Foothills of the Himalaya

Name: Foothills of the Himalaya
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4 (1 reviews)

1 reviews

Activity

Culture

Overview

Discover northern India, where many religions and cultures flourish among energetic cities and emerald hill stations

Where the plains meet the Himalaya, India is at its most vivid and complex, manifested in a profusion of religions and landscapes. Join an expert local tour leader to experience it for yourself: ashrams, monasteries and gurdwaras, Amritsar’s famous Golden Temple, Tibetan culture and the Dalai Lama’s hometown of Dharamsala. Just as fascinating is watching daily life play out, meeting the friendly local people and, of course, eating the world-renowned cuisine.

Key Information

Trip Code: AIQ
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: India
Carbon Footprint: 32kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All breakfasts, three lunches and six dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Arrival and departure transfers

Highlights

Discover magical northern India, where the plains meet the Himalaya
Explore the yoga capital of Rishikesh, where the Beatles wrote songs for the White Album
Enjoy a wonderfully scenic ‘toy train’ ride to Kalka
Marvel at Amritsar’s greatest monument, the serene Golden Temple
Visit the spiritual town of Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama

Itinerary

First Destination: Delhi
Next Destination: Delhi

Meals included:Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:None

First Destination: Delhi
Next Destination: Delhi

Our adventure begins in Delhi, a colourful and chaotic city full of architectural masterpieces.

Around 6pm, say namaste to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Want more time in Delhi? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: Hotel Broadway Delhi (or similar)

Meals included:Dinner

We have an early start with our train booked for approximately 6.45am. The hotel prepares a light breakfast for us, and we transfer (approximately 45 minutes) to New Delhi railway station, where we take the train (4hr 45min) to Haridwar.

Upon arrival, we lunch near Har Ki Pauri, the most popular ghat in the city. Local legend says Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu frequented this place during Vedic times and there is a temple nearby believed to be built around a giant footprint of Lord Vishnu.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or, if you’d prefer, your tour leader can take you to Rajgarhia Ashram to experience a sit-down lunch like an Indian pilgrim. After, walk around the Har Ki Pauri area (approximately one hour) to see the bustle of local life and various activities taking place at the ghats.

Late afternoon, we continue by road. In Khara, we switch from bus to auto rickshaw to complete the journey to Rishikesh, a spiritual city considered the yoga capital of the world, an adventure hot spot, and a gateway to the Himalaya.

Accommodation: Shivansh Inn Resort (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we head to the local ferry boats to cross the river and take a leisurely stroll from Laxman Jhula up to Ram Jhula – the two iconic iron and cable suspension bridges in Rishikesh.

From there, we visit what’s left of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram, where the Beatles stayed in 1968 and wrote songs for the White Album. After years of neglect, the ashram is now a melancholic set of semi-ruined buildings with interesting graffiti, though work is underway to renovate the property.

This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to wander the local market close to the Ganges before heading to the eastern bank to visit Swarg Ashram. In this complex of ashrams and ancient temples dedicated to Hindu deities, who are depicted through exquisitely carved statues, you can learn about the principles of yoga and spiritual tenets. End your day by attending the evening aarti session at Shatrugan Ghat as the sun sets.

Accommodation: Shivansh Inn Resort (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Drive (eight hours) to Shimla after breakfast. We recommend picking up some light snacks, but we also stop along the way for comfort and tea/coffee breaks. One of those is a visit to the Gurudwara Paonta Sahib, built in memory of Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th and last human Sikh Guru. Here, he is said to have written the Dasam Granth, a sacred collection of writings, plus we can see a palki (palanquin) made of gold.

After, we head to the She Haat Café in Sarahan for lunch. This vital women-run cooperative serves traditional Pahari food and was created to provide financial stability and independence to women living in rural areas.

This afternoon, we continue our drive to Shimla and check into our hotel, where we spend the next three nights. Shimla was once the summer capital of the British Raj, who moved here for relief from the scorching heat of the plains.

Accommodation: Zion Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch

We explore Shimla today. Our first stop is the Sankat Mochan Temple, which is located amid verdant greenery and dedicated to Hindu deity Hanuman.

