Today to start with Diwali The Festival Of Lights Tour India, you will be met from your flight to New Delhi International Airport by Summit Safari’s representative and driver, and we will transfer you to your hotel in New Delhi. Rest of the day is free at leisure to relax after the flight.

Meals Plan: Dinner is included.

Please Note: You can also choose to start your tour from Amritsar international airport or can fly from New Delhi to Amritsar also. It is an international airport in Punjab state of India, having flights from London, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. This all we’ll discuss with you while planning your holiday tour.

Today make an easy start after the breakfast and check out from the hotel at 9:30 A.M and we will take you for the private guided tour of Delhi to view some of the famous sights of the old and new parts of the city. Your excursions include the Gandhi Smriti, also known as the Birla house where –Mahatma Gandhi had lived the last 144 days of his life from 9 September 1947 to 30 January 1948 when he was assassinated in 78th year of life. We’ll also visit the India gate and the Parliament House of India from Outside . We will have a walking tour with your guide in the heart of old Delhi and covering the Chandni Chowk bazaar with the interesting lanes of Old Delhi. We will also take a walking tour through Khari Baoli – Asia’s largest Spice market in Old Delhi. Today the part of our tour also includes a bicycle rickshaw ride in old Delhi or a Tuk Tuk ( Three wheeler ) ride in New Delhi for you.

You will have lunch in a local restaurant in Delhi and later you will be transferred to New Delhi railway station to board the super fast Shatabdi express train leaving New Delhi railway station at 4:30 P.M. arriving Amritsar railway station at 10:30 P.M. Evening tea / coffee and Dinner will be served to you on this super fast Shatabdi express train. You will reach Amritsar at night where you will be met by your driver and will be transfer to your hotel in Amritsar for 2 nights.

Meals Plan: Breakfast + Dinner are included.

Please Note: You'd be assisted onto the train and met at the other end by Summit Safari’s representative or your driver.

Please Note: You can also choose to start your tour from Amritsar international airport or can fly from New Delhi to Amritsar. It is an international airport in Punjab state of India, having flights from London, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. This all we’ll discuss with you while planning your holiday tour.

After breakfast at your hotel, around 09:30 A.M we will leave for sightseeing covering Golden Temple (the biggest and holiest Sikh shrine in the world – gilded with gold.),Jallianwala Bagh-the historic site where hundreds of innocent Indian men, women and children were massacred by British General Michael Dyer on April 13, 1919. A memorial and Garden have been created here as a national monument.

Return back to your hotel by afternoon and after lunch at 03:00 P.M. we will be driving you to Indo-Pak Border to watch retreat ceremony-30 KM on the road to Lahore is India-Pakistan Border ( Atari Wagha Boarder). A visit to the border is an interesting experience especially at Sunset, when the retreat ceremony takes place with the Border Security Force on the Indian Side and the Sutlej Rangers on the Pakistan side putting up a well coordinated and spectacular display. The sound from the Bugles blown together from both sides paints past on the canvas when India and Pakistan were one, simultaneously Flags of the two nations are ceremoniously retrieved and lights are switched on marking the end of the day. Return to hotel in the evening, second night in the same hotel at Amritsar.

Meals Plan: Breakfast + Dinner are included.

Please Note-: Kindly carry your passports with you while going for the Retreat Ceremony at Atari Wagha Border at Amritsar. The Golden temple has its own charm visiting it at the night time, if interested we will take you to visit it at the night time also.

Today morning after breakfast at 08: 00 A.M we will drive to Dharamshala (220 kms / 5 hrs). Enroute stop for comfort break. We will arrive Dharamshala by afternoon where on arrival check in to the hotel. Originally home of the semi-nomadic Gaddi tribe, Mcleodganj is today the residence of His Holiness, the Dalai Lama.

Later around 03:00 P.M if interested, we could take you for a nice nature walk in the mountains to Galu village near Mcleodganj ( 2-3 hr ) and to view the beautiful water fall near the Bagsu Nag Temple. Evening would be free to explore in the local market in Mcleodganj and today in dinner you can taste the authentic Tibetan food at a local restaurant in Mcleodganj. Overnight stay in hotel in Dharamshala for 1 night.

Please Note: Today you have a choice to have dinner outside in the market, in a local restaurant in Mcleodganj and enjoy the Tibetan food.

Meals Plan: Breakfast + Dinner are included.

Today after breakfast we will leave for the sightseeing tour around Dharamshala visiting the St. John church, situated in the wilderness, the Buddhist monastery and residence of his Holiness the Dalai Lama ji.

We will also visit the Norbulingka Institute at a place known as Sidhbari, an institute working for the preservation of traditional Tibetan arts and crafts including Thanka painting, tailoring, metal sculpture and wood crafts. There is a doll museum a monastery and a popular restaurant inside the Norbulingka institute where you can have your tea/ coffee.

Later we will leave for Bankhandi village where we will meet the village postman’s family here and have lunch with them. We will walk around this village which will provide us a chance to meet the local people and to know about their life and traditions.

Today our female travellers can have Henna design on their hands with this family. By evening we will leave this village and will drive you further to Basdi village near Jawalamukhi (45 minutes) to experience the Exotic Marigold Home Stay for 3 nights.

