Foothills of the Himalaya

13 days
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Small Group Tour
Where the plains meet the Himalaya, India is at its most vivid and complex, manifested in a profusion of religions and landscapes. Join an expert local tour leader to experience it for yourself: ashrams, monasteries, churches and gurdwaras, Amritsar’s famous Golden Temple, Tibetan culture and the Dalai Lama’s hometown of Dharamsala. Just as fascinating is wat...
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$2,997
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

    • Discover magical northern India, where the plains meet the Himalaya
    • Explore the yoga capital of Rishikesh, where the Beatles wrote songs for the White Album
    • Enjoy a wonderfully scenic ‘toy train’ ride to Kalka
    • Marvel at Amritsar’s greatest monument, the serene Golden Temple
    • Head to the India-Pakistan border at sunset for the spectacular Beating Retreat ceremony
    • Visit the spiritual town of Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama

What's this trip about?

    Where the plains meet the Himalaya, India is at its most vivid and complex, manifested in a profusion of religions and landscapes. Join an expert local tour leader to experience it for yourself: ashrams, monasteries, churches and gurdwaras, Amritsar’s famous Golden Temple, Tibetan culture and the Dalai Lama’s hometown of Dharamsala. Just as fascinating is watching daily life play out, meeting the friendly local people and, of course, eating the world-renowned cuisine.Discover northern India, where many religions and cultures flourish among energetic cities and emerald hill stations

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CityDelhi
End CityDelhi

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • National Parks

Destinations

Attractions

  • Agra
  • Delhi
  • Taj Mahal
  • Tibet

Activities

  • Culture
  • History
  • Nature

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 4

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts, three lunches and five dinners
    • All accommodation
    • All transport
    • Entrances fees to monuments (as per itinerary)
    • Tour leader throughout
    • Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Start Delhi; free afternoon to explore New Delhi or rest

Welcome to Delhi. There are free transfers for everyone today from the airport to the hotel – check the Joining Instructions for details on how to book. The afternoon is at leisure and we have a welcome briefing later today, a good chance to get to know each other a little better and chat about our adventures ahead. Classic accommodation: Hotel Bel Morris (or similar)

Day 2 Train to Haridwar, transfer Rishikesh; evening arti ceremony

After breakfast, we transfer (approximately 45 minutes) to New Delhi railway station, where we take the train (4hr 45min) to the city of Haridwar. Upon arrival, we continue by road to Rishikesh in the Himalayan foothills. This spiritual city is considered the yoga cap...

Day 3 Explore ancient temples in the Swarg Ashram complex

Head to the eastern bank of the Ganges this morning to visit Swarg Ashram, a complex of ashrams and ancient temples dedicated to Hindu deities, who are depicted through exquisitely carved statues. We also visit what’s left of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, where t...

Day 4 Transfer to Shimla; visit the Gurudwara Paonta Sahib, and enjoy lunch at a rural women-run café

We drive to Shimla after breakfast, a journey that takes seven to eight hours, but we have stops along the way. One of those is a visit to the Gurudwara Paonta Sahib, built in memory of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last human Sikh Guru. Here he is said to have wri...

Day 5 Sightseeing tour of Shimla with ‘toy’ train ride. Afternoon visit to the Viceregal Lodge

We explore Shimla today. Our first stop is the Sankat Mochan Temple, which is located amid verdant greenery and dedicated to Hindu deity Hanuman. After, we drive to Shimla railway station to take the Viceroy’s Toy Train to Tara Devi station in the town of Kalka. Our ...

Day 6 Visit Fagu viewpoint; explore bazaars and the Mall Road

Take a one-hour transfer to the Fagu viewpoint after breakfast, where we see apple plantations, sowing fields and the snow-covered Himalaya. We then drive back to Shimla and visit the Lower Bazaar and Lakkar Bazaar, which cling to the hillside and show Shimla at its m...

