The Taj Mahal to Little Tibet

When you arrive in Delhi, you’ll be collected by your private driver and taken to your hotel. You can choose from either a hotel situated about half an hour’s drive from the airport or a charming hotel in Central Delhi, and ideal base to explore both the spice markets of Chandi Chowk and the modern bars of Connaught Place. Here, you can catch your breath and rest after your flight. In both hotels, you’ll have a comfortable room with a private en-suite bathroom.

On the morning of Day 2, you'll be transferred to Jaipur by air-conditioned car, a trip which takes around 5 hours. The Pink City is a fantastic place to kick off a trip in India and during your two nights here you can relax, acclimatise, and explore. There is so much to see in this elegant and astonishing city that you could spend weeks here without getting bored. Jaipur centre is a lively mass of saris, saddhus, holy cows, spice markets, street vendors, camel carts, elephants, beggars, rickshaws, temples, forts and palaces.

In Jaipur, you’ll stay in a cosy family hotel for a firsthand experience of typical Indian hospitality. Breakfast is served in the romantic English tea garden and the family will go out of their way to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. The rooms here are tastefully furnished in traditional Indian-style and several have four-poster beds.

On Day 3, you’ll take a guided tour of this remarkable city, visiting the City Palace, the Observatory and the fairy-tale Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal). In the afternoon, you’ll visit the imposing Amber Fort that lies just outside the city limits. From the battlements of the Amber Fort, you’ll have a wonderful view of the rocky hills and the smaller walls and forts constructed by the Rajputs and the Mughals in the area.

The City Palace and the Palace of the Winds both stand in the ancient quarter of the city. The City Palace has several beautiful museums with fascinating collections. If you see the flag flying, it means that the Maharaja is in residence. The Palace of the Winds is a world-famous, pyramid-shaped building with dozens of windows. This is where the women of the royal harem could watch the processions in the street below, unseen by the masses.

This morning, you'll leave Jaipur and head east towards Galta, a secluded mystical spot that will leave a lasting impression on you. The Monkey Temple here is a pilgrimage site that attracts flocks of brightly-robed devotees every day. The stream that trickles out of the rocks here is reputed to be water from the holy River Ganges, although this is geographically impossible. People bathe and sing on the steps (ghats) that lead down into the pools. Their voices echo through the rocky gorge, which opens into a wider valley dotted with temples that have been overrun with monkeys. This is an exhilarating sight.

After Galta, you’ll drive for another three hours before arriving in Bharatpur. This is a fascinating waterworld, criss-crossed by all sorts of dykes. Maharajas of the historic Singh family used this region as their hunting grounds, and the scenery is breathtaking. If you like, you can pedal through Bharatpur on a ‘sturdy’ Indian bike (cycle hire costs around £1.50).

There are hundreds of rare birds in the Bharatpur wetlands, such as the rare Siberian crane. Currently, there are several tigers here, originally from Ranthambore National Park, which pounce on the waterfowl as they doze. It’s unlikely that you’ll see this in action, but keep your eyes peeled all the same.

A few kilometres further on, you’ll come to stunning Fatehpur Sikri. The great ruler Akbar set up his capital here, and built a grand city, but after only 40 years the water supply became too difficult to maintain in this dry area, so all of the inhabitants packed up and moved on. They left behind a phenomenal collection of grand temples and palaces, with the ruins of old houses standing between them. Now it is an atmospheric ghost city, full of green parrots and monkeys.We’ll arrange for a guide to lead you through the forgotten city, and tell you the stories behind the monuments.

After visiting Fatehpur Sikri, you’ll drive on to Agra, where you’ll arrive at you'll arrive at your clean and comfortable hotel near the centre of Agra. 

After breakfast this morning, you’ll set off to visit another two breathtaking sites. First, you’ll be taken to the Taj Mahal, a highlight of any trip to India. Standing serenely in the first light of the morning, we are sure that this stunning building will surpass all your expectations. It is one of the few buildings in the world that has the ability to move people. It was built by Shah Jahan as a token of his love for his deceased wife, and is undoubtedly the most romantic burial site in the world. After visiting the Taj Mahal, you’ll head for Agra Fort. This huge but restrained structure seems to be immersed in a dreamy atmosphere when it’s bathed in the golden light of late afternoon, which slants through the pillars and galleries. From its majestic walls and through its arches, you can see the Taj Mahal, just as Shah Jahan would have done centuries ago, when he was imprisoned here by his son.
 

You’ll set off early this morning from your hotel in Delhi, taking a taxi or auto-rickshaw to the railway station. From your comfortable express train, you can watch the lush green countryside speed past the window. After about six hours, you’ll arrive in the city of Amritsar, close to the northwest border between India and Pakistan. We’ll arrange a transfer to your hotel. Amritsar is the single most important city in the Sikh culture, as it is home to the magnificent Golden Temple complex. This incredible building rivals even the Taj Mahal. Your heart will leap into your mouth as you approach the gleaming Gold Temple. In the evenings, the Temple is lit romantically with dozens of tiny lights reflecting in the Pool of Nectar that surrounds the building.

In the narrow streets of the old city, you’ll find various bazaars, each with its own speciality. You can head to Guru Bazaar for gold, or follow your nose to find typical local dishes in the Katra Kathian Bazaar. Your afternoon is free, giving you time to explore the intriguing streets and alleyways. You’ll spend the night in a good hotel located in a quieter part of the city.