Today we will also visit the famous Hindu Temple of Flames at Jawalamukhi--where the eternal fire flames continue to burn out of the temple walls. It is believed that at Jawala ji Sati’s tongue fell. Guide will be glad to provide you with the story of the temple and Sati.

Meals Plans: Breakfast + Dinner + Lunch + evening tea and coffee with snacks on arrival at the village Home stay.

After a leisurely breakfast we will walk around the Basdi village and will visit a local school, where we will meet the children and the teachers. We will also attend the morning school prayers. We will take fresh seasonable fruits with us to distribute among the school children ( summit safari will arrange for the seasonable fruits).

Later we will drive you to Nadaun (7 kms) where we take you for a row boat ride on river Beas which flows down the valley. If interested you can even enjoy a swim at river Beas. We will also visit the local village market. You will notice how local people are eager to talk and want to interact to you.

Today you can choose to enjoy Indian snacks like Samosa with chick peas in the lunch in a local food stall or in the comfort of your home stay. Return back to the village home stay by late afternoon and enjoy the evening tea and snacks with your host. Second night in the home stay in the village.

Meals Plans: Breakfast + Dinner + Lunch + evening tea and coffee with snacks at the village Home stay

After Breakfast we will drive you to Shimla (180 kms /7 hrs), the former summer Capital of India during the Raj. Now Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh state. Enroute we will make a comfort break and lunch break with the local family in village Pangjain in Bilaspur village (3 hrs) and will have a walk around the fields. It would be a good chance to interact with another local joint family and know about the joint family system in India.

Later we continue our drive to Shimla (3 hrs). Reach Shimla by evening where you will stay 3 nights in a hotel or choose to stay in the Marigold Home Stay in Shimla.

Meals Plan: Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner are included.

Please Note: The Marigold Home Stay is Shimla, is about 5 minutes of walking from the car park with 50 steps to climb and is very comfortable and clean with modern bedrooms and attracted modern toilets and a great friendly host.

After breakfast we will take you for a sightseeing tour of Shimla town including the Shimla Heritage Walk that takes you in the footsteps of the Raj. Erstwhile Summer Capital During The British India “Simla" saw remarkable building activity during the colonial era, and some of the finest structures of that time still stand over its seven hills where life revolves around the famous Mall Road and the Scandal Point. There could not be a better way to explore experience and admire the British Himalayan heritage Town of Shimla, than to get on your feet and take the Shimla heritage walk- in the footsteps of the Raj through the Architectural heritage zone of Shimla.

We will visit the Viceroy’s house now known as the Indian institute of Advance studies where agreement of the partition of India as two nations India and Pakistan were worked out. It is still one of the most impressive buildings n Shimla with heritage and history of the era.

We continue on the Shimla heritage walk to the Scandal point of Shimla passing by Cecil Hotel, Kennedy cottage (sight of the first British house in Shimla), State Legislative building (Council chambers), Gorton Castle (accountant general's office), Railway Board Building, Grand hotel (Bentinck's Castel), ), Telegraph office, General Post office building (Connie Cottage), Indian Coffee house.

We will stop for the lunch in a local restaurant, which once used to be the band stand and after lunch we visit the Town hall, the Gaiety Theatre, The Ridge, Christ Church, Mall Road, Combermere bridge.

We do visit the local interesting bazaars and lanes of Shimla including the famous monkey temple of Shimla (dedicated to Lord Hanuman) on the top of Jakhoo hills- the highest point in the town. Second night in the same hotel / home Stay at Shimla.

Meals Plan: Breakfast + Local lunch and dinner are included.

Today we will celebrate the Festival of Lights with the local family in Shimla. After breakfast we will take you for a walk in the local market in Shimla, where you can see the colorful market and notice how people are busy purchasing sweets, fireworks, decorative materials, gifts etc for the festival of Diwali. Later we will have lunch and will go to visit the local family, where we will participate in the festival of Lights. You can choose to Make Rangoli Designs on the floor, with the ladies in the home, and you can join the family for the evening prayers and the ceremony. Later at Night around 07:30 P.M we will take you for a view of the Shimla city for 1 hrs, where you can enjoy the fireworks and can see the houses decorated with beautiful lights on the hill side. Return back to Hotel at Night for dinner and overnight stay in Shimla.

Please Note: You can choose to stay in a home stay, with a local family in Shimla, during the Diwali- the Festival of Lights, so you can enjoy the Festival of Diwali in a Authentic way with the locals.

Today after breakfast we will drive you to Shimla railway station from where we will board the UNESCO World Heritage Kalka Shimla Mountain Railways the toy- a journey of discovery. Take a short tour of Shimla railway station and board the toy train leaving Shimla at 10: 40 A.M. to Solan railway station arriving at 1:10 P.M.

This train travels very slowly through the mountains providing you the views of the spectacular landscape of the foothills of Himalayas with the cool wind of the mountains, the villages where local farmers are working to get the best crops and the seasonable vegetables soon lush green valley embellished with pine and oak trees, the picturesque scenery along the railway line is simply astounding.

