Mountains & Mystics of India

13 Days | Say namaste to Himalayan foothills and spiritual awakening.

4.8 out of 5 based on 65 reviews submitted.
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CHF  1,092
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Take a tour of India and be introduced to the Mountains and Mystics of this incredible country. This is a journey of the body, mind, and spirit as you travel through the foothills of the world's highest mountains – the Himalayas. These mystical lands look and feel very different from the rest of India – from the food and clothes to the crisp, clean mountain air and spiritual soul of the locals. Discover it all on a 13-day enlightening adventure, and be enchanted by a land in perfect balance between physical and spiritual worlds.

Trip overview

Map of Mountains & Mystics Of India including India
Start
Delhi, India
Finish
Delhi, India
Theme
Explorer
Destinations
India
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
HHSF
This trip generates 41.27 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • The colonial charm and cool mountain air of Shimla Hill Station and a scenic ride on the World Heritage-listed ‘toy-train’ is the perfect way to experience this Himalayan hideout.
  • Explore the home of the Dalai Lama – Dharmasala. This highland haven is the ideal place for an enlightening experience of Tibetan spirituality, culture, and history.
  • Witness a unique ‘performance’ of the flag ceremony at India and Pakistan's Wagah border – a daily practice conducted since 1959, drawing crowds for its unconventional and ostentatious practices.
  • Learn about Sikhism on an included visit to the one of most sacred monuments of the faith – the luminous Golden Temple in Amritsar.
  • Breeze through the self-proclaimed ‘Yoga Capital of the World’ in Rishikesh, walking along the holy Ganges, and explore the crumbling beauty and famous mural-lined walls of the Chaurasi Kutia ashram.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Positive Change for Marine Life. Donations help them to nurture ocean health with community-led conservation initiatives that inspire coastal restoration, sustainable fishing practices and waste-management.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip involves some long train rides, which can be tiresome but offer a quintessential Indian experience. Your overnight sleeper train from Amritsar to Haridwar takes approximately 10 hours. Sleeper trains are clean and air-conditioned and a great way to travel long distances while still getting maximum time in each place. Beds are padded berths with sheets, pillow and blanket provided (although some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Please note that you may be sharing with locals of the same or opposite gender. Long-distance and overnight trains can often be delayed and occasionally cancelled due to heavy fog between December and February.
  • Part of travelling with Intrepid means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. That way you get the most out of your interactions with local people and environments. We visit a number of temples on this trip, which requires a certain level of modesty. Please bring clothes that cover the arms and pants/skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it's hot.
  • This trip travels into the Himalayas, where temperatures can get very low. We don't run the trip in winter, but ensure that you're well prepared for cold weather at any time of the year (particularly from November to March). The sun can also be strong at higher altitudes, so make sure you bring a hat, sunscreen and any other sun protection.
  • We'll be taking a private vehicle between Mandi and Dharmsala. The road through the mountains is rough and bumpy, but the scenery, adventure and opportunity to mingle with locals will (hopefully) distract you from any discomfort.
  • In Dharmsala, our vehicle can't get all the way to the hotel so some walking (approximately 500 metres) with your luggage will be required.
  • As Rishikesh is a sacred town, no alcohol consumption is permitted during our time here.

Itinerary

Map of Mountains & Mystics Of India including India

Inclusions

Meals

1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Transport

Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle, Public bus, Train, Heritage Train, Metro, Cycle rickshaw, Taxi

Accommodation

Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night), Hotel (9 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night), Heritage Hotel (1 night)

Activities
  • Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour
  • Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque
  • Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
  • Shimla - Leader-led walking tour
  • Shimla - Viceregal Lodge
  • Mandi - Leader-led walking tour
  • Dharamsala - Norbulingka Institute
  • Dharamsala - Dalai Lama Temple
  • Amritsar - Golden Temple
  • Amritsar - Jallianwallah Bagh
  • Amritsar - Wagah Border ceremony
  • Rishikesh - Leader-led walking tour
  • Rishikesh - Chaurasi Kutia 'The Beatles Ashram'
Add on activities
  • Delhi - Qutub Minar - INR600
  • Delhi - Humayun's Tomb - INR600
  • Delhi - Gandhi's Delhi Urban Adventure - INR3350
  • Delhi - Home-Cooked Delhi Urban Adventure - INR4000
  • Delhi - Delhi Food Walk Urban Adventure - INR3750
  • Shimla - Cinema - INR100
  • Shimla - Jakhu Temple - Free
  • Shimla - Lakkhar Bazar - Free
  • Dharamsala - Cooking Class - INR400
  • Dharamsala - Losel Doll Museum - INR50
  • Rishikesh - Yoga Class - INR600
  • Rishikesh - White Water Rafting - INR1500
  • Delhi - Culture Vulture Delhi Urban Adventure - INR2500

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 9 (overnight sleeper train) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please note that due to train arrival times there may not be any free time in Delhi at the end of this tour. We advise booking additional accommodation to extend your stay.

3. Please provide your full name exactly as it appears on your passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport. Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 65 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Zoe · Traveled February 2024
A fantastic trip! Away from the main touristy places as I’d hoped but amazing nonetheless! Seeing the real India and loved every minute!! My second trip with Intrepid Travel and I’ll definitely use them again.
Review submitted 24 Feb 2024

Peter · Traveled January 2024
Great tour packed full of exciting experiences ,led by wonderful guide Saby using local resource wherever possible. The small group (10) experience enhanced the relaxed understanding of the wonderful country which is India!
Review submitted 20 Jan 2024

Kathryn · Traveled January 2024
A phenomenal, immersive trip to a less visited part of India. So many highlights but the combination of history, religion, culture and mountains completely fabulous. Golden temple was my overwhelming and witnessing prayer ceremonies was humbling. I loved it. Saby was a fantastic leader
Review submitted 19 Jan 2024

Alun · Traveled January 2024
An outstanding trip superbly managed by Saby our brilliant tour guide. His whole approach in leading, teaching, managing challenges whilst bringing India to life was simply outstanding. Tour brought to life the complexities and contrasts of a beautiful and mystical India but with plenty of time for conversation, fun and refelction. Thank you Saby and thank you Intrepid.
Review submitted 19 Jan 2024

Brony · Traveled January 2024
An outstanding trip. Wonderful to spend time outside of large cities and to explore the many cultures of India and important history. Prerna was a fantastic leader.
Review submitted 13 Jan 2024
Mountains & Mystics of India
From
CHF  1,092