15 Days North India Best Tours In Himachal Pradesh With Amritsar & Delhi

REVIEW · NEW DELHI

15 Days North India Best Tours In Himachal Pradesh With Amritsar & Delhi

  • 5.03 reviews
  • From $1,245.13
Book on Viator →

Operated by Indian Travel Online · Bookable on Viator

Fourteen nights, one big north-India route. What makes this tour tick is the mix of major cities and mountain towns, then capped with the loud, choreographed Wagah border ceremony. You’re not just moving through places; you’re switching altitudes, climates, and vibes almost every couple of days, with private-car comfort to keep the travel time from taking over your trip.

I especially like that you get an efficient Old and New Delhi plan on Day 2, with a cycle-rickshaw-style way to see the Chandni Chowk area. I also like the human side of the organization: the named tour organiser Ajay Verma gets singled out in feedback as genuine, and the driver and hotel setup are described as consistently solid.

One thing to plan around: most monument entry fees are not included, so you’ll want a little cash/room in your budget for tickets (plus camera charges if you bring a serious camera). Also, one big mountain excursion, Rohtang Pass, is listed as at your own cost.

Key points worth knowing before you go

15 Days North India Best Tours In Himachal Pradesh With Amritsar & Delhi - Key points worth knowing before you go

  • Old Delhi plus Chandni Chowk by cycle-rickshaw: great for getting your bearings fast in the lanes.
  • Shimla with Kufri time built in: you get city views plus Himalayan countryside without feeling rushed.
  • Manali sightseeing days: temples, monasteries, and local art are on the program before you head higher.
  • Wagah Border Flag Retreat Ceremony: a very specific, high-energy experience near Amritsar.
  • Khajjiar day trip from Dalhousie: a scenic plateau stop that’s meant to feel like a landscape postcard.
  • Breakfast and dinner included for most nights: fewer decisions after long travel days.

Delhi First: Old Markets, New Monuments, and a Fast Orientation

Your trip starts in New Delhi with airport meet-and-assist and a transfer to your hotel. That first handoff matters here, because Delhi traffic can turn a simple arrival into a long, stressful knot. You get the first night’s rest, then the tour resets your trip with a full Day 2 sightseeing block.

Day 2 is built to give you two different Delhi experiences back-to-back. Old Delhi focuses on major anchor sights like Raj Ghat, the memorial site for Mahatma Gandhi, and Jama Masjid, the large historic mosque. Then you move into the Chandni Chowk area, which is where you really feel the pace of Old Delhi—crowds, sounds, and that sensory overload that only happens in person. The plan includes using a traditional cycle-rickshaw as a practical way to explore the neighborhood without losing your whole day in slow walking and wrong turns.

New Delhi is your counterweight. The route includes Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar, plus a drive along the ceremonial New Delhi zone. You’ll see a more planned side of the city: wide roads, monumental shapes, and viewpoints that help you understand how Delhi grew. If you’re the kind of traveler who likes a trip to start with clear landmarks, this day does that job.

What I like about this Delhi setup is pacing. You don’t just do photo stops—you get a logical split: history and atmosphere in Old Delhi, then monuments and layout in New Delhi. The only drawback is stamina: it’s a lot of ground in one day, so comfortable shoes and a quick snack strategy are your friend.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in New Delhi.

Shimla and Kufri: Summer Capital Views and a Break from the Road

15 Days North India Best Tours In Himachal Pradesh With Amritsar & Delhi - Shimla and Kufri: Summer Capital Views and a Break from the Road
On Day 3, you trade Delhi noise for the Shivalik Mountains and drive about 343 km, roughly 8 hours, to Shimla. That change in altitude is part of the appeal. The tour leans into the “former summer capital” angle with hotel time right away, so you don’t end up arriving and immediately trying to sprint around.

Day 4 is Shimla in two parts. In the morning you’ll visit places like Kalbadevi Temple and Jakhu Temple, with options such as Hanuman Temple and a stop at Christ Church, known for its stained-glass windows. Even if you’re not a temple-and-church person, these stops work because they’re set up for views and for understanding why Shimla became a hill refuge in the first place.

The afternoon goes to Kufri, about a 30-minute drive. The tour frames Kufri as nature-heavy—dense forest, snow-capped mountain scenery, and time to slow down. In practical terms, it’s the day’s pressure valve. You get a lighter schedule after the morning sightseeing block, and you can relax with the scenery rather than chasing another landmark every hour.

If you’re worried about mountain weather, plan for changing conditions in the Shimla-Kufri zone. The itinerary doesn’t mention anything special besides the scenery, so it’s smart to pack layers and expect cooler air than Delhi.

