Golden Temple Tour with HH Dalai Lama

HH Dalai Lama & Golden Temple Tour
No of Days: 14 Nights / 15 Days
Best Time: Sept – June (Except Monsoon)
Arrival & Dep. city: New Delhi
Minimum Pax: 2
Maximum Pax: 30

Places Cover: Delhi-Amritsar-McLeod Gunj – Bir- Palampur – Pargapur – Chandigarh – Rishikesh.
Brief: India is rich in spirituality and religions, shaped by temples and traditions. We want to take you a closer look at this together on this fantastic journey. Not only you visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar, we also travel to Dharamsala (McLeodgunj), the seat of the Dalai Lama. Let yourself be enchanted by the spirituality of these places.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Delhi
Upon arrival at New Delhi International airport, welcome by our representative and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2: Old and New Delhi Sightseeing
After breakfast your guide will be pick you up, gets us all fit for our first visits to Delhi. Commence from Old Delhi first visit the Mahatma Gandhi memorial Raj Ghat, Red Fort & Rickshaw ride at the narrow Streat of Old Delhi. Post lunch visit New Delhi to see Humayun’s Tomb, Government Buildings (India Gate, Parliament House). Rest of the time visit Connaught Palace or Delhi Haat.

Day 3: Delhi – Amritsar (Train Shtabadi Express)
Today we take the train from Delhi to Amritsar (duration approx. 6 hours). In the evening we participate in an evening prayer at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. It is considered the most important sanctuary of the Sikhs. The storming of the temple led to the assassination of Indira Gandhi, which is why religion and politics are not easy to separate here either.

Day 4: Amritsar Sightseeing
In the morning we will another visit to the Golden Temple. During the prayer, the history of the temple built in the 16th century could only be guessed at. During a detailed tour we learn more about the history of the temple. Afterwards, proceed to the Wagah border crossing that separates India from Pakistan. Here the border guards (Indian Army) hold a military parade every evening on both sides of the border. We witness this extraordinary ceremony.

Day 5: Amritsar – Dharamsala, McLeod Ganj (210 Km)
After breakfast drive to McLeod Gunj generally called Dharamshala. A long but varied ride through a constantly changing mountain panorama characterizes today. Today’s destination is the former British Hill Station Dharamsala, today the seat of the head of the Tibetan Buddhists, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and the Tibetan government in exile. As bizarre as it may sound: Colonial style and the Buddhist way of life come together in this place. On arrival check in hotel, rest of the time explore the local Tibetan market. Overnight at McLeod Gunj.

Day 6: McLeod Gunj Seat of HH Dalai Lama
Today you have the whole day for sightseeing and walking in the beautiful surroundings of McLeod Gunj. First visit HH the Dalai Lama’s Monastery, the Tibetan settlement of McLeod Ganj and the lively bazaars. Afternoon visit Bhagsu Nag Temple & explore once again the local market. In the evening, your guide will familiarize you with the basics of Buddhist teachings. Overnight at McLeod Gunj.

Day 7: McLeod Gunjj – Palampur (50 Km)
After breakfast drive to Palampur, you spend the morning in the middle of an educational center for Tibetan culture. In the winter residence of the Dalai Lama, the Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan Culture, in addition to a very beautiful Buddhist temple, there is a truly remarkable museum. In a vivid way, it brings the visitor closer to the various Tibetan ethnic groups with their culture and folklore. Traditional Tibetan crafts such as thangka painting, carpet weaving and bronze working are also taught here. Our journey continues to Palampur. Once there we visit the Baijnath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. On arrival check in hotel for overnight stay.

Day 8: Full day Bir Excursion (Center of Buddhism, 30 Km)
If the weather is pleasant travell to Joginder Nagar today on board the Kangra Valley Toy Train, a nostalgic train pulled by diesel locomotives. If train is not possible than bus ride to Bir takes us to a second center of Tibetan Buddhism. A bewildering number of sects have built even more temples here. Anyone who is still lagging behind the various faiths and schools has almost understood this region of India.

Day 9: Palampur – Paragpur (100 Km)
After a leisure breakfast drive to Paragpur we first stop in Kangra, where we marvel at the mighty Kangra Fort. Later drive to Paragpur en route visit some typical village & enjoy the tea with the villagers. On arrival at Paragpur check in heritage hotel. Later we take a short walk through the village and learn the first details about the temples that we will see the following day. Overnight at Paragpur.

Day 10: Paragpur – Chandigarh (210 Km)
Morning enjoy your delicious breakfast & continue drive to Chandigarh, we admire the imposing Jwalamukhi Temple with its golden domes. This is also an important place of pilgrimage for any Hindu en route to Amarnath, the holy shrine in the Himalayas. The Anandhpur Sahib complex is another example of Sikh monumental temple architecture. We only reach Chandigarh in the evening. The city was built after the partition of India in 1947 according to plans by French architect Le Corbusier as the new capital of the Indian part of Punjab. On arrival check in hotel and explore the 22 sector market.

