Golden Temple & Ganges - Delhi to Amritsar & Rishikesh Tour

Arrive at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, meet & greet with Traditional Indian welcome. Transfer to the hotel.

Delhi stands as the capital of Modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the Old and New India, the ancient and the modern. Delhi is made up of seven ancient cities, spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries. Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many emperors, which have left behind a plethora of monuments that commemorate the grandeur and glory of bygone ages. Very few cities in the world can express such a profusion of architectural styles. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast visit Old Delhi. It was an ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Shah Jehan possessing an exquisite talent, especially in architecture, created the seventh city and in the process brought about Delhi's glorious renaissance. Here you will see Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. The fort is Shah Jehan's symbol of power and elegance, built behind red sandstone walls. Its main gate (Lahore Gate) faces Chandni Chowk, the perpetually congested avenue heading west from the Red Fort, is filled with twisting lanes, small streets and crowded bazaars. If you peer through a portico you may see a man getting shaved, silver being weighed, or any other conceivable form of intense commerce.

Also take a Cycle Rickshaw Puller Ride through the bustling and colorful market of the old city is filled with twisting lanes, small streets and crowded bazaars. If you peer through a portico you may see a man getting shaved, silver being weighed, or any other conceivable form of intense commerce. Also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi.

In the afternoon, visit New Delhi. It was designed and built by the British in the 1920's-it's a city of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens. In 1911 King George V announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi. The King's architects, Lutyens and Baker, set in motion the Design and construction of Delhi's eight cities - New Delhi. Lutyens designed an "Imperial City" having palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. It took 20 years to complete this immense undertaking only to have the British pack up and relinquish the subcontinent in 1947. You will visit two monuments from Delhi's past - Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar. drive pass through the Raisina Hill, ceremonial avenue past the imposing India Gate, Government Buildings, President House and Parliament House. Also visit Sikh Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to see the worship etc. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Early morning transfer to New Delhi station to board the train for Amritsar, breakfast on board. Our representative will meet you and provide the transfer to the hotel for 3 nights stay in Amritsar. It is an idol place to make a base for visits to rural Punjab & have an idea of the way of life of the state, which is perhaps the most prosperous in India & produces almost half of the century’s food grain.

In the evening witness the Palki Ceremony at the iconic Golden Temple when the Sikh Holy Book is carried through a crowd of worshippers before being 'put to bed' for the night. All are allowed inside the Golden Temple. Heads must be covered. Shoes, Tobacco, Narcotics must be left outside. Photography is permitted, except inside Harmandar Sahib. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit Golden Temple – the Holy Sikh Shrine followed by Jallianwala Bagh, is an important monument dedicated to hundreds of martyrs, who lost their lives in a massacre in 1919. An important event in India’s freedom struggle was the massacre of around 700-800 unsuspecting people at Amritsar’s Jallianwala Bagh, under the orders of the infamous British General Dyer. The massacre took place on April 13, 1919. All around the world, including Lenin & British leaders like Asquith & Winston Churchill, condemned the event. It may be mentioned that the Jallianwala Bagh tragedy was one of the most horrifying & important incident that instigated the Indians on the decisive track against British dominion. A Martyrs Memorial has been erected at the site amidst landscape grounds. The Martyrs Gallery houses portraits of national leaders & paintings depicting the fateful day.

In the Afternoon visit Wagah Border. It is an interesting experience especially at Sunset when the retreat ceremony takes place with the BSF on the Indian side & the Satluj Rangers on the Pakistan side putting up a well- coordinated and spectacular display, which compares very favorably with the changing of the Guard in London. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, go for the heritage walk. It will take you through the charm of old Ambarsar. This walk will enlighten facts about Ambarsar that stay hidden in the heart of the Golden city. This city is approximately 450 years old and was formerly known as Ramdaspur. The fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ramdas founded and named this city which is now known as Amritsar.

The Heritage walk will take you around 2-3 hours and we shall take you around the magical lanes of old Ambarsar which will leave you with facts and memories that will stay with you for a lifetime.

War Memorial - An ode to heroism and valour, the famous War memorial & museum is a must visit for all battle history lovers. From the age of Alexander the Great to the 1999 Kargil war, this place narrates war stories unheard of.

