Tours of India

In the Foothills of the Himalaya

Tour Map of In the Foothills of the Himalaya

With such a spectacular and varied breadth of cultures and landscapes to appreciate, India is a country that rewards multiple holiday visits perhaps more than any other - and if you’re looking for something a little off the beaten path, our brand new tour could be perfect. Discover the spiritual centres of Amritsar and Dharamshala, respectively sacred to Sikhs and Tibetans; listen out for echoes of empire in the winter and summer capitals of the British Raj, Delhi and Shimla; and marvel at the breathtaking scenic splendour of the Himalayan foothills, vibrantly green with pine forests and tea plantations. An unforgettable adventure awaits.

Hill Stations to Kashmir

Tour Map of Hill Stations to Kashmir

In November 2012, after 22 years the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) finally lifted its advice against travel to Srinagar, Indian Kashmir's summer capital. As we have been running trips to the fabled valley since 2004 and have been lobbying hard to have the advice eased, we are delighted to see the UK government finally agrees and are equally delighted to be able to offer this brand new itinerary which allows visitors to access this stunning part of India without contravening the FCO advice. Starting in Delhi the trip takes the “toy train” up to the Raj summer capital hill station of Shimla before making for the home of the Dalai Lama’s Tibetan government in exile in the twin towns of Dharamsala / McLeod Ganj. After paying our respects at the glorious Sikh Golden Temple in Amritsar we will then journey north into the realms of Kashmir and on to Srinagar where we have three nights based in a houseboat on Dal Lake soaking up the atmosphere of this centuries old holiday idyll.

India: Journey to Ladakh

Tour Map of India: Journey to Ladakh

Ladakh lies on the Tibetan Plateau and is the highest, least populated and most inaccessible region in all India. It is a striking destination, home to many Tibetan Buddhists and its capital, Leh, is often referred to as a “mini Lhasa”. Fascinating in its own right, it is the overland route to Leh from the lowland town of Manali that draws travellers from all over the world, being renowned as one of the world’s most spectacular road journeys. Crossing four Himalayan mountain passes (including the 5400m Taglang La), this epic journey will literally take your breath away. As we ascend from the verdant foothills of Himachal Pradesh we’ll travel past snow-capped mountains and stunning vistas all the way to Ladakh. From here we will venture even further to the remote Nubra Valley and take in some of the sights of the annual Ladakh Festival in Leh. In addition, we’ll also take a toy train to the summer Raj capital of Shimla and pay a visit to the Dalai Lama’s home in Dharmasala/McLeod Ganj. This is a big trip in every sense of the word and one that will be sure to stay with you for many years to come.