Stunning Himalayan landscapes, colonial history and the home of the Dalai Lama.

Monday, 24 March 2025

Fly from UK to Delhi

Depart from the UK on an overnight flight to Delhi.

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Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Arrive in Delhi

On arrival at Delhi airport, you will be met by your Veloso Tours guide and transferred to your chosen hotel for a 2 night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. Rest of the day is at leisure to relax and explore Delhi at your leisure.

Delhi is the capital city of India, the start of our journey across the fascinating history-markers of medieval north India. 

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Wednesday, 26 March 2025

Guided tour of Delhi

Today you explore Delhi with your Veloso Tours guide. Old Delhi is the 300-year-old walled city built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan in 1648 as his capital. The focus of the city is the magnificent Jama Mosque built of red sandstone. Drive past the Red Fort from where the Prime Minister of India addresses the nation on India’s Independence Day. Visit Jama Masjid, the most elegant mosque in India that stands high on a hillock in between and around these two focal points of the 17th century city is a thriving modern city in a medieval setting. This area once had a tree-lined broad central avenue, with a canal dividing the thoroughfare. Later enjoy rickshaw ride. On our way back, we visit Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s shrine.

New Delhi is the early 20th century British capital designed by Sir Edward Lutyen’s and Herbert Baker.  Drive past the President’s House, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the two flanking Secretariat buildings – the nerve centre of government activity. Driving down this hillock is the India Gate, the great memorial arch built to commemorate the slain heroes of World War-I and Indo-Afghan War. Around India Gate are palaces of some of the erstwhile Indian princely states that are now public offices and museums.

Visit the precursor to the Taj Mahal, Humayun’s Tomb built in 1565 AD by the widow of the second Mughal emperor Haji Begum. In the vicinity of Humayun’s Tomb is the grave of Delhi’s most revered Sufi Saint, Hazrat Nizamuddin. Humayun’s Tomb is a garden tomb and stands as a high point of early Mughal architecture and technology. The gardens of the Humayun’s Tomb have recently been restored and revitalized to their former glory by the Aga Khan Foundation for Culture. 

Thursday, 27 March 2025

Train to Shimla

Transfer to Delhi railway station and take the train to Kalka. Here, we board the Himalayan Toy train which will take you through the Shivalik ranges to Shimla. On arrival, check into your chosen hotel for a 3 night stay on a room and breakfast basis.

Shimla – Queen of Hills – used to be summer capital of during British rule in India. It is at a height of 2200 meter above sea level. As the Summer Capital of the British in India, Shimla was the country’s focus for the better part of every year and now, is the state capital of Himachal Pradesh. Today, it has well developed facilities, easy accessibility and numerous attractions making it one of India’s most popular hill resorts. Situated in the lower ranges of the Himalayan Mountains, it is surrounded by pine deodar, oak and rhododendron forests. Towards the north lie the snow-covered high-ranges, while the valleys breathe whispering streams and swaying fields. Within the town are Host of splendid colonial edifices, quaint cottages and charming walks Shimla offers a variety of shopping, sport and entertainment activities.

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Friday, 28 March 2025

Walking tour of Shimla

This morning after breakfast our local guide will help you discover Shimla, visiting the Mall, Shimla’s principal promenade which runs along a ridge.  Much that is reminiscent of the Raj is found here - stately mansions, and curiosity shops, Observatory Hill, Kennedy House, built in 1822 by Major Kennedy of the British Army, Scandal Point, scene of a legendary elopement, Christ Church, Jakku Hill with a fine view of Shimla.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

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Saturday, 29 March 2025

At leisure in Shimla

Shimla is one of those special places you can relax and enjoy. Today is free to do your own thing, perhaps a trek into the countryside or a visit to the local market.

Sunday, 30 March 2025

Drive to Pragpur

This morning after breakfast we leave Shimla and drive to drive to the heritage village of Pragpur located in the Kangra Valley and home of the famous Kangra School of painting; probably the world's oldest ruling lineage comes from here. The area was part of the Principality of Jaswan whose chief, in the late 16th or early 17th Century charged a band of learned men, led by a Kuthiala Sood, to find a suitable place to commemorate Princess 'Prag' of his royal lineage. The core area of Pragpur is a notified "Heritage Village". Founded about 3 centuries ago Pragpur has held onto the essence of an earlier era - unchanged shops, cobbled streets, ornamental village tank, mud plastered and slate roofed houses. The Indian National Trust for art and cultural Heritage jointly with the government of Himachal Pradesh is developing and preserving Heritage Village Pragpur. On arrival check in at your chosen hotel for an overnight stay.

Monday, 31 March 2025

Drive to Dharamshala

This morning after breakfast we leave Pragpur and drive to Dharamshala where will will stay at your chosen hotel for 2 nights on a bed and breakfast basis.

Dharamshala is a small hill station lying on the spur of the Dhauladhar range about 18 Kms north east of Kangra town. The hill station is wooded with oak and conifer trees and snow-capped mountains enfold three sides of the town while the valley stretches in front. The snow line is perhaps more easily accessible at Dharamshala than at any other hill resort and it is possible to trek to snow point after an early morning's start. The town of Dharamshala is divided into two distinct parts. Lower Dharamshala has civil offices and business establishments with courts, Kotwali Bazar and Upper Dharamshala compose of places with names which bear witness to its History like McLeod Ganj and Forsythe Ganj Since 1960, when it became a temporary headquarter of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dharamshala has risen to international fame as "The Little Lhasa in India". Here, you will observe many Tibetan buddhist monks who have made this special place their home. The town has a light, magical feel that makes it hard to leave. 

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Tuesday, 01 April 2025

Guided tour of Dharamshala

Enjoy a guided tour of Dharamshala today. Visit McLeod Ganj named after Sir Alan McLeod, Governor of Punjab. Dharamshala came into existence in 1860 after it was selected as a site to accommodate the 1st Gorkha Rifles, of ‘The bravest of the brave’ legend. Also visit the Dalai Lama's residence and if lucky, an opportunity of an audience with him at McLeod Ganj where a large Tibetan population now lives. The waterfall of Bhagsunath is also within walking distance. Spend some time in the Tibetan colony and visit their local market & temples.

Wednesday, 02 April 2025

Drive to Amritsar

Today, after breakfast we leave Dharamshala and drive to Amritsar. On arrival, check in to your chosen hotel for a 2 night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure in Amritsar.

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Thursday, 03 April 2025

Guided tour of Amritsar

Today, we explore Amritsar with your Veloso guide. We firstly visit the Golden Temple - the sacred Sikh sanctuary spread out in a vast complex around a huge water tank in the midst of which stands a marble sanctum where the holy book of the Sikhs, the Guru Granth is reverently placed. The roof of the sanctum is gold-leafed. The community kitchen provides free meals to up to 10,000 pilgrims or visitors in a day. And then take a walk by the busy bazaars of the city; visit the historic Jallianwalah Bagh where General Dyer’s bullets killed hundreds of innocent Indians. Later we visit the Durgiana Hindu temple which looks like a replica of the golden temple.

In the late afternoon we visit the border town of Wagah to see the change of guard ceremony. It is a spectacle comparable to 'Change of Guards' in London.  The pomp and pageantry of the Beating Retreat and the Change of Guard within handshaking distance of the Indian and Pakistani forces makes for a most charming spectacle.

Friday, 04 April 2025

Fly to Delhi

Transfer to Amritsar Airport and fly back to Delhi. Transfer to your chosen hotel on a bed and breakfast basis for your last night's stay in India. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Saturday, 05 April 2025

Fly back to the UK

Transfer to the airport and fly back to the UK on a daytime flight.