 

After breakfast, you’ll travel by private car up into the foothills of the Himalayas to Dharamsala, also known as ‘Little Tibet’. You’ll arrive here in mid afternoon and once you’ve settled in you can begin to explore. Dharamsala is known principally as the home of the exiled Dalai Lama and his banished government. There is a huge community of Tibetan refugees here, and the monks and monasteries define the atmosphere of the town.

Dharamsala stands at the foot of the mighty Himalayas, and it is built on the top of a hill overlooking an awe-inspiring valley. You’ll find the cool climate refreshing after the heat and dust of Delhi and Amritsar. Surrounded by evergreen forests and fresh green tea plantations, this is an excellent place to unwind, recharge, and perhaps take a yoga lesson. Explore the brightly coloureed temple, wander amongst stupas and prayer flags in the pine forests, and munch on some momos – delicious Tibetan dumplings. Your homely hotel is just walking distance from the Dalai Lama's main temple, in a peaceful and quiet part of town. The snow capped mountain view is breathtaking and the birdlife is prolific.

Today, your time is your own to do as little or as much as you like. Listen to the monks chanting prayers in the monastery or watch their lively debates at the temple. Wander up to the beautiful waterfall in the hills above the town, or visit the Norbulingka Institute, an artistic academy for young Tibetans set amongst beautiful gardens. In Dharamsala, you can also follow meditation and yoga courses to help you stock up on some good karma.

You’ll spend another night in the comfortable hotel.

You’ll make an early start today for the long drive to Keylong (about 7hrs). From Manali, you’ll climb higher and higher, leaving the green landscape behind you as you pass the tree line. You’ll head towards the mountain peaks and ever deeper valleys. On the way, you’ll climb over a mountain pass at a height of about 4,000 metres (13,120 feet) and you’ll really feel the altitude here as the cool wind whips about your face. You’ll also notice that the altitude is affecting your breathing. You’ll be surrounded by gigantic peaks towering at over 6,000 metres (19,700 feet), stopping regularly to enjoy the jaw-dropping views. This is, quite literally, the high point of the day. Finally, you’ll descend a little into the small village of Keylong, where you’ll spend a night in a comfortable hotel.

Today, you’ll set off on the long journey on to Leh. After leaving Keylong, you’ll climb even higher into the Himalayas. Already well above the tree line, you’ll find yourself amidst a stony desert of snow. You’ll cross high mountain passes that will have your heart in your mouth, and vast sandy plains with no signs of life. When you make rest stops, you can enjoy some steaming masala chai, spiced with cardamom and cloves. Be sure to drink lots of water at all times, keeping altitude sickness at bay. Finally, at the end of the day you’ll pull into the green Leh Valley. After the exhausting trip, you’ll probably want to do absolutely nothing, and this is precisely what you can do. You’ll spend the next two nights in a cosy guesthouse in Leh.

There’s nothing planned for today, so you’ll have plenty of time to get used to the altitude and take a look around Leh. The town lies at 3,500 metres (11,480 feet) above sea level and there is a nine-storey palace in the historic town that looks very similar to the Potala in Lhasa. You can also visit the bazaar, overloaded with colourful jewellery and wonderful Tibetan textiles. Alternatively, find a bench in the crisp sunshine and settle down with a good book. Most importantly, take everything at a relaxed pace.

Don’t be surprised if your muscles are protesting a little this morning - they’ll soon loosen up during your 4-hour hike today. As these hikes are not so long, you’ll have time to take some photos along the way. After all you don’t come here every day – so enjoy it while you can. Look for a spot in the sun, stick your sweater under your head and bask in the scenery around you. The lush green area you are hiking through today is full of apricot and apple trees, and you can freshen up in the fast-flowing streams and waterfalls. Today, the hiking is really relaxed hike as the route follows level ground with very few differences in height. You’ll soon arrive in Tingmosgang, with a stunning genuine monastery perched on the mountainside above the village. In the afternoon, you are free to do your own exploring or snooze in the sun. Tonight you’ll stay in a simple but authentic homestay. In addition, to your hearty evening meal, lunch en route is also provided.

Today you’ll cover substantial ground, and you’ll cross the longer distances by car. After breakfast, you’ll wave goodbye to your host family and begin your last hike. Your path passes by the remote village of Tian and continues through barley fields. Gradually, you’ll start climbing up to higher regions and traverse a mountain pass at 3630 metres (11900 feet). From this vast plateau, you’ll have a magnificently sweeping view of the surrounding mountains. Finally, you’ll descend to meet the main road and a car will be waiting to take you to Lamayuru, where erosion has created some spectacular rock formations in the white mountains. Right in the centre, of this area on some rather wobbly, steep rocks stands one of the most famous and most spectacular monasteries in Ladakh. With the mountain peaks in the background, this monastery looks like something from an adventure film, and you’ll find it hard to believe that you’re really here.

You’ll visit the monastery with your guide and then drive on to your accommodation in Alchi, where your host family go out of their way to make you feel at home. They are very warm, hospitable people. If you would like to return the hospitality, you could bring along some coloured pencils and colouring books for the children. They are not used to being given such gifts and they would beam with happiness at your offering.

Today is a quiet day of rest and relaxation. There are no long hikes or car journeys. In the morning, you’ll visit the Alchi Monastery. Unlike many other monasteries in the region, it is not built on a mountainside and is much easier to reach. UNESCO has designated the monastery as a World Heritage Site, due to its exquisitely carved wood decorations, gigantic statues and imaginative murals in traditional Kashmiri style.

In the afternoon, you’ll drive back to Leh and the rest of the day is free for you to do as you wish. You’ll spend your last night in the cosy guesthouse in this town.