Head north of Delhi on our Foothills of the Himalayas journey to discover India’s many spiritual sides: from an aarti ceremony on the River Ganges, considered holy by Hindus; to the new Buddhist heartland in Dharamshala, home to the exiled Dalai Lama; and Sikhism’s holiest shrine in Amritsar. Couple this with mountain scenery, a former British hill station, and tea plantations, and this trip offers a varied and fascinating insight.
At a glance
Witness the Ganga Aarti ceremony in Haridwar, one of India’s holiest Hindu cities
Explore India’s first planned city, Chandigarh – a vision in concrete!
Ride the ‘toy train’ up to Shimla, former summer capital of British India
Visit ‘Little Lhasa’ near Dharamshala, home to many Tibetans including His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama
Wonder at the sight of the Golden Temple in the historical Sikh city of Amritsar
Revel in the pageantry of the ‘beating the retreat’ ceremony at the Wagah border with Pakistan
- Bali & Indonesia
- Bhutan
- Borneo
- Cambodia
- China
- Halong Bay Cruises
- India
- Japan
- Laos
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- North Korea Vacations
- Philippines
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Sri Lanka
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Tibet
- Vietnam
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Highlights
Itinerary idea in detail
Includes international flights from a choice of UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
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On arrival in Delhi, you’ll be met by a Myway representative, who will accompany you to your hotel.
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With your expert local guide, slip behind New Delhi’s majestic boulevards and tree-lined avenues to experience local life in this extraordinary city. On a quiet back street you’ll discover the community of 60 washer-men who scrub laundry for hotels, hospitals and better-off residents – many of their families have done this for generations, but the trade is dying out. Explore a well-preserved ancient step well, and spend time at a prominent Sikh temple, where you’ll have the chance to lend a hand in the community kitchen – a traditional part of Sikh temples, which feed people of all religions in their large dining halls. Take lunch in the hall amongst the other diners, before heading back to your hotel for a rest before your evening streetfood tour of Old Delhi. Feast on treats and sweetmeats, and visit what is allegedly the largest spice market in Asia, before stopping at India’s largest mosque before bedtime.
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Head to Delhi station to board the train to Haridwar. Indian train stations can be a little bewildering, but a Selective Asia representative will accompany you to the correct train carriage and show you to your seats. You’ll be met at the other end by another team member (who’ll know which seats you’re sitting in) and you’ll be transferred to your hotel to check in and freshen up.
In the evening, your guide will collect you to visit the ghats (riverside stepped platforms) to witness the Ganga Aarti ceremony. This devotional ritual is performed every evening at the holy cities of Haridwar, Rishikesh and Varanasi. During the ceremony, fire is used as an offering to the Goddess Ganga, in the form of candles floated on the river. Chanting and singing typically accompany the lighting of lamps by Hindu priests. It’s a beautiful spiritual sight.
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Today you’ll explore some of Haridwar’s many intriguing temples with your expert guide. You’ll also visit Har-ki-Pauri, the most famous of the bathing ghats in Haridwar. According to legend, this is where the celestial Garuda bird spilled a sacred drop of elixir, prompting both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu to visit the site thereafter. End your day of exploration at the Jhawla Market and Bara Bazaar, known for its Ayurvedic medicines.
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You’ll be driven from Haridwar to Chandigarh, stopping en route to visit the Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, a town made famous for its spirituality in the 1960s when the Beatles visited. Arriving during the afternoon, you’ll be taken to your hotel to check in and relax.
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Explore Chandigarh with your expert local guide, stopping at the intriguing Rock Garden. This 40 acre site is filled with over 2,000 sculptures, created primarily from discarded pottery and junk by government official Nek Chand, who’s been doing this for over 18 years. In the afternoon, board the narrow-gauge train (in operation since 1903) for a slow but picturesque trip through the forested Himalayan foothills to the mountain city of Shimla, where you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel.
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After breakfast, your guide will collect you for a heritage walking tour of Shimla. Amongst other sites you’ll visit the Viceregal Lodge, which was the official summer residence of the British Viceroy of India from 1888 until World War II. In the lead-up to Independence, the Lodge hosted two historic talks between Indian and British political leaders. You’ll also visit significant buildings such as the Victorian Gaiety Theatre, which was a social hub during the Viceroy era, and the oh-so-English Christ Church, which is one of the oldest churches in northern India.
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Today you’ll be driven through scenic landscape to the picturesque town of Palampur, stopping several times en route to visit local villages, stretch your legs and enjoy the views on what is a long but beautiful trip. Once you reach Palampur, check in to your accommodation in its lush surroundings and unwind in preparation for tomorrow’s forest hike.
