12 Days Tour of Taj Mahal, Golden Temple [ Amritsar] & Rishikesh

Arrive at any time and welcome to India's bustling capital - Delhi!
Tonight, wander through the electric Karol Bagh market as your hotel is located in this vicinity or if you want to have rest then full day is for leisure and rest. Night stay is in Delhi.

Gain a unique perspective of Delhi. Embark through Old Delhi experiencing the historic and cultural side of this vibrant city while visiting the "Great Mosque" and Sikh temple. Enjoy an orientation walk takes you through Old Delhi to experience some of the history and culture of this vibrant city. [ Please note that City Walk is closed on Sundays and holidays and this activity will not run on those days ]

Visit historic Old Delhi. Explore Jama Masjid, the "Great Mosque," and enjoy its massive courtyard, which can hold up to 25,000 worshippers. Also, visit the ancient Sikh temple of Gurdwara SisGanj, which was established in 1783.
Overnight stay is in Delhi

Today you'll transfer south to Agra to witness the architectural wonder of the golden age of the Mughals. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel for a brief rest. Later we drive to visit the Agra Fort—a blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture—originally built by the Rajputs and renovated from time to time by different Mughal emperors with red sandstone, bricks, and the beautiful marble from Makarana. The Fort can more accurately be described as a walled palatial city.

After visiting the Agra Fort, you'll visit the Taj Mahal at sunset, a symbol of eternal love that stands on the southern bank of the Yamuna River. It was built by the fifth Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in the 16th century. The charisma of the Taj Mahal never fails to impress, given its beautiful symmetry and white marble inlays.
Spend the evening visiting the bazaars, where descendants of the artisans who worked on the Taj continue to perfect their trade of marble craftsmanship.

In the morning, you'll leave for Delh, En route, we will visit Fatehpur Sikri, a grand, deserted, Mughal royal city. The impressive and well-preserved citadel served as Akbar's political capital for 14 years until he abandoned it in 1585 following a drought.

Later drive to New Delhi railway station and board your train for Amritsar

Today, travel down by train to the mountains to Amritsar, situated in the heart of the fertile plain known as India's ‘breadbasket’ and the centre of Sikhism in India.
On arrival at Amritsar get transferred to your pre booked hotel.

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 – the Guru Granth Sahib. Visit Jallianwala Bagh – the site of the tragic 1919 massacre that played a vital role in India's independence.

After some rest head out to the India–Pakistan border to witness the pomp and circumstance of the daily flag ceremony – a military practice that the security forces of India and Pakistan have followed since 1959. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Night will be spend in Amritsar.

Today’s journey through the mountains today is an adventure in itself. Travel by private vehicle , winding roads to Dharamshala, 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. There’s a lot to gain here from learning about the many facets of Tibetan Buddhism.

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 Lama’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.

Full day to explore the beautiful town by foot on your own. In the evening you will be transferred to a nearby railway station to board overnight train for Rishikesh. Night will be on board.

After pulling into Haridwar in the morning, there’s a 1-hour drive to Rishikesh. Check in to your hotel. Later pay a visit to the faded but mural-lined walls of Chaurasi Kutia – 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.

The morning is yours to roam around Rishikesh. Suitably named the 'Yoga Capital of the World', Rishikesh is a great place to relax and seek a little enlightenment with your own yoga class, if you’d like. For something more adventurous, there is the option to white-water raft down the Ganges.
Rest of the day is for leisure and rest. Night stay is in Rishikesh

Say goodbye to Rishikesh and take the train back to Delhi (approximately 7-9 hours). The train arrives back into Delhi around 11 pm from where you’ll be transferred to your hotel on arrival.

There are no activities planned for today, so you’re free to depart the accommodation at any time. If you would like to spend some more time in Delhi, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation, or you want some extension tours to Jaipur or any other destination then we are just one call away and will arrange everything as per your desire.