- 20-28 March 2025
- 8 Nights/ 9 days
- Weather 15 - 25 C
- Fitness - Med 5km per day
- Price Range - $$
Amritsar & Dharamshala
*This tour starts in Delhi and ends in Dharamshala. Please book flights accordingly
Imagine a week in the foothills of the Himalayas, in the home of His Holiness The 14th Dalai Lama, surrounded by beautiful nature, eating delicious vegetarian Indian food, relaxing, dreaming, just imagine ……..
Join us on a mesmerising exploration of Northern India’s most captivating destinations. From the spiritual heart of Amritsar to the tranquil heights of McCleod Ganj, the stunning views of the lesser Himalayas, tea plantation and ceramics in Andretta, Art Class at the Norbulingka Institute immerse yourself in an experience that transcends ordinary travel.
See you in Northern India!
Oh the places we'll go ......
Amritsar, city, northern Punjab state, northwestern India. At the heart of Amritsar lies the holiest shrine of Sikhism, the magnificent Golden Temple, or Harmandir Sahib. Its resplendent golden façade glistens in the sunlight, symbolizing spiritual enlightenment and equality.
Beyond its cultural landmarks, Amritsar is also a thriving center of commerce and industry, with bustling markets, modern amenities, and a burgeoning entrepreneurial spirit.
Dharamshala is a beautiful city located in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. Remember to respect the local culture and traditions during your visit. Dharamshala offers a perfect blend of natural beauty, spirituality, and adventure, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking tranquility and rejuvenation.
Dharamshala is a destination that offers a unique blend of spirituality, natural beauty, and cultural richness. Whether you seek tranquility, adventure, or a deeper understanding of Tibetan culture, Dharamshala has something to offer for every traveler.
This charming town, located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, is also known as “Little Lhasa” due to its large population of Tibetan refugees. The serene atmosphere, breathtaking views of the Himalayas, and the strong influence of Tibetan culture make Mcleod Ganj a must-visit destination. You can explore the colorful markets, visit the famous Namgyal Monastery, and even attend a meditation session at one of the many Buddhist temples. Trust me, you don’t want to miss out on this gem of a place. Can’t wait to experience the magic of Mcleod Ganj with our group!
Nestled in the picturesque hills of Himachal Pradesh, lies the charming town of Andretta. This quaint little town is a hidden gem, waiting to be explored by travelers seeking a peaceful and authentic experience.
Andretta is known for its rich cultural heritage, with a strong influence of the Kangra Valley’s traditional arts and crafts. The town is home to a thriving artist community, with many renowned painters, potters, and sculptors residing here. Visitors can witness these artists at work and even take part in workshops to learn their craft.
Trip Highlights
- Visit the Golden Temple of Amritsar
- Shop at Hall Bazaar, the oldest and biggest market of the city.
- Experience a authentic culture of local Punjab with a local village tour
- Witness Wagah military border ceremony
- Visit Kangra Fort in Himachal Pradesh with spectacular mountain views
- Stay in unique and charming accommodation
- Enjoy a Timber Painting Art Class at Norbulingka Institute a facility aimed at preserving the arts and culture of Tebet
- Visit the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery operated by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo author of "Cave in the Snow"
- Visit a pottery studio in Andretta
- Take a tour of the Wah Tea Estate
- Take a rid on the Dharamshala skyway
Book your Northern India Tour
- Twinshare – $3225 AUD
- Single Room – $3795 AUD
This tour has a $500 deposit and the remainder is due 75 prior to departure.
**FLIGHTS NOT INCLUDED
Enjoy guided travel with our Escorted Tours, fully led by a certified, English-speaking guide who will accompany you throughout the journey, sharing their extensive knowledge and passion for the destination.
For groups of eight or more, a Vibrant Women Travel Host will join the tour to provide additional support and ensure a seamless travel experience.
Inclusions
- 8 Nights accommodation
- All breakfasts
- 1 x Domestic flight (Delhi to Amritsar)
- Private English speaking organiser throughout
- Fully Escorted with a Vibrant Women Host for extra care and support
- Private transport between cities
- City Tours at each location with local guide
- Entrance fees a stated in the itinerary
Exclusions
- International Airfares to and from Delhi
- Lunches and Dinners
- Drinks and alcohol purchases
- Tipping, we suggest $20 per person per day = $160 AUD and collect this at the beginning of the trip to be distributed amongst out drivers, hotel staff and guides
- Travel Insurance, (which is compulsory)
- Airport Transfers before the 20th and after the 29th of March 2025
- For onward travellers to Nepal Tour Extra night in Delhi for the 28th of March 2025 = $300 AUD Single / $200AUD Twin Share. Includes transfers and breakfast.
Itinerary
Arrive to Delhi
We have included a nights accommodation in Delhi for you just to arrive and relax and recuperate after your flight, or regroup before the next leg of your journey or if combing trips so you have a day to do laundry and catch up before starting your next adventure.