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Spend a relaxed morning exploring Palampur and its scenic surroundings. With your guide, you’ll follow a forest trail to the hilltop temple of Birni Devi, where you can enjoy stunning mountain views, before visiting a nearby tea plantation. In the afternoon, you’ll be driven the short distance to Dharamshala, where you’ll check into your hotel and spend the remainder of your day at leisure.
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This morning your guide will take you to Mcleod Ganj to explore the Dalai Lama temple complex and the adjacent Tibet Museum, with its intriguing collection of artefacts and photos. Afterwards, visit the gothic church of St. John in the Wilderness – surrounded by a cedar forest, this tranquil spot is the final resting place of Lord Elgin, the second British Viceroy of India during the 19th century. Once you’ve explored to your satisfaction, you’ll be driven back to town where the rest of your day will be at leisure.
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After breakfast, you’ll be driven to the holy city of Amritsar, which sits close to the border with Pakistan. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel, where there’ll be time to relax before you head out for your first glimpse of Amritsar’s iconic Golden Temple. The site is particularly photogenic when illuminated at night, and devotees flock to lay eyes on, housed in the temple’s inner sanctum) during the daily evening ceremony when the text is ‘put to bed’. Having taken endless photos and soaked up the ambiance, you’ll be driven back to your hotel.
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Begin today’s tour of Amritsar by returning to the Golden Temple for some contemplative time, before visiting Jallianwala Bagh. This walled garden contains a flame of remembrance to mark the site where, on 13 April 1919, British troops opened fire on a large Indian crowd who had assembled for a peaceful protest. As you might imagine, the massacre marked a change in the relationship between India and Britain. In the afternoon, head out to witness the famous ‘lowering of the flags’ ceremony, which takes place just before sunset every day at the Wagah Border between India and Pakistan. A military ceremony which formally closes the border for the night, the ritual’s sheer pageantry has turned it into quite an event, with competitive cheering between huge crowds from both nations. Enjoy the spectacle of the soldiers’ impressive marching, before the flags are lowered and the border gate is shut, whereupon you’ll be driven back to your hotel.
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Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Accommodation options
While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, Audley trips are 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Booking Policy
- English speaking, local guide
- All accommodation listed
- Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
- Any domestic flights listed (unless marked otherwise)
- All admission fees at attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
- All meals listedEnglish speaking, local guide
- All accommodation listed
- Land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
- Any domestic flights listed (unless marked otherwise)
- All admission fees at attractions, temples and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
- All meals listed
Booking Policy
- Entry visas
- International airport departure taxes
- Any meals not listed in the itinerary
- Drinks, other than water on activity days
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, drinks, tip…)
- Travel insurance
- All other services not listed in ‘inclusive’
Please note: During high season periods (such as Christmas and New Year) hotels often levy a surcharge and these are not included in the above prices. Your consultant will be happy to advise you of these.
We'll help plan your trip based on you like and want to do. We know a lot about the place you're gomg. so we can give you good advice. WIIether you're into history, food, or culture, ue'll make sure your trip is just right for you. With us. your travel will be easy and fun!
It is easy to customize your Highlights of Vietnam tours with us
We carefully choose our expert guides and travel concierges to make sure you have an authentic experience. They're passionate about their work and will bring your destination to life with care and enthusiasm.
It is easy to customize your Highlights of Vietnam tours with us
We design our luxury trips with responsible travel principles in mind. This means we prioritize experiences that benefit both you and the planet.
It is easy to customize your Highlights of Vietnam tours with us
What our clients say about us
Alice B
22 March 2024 ★★★★★Vietnam is just epic in every sense! Stephen at My Way Travel built us a bespoke tour to our requested place's from HoChiMin to Phan Thiet, DaLat, NaTrang, HoiAn, Halong Bay ending in Hanoi & it was amazing! All hotels, 3 tour guides over 5 day tours , drivers & transport worked very well & Stephen responded very quickly to any queries. We can’t thank or recommend him highly enough for helping us create an amazing adventure for a 70+ couple where everything was booked & organised but we had plenty of free time to explore on our own & find places for dinner most nights of our 18day trip. I’ll admit I was a little worried about using an unknown to me online agent but I really didn’t need to worry. The only thing I/we got wrong was not realising how tiring a busy tour can be especially in the heat so I’d recommend having a few days on a beach or round a pool relaxing before retuning back to Europe of further afield! Thanks Stephen for creating a well priced pretty last min wonderful tour for us!