After, we drive to Shimla railway station to take the Viceroy’s Toy Train to Tara Devi station in the town of Kalka. Our 50-minute journey is a memorable one, as the train steadily rolls through pine forests, which open to valley and hill villages. After disembarking, we transfer a little further up the hill to Devi temple for a picturesque view of Shimla.

After, we take a short transfer to a local restaurant for lunch before heading to the most impressive monument in Shimla: the Viceregal Lodge, a seat of imperial power and location for crucial talks prior to independence. The building is now called the Indian Institute for Advanced Studies and is used by scholars, though the woodwork inside is kept as it was during British rule.

In the afternoon, we visit the Sanat Art Foundation. This gallery and residence for artists has a scenic spot among pine and cedar trees with a view of Chedwick Fall. During our trip, we enjoy tea and see the varied and well-displayed art collection.

Accommodation: Zion Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Prefer a later start? Take the opportunity to relax at the hotel and linger over breakfast. However, if you’re keen for adventure, join your tour leader for a nature walk in the Shimla Glen, a dense forest of deodar, oak and pine.

Returning to the hotel mid-morning, we have time to refresh before driving into Shimla city to visit the Lower and Lakkar bazaars, which cling to the hillside and show Shimla at its most vibrant.

We also take a leisurely stroll along the Mall Road (the main thoroughfare in Shimla) to Scandal Point – make sure to ask your tour leader about the name. En route, you can take a look inside the historic Gaiety Theatre or the neo-gothic Christ Church. Alternatively, find a spot for refreshments while viewing snowcapped Himalayan peaks, if the weather is clear.

Accommodation: Zion Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

An early morning drive (seven hours including lunch stop) takes us to Palampur in the Himalayan foothills, which is surrounded by tea estates, pine and deodar forests, and historic temples.

This hill station is blessed with a temperate climate and verdant landscape, interspersed by narrow rivulets and streams. Here you can marvel at the snowy peaks of the Dhauladhar range (part of the Himalaya) or take invigorating nature treks through the numerous trails.

Accommodation: Rakkh Resort (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Home of the Dalai Lama, Dharamshala is a spiritual town. Here, we visit the Gyuto Tantric Monastery Temple, whose monks have a unique chanting style where they use their throats for amplification, causing an almost hypnotic effect on the listener. After, we visit the Norbulingka Institute, a tranquil space resembling a Japanese garden with neat winding stone paths, plus different workshops dedicated to Tibetan art and craft. Later, we continue to the Tibetan Museum and the Namgyal Monastery (Dalai Lama Temple Complex).

We then have a walking tour of Naddi, a forest-wrapped village with views of the Dhauladhar mountains. Walking through the narrow lanes of the village, you can observe the simplicity of the daily life here and admire traditional architecture. We see villagers engaged in farming, tending to their livestock and performing daily chores. Following our visit, we drive (1hr 30min) back to Palampur.

Accommodation: Rakkh Resort (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner

Today is about choosing your own adventure. There are several complimentary activities available, which you can sign-up for at the resort, including an immersive village walk, bird-watching trek, pottery and handloom weaving experience, an authentic Himachali culinary experience, or a guided yoga session – or just enjoy your free time by the pool and relaxing in the property grounds.

Accommodation: Rakkh Resort (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We drive (six hours, not including the comfort stops en route) to Amritsar. Founded in 1577 by Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, it is now the second-largest city in the Punjab state and important to the Sikh religion. The main attraction is the Golden Temple, one of the most revered sites in the Sikh religion. The city itself is named after the sacred tank (or Amritsar Sarovar) within, which is said to have healing powers.

In the afternoon, we visit a local Punjab village for a slow-paced exploration. Our tour starts with a tractor ride to a nearby farm to enjoy a sunset over the fields. We then gain a deeper understanding of the local lifestyle, interacting with the residents and watching (and joining) fun demonstrations.

Accommodation: BluSalzz Residence Amritsar (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

We visit the Jallianwala Bagh memorial park this morning, the site of an infamous massacre, in which hundreds of innocent Indians were killed and wounded by British troops in 1919.

After, we head to the Golden Temple. Heavily gilded and beautifully decorated, it is surrounded by a sacred pool and reached by a white marble causeway. Inside is the Guru Granth Sahib, holy book of the Sikhs.

Take in the beauty and serenity of this very welcoming temple before visiting the community kitchen, which is manned by volunteers who feed up to 100,000 people every day. After our visit, we have free time to explore the local market.

