Summers of The Raj

12-Day Luxury Escorted Tour

The rituals and customs of an age-old civilisation are revealed. The mystique and sophistication of a bygone era are recaptured. From authentic India to the British Raj, you’ll find two diverse experiences of one intriguing land combine in an exhilarating voyage of discovery.

Tour highlights

• Experiencing the lifestyle of the British Raj in the 1920s
• Riding a rickshaw through the bustling, vibrant streets of Delhi for a true taste of local life
• Accepting an exclusive invitation to a remote village to discover their customs and traditions, and watch a Bhangra performance
• Watching the elaborate border closing ceremony at the India and Pakistan border
• Travelling in the prestigious 1927 Viceroy’s Railcar, through the Himalayas, to stay in Lord Kitchener’s former home, Wildflower Hall
• Lunching in style on the lawn at The Peak, gazing around at the panoramic views
• Discovering the charming town of Shimla, with its British architectural influences
• Indulging in an optional treatment at the award-winning Wildflower Hall spa

Your 12-day tour includes:

• A JOD Tour Manager on hand at all times

• Local guides, with an insider’s knowledge, who give a true insight into the culture, history and lifestyle

• Return scheduled flights on Jet Airways

• Invitation to the executive lounge at Heathrow

• Exceptional, hand-picked hotels

• 10 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

• Sightseeing tours of Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh and Shimla.

• All local and state taxes

• Airport taxes including passenger duty

• Travel by luxury air-conditioned vehicle

• Luggage service throughout

Extend Your Holiday

And now for something completely different! At the end of your tour into Britain’s colonial past, why not opt to visit Nepal’s fascinating and culturally diverse city of Kathmandu. There’s much to see and you can even opt for a mountain flight over Everest. Or if that all seems like too much hard work, choose one of our southern India extensions: laze in the idyllic surroundings of Kerala’s ecotourism backwaters or enjoy Goa’s relaxed beach culture.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 Depart Heathrow
Before you board your flight, you'll meet up with your Journeys of Distinction Tour Manager in the executive lounge, for a relaxing start to your adventure.
Meals: In-flight.

Day 2 Arrive Delhi
Your Local Guide will meet you at Delhi airport to accompany you to the Imperial Hotel, a wonderful art deco, colonial hotel decorated in cream and black. You’re then free to discover the delights of the hotel, or take a short stroll into the city to explore the shops, restaurants and bars. You’ll meet up with your Tour Manager and travelling companions in the evening for welcome drinks and dinner.
Meals: In-flight, Dinner.
Hotel: Imperial Hotel.

Day 3 Delhi
You’ll get a taste of authentic India as you travel through Delhi on the metro train and by rickshaw. After lunch, you’ll visit Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, as well as Gandhi Smriti, which is the museum dedicated to his life. You’ll also stop at the graceful Humayun’s Tomb, which was built by his widow and is India’s first ever garden tomb, with restful gardens, squares, paths and water channels.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Imperial Hotel.

Day 4 Delhi to Amritsar
Today you’ll board the Shatabdi Express for a memorable train journey to Amritsar in the Punjab, complete with a picnic breakfast supplied by the Imperial Hotel. You’ll arrive into Amritsar at lunchtime and transfer to your central hotel. Later in the afternoon, you’ll visit the Golden Temple to see the Divine Temple and Pool of Nectar. This is the holiest Sikh shrine and is considered to be one of the most spiritual locations in India. An unusual aspect of the temple is the temple kitchens, which are run by volunteers who produce 10,000 free meals each day. Embracing their spirit, your group has the opportunity to join the volunteers to help prepare, serve or wash up, all for the common good; a unique and moving experience.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Ista Amritsar.

Day 5 Amritsar
This morning, an exclusive encounter awaits as you travel in a fleet of air-conditioned cars to visit a small rural village, where you’ll meet and talk to the local people to gain an understanding of their very simple and traditional way of life. It is not a regular tourist attraction, but has been specially arranged by Journeys of Distinction to give our travellers a very genuine insight into local rural lifestyles. In the village, you’ll watch a local Bhangra performance; a lively Punjabi folk dance to celebrate the harvest. Your village guide will walk with you through the village, explaining how it operates and answering any questions. You’ll also visit a school and watch a simple game often played by schoolchildren before moving on to the village farm. After a picnic lunch prepared by your hotel, you’ll return to Amritsar for a coach trip to the village of Wagah, situated on the border of India and Pakistan, where you’ll watch the nightly border closing ceremony. The ‘lowering of the flags’ ceremony is a daily military practice that the security forces of India and Pakistan have carried out since 1959. It has become so popular that grandstands have been built for the crowds that come each evening. As the sun sets, the flags are lowered and folded. The goose stepping, foot stamping and high kicks you’ll witness may just remind you of a certain Monty Python sketch.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Ista Amritsar.