Day 7 Drive to Palampur at the Himalayan foothills; walk through forest villages

An early morning drive (seven hours including lunch stop) takes us to Palampur in the Himalayan foothills, which is surrounded by tea estates, pine and deodar forests, and historic temples. This hill station is blessed with a temperate climate and verdant landscape, ...

Day 8 Explore the spiritual hillside town of Dharamsala

Home of the Dalai Lama, Dharamshala is a spiritual town. Here, we visit the Gyuto Tantric Monastery Temple, whose monks have a unique chanting style where they use their throats for amplification, causing an almost hypnotic effect on the listener. After, we visit the ...

Day 9 Day at leisure; enjoy included activities at the resort

Today is about choosing your own adventure. Optional activities, which you can book at the resort, include an immersive village walk, bird-watching trek, pottery and handloom weaving experience, an authentic Himachali culinary experience, or a guided yoga session. Accommodation: Rakkh Resort (or similar)

Day 10 To Amritsar; visit a typical Punjabi village

We drive (six hours, not including the comfort stops en route) to Amritsar. Founded in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, it is now the second-largest city in the Punjab state and important to the Sikh religion. The main attraction is the Golden Temple, one o...

Day 11 Visit Jallianwala Bagh and the Golden Temple; drive to the India-Pakistan border for the Beating Retreat ceremony

We visit the Jallianwala Bagh memorial park this morning, the site of an infamous massacre, in which hundreds of innocent Indians were killed and wounded by British troops in 1919. After, we head to the Golden Temple. Heavily gilded and beautifully decorated, it is s...

Day 12 Amritsar to Delhi by Vande Bharat Express train

We enjoy a cold breakfast at our hotel this morning before taking the 8.20am Vande Bharat Express train from Amritsar to Delhi. Arriving around 1.50pm, we are transferred (1hr 30min) to our hotel and have the rest of the afternoon free to relax. There’s plenty to enjo...

Day 13 End Delhi

Our adventure through North India ends today. If you’ve still a few pages left in your travel diary, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Delhi. Alternatively, catch your free transfer to the airport and begin your return journey home – remember to provide your details at least two weeks prior to arrival to secure your seat.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,220
Price per day$171
Last Updated: 12/23/2024
Departure Date
Finish Date
Double Standard
Availability
18 Apr 2025
30 Apr 2025
$2,400
19 Sep 2025
01 Oct 2025
$2,175
10 Oct 2025
22 Oct 2025
$2,325
24 Oct 2025
05 Nov 2025
$2,250
07 Nov 2025
19 Nov 2025
$2,400
21 Nov 2025
03 Dec 2025
$2,250
05 Dec 2025
17 Dec 2025
$2,250
20 Feb 2026
04 Mar 2026
$2,520
06 Mar 2026
18 Mar 2026
$2,520
18 Sep 2026
30 Sep 2026
$2,550

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Visas and vaccinations
    • Single supplement

Accommodation

14 nights hotels, all en suite Travel by private air-conditioned bus Additional travel by train Optional daywalks
On this adventure through northern India, we have 3 Superior nights (cottages) and 9 Classic nights (hotels). The accommodations typically used are on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are some of the notable places we stay. Shimla: Zion Hotel (nights 4-6) With a location high in the Shimla hills, the Zion is a tranquil retreat with views over the city and Himalaya peaks. There are plenty of spots to gaze over the mountains, but some of the best are found in Ananta, the in-house multi-cuisine restaurant, and the Elixir Lounge, where you can sip cocktails, mocktails and more. Palampur: Rakkh Resort (night 7-9) Backdropped by the Dhauladhar mountains, Rakkh Resort is a well-equipped property with a beautiful location and all meals included during your stay. This off-grid eco resort encourages guests to unplug and relax. Better yet, the available activities are complementary to guests, meaning you can enjoy a guided village walk, birdwatching, yoga session or more on your last day at the resort (Day 9). Amritsar: BluSalzz Residence Amritsar (nights 10-11) On Ranjit Avenue, BluSalzz Residence is in a buzzy part of the city, home to stores, restaurants, bars and microbreweries. The hotel itself has modern rooms, while Café BluSalzz, the in-house restaurant, serves Punjabi delicacies and there’s a rooftop pool, bar and grill. Worth knowing Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are really only a couple of months in the year when the weather can get rather cold. You can request more blankets or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this matter. Twin bedded rooms are limited at Rakkh Resort in Palampur, twin-share bookings will be given priority where possible.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

If You Cancel Your Holiday
You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the lead name or your travel agent must be received at our offices. 