Later we visit Ram Tirath Temple and witness a blessing ceremony by the priest. This temple dates back to the period of Ramayana, Rishi Valmiki’s hermitage. A hut marks the site where Mata Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush and there is a well with stairs where Mata Sita took her bath.

Around 9pm, there is an option to return to the Golden Temple to witness the Palki Sahib ceremony, in which dozens of devotees act as a human conveyor belt to carry the Granth Sahib (a shrine containing the Adi Granth) from the main shrine to the sanctum, where it is kept until the opening ceremony the following morning. You will get the opportunity to witness this special ceremony attended by numerous devotees daily.

Accommodation: BluSalzz Residence Amritsar (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Enjoy a cold breakfast at our hotel before taking the 8.20am Vande Bharat Express train from Amritsar to Delhi.

Arriving around 1.50pm, we transfer (30 minutes) to our hotel and have the rest of the afternoon free to relax. If you want to explore, the hotel is close to Connaught Place, a district known for its heritage and commerce.

In the late afternoon, there is also an optional tour of Chandni Chowk, a traditional shopping district in Old Delhi, which includes a rickshaw ride and street food tasting.

Accommodation: Hotel Broadway Delhi (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Our adventure through North India ends today. If you’ve still a few pages left in your travel diary, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Delhi. Alternatively, catch your free transfer to the airport and begin your return journey home – remember to provide your details at least two weeks prior to arrival to secure your seat.

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Call us on 1 844 462 4317

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Accommodation

Classic and Superior hotels

On this adventure through northern India, we have 3 Superior nights (cottages) and 9 Classic nights (hotels). The accommodations typically used are on the day-to-day itinerary. However, below are some of the notable places we stay.

Shimla: Zion Hotel (nights 4-6)

Foothills of the Himalaya

With a location high in the Shimla hills, the Zion is a tranquil retreat with views over the city and Himalaya peaks. There are plenty of spots to gaze over the mountains, but some of the best are found in Ananta, the in-house multi-cuisine restaurant, and the Elixir Lounge, where you can sip cocktails, mocktails and more.

Palampur: Rakkh Resort (night 7-9)

Foothills of the Himalaya

Backdropped by the Dhauladhar mountains, Rakkh Resort is a well-equipped property with a beautiful location and all meals included during your stay. This off-grid eco resort encourages guests to unplug and relax. Better yet, the available activities are complementary to guests, meaning you can enjoy a guided village walk, birdwatching, yoga session or more on your last day at the resort (Day 9).

Amritsar: BluSalzz Residence Amritsar (nights 10-11)

Foothills of the Himalaya

On Ranjit Avenue, BluSalzz Residence is in a buzzy part of the city, home to stores, restaurants, bars and microbreweries. The hotel itself has modern rooms, while Café BluSalzz, the in-house restaurant, serves Punjabi delicacies and there’s a rooftop pool, bar and grill.

Worth knowing

Hotels in India usually do not have heating as there are really only a couple of months in the year when the weather can get rather cold. You can request more blankets or the hotel may be able to provide a standing heater for your room. Please talk to your tour leader if you need help in this matter.
Twin bedded rooms are limited at Rakkh Resort in Palampur, twin-share bookings will be given priority where possible.

Essential Information

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Itinerary: This trip provides an excellent introduction to northern India, with a great range of experiences and sights. It is not overly demanding, but it is a busy and active itinerary with lots to see. It takes place in the Himalayan foothills, visiting hilly towns and villages, so a reasonable level of stamina and mobility is needed.

Travel: We attempt to keep journey times to a minimum, but you must be prepared for some long drives. The roads are generally pretty good, but conditions vary. Local traffic and/or road damage after the wet season can sometimes slow us down. We mainly travel on comparatively quiet roads (which can be narrow and windy) for at least half the journey. If you suffer from travel sickness, you may find Day 7 (drive from Shimla to Palampur) and Day 10 (Palampur to Amritsar) particularly straining due to the time spent on winding hillside roads. Due to rapid development of road networks across northern India, the estimated journey times may take longer.

Monuments: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the conservation of many monuments in India. Very occasionally, this may mean that work is taking place at sites visited on this trip. As the ASI schedule is never published, it is not possible to forewarn you when work is taking place.