Village Tour - Back to the Roots - Village walk is your chance to connect with a rustic and beautifully raw side of India. From a traditional Punjabi welcome with dhols to an authentic desi lunch, this unique experience has everything you need to trace the beauty of rural India. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Mcleod Ganj, the seat of the Tibetan government in exile and the residence, perched at 1830 meters, of his holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama since 1959.  Originally, it is an old British garrison town that owes its name to Lieutenant David MCleod, Governor of PUNJAB. You will see, just before arriving, a Catholic church and its small cemetery. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the small town and shrine Tsuglagkhang  which houses the residence of the Dalai Lama, a gompa (monastery) and a small museum. You will see lamas giving teachings to the youngest and all day many tibetans tirelessly clockwise, with prayer wheels reciting many mantras. Departure for the monastery of Karmapa, 15 km from the city, and visit the Tibetan centre where you can admire the local crafts. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to the village of Chamuda, where you will have a magnificent view of the mountains and forests. Visit the temple dedicated to the goddess Kali (goddess of war). The 700-year-old temple is a holy place. You will see many pilgrims bathing in the pool to purify themselves. Out drive continues to Baijnath and visit this other temple dedicated to Shiva Vaidyanatha who would be one of the twelve "Jyotirlingas". This place is very popular with pilgrims at the time of the Shivratri festival. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Rewalsar (at 1350 meters) and its sacred lake for hindus, buddhists and Sikhs. Discovery of the lake and the 3 monasteries. According to the legend, it is from this city that in the eighth century, the great sage Padma Sambhava spread the word of Budhha. Our drive continues to Mandi. This city is a former major crossroads of the salt road that led to Tibet and is home to a large Sikh community. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to the former summer capital of English, Shimla, 2205 meters above sea level. Formerly called Shyamala (one of the names of the goddess KALI), the city is perched on a ridge and surrounded by hills and pine forests. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, depart for a small walk that will take you to the botanical gardens. Return to the town and visit the Church of Christ, the second oldest Catholic Church in northern India, built around 1846, famous for its stained-glass windows. Then visit the Hanuman temple, the highest point of the city (at 2445 meters), from where you will have a beautiful view of the region and its snow-capped mountains. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed for Chandigarh. It was built in 1950 by the French-Swiss architect Le Corbusier. This city is unlike any other in India. The streets are wide and spacious with many green spaces. Visit the beautiful Rock Garden, fantastic stone garden as indicated by its name. Free time for a walk along the lake Sukna. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, depart for Rishikesh. This city is considered the "world capital of yoga. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Explore Rishikesh. It is quiet and relaxed city, surrounded by hills on three sides, it is located at 356 meters above sea level. It is a great place to study yoga, meditation and other aspects of Hinduism. In the 1960s, Rishikesh achieved instant glory after the Beatles stay with their guru, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It is also the starting point for Himalayan pilgrimages, such as Badrinath, Kedarnath And Gangotri. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, depart for Haridwar. It is one of the four holy cities where the famous Khumb Mela is celebrated, the largest religious gathering in the world. Families bathe together and all along the river, it is only prayers and laughter. You will attend the evening prayer that takes place at dusk. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Unchagaon - village close to Garh Mukteshwar. This place, Unchagaon is incidentally very close to river Ganges. The particular stretch is very famous for Dolphins.  Bask in the solitude in the warm sunshine, sit beneath the trees or walk along the river. Only very lucky ones may even see crocodile.

Stay at Fort Unchagaon stands majestically in village Unchagaon. The present Raja Surendra Pal Singh inherited this early 19th century fort at the tender age of ten. This palace was renovated under his guidance and thus is the evident the influence of the early 20th century blend of Indian and colonial architecture. Being the private domicile of a prince, the decor is authentically aristocratic. The imposing white facade of SURYA MAHAL is surrounded by well-manicured, lush verdant lawns.

Fort Unchagaon apart from being an heritage experience also gives you a chance to have a look at the village setup and promotes rural tourism. A walk through the village gives one a chance to view the village life along with a chance to see pottery making and jaggery making. One can also try once hand at making some pots oneself. You can also play badminton, table tennis or cricket amongst the fruit orchards. Horses are available at the Fort's stable. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After early breakfast drive to Agra through express highway. Agra was the capital of the grand Mughal Empire. Upon arrival check into the hotel.

In the afternoon, visit Agra Fort built by Akbar the Great and the city. Also visit the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah built by Empress Noor Jehan in the memory of Her Father. Overnight stay at the hotel.

In the morning, enjoy the Magnificent Taj Mahal – The New 7 wonder of the world and Monument of Love in the warm glow of Sunset, which was built in 1630 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori, what makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam, is visualized as a lush garden where running streams flow. When the Mughal brought this concept to India they elevated it to heights of Incomparable artistry.

As you drive through the city witness the local life, Shopping and bazaars (markets) and the hustle bustle of everyday India. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, say good bye to this fascinating journey & drive to Delhi to board the flight for onward destination.

The above itinerary can be further customized as per your travel requirements.