Since we incur costs in canceling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as follows (see also the exceptions below): 

  • More than 42 days - No cancellation fee. Deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original booking. Any remaining balance will be refundedThis excludes all non-refundable costs as set out in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 41 and 21 days (inclusive) - No cancellation fee. Balance and deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original bookingThis excludes all non-refundable costs as further explained in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 20 and 15 days (inclusive) - 80% of the holiday cost
  • 14 days or less; or failure to join the holiday (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Certain trips may involve different cancellation charges; you will be advised if this is applicable to your holiday during the booking process.For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made for all Polar holidays. Period before departure in which you notify us: 

Cancelation charge

  • More than 133 days - Deposit only
  • 133 days or less (or failure to join the holiday) (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Notes (i) Your deposit is non-refundable, even if the cancellation charge calculated is lower than the deposit amount paid; (ii) If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges; (iii) certain travel arrangements may be subject to higher cancellation charges and could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements from the moment the booking is confirmed.

If You Change Your Booking

If, after our Booking Confirmation has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the lead name or your travel agent. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of $60, and any further cost we incur in making this alteration (including those charged by third party suppliers who provide the component parts of your booking).  You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Note: Certain travel arrangements may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

You can transfer your booking to another person, who satisfies all the conditions that apply to this booking, by giving us notice in writing at least 7 days before departure provided that the new lead passenger accepts the transfer and these Terms and Conditions. Both you and the new traveler are responsible for paying all costs we incur in making the transfer. Please bear in mind that certain airlines and other transport providers treat changes as a cancellation and charge accordingly, up to 100% of the cost for that part of the arrangement. Where applicable these charges will be passed on to you.

If We Cancel Your Booking

Exodus reserves the right to cancel an itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants ,logistical problems, a Force Majeure Event (as defined in Section 8), or any other circumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the limit of Exodus’s liability without any further obligation on Exodus’s part. Exodus is not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other trip-related expenses.

If We Change Your Booking

  1. Changes to the price. We can change your holiday price after you’ve booked, only in certain circumstances. Changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked.

  2. Changes other than the price. It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include alteration of your accommodation to another of the same or higher standard. If we are forced by circumstances beyond our control to alter significantly any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your package you will have the rights set out below.

    2.1 - We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given your booking may be canceled.

    2.2 - If you choose to accept a refund then that is the only liability we have and we will not be liable for any further sums, compensation or otherwise and you are advised to adequately insure yourselves against cancellation for any reason

Please note that insurance premiums and amendments charges are not refundable in any circumstances. 

Once you have put down a deposit for a tour, you are unable to cancel and re-book within a promotional period and we reserve the right to amend the pricing on any new booking you make within that time. If you cancel a tour and book the same tour under a promotional code, we reserve the right to decline the booking.

Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above.

If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

Where possible, we will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of TruTravels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
All breakfasts, three lunches and five dinners included. Budget at least 850 Indian rupees (US$10) per person per day for lunch/dinner in the city or en-route (Veg & Non-Veg meals). You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants, you will spend more than the suggested amount. In a lot of towns, there is a choice of restaurants and a selection between Indian and Western foods; however, this is not always the case. If you are vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations to travel to. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A large bottle of beer is approximately 420 rupees (US$5). Mineral water is widely available. In a typical restaurant you can expect to pay approximately 20 Indian rupees (US$0.25) for bottled water (1 litre), 50 Indian rupees (US$0.60) for tea, and 100 Indian rupees (US$1.20) for coffee.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
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Trip ID
exodus-AIQ

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