Travel safety advice: Due to the current situation along the India-Pakistan border, our groups are not currently travelling to this area and won’t visit the Beating Retreat Ceremony at the Wagah Border. An alternative itinerary is in place for Day 11. We are closely monitoring developments and staying up to date with the latest guidance from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Your safety and peace of mind remain our top priority.

Key information

Start hotel: Hotel Broadway Delhi, 4/15A, Asaf Ali Road, New Delhi, 110002
Phone: +91 11 4225 6000
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm
Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 35 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers.

Catching your return flight

Exodus provides free departure transfers from the end hotel to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) for all customers.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

India

To avoid possible problems at immigration, make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India.

Travellers from the UK, US, CA and EU normally need a visa to enter India. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/india
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/india
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/India.html

Travellers eligible for an e-visa, which includes those from the UK, US, CA and EU, can apply at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.

For more information on applying for your Indian Visa, including details required for your start hotel and local reference contacts, please click on this link: Indian Visa Information.

New Digital Arrival Card

Travellers from the UK, US, EU and Canada must also complete a Digital Arrival Card. This can be filled online up to 72 hours before arrival via the official Indian visa website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/. This is separate from the Indian e-visa process and this remains the same. Physical cards will remain at the arrival airport until 1 April 2026, at which point the Digital Arrival Card will be made mandatory.

Budget at least 850 Indian rupees (US$10) per person per day for lunch/dinners that aren’t included (vegetarian & non-vegetarian meals). You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants, you will spend more than the suggested amount. In a lot of towns, there is a choice of restaurants and a selection between Indian and Western foods; however, this is not always the case. If you are vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations to travel to. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A large bottle of beer is approximately 420 rupees (US$5). Mineral water is widely available. In a typical restaurant you can expect to pay approximately 20 Indian rupees (US$0.25) for bottled water (1 litre), 50 Indian rupees (US$0.60) for tea, and 100 Indian rupees (US$1.20) for coffee.

October to April is the ideal time to visit northern India. On the plains, days are warm to hot (18C-30C/65F-86F) and nights cool or mild (7C-15C/45F-59F), the lower temperatures experienced in the Indian winter (December through to February). Humidity is very low with little rain.

In the hills, the daytime temperatures are warm (15C-25C/59F-77F) with cool to cold nights (0C-15C/32F-59F).

Although the departures are timed to coincide when the weather is normally good, the weather is never wholly predictable in any mountainous area; therefore, you should be equipped to deal with any differences beyond the conditions described above.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

You’ll also find Thriving Nature, Thriving People moments across our trips. These experiences are often a highlight of your adventure, while also benefiting the natural world or local communities.

On this trip, we:

Visit Sagarmatha Next to learn how local initiatives help keep Everest’s trails trash free and transform waste into powerful public art.

In addition, we support local initiatives in this region through our Foundation’s Himalayan Community Project.

Reviews

Add new review

M B

Added October 2025

Very good exposure to several religions

Great scenery and very good oversight of Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism . Some long road travel days that exceeded the stated drive times .

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting Dharamshala

Thoughts on Group Leader

Anil was an excellent leader, kind, informative, patient and provided daily activity schedule . Clearly wanted to ensure safety and well being of guests on the tour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some of the road travel days exceed trip note times by several hours , so be prepared . Always listen to advice from Leader regarding photography in temples , wearing of head covering and removal of shoes ( sometimes also socks )

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Foothills of the Himalaya

Activity Level

Comfort Level

Activity

Overview

Discover northern India, where many religions and cultures flourish among energetic cities and emerald hill stations

Key Information

What's Included

Highlights

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Accommodation

Classic and Superior hotels

Essential Information

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

India

Reviews

Very good exposure to several religions

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

You may also like

Highlights of Northern India

Kerala & the Tropical South

Foothills of the Himalaya

Activity Level

Comfort Level

Activity

Overview

Discover northern India, where many religions and cultures flourish among energetic cities and emerald hill stations

Key Information

What's Included

Highlights

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Accommodation

Classic and Superior hotels

Essential Information

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

India

Reviews

Very good exposure to several religions

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

You may also like

Highlights of Northern India

Kerala & the Tropical South

The Adventure Begins Here