Manali: Temples, Monasteries, and a Rohtang Choice at Your Own Cost

15 Days North India Best Tours In Himachal Pradesh With Amritsar & Delhi - Manali: Temples, Monasteries, and a Rohtang Choice at Your Own Cost
Day 5 is the move from Shimla to Manali—another long drive (about 7 to 8 hours). The tour calls Manali the valley of gods, and it sets you up with check-in and leisure time on arrival, which is good. On days like this, you want the schedule to respect that you already spent half your day in a vehicle.

Day 6 is a full Manali sightseeing day: Hadimba Temple, a Tibetan Monastery, Lord Buddha, tankha paintings, and Vashistha Temple for the hot and cold water kund. Then you have Club House time and free evening time to shop around the Mall Road. This day is one of the more cultural-focused ones on the route. It’s not just viewpoints; it’s religion, art, and a sense of how Manali’s visitor scene connects to local traditions.

Day 7 is your mountain-views climax: a full day tour of Rohtang Pass, but explicitly at your own cost. This detail is important for value. The schedule also includes stops like Rahalla Falls and Solang Valley on the way back, plus Marhi, Ralha Falls, and Nehru Kund. Even if you don’t do Rohtang, the itinerary still plans scenic halts, so it’s not a total loss day.

My practical take: treat Rohtang as an optional add-on financially, not a guaranteed-included activity. Weather and access can affect high-altitude plans in general, and while the tour doesn’t spell that out, the at-your-own-cost flag already signals it’s something to confirm in the moment with your organiser.

Dharamshala: Baijnath and McLeod Ganj without Losing Your Balance

On Day 8 you drive to Dharamshala and check in. Then you go sightseeing in an area that can feel both spiritual and artsy, with a mix of temples, lake views, and the McLeod Ganj atmosphere.

The list includes Baijnath, described as the oldest existing Shiva temple in the country, plus War Memorial, Kangra Art Museum, Dalhi Lake, McLeodganj, and St. John’s Church. That combination matters. Baijnath gives you a strong heritage anchor, while the art museum and lake bring in a slower tempo. McLeodganj and St. John’s add variety so the day doesn’t become only temple-hopping.

Day 9 is lighter: leisure time, then dinner and overnight at the hotel. This is where the itinerary shows it understands travel fatigue. When you’re moving daily between cities, a rest day that’s not just sitting in a room makes a big difference.

If you like having time to wander independently, Day 9 is a good fit. If you’d rather have a packed schedule every day, you might find it quiet, but it’s clearly designed to help you recover.

Dalhousie and Khajjiar: Cool Air, Pine Forests, and a Big Scenic Day

Day 10 brings you to Dalhousie by road (around 4 hours). The tour describes Dalhousie’s setting around the Dhaula Dhar range and places it at about 2039 meters. That’s why it feels like a different world compared to plains cities. After check-in, you get leisure and shopping time—useful for picking up simple supplies and snacks so you don’t feel stuck later.

Day 11 is Khajjiar, about 18 km from Dalhousie. It’s presented as a saucer-shaped plateau surrounded by pine and deodar forests, with a small lake and a floating-island feature, plus a 9-hole golf course. Even if you ignore the golf angle, the key idea is open space plus forest edges. It’s one of those day trips where the scenery does most of the work.

Day 12 has more Dalhousie local sightseeing: Panjipula and Subhash Baoli, plus an excursion to Khajjiar again listed as about 24 km from Dalhousie. That repetition might sound odd on paper, but it can also mean the itinerary isn’t assuming you’ll fully experience everything in one visit. In practice, you may enjoy the flexibility depending on light, weather, and how much time you take for viewpoints.

Still, you should consider the potential trade-off. Two Khajjiar-related outings can feel like repeating your favorite stop rather than adding a totally new one. If you’re the type who wants maximum variety, you might compare how much time you actually want to spend there versus using Day 12 more heavily for Dalhousie.

Amritsar: The Wagah Border Ceremony That Feels Like a Stage

Day 13 is a transfer from Dalhousie to Amritsar by road, followed by check-in and then the Wagah Border flag retreat ceremony. The itinerary sets the ceremony at about 30 km from Amritsar, and this is the kind of experience that’s very specific: soldiers from both sides march in drill, bringing down their national flags in a synchronized routine. As the sun goes down, lights switch on and the crowd energy rises.

If you like watching rules-based pageantry—set timing, precise movements, big uniforms—this is the highlight-style moment of the entire route. It’s also a good late-day activity because it naturally fits into evening hours, which reduces wasted time in the day.

