Winter in the Indian Himalayas

Delhi – The Heart of India Begin your journey in Delhi, a city that has been the seat of power for centuries and still hums with life, energy, and timeless stories. With over 18 million residents, Delhi is both ancient and modern — a kaleidoscope of cultures, architecture, and flavours. Wander through Old Delhi, where tangled lanes and bustling bazaars reveal hidden treasures — lanes lined with spices, silver, bangles, and street vendors offering everything from sweets to handicrafts. Experience it all on a traditional cycle rickshaw, weaving through history in motion. In New Delhi, discover the vision of Sir Edwin Lutyens, whose sweeping avenues and stately buildings form the city’s colonial heart. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, the first Mughal garden tomb and an inspiration for the Taj Mahal, and stand before the Qutb Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Delhi is also a city to pause — whether in a serene Mughal garden or over a plate of aromatic biryani — and simply absorb the rhythm of India’s capital.

Chandigarh – The City Beautiful Next, fly north to Chandigarh, a city unlike any other in India. Designed by the legendary architect Le Corbusier, it is a modernist masterpiece — clean, green, and thoughtfully planned. Wide boulevards, landscaped gardens, and geometric architecture come together in harmony beneath the Shivalik foothills. Visit the imaginative Rock Garden, a vast fantasyland of sculptures created from recycled materials, and stroll through the serene Rose Garden — Asia’s largest — bursting with colour and fragrance. Your stay at the Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa promises rejuvenation: unwind at the Ayurvedic spa, practice yoga surrounded by forest, or enjoy quiet leisure by the pool. Chandigarh’s balance of art, design, and serenity makes it a refreshing pause in your journey.

Shimla – Echoes of the Raj in the Himalayas Journey into the Himalayas to Shimla, once the summer capital of British India and now the crown of Himachal Pradesh. Grand colonial buildings, crisp mountain air, and sweeping views of snow-clad peaks give the town its timeless charm. Stay at the elegant Wildflower Hall, nestled high among cedar forests — a sanctuary of serenity and luxury. Enjoy a guided hike through Mashobra Valley, passing quiet villages, apple orchards, and ancient temples. Later, take a ride on the UNESCO-listed Kalka–Shimla Toy Train, followed by lunch at the historic Oberoi Cecil, and explore Shimla’s colonial landmarks and bustling Mall Road. For a touch of adventure, cycle through the Water Catchment Sanctuary, where pine and rhododendron forests shelter deer and mountain birds. Evenings invite you to unwind by the fire, watching mist drift over the hills — the perfect finale to your Himalayan escape.