North India tour: Delhi to Shimla
IndiaLet this North India tour transform your idea of travel into a deeply personal story. Created for travelers seeking meaningful, tailor-made India trips, the journey is shaped around authentic encounters, local expertise, and the freedom to travel at your own pace.
Work closely with our specialists to curate every detail, from stays with welcoming hosts to experiences that reflect your interests and values. Take the next step by contacting our team to design a bespoke itinerary, secure flexible travel dates, and add the moments that matter most. Create memories defined by place, people, and purpose.
North India tour highlights
- Personalized Delhi immersion: Begin with a tailor-made Delhi experience crafted to match your interests and pace.
- Taj and heritage moments: Witness the Taj Mahal at sunrise, avoiding crowds for a powerful, authentic cultural memory.
- Scenic drive to Shimla: Enjoy a curated mountain drive through pine-clad valleys and roadside hamlets, with flexible stops for photos and local encounters.
- Authentic Himachali stays: Stay in family-run homestays, savor regional cuisine, and join guided village walks to connect genuinely with Shimla's local culture.
- Flexible adventure and relaxation: Customize hikes, heritage walks, or spa days, so your itinerary adapts to your energy level.
| Day | Location | Activity | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi | • Arrival at Delhi International Airport • Private transfer and hotel check-in • Welcome briefing with travel specialist • Leisure time, guided tasting walk, city tour, or spa | Delhi |
| 2 | Delhi | • Guided walk through Old Delhi • Jama Masjid, bazaars, and street food tasting • New Delhi drive • Visits to Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb | Delhi |
| 3 | Delhi → Amritsar | • Morning flight to Amritsar • Hotel transfer and check-in • Evening visit to the Golden Temple • Optional communal langar • Visit to Jallianwala Bagh | Amritsar |
| 4 | Amritsar → Dharamshala | • Scenic drive to Dharamshala • Check-in and time to relax • Visit Thekchen Chöling Temple Complex • Library of Tibetan Works and Archives | Dharamshala |
| 5 | Dharamshala | • Excursion to McLeod Ganj • Buddhist monasteries and St John’s Church • Kangra Museum and Norbulingka Institute • Tibetan Parliament building • Tibetan bazaar exploration | Dharamshala |
| 6 | Dharamshala → Shimla | • Drive to Shimla • Check-in on arrival • Leisure time on The Mall • Lakkar Bazaar handicrafts • Optional heritage walk or toy train experience | Shimla |
| 7 | Shimla | • Visit Jakhoo Hill and Jakhoo Temple • Hanuman statue and valley views • Christ Church visit • Free afternoon for tailor-made exploration | Shimla |
| 8 | Shimla → Kalka → Delhi | • UNESCO World Heritage Toy Train to Kalka • Scenic Himalayan rail journey • Shatabdi Express to Delhi • Transfer to the hotel on arrival | Delhi |
| 9 | Delhi | • Leisure breakfast • Private airport transfer • Departure or onward travel | — |
Arrival in Delhi
Arrive at Delhi International Airport, where a private transfer escorts you to your hotel for check-in and time to unwind. Enjoy a warm welcome and insider advice from your travel specialist to enhance your India travel experience.
Spend a relaxed afternoon at leisure, choosing to explore nearby markets on a guided tasting walk, arrange a personalized city tour, or simply rest with a spa treatment in the comfort of your room.
Old and New Delhi
Begin the day with a guided walk through Old Delhi, visiting the 17th-century Jama Masjid, weaving through lively bazaars, and sampling local street food.
Continue to New Delhi for a curated drive past Raj Ghat, India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan, and Parliament House, showcasing Edwin Lutyens’ colonial architecture.
The day concludes with visits to Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb, offering rich Mughal heritage and excellent photography opportunities.
Golden Temple at Amritsar
After breakfast, fly from Delhi to Amritsar, the sacred Sikh city near the Wagah border. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and settle in.
In the evening, visit the Golden Temple to witness its deeply moving atmosphere and, if you wish, take part in the communal langar. Continue to Jallianwala Bagh for a moment of reflection at this powerful historical site.
Together, these experiences reveal why Amritsar is considered among the best places to visit in India for spiritual depth and living history.
Transfer to Dharamshala
After breakfast, travel to the hillside city of Dharamshala, set amid cedar forests along the edge of the Himalayas. The scenic journey offers sweeping mountain views before a relaxed check-in on arrival.
Spend the evening at leisure exploring the Thekchen Chöling Temple Complex, a vibrant centre of Tibetan Buddhism and residence of the Dalai Lama, and browsing rare manuscripts at the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives.
McLeod Ganj discovery
Continue your India itinerary with a visit to McLeod Ganj, the seat of the Dalai Lama since 1960. Explore Buddhist monasteries, St John’s Church, the Kangra Museum, the Norbulingka Institute, and the Tibetan Parliament building, gaining guided insight into Tibetan exile culture and traditional crafts.
Wander through the lively Tibetan bazaar to discover handmade crafts and local flavors before returning to your hotel in Dharamshala for a second night.
Transfer to Shimla
After a hearty breakfast, travel deeper into Himachal Pradesh to Shimla, the former summer capital of British India and the historic terminus of the Kalka Shimla Railway, completed in 1903. On arrival, check in to your hotel and unwind.
Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, strolling along The Mall, browsing local handicrafts and wooden toys in Lakkar Bazaar, or choosing a tailor-made experience such as a guided heritage walk or a scenic toy train ride on the Kalka Shimla Railway.
Shimla exploration
After breakfast, ascend Jakhoo Hill, Shimla’s highest point, set among alpine forests. Visit the vibrant Jakhoo Temple and admire the towering Hanuman statue while taking in sweeping views across the valleys below.
Return to The Mall for time to browse local shops and visit Christ Church, where stained glass windows depict themes of faith, charity, hope, fortitude, patience, and humility. The afternoon is free for tailor-made exploration at your own pace.
Himalayan train adventure
Transfer to the railway station to board the UNESCO World Heritage Toy Train to Kalka. This leisurely journey winds through pine-covered ridges, rich Himalayan flora and fauna, and offers sweeping mountain views along the way.
On arrival in Kalka, connect to the Shatabdi Express for the journey to Delhi. Upon reaching New Delhi Railway Station, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in and rest.
Departure
At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to Delhi International Airport for your onward journey. Enjoy a private transfer with meet and greet service, luggage assistance, and, if time allows, an opportunity for last-minute shopping or a final cup of chai.
This thoughtfully tailored conclusion to your North India tour ensures a smooth departure while leaving room to personalize your plans, whether through extended stays, guided city tours, or carefully curated travel extras.