Day 14 starts with an option: after breakfast you can be dropped toward Chandigarh (noted as taking around 6 hours). Then you check in and later visit Rock Garden, Rose Garden, and Pinjore Garden. This part is designed to soften the trip after Amritsar with more garden-style walking and photo-friendly variety.

Value, Price, and What You’re Actually Paying For

The tour price is listed as $1,245.13 per person for about 15 days, with 14 nights in double sharing accommodations and meals included: breakfast for 14 days and dinner for 14 nights. It also includes all transfers, excursions, and sightseeing by private car, plus tolls, parking, fuel, and driver allowances.

So what does that mean for value? You’re paying for convenience and structure. Private-car routing between hill towns is expensive in time and stress if you arrange it yourself. Here, you’re buying fewer decision points: you get hotel nights organized across Delhi, Shimla, Manali, Dharamshala, Dalhousie, Amritsar, and Chandigarh, plus a guided sightseeing rhythm.

The main costs you still have to budget for are not buried in fine print in the itinerary. Monument entry tickets and camera charges are not included. Rohtang Pass is explicitly at your own cost. And lunch isn’t mentioned as included, so you’ll likely buy lunch on most sightseeing days unless your guide suggests something that’s already nearby.

One more value angle comes from the quality signals in the feedback. The name Ajay Verma shows up as the organiser in multiple notes, and the service quality is described as on time, with a very good driver, and hotels with tasty food. I can’t guarantee every room or meal matches that standard on every date, but consistent praise for the same operator and driver team usually means the route is run with real attention.

If you want maximum flexibility—changing hotels, skipping days, adding side trips—this may not feel as free. But if you like having the hard parts handled, it’s priced like a plan, not like chaos.

Who This Route Fits Best (and Who Might Want Something Different)

This tour is a strong fit if you want a single, organized loop across North India with clear milestones. You’ll like it if you care about a balanced mix: major cities like Delhi, hill towns like Shimla and Manali, a spiritual and arts-focused stop at Dharamshala, and a highly structured evening event at Wagah.

It’s also a decent match if you’re traveling as a couple or with friends and you want double-sharing accommodations plus breakfasts and dinners already planned. That reduces daily budgeting and decision fatigue, which is a big deal when you’re shifting hotels often.

If you hate long drives, you might struggle. The itinerary includes multiple full-day road segments (Delhi to Shimla, Shimla to Manali, Manali to Dharamshala, Dalhousie to Amritsar, and Amritsar toward Chandigarh). The private-car setup helps, but you still can’t erase that time on the road.

Should You Book This 15-Day North India Tour?

I’d book it if your priority is structured sightseeing with fewer logistics headaches. The Delhi orientation, Shimla-Kufri nature break, Manali temple-and-monastery day, Dharamshala cultural mix, Khajjiar scenic plateau, and the Wagah ceremony give you a pretty complete sampling of the region’s big flavors.

I’d think twice if you’re very budget-sensitive about extras. Entry tickets and camera charges aren’t included, and Rohtang Pass is at your own cost. If you’re the type who always spends hours in museums and wants lunch included, you’ll want to plan for extra daily spending.

If you want a trip that runs smoothly with a human organiser and solid driving support—names like Ajay Verma and a reliable driver show up in feedback—this route looks like a sensible, good-value way to see North India without turning the trip into a transportation puzzle.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour is listed as 15 days (about 15 days) with sightseeing planned across 14 days and 14 nights of accommodation.

What cities and places are included?

You’ll visit New Delhi, Shimla, Kufri, Manali, Rohtang Pass (at your own cost), Dharamshala (including McLeodganj and Baijnath), Dalhousie, Khajjiar, Amritsar (including Wagah Border), and Chandigarh (with Rock Garden, Rose Garden, and Pinjore Garden).

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast is included for 14 days and dinner is included for 14 days. Lunch is not listed as included.

Is accommodation included?

Yes. The tour includes accommodation for 14 nights on a double sharing basis.

What’s included in transportation?

All transfers, excursions, and sightseeing are included by private car, along with toll taxes, parking fees, fuel, and the driver’s allowances.

Are monument entry tickets included?

No. The amount of entry tickets of monuments and camera use charges are not included.

Is Rohtang Pass included?

Rohtang Pass is included as a day tour, but it is listed as at your own cost.

What is the start time?

The start time is listed as 9:00 am.

Is pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. The tour includes hassle-free pickup and drop-off from New Delhi, and it ends back at the meeting point with drop to the airport or railway station on the last day.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, but if you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience starts, the amount paid is not refunded.

Not for you? Here's more nearby things to do in New Delhi we have reviewed