Day 6 Amritsar to Chandigarh
Today, you’ll travel by coach to Chandigarh, a modern city that’s recognised for its urban planning and architecture. Once you’ve arrived, mid-afternoon, there will be time to freshen up before you embark on an orientation tour of the city.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Taj Chandigarh.

Day 7 Chandigarh to Shimla
You’ll travel up to the British summer capital of Shimla today, to stay in the colonial Wildflower Hall. Part of the journey is on board the original 1927 Viceroy’s Railcar, which meanders gently through the Himalayan countryside, gradually ascending as it goes to reveal wonderful views. During the journey, you’ll be served refreshments and snacks by staff from Wildflower Hall. From the station, you’ll continue to the hotel in an air-conditioned car. Set in cedar forests at an altitude of over 2,500 metres, with views over the Himalayas, Wildflower Hall was Lord Kitchener’s private residence and is now part of the Oberoi group. The hotel captures the colonial era in grand style with its wooden panelling and flooring. Don’t miss the opportunity to indulge yourself at the award-winning spa where you can try a variety of regular and Himalayan style treatments.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Wildflower Hall.

Day 8 Shimla
You can set the pace this morning. If you like, you can join your Tour Manager and Tour Guide on the gentle Strawberry Trail, a relatively short walk from the hotel grounds into the forest. It’s mainly flat with a couple of short inclines, and gives you chance to breathe in the fresh mountain air. Later on, we’ve arranged a special Journeys of Distinction lunch at The Peak; a large private house with 360° views, which is the summer home of an Indian family. First of all, you can take part in an interactive wine tasting, where you’ll have chance to sample locally produced fruit and flower wines. Then, it’s onto the lawn for a garden party lunch, prepared by the chefs at Wildflower Hall. You’re free to do as you please for the rest of the day.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Wildflower Hall.

Day 9 Shimla
This morning’s half day tour takes you to Shimla town, where the British spent their summers in the days of the Empire. Originally a hill station, Shimla is now a large town that’s particularly popular with Indian tourists when it snows! You’ll visit the Vice Regal Lodge, the former home of Viceroy Lord Dufferin, which was built in 1888 in the Scottish baronial style and is now the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. The tour continues with a walk through Shimla town, where the British influence is evident, especially in the church and theatre. After lunch, there’s plenty of time to browse the locally produced, inexpensive goods, such as woodwork, shawls and jewellery, looking for souvenirs to take home. Once you arrive back at Wildflower Hall, you’re free to relax and make the most of the hotel’s leisure facilities and spa.
Meals: Breakfast.
Hotel: Wildflower Hall.

Day 10 Shimla
Due to the overwhelming popularity of Wildflower Hall, we've given you a free full day to enjoy these glorious surroundings. You can simply relax and just be. You can book treatments at the sublime spa, such as a massage, a facial or a holistic Ayurvedic therapy. You could return to Shimla for more sightseeing or shopping, or you can choose an optional excursion with one of the hotel’s naturalists, who’ll take you on your own personalised nature walk, pointing out various plants, trees and animals along the way. This evening, you’ll rejoin your Tour Manager and travelling companions for a glass of wine to toast your stay and a special farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner.
Hotel: Wildflower Hall.

Day 11 Shimla to Delhi
This morning, you’ll travel back to Kalka to board the Shatabdi Express train for your return trip to Delhi, and your final night at the Imperial Hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Hotel: Imperial Hotel.

Day 12 Arrive Heathrow
After a relaxed start to the day, you’ll head off to the airport for your flight to Heathrow, which lands in the early evening. Having experienced both authentic rural India, and the India of the British Empire, you should feel like you have a balanced view of this enchanting country, and we hope you’ll feel a strong bond and empathy that will last a lifetime.
Meals: Breakfast, In-flight