Culture and Nature, North India and the Himalayas

Namaste! Welcome to India. I am Shanti and I will be your French-speaking Guide for the duration of your trip in India. I will welcome you at Delhi International Airport with your private driver and we will take the road to the city center. Check in, at your hotel. Visit Delhi according to your arrival time.

First day of immersion in India, in the Indian capital. You will discover the influence of the Mughal culture and the British Empire through magnificent constructions such as the Gateway of India, the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid. Do like the locals do and stop for a chai (milk and spices tea) in one of the city's many tea shops. Overnight at the hotel in the city center. Option: according to your desires, the program can be modified and we can visit the lotus temple, the spice market and Gandhi's house. Please note: The Red Fort and the Lotus Temple are closed on Mondays.

Today departure for the world famous city of Agra. En route, we will stop in the sacred city of Mathura. On the edge of the sacred Yamuna river, it is the birthplace of Lord Krishna (popular God of the Hindus and incarnation of Lord Vishnu). We will therefore visit the Khrishna Janmabhoomi Temple, where Krishna was born about 5000 years ago. After the visit we will keep on taking the road to Agra where we will arrive at the end of the day. Check-in at your hotel. Overnight in Agra. Option: If you are not too tired, we will go and drink a lassi (traditional Indian milk drink) on one of the "roof terrace" of the city to see the "Taj Mahal illuminated".

Get up at dawn to see the sunrise over one of the 7 wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Symbol of eternal love, I will tell you the story of this place, of Shah Jahan who ravaged by the lay death of his wife, decides to build a mausoleum as beautiful as his love for her was. At the end of the morning, visit the Agra fort. Also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the largest fort in India. Hindo-Islamic style, it is a visit not to be missed. After the visit, we will go to Agra station, to take the night train to Amritsar. Taking the train in India is an unforgettable experience, a real immersion in Indian culture. Please note: the Taj Mahal is closed on Friday.

Morning arrival in the city of Amritsar. Your private driver will pick us up at Amritsar station and set up at your hotel. Rest a little if you wish before setting off to explore this city and the Golden Temple. Amritsar is a city of pilgrimage for the Sikh population of the world. The name Amritsar means "the sacred pool of nectar" which designates the pool around the Temple. Then we will take off our shoes, cover our head and enter this Temple where I will tell you the story of this religion of a new vintage. Overnight in Amritsar.

Rest in the morning. Your driver will pick us up and we will take the Dharamsala route, the Himalayan route. We will go from an altitude of 250m to 2000m today. On the way you can observe beautiful mountain landscapes and as you approach Dharamsala, you can admire the magnificent chain of Dhauladhar which rises to 4342m. Installation in your homestay and overnight in the village of Naddi where you will settle down for a few days to explore the region.

Today we will visit the city of MacleodGanj and its surroundings. This city is known to be the host city of the Dalai Lama after his exile from Tibet. Thousands of people come from India and around the world to see or attend the lessons given by the Dalai Lama. It is therefore not surprising that this region is a high place of Buddhism and Hinduism. We will therefore visit the Temple of the Dalai Lama but also the temple and the waterfalls of Bagsu Nag, the Cricket Stadium which at 1457m above sea level is one of the highest in the world, the war memorial and the Tibet museum. Overnight in Naddi village.

Being surrounded by the beautiful mountains of the Himalayas and not going on a hike would be an outrage to the region. It is therefore early in the morning that we will leave for a hike according to your level in the region. The hike to the river (2h round trip), the hike to the waterfall (4h round trip), climb to Triund at 3000m altitude (8h round trip) ... a wide choice of hikes for all tastes. Overnight in Naddi village.

Today is a free day for you, to recover from the hike the day before with a book on the roof of the homestay with the view of the Himalayas in the sun or why do other activities. The region is known for its centers of ayurveda, yoga, meditation. Take the opportunity to get a massage. For athletes, the region is also known for its paragliding and other hikes available for you. Otherwise stroll the streets of the city for shopping. Overnight in Naddi village.

Today we continue the visit of the region and we will go to the Hindu Temple of Bajinath. This temple dates from the 13th century and is believed to be the tomb of Lord Shiva, one of the 3 supreme members of the Trinity of the Hindu Gods. The followers come to perform a famous ritual which consists in whispering their wishes in the ear of the Nandi (guardian of Lord Shiva) and their wishes will then be exalted by Lord Shiva. Why don't you try? On the way back we will visit the tea plantations of Dharamsala. This region is known for being the smallest tea region in India but also for having an excellent quality tea. The photos of the tea plantations with the Dhauladhar chain in the background is not to be missed. Last night in Naddi village.

Today we leave the magnificent mountains of the Himalayas to head back to the Indian capital. We will make a stop in the city of Chandigarh, city with architectural and urban heritage due to the dear French, Le Corbusier. Check-in at your hotel.

Chandigarh takes its name from the deity Chandi and Garh which means "Strong". At the time, the architect Le Corbusier made this city a unique city in India. Roof terraces, green streets, concrete houses ... It is a modern city on a human scale for India. No road communications in the city center, in fact a pedestrian paradise. Take the opportunity to stroll through one of the city's parks, and see the emblematic sculpture of the city "open hand", symbol of peace and brotherhood. Then we will hit the road for our final destination of this trip, Delhi. Overnight in Delhi.

Enjoy this last day to visit monuments that you did not visit the first day, or to do last minute shopping. Saree, spices, clothes, sculpted souvenirs ... are just as many things that you can bring back in your suitcases. For our last dinner together, I invite you to a traditional Delhi restaurant. Overnight in Delhi.

I will accompany you to Delhi Airport for your return flight. Thank you and Namaste! City tours depending on your departure time. The price included: (price based on 2 people) Private driver for the entire trip except from Agra to Amritsar French/English speaking guide for the entire duration of the trip Superior class night train with air conditioning from Delhi to Amritsar. Nights in a double room for 12 nights. Visits mentioned in the program The price does not include: International flights Travel insurance. The visa (we can do the procedures for you). Meals Day 9 activities.