Akbar's tomb. His son Jahangir completed the construction of the tomb in the year 1613.

Later we drive back to Delhi, upon arrival in Delhi Transfer to Airport for onward Destination.

Our tour concludes: We thank you for your patronage & look forward to serve you again in near future.