Arrive at Delhi’s IGI International Airport, where you’ll be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy an introduction to Delhi’s contrasts — from the Mughal grandeur of India Gate and Humayun’s Tomb to the colonial avenues of New Delhi planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens in the early 20th century. Buffet dinner and overnight in Delhi.

An early departure on the Shatabdi Express takes you to Amritsar. Built in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the city became the spiritual centre of Sikhism, its very name meaning ‘Pool of Nectar’. After hotel check-in and lunch, explore the old bazaars with their spice-laden air and colourful fabric shops. Food lovers can trace the origins of Amritsari fish fry and tandoori chicken — recipes perfected here during the days of the British cantonment. Overnight in Amritsar.

Start the day at the Golden Temple, or Harmandir Sahib, where marble pathways and a gilded dome shimmer above the Amrit Sarovar. The vast langar (community kitchen) has fed all visitors — regardless of faith — since the 16th century, a living expression of Sikh equality. In the evening, witness the Beating Retreat ceremony at Wagah Border — a tradition dating back to 1959, where Indian and Pakistani guards perform a display of military choreography at sunset. Overnight in Amritsar.

Venture to Harike Wetlands, a haven for migratory birds since the 1950s. Back in Amritsar, visit Jallianwala Bagh, site of the 1919 massacre that shaped India’s independence movement, and the Partition Museum, documenting the world’s largest human migration in 1947. At Durgiana Temple, you’ll see Hindu architecture echoing Sikh design — a reminder of Amritsar’s layered heritage. Overnight in Amritsar.

Drive to Chandigarh, India’s post-independence vision of modernity. Designed by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier in the 1950s, it was meant as a symbol of a new nation free from colonial legacies. Wander the surreal Rock Garden, built entirely from industrial and household waste by Nek Chand, an untrained but visionary artist. At Sukhna Lake, join locals enjoying their evening promenade. Overnight in Chandigarh.

 After a stroll in the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, drive into the Shivalik Hills, pausing for the Timber Trail ropeway, a feat of engineering suspended high above pine forests. Continue to Shimla, once dubbed the “Queen of Hills”. In the 19th century, it became the summer capital of the British Raj, attracting viceroys, memsahibs, and tea planters seeking cool respite from the plains. Overnight in Shimla.

 Explore Shimla’s Victorian treasures, starting with the Viceregal Lodge, seat of British power where decisions leading to Partition were debated. At Christ Church, admire stained glass windows depicting virtues like Faith and Charity — reminders of Shimla’s Anglican past. Spend time strolling along the Ridge and Mall Road, once the social heart of the hill station, alive with chatter, shops, and colonial history. Dinner and overnight in Shimla.

Descend the Himalayan foothills towards Haridwar, one of Hinduism’s seven holiest cities. Check in and relax with an Ayurvedic massage. As dusk falls, join the throngs at Har-Ki-Pauri ghat for the evening aarti. This centuries-old ceremony, believed to have been first performed by King Vikramaditya in memory of his brother, transforms the Ganges into a river of flickering flames. Overnight in Haridwar.

Rise early for a safari in Rajaji National Park, created in 1983 and named after India’s last Governor-General. The park shelters over 500 elephants and is a key tiger habitat. Later, visit the hilltop Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi temples, linked by ropeways and steeped in centuries of devotion. Back at the ghats, observe rituals of immersion and remembrance — traditions dating back to the Vedic age. Overnight in Haridwar.

Rishikesh became famous worldwide when the Beatles stayed at Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram in 1968, writing much of the White Album. Visit the now-ruined site, its graffiti walls a tribute to their stay. Climb the suspension bridge of Ram Jhula for sweeping Ganges views, then visit Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, where Lord Shiva is said to have consumed poison during the churning of the ocean in Hindu mythology. End your day with the mesmerising aarti at Triveni Ghat. Overnight in Haridwar.

Return to Delhi for your final day. Depending on your flight schedule, there’s time to explore Old Delhi’s labyrinthine Chandni Chowk market, built in the 17th century by Mughal princess Jahanara Begum, or visit the Red Fort, seat of Mughal power. A complimentary transfer to the airport is included.