Overnight: TBA – Delhi Aerocity
Meals – None
Delhi to Amritsar
Today we fly to Amritsar, a city in the northwestern state of Punjab. A place that holds a special place in the hearts of many Indians. It is a city that is rich in culture, history, and spirituality.
In the afternoon we make our way to a local Punjab village. When we talk about Punjab and its culture it is all about its rural life and its culture which is still based in agriculture. Punjab village life has seen a big change after the 1970s, green revolution has changed the economic paradigms.
In the village tour we get you experience a authentic current culture of Punjab, you are welcome by a local family, you interact with them you see their living,
Each village happens to be a country within the country, every village was self reliant and still when we see the components of a village we come to know a self sufficient community away from the city chaos. There is a school, community health centre, marriage palace, floor mill, wood maker, and many more professionals are there in the village who cater to the local needs.
We end the day tour at Wagah Border Ceremony. Country border between India and Pakistan, where ‘Lowering the flags’ ceremony is performed daily. The ceremony is witnessed by people from both sides of the border.
Overnight WH Ranjit Villas, Amritsar or similar
Meals – Breakfast and Lunch
Amritsar Day Tour
This morning we visit the Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, is a place of peace, spirituality, and beauty. It is the holiest shrine for Sikhs and is visited by millions of people every year. The temple is a stunning sight, with its golden dome and marble walls, surrounded by a serene pool of water known as the Amrit Sarovar. The temple complex also includes the Akal Takht, the highest seat of authority for Sikhs, and the langar hall, where free meals are served to everyone regardless of their religion, caste, or social status.
Next stop, Hall Bazaar. The oldest and biggest market of the city. Dating back to the 1500s, the market contains all types of shops and shopkeepers. An adventure in itself.
Overnight WH Ranjit Villas, Amritsar or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Drive to Kangra
In the morning, we travel from Amritsar to Kangra. (Approx. 6 hours drive).
On the way we visit to Kangra Fort.
The Kangra Fort was built by the royal Rajput family of Kangra State (the Katoch dynasty), which traces its origins to the ancient Trigarta Kingdom, mentioned in the Mahabharata epic. It is the largest fort in the Himalayas and probably the oldest dated fort in India. It is the oldest fort in India! Reminiscent of an English Castle. It managed to stave off attack over 50 times!! It has 11 gates and a spectacular view.
7pm Dinner *Self pay
Accommodation – Tree of Life Birdsong Chalets or similar. Colourful chalets made in local style with mud exteriors and slate roofs, we have green fields on one side and lush green forest on the other. In a distance, are views of the snow clad range.
Meals: Breakfast
After Breakfast we drive to The Mirage stopping on the way at a picturesque Village of Palampur for lunch and a wander before making our way to Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery which was founded by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo at the request of her teacher His Eminence H.E. Khamtrul Rinpoche. Here we hope to meet some Nuns in person and have a bit of a chat, coffee and buy some Audios and DVDs in the shop, (these are great priced teachings of Tenzin Palmo and produced to support the Nunnery). The scenery in this part of the world is spectacular.
This afternoon we will arrive at The Mirage, our quirky and rustic home for the next 3 days. Settle in and take a chai on the verandah.
7pm we dinner followed by a restful nights sleep.
Accommodation – The Mirage or similar (The Mirage is a retreat and heritage homestay in the foothills of the Dhauladhar range. Please note it is very rustic and bathrooms may be shared. As always beds can be firm and hot water not always plentiful so please adjust your expectations accordingly.)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Yoga and Andretta Arts Community
Today starts with an optional 2 hour yoga and meditation class with our local India Yoga teacher.
Then we visit a local Artists Colony of Andretta for a clay workshop.
This colony was started some 75 years ago by an Irish woman named Norah Richards, a dramatist and environmentalist lived in Andretta from the mid 30’s, through the time of partition until her death in 1971. She was a formidable and resourceful Irish woman, passionate about Shakespeare, who built an adobe house here in the English style. She taught Punjabi students how to perform plays in a small outdoor theatre outside her home. Her adobe house has recently been renovated by the Punjabi University Patiala, with the skills of local artisans.
Andretta Pottery and Craft Society – This is a working art pottery making attractive earthenware with rangoli style slip designs. The pottery offers 3 month classes for students. Also attached to the pottery is a Terracotta Museum. While the main collection in this museum is the work of local village potters from the neighbouring parts, the museum also has a house collection of pottery from around the globe including several works from Mexico, England and Holland. — For more about Andretta Pottery go towww.andrettapottery.com
After lunch take a leisurely 2km stroll to the Sobha Singh Art Gallery – The Art Gallery is a display of work by the famous painter of Sikh gurus, Sobha Singh, created over his three decades in Andretta. He was another of Norah’s artist friends that she brought together to share her dream.
Late afternoon relax at The Mirage.
Accommodation – The Mirage
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After an easy breakfast we visit the Wah Tea Estate for a guided tour and tea tasting. Nestled in the lush green hills of India, lies the enchanting Wah Tea Estate. This picturesque plantation is not only a sight to behold, but also a haven for tea lovers. From the moment you step foot on the estate, you are greeted with the sweet aroma of freshly brewed tea.
The Wah Tea Estate offers a unique tea tasting and tour experience, where you can learn about the history and process of tea making. From plucking the leaves to the final packaging, you’ll get a firsthand look at the intricate process that goes into making the perfect cup of tea.
And of course, no tour is complete without a taste test. Indulge in a variety of teas, from classic black to exotic blends, and discover your new favorite. The knowledgeable staff will guide you through the flavours and nuances of each tea, making it a truly immersive experience.
Have a light lunch at the Tea Cafe *self pay before heading on to our next stop Norling House located in the Norbulingka Institute.
This afternoon we have a timber painting art class followed by a tour of the Norbulingka Institute.
Accommodation – Norling House (housed within Norbulingka Institutes grounds this is a very special and spiritual and artistic place I feel so blessed to be able to take you here.)
Meals: Breakfast
Mcleod Ganj
After breakfast we explore the Kangra Arts Museum Followed by a ride on the the sky rail to explore (with our local guide) McLeod Ganj, home of the Dalai Lama in Exile. Visit the Kalachakra temple and have time to wander the shops for Tibetan wares. Purchase your beautiful singing bowls and tingshas, lovely shawls and other handmade products from the Tibetan market. Meet at the Namgyal Monastery home to the Dalai Lama.
*Optional walk to Bhagsu Nag WaterfallHave lunch at a local cafe *self-pay
After our time in McLeod Ganj we will stop at St. John’s Church in the Wilderness, an eminent landmark in the hill town of McLeod Ganj. This church is an ancient church in Himachal Pradesh that was erected in the year 1852. The most interesting aspect of this church is that it stands amid the lush green surroundings of a forested area. Such surroundings enhance its charm to a great extent. This church is built in the Neo-Gothic style of architecture and is one of the key attractions located in Mcleod Ganj.
7pm Dinner *selfpay
Accommodation – Norling House
Meals: Breakfast
Departure Day
Check out after breakfast and depart for your onward flight.
This tour concludes in Dharamshala please book your flight back to Delhi or home from Kangra airport.
*If attending the Nepal Nature Retreat we suggest adding an extra night in Delhi on the 28th of March before flying to Kathmandu on the 29th of March 2025.
We hope you had a wonderful time and that we get to see you again soon.
Requirements:
This tour has a lot of walking and requires a moderate level of fitness. There are steep stairs, uneven roads and footpaths. You may need to walk several kilometres in a day. You need to be fairly fit to attend this tour.
MEET OUR AMAZING TOUR LEADER – NITI JANGRA
Nitin is in charge of the logistics of your tour. He has arranged everything so you can have a seamless journey. From accommodation, to transport to guides, he has everything under control. Cool, calm and collected he hails from Chandigarh in Northern India and was previously the manager of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel!
Nitin’s extensive knowledge of Northern India make him an exceptional tour leader. He loves showcasing the rich culture, history, and beautiful landscapes of his homeland to travellers from all over the world.
Vibrant Women with a heart ♥
Please know that $25 of your booking goes towards supporting our charity Samadhan Dwarka and the amazing work they do in supporting children with an intellectual disability in India, so THANK YOU!
If you want to make the most of your adventure you can join our “Nepal Nature Retreat” after this trip.
From the Pokhara trekking experience with an excellent view of the Annapurna ranges and beautiful sunrise and sunsets over the Himalayas, to a rejuvenating yoga retreat in Nammo Buddha, be surprised by the landscapes and diversity Nepal has to offer.
See you in Nepal!
If you have any questions regarding this tour, just contact us at [email protected]
Our suggested flights to book to travel as a group on the 28 March 2025 is at 9.55am with Indigo Airlines flight number 6E-7484 arriving to Delhi at 11.30am.
You can depart anytime on the 29th of March 2025.
*For people joining the Nepal Nature Retreat after thsi tour you will travel on the 29th of March 2025 from Delhi to Kathmandu we suggest booking Indigo Airlines flight number CS6E 1153 – Depart 10:55 DEL, T3 – 01h 55m – Arrive Kathmandu 13:05 KTM. To travel together as a group.
Cancellation Policy – Up until 75 days before the start of the tour a $500 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit will be retained. For between 75 days and 45 days, 50% will be forfeited in addition to the non refundable, non-transferable deposit. For less than 45 days or for no shows the entire amount will be retained as we would have already had to pay for accommodation, transport, flights and activities, and this money will not be returned to us. Once the tour has commenced no monies will be returned to you. This is why travel insurance is compulsory.
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate complex dietary issues on our tours. If it is something you can manage yourself that is fine. But we cannot be responsible for peoples health and wellbeing in regards to food in foreign countries as sometimes things get lost in translation. WE hope you understand. WE don’t ever want our guests to become unwell whilst travelling with us.
All our tours require a minimum level of fitness to attend. Guests must be able to walk up to 5km a day at pace. Get on and off buses. Climb stairs and walk on cobblestone and uneven footpaths.
