Worldwide Escorted Tours

Day 1: UK to Delhi Depart the UK on your overnight flight. Day 2: Delhi L/D On arrival, you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel with the day at leisure before your welcome dinner. Day 3: Delhi B/L/D This morning, explore Old Delhi, stopping at the Jama Masjid before a rickshaw carries you through Chandni Chowk market and past the Red Fort. Later, visit India Gate and Gurdwara Bangla Sahib. Finish the day at the ancient Qutab Minar complex. Day 4: Delhi to Rishikesh B/L/D After breakfast, head north into the foothills of the Himalayas and towards spiritual Rishikesh. Day 5: Rishikesh B/L/D Enjoy a morning at leisure, then visit the famed ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. In the evening visit Triveni Ghat to experience the Ganga Aarti. Day 6: Rishikesh to Shimla B/L/D Journey further into the Himalayan foothills and the city of Shimla for an evening at leisure. Day 7: Shimla B/L/D This morning, enjoy a ride on the UNESCO- recognised Toy Train at a leisurely pace through breathtaking scenery to Kandaghat. Day 8: Shimla B/L/D This morning, enjoy a Heritage Walk, experiencing the city’s most beloved monuments and historic landmarks, before an afternoon at leisure. Day 9: Shimla to Pragpur B/L/D Drive to Pragpur, visiting the Jwala Temple on the way and witness the fire pit ritual. On arrival, take a walk through the Heritage Village of Pragpur. Day 10: Pragpur to Dharamshala B/L/D Travel to Dharamshala stopping off at Kangra Fort and Masrur Temples en route. Day 11: Dharamshala B/L/D Explore Dharamshala and the upper Dharamshala area of McLeodganj. Visit the imposing hilltop location of Namgyal Monastery, then travel onward to the Kalachakra Temple and Norbulingka Institute. Day 12: Dharamshala to Amritsar B/L/D Today’s journey takes you to Amritsar, home to the Golden Temple. Arrive in time for the sacred Palki Ceremony, accompanied by the reciting of hymns. Day 13: Amritsar B/L/D Return to the Golden Temple as your first stop on today’s half-day tour. Next, visit the commemorative gardens of Jallianwala Bagh, then after lunch travel to the India-Pakistan border to experience the fascinating daily flag-lowering ceremony. Day 14: Amritsar to Delhi B/L/D After breakfast, relax before your flight to Delhi. Day 15: Delhi to the UK B After breakfast, transfer for your return flight, or continue on to your chosen extension. What you’ll see  Tour Amritsar and its famed Golden Temple  Visit the ancient Kangra Fort and Masrur Rock Temples  Explore Shimla, nestled in the Himalayan foothills  Ride the UNESCO-recognised Toy Train through breathtaking scenery  Marvel at Namgyal Monastery The holy cities of the Sikhs, sacred waters of the Ganges and spiritual retreats of Buddhist ashrams have given rise to the hauntingly beautiful religious ceremonies and ornate temples and shrines of India. What’s included ✔ Return flights Heathrow to India with Virgin Atlantic. See p130-131 for regional flights ✔ Where you’ll stay Delhi, 5 H Metropolitan Hotel & Spa Rishikesh, 4 H Dewa Retreat Shimla, 4 H The Zion Hotel Shimla Pragpur, 3 H The Chateau Garli Dharamshala, 4 H Shiva Sanctuary Amritsar, 4 H Holiday Inn Amritsar ✔ 39 meals ✔ 8 excursions ✔ Expert local tour guide Tour pace: Intermediate Spiritual India Rishikesh THIS TOUR EXPLORE Includes all meals Departures & from prices Jun 24 £2,449 Mar 25 £2,699 Sep 24 £2,499 Jun 25 £2,499 Oct 24 £2,549 Sep 25 £2,599 Nov 24 £2,549 Oct 25 £2,699 Jan 25 £2,199 Nov 25 £2,699 • Lead-in price based on 21 Jan 25 • Tipping paid locally £72 pp per tour Extend your tour Agra & Taj Mahal, 2 nights from £329 Kerala beach stay, 4 nights, 4 H B&B from £379 , 5 H Full Board from £449 Tigers of Ranthambore*, 4 nights, 4 H Full Board from £429 *2 nights spent in Delhi Goa beach stay, 4 nights, 4 H All-Inclusive from £545 Sri Lanka beach stay, 4 nights, 4 H from £425 , 5 H from £575 Sri Lanka Cultural Highlights, 8 nights, from £979 No Single Supplement Rooms with no single supplement are available. Once sold, supplement starts from £469 Includes: Private vehicle & driver/guide or driver and local guides; return flights; accommodation, meals & excursions as per Group Tour PRIVATE TOURING FROM ONLY AN EXTRA £199 PP • AVAILABLE DAILY • 20  Central Asia, India & Sri Lanka Hundreds of escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk