Day 1 : Arrival
Arrive into Delhi airport where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day will be at your leisure. Overnight in Delhi.
Overnight in Claridges, Delhi
Meal plan: n/a
Travel through the Himalayan foothills via Shimla & Amritsar to Ladakh
Take a unique journey through the Himalayan foothills to the Buddhist kingdom of Ladakh. Set off from Delhi to the holy city of Haridwar and watch the sacred River Ganges come to life with floating candle-lit offerings. Head to Shimla, the former British summer retreat and ride the iconic toy train. Wander through the heritage village of Pragpur and visit the home of the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala. Marvel at the splendour of the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Get a taste for India's tea culture in the gardens of Palampur and drive from Manali to Sarchu via the spectacular Rohtang Pass with panoramic views of the Himalayas. End your journey in the Tibetan Buddhist heartland of Ladakh, known for its charming people, colourful monasteries and dramatic scenery.
Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Shimla - Pragpur - Amritsar - Dharamsala - Masrur Temples - Palampur - Manali - Hidimba Devi Temple - Jispa - Leh - Shey Gompa - Spituk - Magnetic Hill - Alchi
Arrive into Delhi airport where you will be met by a Travel The Unknown representative and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day will be at your leisure. Overnight in Delhi.
Overnight in Claridges, Delhi
Meal plan: n/a
In the early morning, transfer to the railway station to connect with your train to Haridwar. One of our representatives will meet you on arrival to transfer you to your hotel. In the afternoon you will take a short walk through the market and witness the Aarti ceremony at Har Ki Pauri. Overnight in Haridwar.
Overnight in The Haveli Hari Ganga, Haridwar
Meal plan: Breakfast
Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Haridwar and Rishikesh. Visit Lakshman Jhoola bridge before proceeding to Mansi Devi Temple and Shanti Kunj Ashram. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight in Haridwar.
Overnight in The Haveli Hari Ganga, Haridwar
Meal plan: Breakfast
Drive to Shimla and check in to your hotel on arrival. The rest of the day is free to explore at your leisure. Overnight in Shimla.
Overnight in The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla
Meal plan: Breakfast
In the morning, enjoy a Toy Train ride from Shimla to Taradevi. After the ride, drive back to Shimla for a sightseeing tour. Being with a visit to the Viceregal Lodge before heading to a Hindu Temple containing shrines to various Hindi gods. Enjoy a leisurely stroll back along the Mall to Scandal Point. En route, it may be possible to look inside the Gaiety Theater. The evening is free to rest or explore at your leisure. Overnight in Shimla.
Overnight in The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla
Meal plan: Breakfast
Today is free at your leisure. There are optional tours than can be booked and paid locally, including excursions to: the quaint town of Mashobra and its forest; the former capital of the Maharajah of Patiala, Chail, with the highest cricket pitch in the world; or Naldehra. There are other walks and treks also available organised by the hotel. Overnight in Shimla.
Overnight in The Oberoi Cecil, Shimla
Meal plan: Breakfast
Drive to Pragpur where you will check in to the hotel on arrival, the rest of the day is free to relax or explore. In the evening you will go on a heritage village walk. This is something you can do in your own time or with the group. Overnight in Pragpur.
Overnight in Judge's Court, Pragpur
Meal plan: Breakfast
Drive to Amritsar and check in to the hotel on arrival. The afternoon is free at your leisure. In the evening, proceed to the Golden Temple to witness the holy Palki ceremony. Overnight in Amritsar.
Overnight in Ranjit Svassa, Amritsar
Meal plan: Breakfast
After breakfast, explore the Golden Temple and see the community kitchen (langar) where volunteers feed 30,000 people daily for free. Later, visit the historic Jallianwala Bagh, commemorating the hundreds of innocent Indians killed or wounded in the most notorious massacre under the British rule. Also see the beautiful Ram Bagh Gardens. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to Wagah Border to witness the change of the guard ceremony between Indian and Pakistani armies. Overnight in Amritsar.
Overnight in Ranjit Svassa, Amritsar
Meal plan: Breakfast
In the morning, drive to Dharamsala, the home of the Dalai Lama and a major Buddhist site. Enroute you will stop at Masrur Rock Cut Temple, then on arrival, check in to the hotel. The rest of the day is free at your leisure. Overnight in Dharamsala.
Overnight in Fortune Park Moksha, Dharamsala
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
After breakfast, proceed for a full day guided tour of Dharamsala. Visit the Dalai Lama Temple and Bhagsu Nag Temple. Also visit the Norbulingka Institute and its small museum. Later, proceed to Kangra State Museum. The rest of the day is free to explore McLeod Ganj at your leisure. Overnight in Dharamsala.
Overnight in Fortune Park Moksha, Dharamsala
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
In the early morning drive to Kangra Mandir railway station. You can take the toy train ride to Palampur Himachal station (subject to its operation) where you will be picked up and driven to your accommodation. The afternoon is free at your leisure where you can visit the tea factory and estate. Overnight in Palampur.
Overnight in Lodge at Wah, Palampur
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Drive up to Manali, visiting Roerich's Art Gallery and Nagar Castle on the way. You can also break for lunch at the castle as it is a hotel now. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and the rest of the day is free at your leisure. Overnight in Manali.
Overnight in ShivAdya, Manali
Meal plan: Breakfast
In the morning you will be transferred to Soel village where you will start a day hike north, through dense forest along the trail that climbs gradually to a ridge that provides beautiful views over the valley and mountains. You will walk across the mountain to reach a small waterfall near Sajla village where you can take a small break. The hike ends at Khakhnal village where there is an option to visit a local Government School. Transfer back to your hotel. After lunch you will visit Hidimba Devi Temple and the laid-back district of Old Manali where Manu Temple is. Overnight in Manali.
Overnight in ShivAdya, Manali
Meal plan: Breakfast
After an early start, drive to Jispa. If you arrive in good time then you can take a short walk by the river. Overnight in Jispa.
Overnight in Padma Lodge & Cottage, Jispa
Meal plan: Breakfast & dinner
Drive to Leh, crossing Tanglangla Pass, the second highest motorable pass in the world at 5350 metres. Enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains as you continue the drive through the plains, where there are tiny colonies of Marmots, Yaks and Herbs. Drive to the rugged Lachungla Pass at 5065 metres. On arrival in Leh, check in to the hotel, where the evening is free to rest. Please note that this is a very long day of driving but will include stops along the way. A packed lunch will be provided to you. Overnight in Leh.
Overnight in Grand Himalaya, Leh
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Today you will visit Shey Palace, Thiksey Monastery, Hemis Monastery, Stok Palace & Museum, Leh Palace, and Shanti Stupa. A tea/coffee break is included with locals in Stok village. Overnight in Leh.
Overnight in Grand Himalaya, Leh
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Today you will go on an excursion to Sham Valley, visiting Spituk Monastery, Magnetic Hill, Phyanf Gompa, Likir Monastery, and Alchi Monastery. Overnight in Leh.
Note: The June departure coincides with the Hemis Festival (20th June 2021), hence the order of sightseeing in Leh will be swapped around so a visit to the festival can be added in.
Overnight in Grand Himalaya, Leh
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Transfer to the airport at the appropriate time to catch your flight to Delhi. Overnight in Delhi.
We strongly recommend extending your trip across the Himalayas from Leh to Srinagar on our Himalayan Extension: Ladakh to Kashmir tour.
Overnight in Holiday Inn New Delhi Int'l Airport, Delhi
Meal plan: Breakfast
Transfer to the international airport at the appropriate time to catch your flight home.
Contact us for extensions to other parts of India.
Meal plan: Breakfast
All accommodation subject to availability. Final accommodation choices will be confirmed after booking.
The 5-star hotel Claridges is one of New Delhi’s most iconic hotels. A perfect amalgamation of elegance and contemporary luxury, it is located in close proximity to the capital’s bustling commercial and cultural centres. The hotel is equipped with a delightful temperature-controlled swimming pool, complete with sun decks, cabanas, loungers and a bar, where you can savour exotic cocktails, amidst uplifting music and ambient lighting!
Located on the banks of the River Ganges, the Haveli Hari Ganga offers boutique accommodation within a heritage building. Built in 1913, it showcases authentic carved wood furnishing and traditional Indian furnishings, while rooms are equipped with modern amenities including air-conditioning and WiFi.
Nestled in the mountainside near Viceroy Lodge, The Oberoi Cecil provides luxury accommodation in a restored heritage hotel. Rooms are classically furnished and equipped air-conditioning and free WiFi. Set within the restored grand ballroom, the onsite restaurant serves a wide range of international, pan-Indian and local Himachali dishes, while guests are welcome to enjoy the indoor heated swimming pool.
Built around a 300-year-old cottage in 1918, Judge's Court is a heritage hotel with historical significance and old world charm. All rooms are furnished with antique ornaments and furniture, while guests are welcome to dine in the regal dining hall and relax in the plunge pool.
Located in the historic district of Amritsar, this hotel is the perfect retreat from the bustling streets of Amritsar. The staff are always willing to help and the rooms are comfortable and clean. The hotel has its own restaurant and there is a full-service spa and a spa tub on site. Free wireless internet, beauty services, laundry facilities and a 24-hour front desk are also available.
Nestled in the Strawberry Hills surrounded by pine trees, Fortune Park Moksha provides beautiful views of Dharamsala Valley and the snow-capped Dhauladhar mountains. The hotel prides itself on luxury accommodation and reliable service, with all rooms furnished with modern amenities including air-conditioning and WiFi. A variety of dining options are available onsite, including a multi-cuisine restaurant and a patisserie shop.
