Foothills of the Himalayas

Fly overnight to Delhi.

Arrive in Delhi where you will transfer to the Novotel New Delhi Aerocity hotel for an overnight stay. Enjoy lunch and the chance to relax, before a welcome drink and dinner at your hotel, where you can get to know your fellow travellers. L, D

Fly to Amritsar where you'll stay the next two nights at the locally rated 5-star Hyatt Hotel, Amritsar, approximately 20 minutes from the Golden Temple. D

This morning, a sightseeing tour visits Jallianwalah Bagh, the scene of a massacre in 1919 when General Dyer of the British Indian Army notoriously ordered his troops to fire on a gathering of unarmed people, killing hundreds of them. Visit the Durgiana Hindu temple, which is sometimes referred to as the 'Silver Temple' because of its beautifully carved silver doors.

You'll also visit the Golden Temple – the Sikh's most sacred monument – and the community kitchen nearby which provides free meals for up to 10,000 pilgrims and visitors every day! This afternoon, you'll travel to the border town of Wagah to see a changing of the guard ceremony – a military spectacle involving troops from both India and Pakistan which has taken place every evening at sunset since 1959. B, D

You can just sit back and relax today on a long but rewarding journey that takes you to Chandigarh – the hub of northern India. Designed by renowned Swiss-born architect Le Corbusier during the 1950s, Chandigarh is a carefully-planned, modern city featuring French Colonial-influenced architecture. Discover some of the highlights of the city as you enjoy sightseeing this afternoon. Stay overnight at the locally rated 5-star LaLiT Chandigarh situated in the Rajiv Gandhi Tech Park. B, D

Travel to Shimla– dubbed the 'Queen of the Hills' thanks to its setting 2,200 metres above sea level amid the foothills of the Himalayas. The town was once the summer capital of the British in India, and its ties with the British Raj has left a legacy of splendid colonial edifices and quaint cottages. You'll spend the next four nights at the locally rated 4-star Clarkes Hotel, a Heritage Grand Hotel and one of the oldest hotels in the city. B, D

A morning sightseeing tour visits the Mall – Shimla's bustling commercial area, which is a pleasant place for a stroll. During your tour you'll see many reminders of the Raj, and you'll head to Observatory Hill to see the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, the summer home of the British Viceroy in India and the base from which the British Raj was ruled. The Partition Agreement was negotiated here, and visitors have included Gandhi and Nehru. The last resident Viceroy was Lord Mountbatten.

You'll also see Scandal Point, believed to be where the daughter of a British Viceroy eloped with the then Maharaja of Patiala in the 19th century, and the Christ Church – the second oldest church in Northern India. The afternoon is free for a little independent exploring. B, D

Step aboard the Himalayan Queen Express for an unforgettable train journey along the UNESCO-listed Kalka-Shimla railway. You'll travel through spectacular scenery as this narrow gauge train winds its way through the lower Himalayas.

You'll continue by road up to the Tara Devi temple where you can enjoy incredible panoramic views. B, D

You can recharge your batteries during this day at leisure, but if you're feeling energetic, you can join an exhilarating guided walking tour up to Jakhoo temple.

The walk will cover a total of five kilometres with some steep uphill stretches, but from Jakhoo Peak you'll be able to enjoy panoramic views and see the temple complex dedicated to Lord Hanuman. B, D

Leave Shimla and travel to Kalka Railway station to board the Shatabdi Express for the four-hour journey to Delhi. You spend the next two nights at the locally rated 5-star The Suryaa hotel, New Delhi. B, D

An included sightseeing tour explores the highlights of Old and New Delhi. In Old Delhi you'll be taken to the Raj Ghat – a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi – and Jama Masjid which is the largest mosque in India. You'll also have the opportunity to explore bustling Chandni Chowk market. It's then on to New Delhi, where you'll visit the 12th-century Qutab Minar – Delhi's oldest monument which is entirely hand-carved.

You'll also visit the impressive mausoleum of Emperor Humayun. Your sightseeing tour will drive past the India Gate – a war memorial dedicated to Indian soldiers, the President's residence, parliament house and the Secretariat buildings, an interesting blend of Victorian and 20th-century architecture. B, D

Travel by train from Delhi to Agra where you stay overnight at the locally rated 4-star Courtyard by Marriott. Enjoy a visit to Agra Fort, a walled city of red sandstone encompassing royal pavilions, mosques and carved marble buildings. You’ll also see the Itimad-ud-Daulah tomb – often referred to as the ‘Baby Taj’.

Later today, see the famous Taj Mahal, built in 1560 by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz. Celebrated for its beauty and magnificence look forward to seeing this iconic building at sunset. This evening perhaps join an optional excursion to ‘Mohabbat The Taj Show’, which tells the love story behind the building of the Taj Mahal. B, D

Travel back to Delhi where you will stay overnight at the locally rated 5-star Novotel New Delhi Aerocity. Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. B, D

Transfer to the airport for your return flight and included UK door-to-door travel service home.