Kyle M
17 January 2024 ★★★★★Wow, what a trip and experience. My Way Travel did an excellent job in creating a customized private tour itinerary for our 5 week trip to Indochina. Stephen was very responsive and easy to work with in creating a perfect itinerary, customized to our interests, budget, and timeframe. The logistics were well managed and all the tour guides and drivers in all 4 countries were fantastic. Stephen kept in touch throughout our trip to ensure everything was going well. The drivers were all excellent, prompt, and very safe drivers. Special call out to our guides; Tony, Kay, and Loc in Vietnam, Sony and Sambath in Cambodia, and Anne in Thailand for a fantastic cultural and historical experience in your respective countries. These guides were the best and really made our trip special. The sights that we saw were incredible, including Ha Long Bay and of course, Ankgor Wat. We really enjoyed the elephant sanctuary in Laos and the Laos city of Luang Prabang is a hidden gem. The bike tours that we did in Hoi An (Kay) and the Mekong Delta (Loc) to really get into the countryside and engage with local families was an incredible experience that we really enjoyed and will always cherish. We even got to stop at a local school and interact with some of the school children trying to practice their English which was pretty cool. We had a great bike tour in Siem Reap (Sambath) and all the incredible temples around Ankgor Wat. The tours that we had to understand and experience these countries from a historical and cultural perspective, brought to life by our tour guides, really made this trip a unique experience. We were well taken care of throughout our travels and the service and people were so friendly. We would highly recommend My Way Travel for your next trip to SE Asia and will not hesitate to use them in the future. Hopefully you get lucky enough to have some of the tour guides that we had.
Garethbradburn
12 April 2024 ★★★★★This was the fourth trip we have done with My Way Travel and arranged by Stephen. As always it was impeccably organised from arriving in Bangkok, flights to Chiang Rai, tour to the elephant sanctuary, to Krabi for a few days at the beach then transfer to Phnom Pen for the higlight of our trip, a cruise up the Mekong on a seriously luxurious boat, then transfer to Seam Riep. The hotels were excellent, the transfers seemless with good english speaking guides. We cannot recommend Stephen more highly.
Leslie
16 May 2024 ★★★★★An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!
Dzintars Naglis
24 April 2024 ★★★★★Last October 10, we contacted Stephen, the organizer of our dream trip to Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in 2018, to ask about Bali trips. He enthusiastically confirmed his expertise in crafting Balinese adventures. We were thrilled to entrust My Way Travel with planning our Balinese getaway. On January 1, we embarked on our Balinese adventure, leaving behind the familiar comforts of Riga, Latvia. As our plane soared into the sky, our minds were filled with images of emerald rice terraces, cascading waterfalls, and serene Balinese temples. Our journey unfolded like a mesmerizing tapestry, each destination adding a new strand of enchantment to our memories. We immersed ourselves in the heart of Ubud, where the rhythmic melodies of gamelan and the intoxicating aroma of incense filled the air. The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jatiluwih captivated us with its cascading rice terraces, a testament to the harmonious balance between humans and nature. From the lush jungles of Munduk, we discovered Tirta Gangga, a royal water palace adorned with statues and fountains. The tranquil ambiance of this enchanting haven enveloped us in a sense of serenity and rejuvenation. As our journey drew to a close, we found ourselves basking in the sun-kissed sands of Nusa Dua, where the crystal-clear waters beckoned us to take a refreshing dip. The delectable flavors of Balinese cuisine tantalized our taste buds, leaving us yearning for more of the island's vibrant culinary scene. With each passing day, our appreciation for Stephen's masterful planning deepened. He had seamlessly woven together a tapestry of experiences that perfectly matched our desires, transforming our Balinese adventure into an unforgettable symphony of sights, sounds, and flavors. While the word "perfect" may seem insufficient to describe the exquisiteness of our Balinese escapade, it remains the only word that truly captures the essence of Stephen's impeccable craftsmanship.
Stuart S
18 December 2024 ★★★★★We had a fantastic time exploring Vietnam, Thailand & Cambodia with My Way Travel. The trip was beautifully organized to ensure we saw it all, yet paced so that we had plenty of time for spontaneous discovery. The guides were superb, they clearly love their work and as a result, we received fascinating insights into the culture of each country. The pre-planning by the My Way Travel team made sure our specific areas of interest were also covered and we particularly enjoyed the private market tour, cooking class and dinner in Chiang Mai. As you would expect, accommodations and transfers were all top notch. We are looking forward to our next journey! Every activity was coordinated to perfection and we couldn’t be more happy.
Scott
5 May 2024 ★★★★★An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!
Kyle
18 January 2024 ★★★★★Thank you for helping put together our truly "Amazing Thailand" trip. It went absolutely smoothly from the moment we set foot in Bangkok to the day we left Hong Kong. To a person, the guides were friendly and courteous. I can attest to your professional handling as well as personalization of the trip to provide a wonderful experience. Again, thank you!