The Lodge at Wah offers accommodation in Pālampur, 19.3 miles from Dharamshala. It is located in a tea estate. The cottages are made of local materials and worked on by skilled craftsmen from our region. The structure is made entirely of mud from the excavation on site. The beautiful slate roofs are inspired by the ‘gaddi’ tribe homes and adjusted to prevent water leakage and to look symmetrical and complete from all angles. The riverstones and slates are hand chiseled and crafted in the local Kangra method.
Built in the Himalayan style out of stone, mud and wood, the eco-friendly ShivAdya blends seamlessly within its natural surroundings, with beautiful views of the mountains, valleys and forests. WiFi is available throughout the resort, while guests are welcome to enjoy the onsite restaurant and sun terrace. Attractions including Nagar Castle and the River Beas are nearby the resort.
Padma Lodge is located on the Manali - Leh Highway in a very small place called Jispa, in the state of Himachal Pradesh. This beautiful place is surrounded by mountains from all sides. The lodge provides simple but clean accommodation with all the basic amenities. The food options served in their restaurant is not much keeping in view the remoteness of the place. The lodge does not have any internet connectivity.
The Grand Himalaya hotel offers guests tastefully decorated rooms equipped with modern day comforts. Traditional wood carving adorns the balconies and main entrance, and there are views of Leh palace and the Stok mountain range. The rooms have central heating and meals are served buffet-style.
The Holiday Inn is a contemporary, centrally located hotel featuring completely modern amenities, and well connected via both national highway and metro. Facilities include a health and fitness spa, with a variety fo different treatments available, an extensively equipped gym, outdoor swimming pool and a sauna. All rooms are modernly decorated, with Wi-Fi , 37 inch LED Tv, coffee maker and Ipod dock.
Remote villages & jaw-dropping scenery
On the tiger trail through Bandhavgarh and Kanha
Marvel at India's most incredible forts and palaces
Discover colonial Kolkata and the Sunderbans Tiger Reserve
A real life Jungle Book.
Ideal extension to Bhutan
Travel across the spectacular Himalayan Highway
After exploring the busy cities, there's no better place to relax than one of India's paradisiacal beaches
Himalayan treks, village walks and more
Escape the city and unwind among some of the most breathtaking mountain and hill scapes the world has to offer.
Visit the must-see sights and the hidden depths of India's most vibrant cities.
Travel through the Himalayan foothills via Shimla & Amritsar to Ladakh
Himalayan mountains, unseen tribes & amazing wildlife
Experience Bhutan's rich culture, colonial Kolkata and rural life in Assam
Travel India's Silk Road from Kashmir to Ladakh
Golden Triangle and the Himalayas
Textile tour of Gujarat & Rajasthan including the Mewar Festival
Experience the flavours and exotic spices of South India
Mighty sea fortresses, rock-cut cave temples, and verdant hill stations
Experience the culture and landscapes of India & Bhutan
Wildlife, tribes & rural life in Assam and Nagaland
Spot tigers, lions, leopards, buffalo, rhino & elephants
Aoling Festival, wildlife in Assam & natural beauty of Manipur
Discover Rajasthan's forts, palaces and rural villages
Idyllic backwaters, tropical forests & ancient temple towns
Perfect mix of classic sights and off-beat places for first-timers to India
Track the Himalayan brown bear & snow leopard on a once-in-a-lifetime trip
Diverse wildlife in Assam and the Sunderbans
Wildlife, diverse cultures & rural life in hidden North East India
Uncover the regal wildlife of Rajasthan
Experience dramatic Himalayan scenery, Buddhist and Islamic cultures
Take in the highlights of central India
Discover the huge diversity of North India's cuisine
Tribal villages, temples, salt flats & the world's last Asiatic lions
Discover Karnataka's stone temples, wildlife and coffee farms
Temple towns of Tamil Nadu to backwaters of Kerala
Remote tribal cultures in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Nagaland
Visit remote tribal villages of Orissa & Chhattisgarh
Colonial Kolkata, Darjeeling toy train & Buddhism
Charming towns, spice plantations & idyllic backwaters
Explore this UNESCO biodiversity hotspot on foot
Rural villages, grand forts & wildlife
Gujarat's Asiatic Lions, Salt Flats & Textile Villages
Once in 12 years - the largest gathering of humanity on earth
Track India's tigers, leopards & lions
Expert-led trip through Kashmir and Ladakh
Set foot in Ladakh's hidden Himalayan valleys
Attain lofty heights over soul-soothing Ladakh
Golden Triangle, tigers & exotic Kerala
Discover the forts, palaces, villages and desert of Rajasthan
Waterfalls, hills and living bridges in North East India
Tea, spices, backwaters & beaches
Mary Trubek (USA) , Tailormade IndiaI thoroughly enjoyed my tailor made tour of northwestern and central India. Guides and accommodations were excellent and we saw as much of the area as could be packed into two weeks. I look forward to another tour with Travel the Unknown.