Day 11: Chandigarh – Rishikesh (220 Km)
A visit to the Rock Gardens shows us how creatively urban and industrial waste can be transformed into performing arts. Then we make our way to Rishikesh, the end of our drive today. In this place, too, there is an almost magical spiritual atmosphere around the clock, which immediately casts its spell over us. During an evening walk we will witness the ceremonies on the Ganges.

Day 12: Rishikesh (Yoga Class)
In the early morning we have the opportunity to participate in a yoga session at the hotel. At the latest when walking through Rishikesh, everyone feels that this trip to India is different. The Beatles came to meditate in the vibrant town at the foot of the Shiwalik Mountains in the 1960s. The countless pilgrims, yogis and holy men create an atmosphere in the shadow of the temples and shrines that beguiles and disturbs every visitor to the western hemisphere in equal measure. A conversation with students of an ashram may help here. What motivates young people to engage so intensively with the spirituality of India.

Day 13: Rishikesh – Delhi (250 Km)
After an early breakfast drive to Delhi via Haridwar. On the way there we can review the exciting impressions of the last few days. On arrival at Delhi check in hotel for overnight stay.

Day 14: Delhi Tradition And Modernity
After breakfast commence sightseeing. In Old Delhi we first make a photo stop at the mighty Red Fort and pay a visit to the lively bazaar. Jainism, another religion in India, manifests itself in the temples in the old bazaar district of Delhi. Here we learn why the followers of this sect can often be seen wearing face masks and brooms. On foot and by rickshaw, you will then pass confectioners and silversmiths. The spice market Khari Baoli stimulates our senses: we sniff the fresh turmeric, are fascinated by pink and black salts and marvel at the colorful variety of herbs, spices and dried fruits. Now the Lotus Temple is on the agenda, built by followers of the Bahai religion. Our final highlight for the day is the Qutub Minar Victory Monument. The hotel room is at your disposal until the evening. In time dep. transfer to onward Journey.
What to Expect:
This program specially prepared those travllers who want to explore the rural India with HH The Dalai Lama temple (residence) in the Himalaya and Tibetan settlement, discover the major four religion in India, Hinduism at Rishikesh, daily ritual life, McLeod Gunj witness the Buddhism culture & their daily life activities, Sikhism at Amritsar Golden Temple how the Sikh pilgrims celebrate their ritual functions, & Islamism at Old Delhi near Red Fort & Chadini Chowk area where you visit the narrow streets & markets full of Islamic culture & their mood of life. You will really enjoy this program and explore rural India with modern aspect. We try to includes all major sightseeing points of Indian Himalaya, Source of Ganges, visit some typical village at Pargpur and Bir, enjoy the toy train ride at Joginder Nagar.

Price Includes
Inclusions
Accommodation
– 3* & 4* (Mixed) Categories of hotels
– 13 Breakfasts, 5 Dinner
– Room with attached private facilities.

Assisted Transfers
All Airport and train transfers as specified by a chauffeur driven car or bus (as per group size) inclusive of representative assistance. Where courtesy transfers are provided by the hotel representative assistance may not be available in some places.

Meal Plan
Bed & Breakfast, if any Park Safari, will be on full board.

Services of Local Agent & Tour Guide
Services of a local agent in all major cities and an English speaking guide during city sightseeing & park ride with English speaking naturalist.

Taxes
All applicable taxes and service charges.

Activities
Golden Temple in Amritsar, Wagah Border witness the Flag retreat ceremony between Indian & Pak army.
Dalai Lama Monastery in Dharamsala, Hindu culture in Kangra Valley & visit some heritage village. Rickshaw Ride at Old Delhi, Joy ride at Kangra Joginder Nagar, Yoga at Rishikesh.

Price Excludes
Exclusions
Flights and Visa
Any International or domestic airfare & visa fee.

Travel Insurance
We recommend you take a comprehensive travel insurance to cover your holiday at the time of booking the tour.

Personal Expenses
Such as laundry, telephones calls, hard & soft drinks, meals other than specified, beverages and mineral water etc.

Camera Fee
Still and video camera fee at monuments and game parks.

Tips Anywhere
To drivers, porters, bellboys, guides & waiters etc.

Free Days
Any guide is not included on free days / days at leisure.
Any items not mentioned in the itinerary and inclusions.

Anything else that is not mentioned in the Price Includes section.

Complementaries
English speaking assistance in each destination (airport)
Mineral water (1 Lt.) per day per guest
One Farewell Dinner in local restaurant at Delhi or Rishikesh
Indian SIM card for your Mobile phone (Value Rs. 200)
Vehicle with Wifi through out the journey.