A fantastic chance to become immersed in India's diverse history and culture. The tour starts with sightseeing in Delhi, where, from the teeming alleyways and crammed bazaars of old Delhi to the architecture of the English Raj there are innumerable monuments and temples to explore.

From here we take the train to Amritsar in the Punjab, the site of the famous Golden Temple - one of the most sacred sites for the Sikh religion in India and a place of bloody struggles during India's freedom movement. After Independence the Punjab was split in two with the greater part being in Pakistan and a trip to the border area is included. From Amritsar we drive to the beautiful hill station of Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh. With spectacular views of the Dhauladhar mountains, this is the currently the home of the exiled Dalai Lama and many other Tibetan settlers. We visit the headquarters of the HH Dailai Lama at the Norbulingka Institute and the Namgyal Monastery. From here we drive to the Heritage Village of Pragpur, the home of the famous Kangra school of painting and the origin of India's oldest ruling lineage, the Soods, born of sacred fire and referred to in ancient Hindu texts such as the Rig Veda. Founded roughly 3 centuries ago, Pragppur retains the spirit of this earlier era with cobbled streets, unchanged shops and mud plastered, slate roofed houses. Then on to Shimla, the former summer capital of the British Raj and retaining much colonial architecture. There is so much to see and do around Shimla that 2 full days are spent here exploring the town and surrounding area. From here we take the long but spectacular drive to the Holy City of Haridwar on the banks of the sacred Ganga River. Haridwar or 'the Gateway to the Gods' is one of India's seven holiest places where, according to Hindu mythology, the Gods are believed to have left their footprints and it remains a major pilgrimage site for Hindus. Here we can witness the ceremonial aarti (worship) on the ghats (riverbanks) and explore the town. There is time to see neighbouring Rishikesh, also situated on the banks of the Ganga and the birthplace of yoga, with its many Ashrams and temples before returning to Delhi at the end of the tour.