Anne D'Heygers , Tailormade IndiaI visited two different parts of the Himalayas in January and one of the regions was rather remote. I was incredibly impressed with the quality of the local agents that Travel the Unknown uses in India. This included their knowledge of the local conditions, excellent and safe drivers with great English and friendly helpful guides where needed. I also knew these agents were tracking my progress throughout the trip to make sure everything was going well. They also stepped in admirably when the local weather conditions suddenly changed. I was also very happy indeed with the way Travel the Unknown co-ordinated the trip planning from start to finish. Also the way that they took total account of what I wanted to experience on this holiday; this is essential for a tailor made trip.
Hazel Fairall , Tribes of North East India, IndiaThanks for organising such a great trip to NE India Rahul - everything went seamlessly! We loved the fact that we could book an individual tour but still have flexibility with our itinerary once we were there, enabling us to take in the Si Donyi Festival at Daporijo and also be the first guests to stay overnight in a local village hut with our hosts in Papi, which was fantastic. Our guide was super. He had a wealth of knowledge and a great sense of humour! It’s hard to pick a highlight as the whole trip was both fascinating and at times, humbling. We’ll never forget the amazing people, scenery & culture we experienced whilst there and are glad we had the opportunity to visit such an intriguing part of the world. We would certainly consider travelling with you again in the future.
Andrew Martin , Tailormade North East IndiaI`m sure I could not have found a better operator for the type of complicated Indian tour I wanted to undertake on a limited budget. India is an intimidating country to visit, and I suspect that some operators look down on the first time visitor, or disparage their requirements. Travel the Unknown, by contrast, helped me all the way, and their local guides were superb.
Nigel & Margaret Turner , Tailormade India Wildlife & Birding tourThis trip was very well put together and ticked all the boxes that we had requested. The accommodation throughout the tour was of a high standard and our experiences in the national parks was wonderful spotting many different animals including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, lions, jungle cat plus countless number of birds. Thank you Rahul for tailoring this trip to our requirements.
Rachel , Spirit of South India, IndiaWe went on the Spirit of South India Tour and had a great time on our honeymoon. There was a good variety of places visited and the hotels, drivers and guides were all very good. We would definitely recommend this tour.
Tracey & Gary , Tailormade IndiaI would highly recommend Travel the Unknown to anyone visiting India. The service we received both prior to, during and following our travels was always timely and excellent. We were able to customize our trip to our liking and to enjoy a wide variety of activities. The guides in every location were outstanding! Honestly. Having travelled through much of the world I can truly say that we have never been more impressed with the quality of the guides arranged for us in each location, as well as the service we received. Similarly, the hotels were excellent and allowed us to live very comfortably while, at the same time, enjoy an authentic Indian experience. If you haven`t already booked your trip with Travel the Unknown, then either do so now....or at least give them a chance to show you what they can offer.
Keith Lewis , Monks, Tribes & Rhinos, IndiaThis was my first experience of using Travel the Unknown having enjoyed small group adventure holidays for many years. I was attracted to the company because it seeks out the more unusual and lesser known areas of a country and I was not disappointed by my visit to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. There is a clear contrast between the people and the scenery of these two regions and we saw very few western tourists particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. The tour was well organised with plenty to see and do.
Richard Williams , Monks, Tribes & Rhinos, IndiaThis was a very varied and interesting trip to a forgotten part of India. If you like off the beaten track travel it is definitely worth the effort but go with an open mind and keep a smile on your face.
Vik , Kerala Calling, IndiaThank you for organising our holiday in Kerala. I certainly wouldn`t have had the time or the knowledge to put together such a trip. Munnar was my favourite and the accommodation throughout was excellent.
Ann Holgate , Tailormade IndiaA really well planned trip. We experienced life in Northeast India in just the way we wanted to. We loved the game reserves and saw a rock python which thrilled our guides as it is even rarer than the tiger! We visited villages and were able to interact with local people and loved the busy markets in Delhi and Calcutta. A special highlight was the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland; shown to us by our very own Naga guide Kezo. Kezo accompanied us for 15 days of our trip and ensured that we had many very special experiences - even taking us to the home of one of his Aunts where we spent a couple of hours sitting by the bonfire chatting.
Penelope Smith , Assam & Nagaland Hornbill Festival, IndiaWhat an excellent service! Rahul adapted, extended and improved our trip so many times without a qualm and we ended up with the trip of a lifetime. The destinations are unusual and interesting but everything has been checked out by the team and works brilliantly. I can`t wait to do another trip.