Wendy Wu Northern India Discovery

– Feel the buzz of Delhi
– Marvel at the Taj Mahal
– Gaze at the Pink City
– Ride on the famous Toy Train
– Experience the elaborate border closing ceremony
– Discover the striking Golden Temple

Days 1-2: Fly to Delhi

Fly overnight to Delhi, India’s rambunctious capital city. Depending on your time of arrival the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

Day 3: Discover Delhi

Take a full day to explore India’s vibrant capital. Starting in Old Delhi, embark on a rickshaw ride through the atmospheric streets, visiting Jama Masjid. Venture into a local market where you’ll learn about local herbs and spices.

Day 4: Train to Amritsar

Transfer to Delhi station and hop on a train travelling north to Amritsar. Head to the close by India-Pakistan border to watch the elaborate border closing ceremony with its fantastically over-the-top showmanship.

Day 5: Explore Amritsar

Enjoy a heritage walk of the city, taking in local markets and temples including Jallianwalla Bagh. Visit the Golden Temple, Harmandir Sahib – the spiritual heart of the Sikh faith. Built in the 16th-century, its dome is richly gilded in shimmering gold.

Day 6: Travel to Dharamsala

Ascend into the Himalayas to Dharamsala, a former British hill station that has become the home of the Tibetan Government in exile.

Day 7: Explore Dharamsala

Start the day at Bhagsunag, a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva before exploring Mcleod Ganj, a town with a distinctly Tibetan feel. Explore the town, visiting Buddhist temples and local markets.

Day 8: Yoga Experience

Start the day with a yoga and meditation session. Continue your explorations at the Kangra State Museum and St John’s Church. Enjoy a demonstration on how to cook local dishes before spending some time at the Nobulingka Institute.

Day 9: Travel to Shimla

Drive to Shimla. On arrival, the rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 10: Toy Train

All aboard the famous Toy Train, a World Heritage railway built in 1903. One of India’s most scenic train journeys, admire spectacular views as your wind your way down from the mountains.

Day 11: Shimla

Visit the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies. Transfer to Kalka to board the train to Delhi.

Day 12: Agra Fort

Travel to Agra by road. On arrival, admire the colossal Agra Fort, built by the Mughals in the mid-1500s. This evening, after the sun has set, return for the nightly spectacle that is the sound and light show.

Day 13: Taj Mahal

Rise early to see the sun rise over India’s most iconic sight. At dawn, when the crowds are at their thinnest, the Taj Mahal is swathed in mist and tinged pink by the rising sun – a magical experience. Depart Arga for Jaipur, stopping en route to admire the symmetrical beauty of the Chand Baori stepwell.

Day 14: Explore Jaipur

Start with a photo stop this morning at Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) before visiting the spectacular Amber Fort.

Day 15: Delhi

Return to Delhi by road. This evening, sit down to a final group dinner.

Day 16: Fly Delhi to UK

Fly to the UK, arriving home the same or following day.

You’ll spend 14 nights in 3+/4* accommodations

Your accommodation has been selected for convenience of location, comfort or character, and can range from a business hotel in one city to a family-run guesthouse in a smaller town or a heritage-type hotel.

Morning Yoga
In the birthplace of yoga, start the day with an invigorating morning practice and meditation session with a master, in the spectacular surroundings of the Himalayan foothills.

Golden Temple kitchens
Visit the Golden Temple’s ‘langar’, the kitchen that feeds up to 100,000 people a day for free! Meet the volunteers who prepare and cook the food and watch them making thousands of chapatis by hand.

Border Closing Ceremony
Travel to the border of India and Pakistan to witness the border closing ceremony, a display of fantastically over the top showmanship that involves speed marching, high kicks and stomps, all cheered on by the crowd of locals and tourists alike.

– Return international economy flights, taxes and current fuel surcharges (unless a land only option is selected)
– All accommodation
– All meals: 14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 14 dinners
– All sightseeing and entrance fees
– All transportation and transfers
– English speaking National Escort (if your group is 10 or more passengers)
– Visa fees for UK and EU passport holders
– Comprehensive travel guides

Classic 

See the classic sights in the company of expert guides so you can really understand the history and culture of the destination. On our classic tours we take care of everything, leaving you to sit back and enjoy the experience to the full. The tours are fully inclusive with all meals and a comprehensive touring programme.

Most Wendy Wu groups consist of 10 travellers or more and will be accompanied by a National Escort. There will usually be no more than 18 travellers in each group although you may encounter other Wendy Wu tour groups while you are travelling.

This tour has a Level 2 fitness rating. This means that a reasonable level of fitness is required but it’s more about spending time on your feet rather than covering large distances. You’ll be getting on and off coaches and boats, walking around the sights and climbing some steps.