On arrival at Solan we will be met by our driver and he will drive us to Kalka from where we will board our evening superfast train back to New Delhi. Enroute stop at Barog for a lunch / tea break and later we continue our drive to Kalka.

In the evening board the Shatabdi Express train leaving Kalka at 5:45 P.M to New Delhi arriving at 9:50 P.M On arrival at New Delhi railway station you will be met by our driver and transfer you to the hotel in New Delhi for 1 night.

Meals Plan-: Breakfast + Dinner are included.

Today morning after breakfast at 08.30 A.M check out from the hotel and we will drive you to Jaipur (270 kms kms/ 5.30 hrs) where we will arrive by late afternoon. Enroute to hotel if interested we will take you to visit the famous miniature painting artist in Jaipur. You can also visit handicraft crafts emporium where you can have a free look around the local art, crafts, Carpets, Gems, jewellery etc, as Jaipur is a treasure trove for shoppers. On arrival at Jaipur we will check in to the hotel and rest of the day is free to relax.

Jaipur – The Capital of Rajasthan State, also popularly known as the Pink City. The City was founded on 18 November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, after whom the city is named. In 1853, when the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur, the whole city was painted pink to welcome him during the regime of Sawai Ram Singh. Today, avenues remain painted in pink, provide a distinctive appearance to the city and providing it, it’s English name “The Pink City”.

Please Note-: Jaipur is a treasure trove for shoppers, shopping is irresistible, a wide range of handicrafts are available in the market, and most of items are produced locally in and around the city. The city is one of the most important centers in the world for cutting and polishing precious and semi precious stones, particularly that of diamonds, topaz and emeralds. Jaipur enjoys a high reputation for the manufacture of Jewellery. It is one of the most active jewel markets of the world. Jaipur brass work is of immaculate quality. The Jaipur brass worker is successful in infusing life like charm into the dull metal.

Today early morning after the breakfast around 07:45 A.M, we will leave on private guided full day sightseeing in and around the 'Pink City' of India- Jaipur. We will visit the Amber fort, being a perfect blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture, this fort attracts travellers from around the globe. Beautifully caparisoned elephants go up and down carrying visitors to and from the fort. These well cladded elephants make a joyride to Amber fort and in turn makes your travel to Amber fort a fascinating experience. From the car park you will ride the Elephants to the fort or can choose to walk uphill.

On the way back to Jaipur city we will stop at Jal Mahal ( the water palace) for a picture. You will have lunch in a local restaurant and after lunch you will visit Jantar- Mantar (Jaipur Astronomical Observatory) the City palace and the Hawa Mahal ( the palace of The winds). This evening if you wish we will take you to visit the handicraft crafts emporium where you can have a free look around the local art, crafts etc. By evening return back to your hotel in Jaipur. Second night in the same hotel at Jaipur.

Today morning after breakfast check out from the hotel at 08:30 A.M, and drive to Agra (240 kms /4.30 hrs). Enroute we will stop at Abhaneri village to visit Chand Baori (a step well). It was built by King Chanda of the Nikumbha Dynasty between 800 and 900 AD and was dedicated to Hashat Mata (Goddess of Joy and Happiness) upon completion. 3,500 narrow steps over 13 stories. It extends approximately 30 metres (100 feet) deep, making it one of the deepest and largest step wells in India. It is one of the oldest and most attractive landmarks in Rajasthan.

Later continue your drive to Agra where on arrival by late afternoon check in to the hotel for 1 night.

In the evening at 6:00 P.M we will take you to Kalakriti Cultural Centre to view the “Mohabbat-the-Taj” a series of play, music and dance, depicting the saga of love. It is based on the true and immortal love story of Emperor Shajahan for Mumtaj Mahal- his beautiful wife, related to the story of Taj Mahal. The show will take you back to the times of the lavish lifestyle of Mughal era. Overnight stay in Agra.

Please Note: Today you can even choose to go for a shopping of some famous handicrafts including the Zardozi a type of heavy and elaborate metal threads (silver/gold/copper wires) embroidery on a silk, satin, or velvet fabric base or to visit the Marble Inlay work artist in Agra.

Today early morning (06:00 A.M) our local guide and driver will take you to visit epitome of love, The Taj Mahal at Agra ( Sunrise visit), which is one of the most graceful and extravagant monuments of the world.

We will return back to the hotel for breakfast around 08:30 A.M and after breakfast around 11:00 A.M we will take you to visit the Red Fort at Agra. It was the main residence of the Emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Before capture by the British, the last Indian rulers to have occupied it were the Marathas. In 1983, the Agra fort has been inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage site. The Red Fort is a great preview to visiting the Taj Mahal - the two were built during the same period and have much shared history.

Have lunch in a local restaurant and later continue drive to New Delhi on the express highway (230 kms /3.45 hrs.). On arrival at Delhi we will visit the Famous Akshardham temple the World's Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple and later we will transfer you to the hotel. Rest of the time is free to relax.

Today morning after breakfast, check out from the hotel and as per your flight schedule we will transfer you to the international airport in New Delhi, from where you will board your flight back to home.

Meals Plan: Breakfast is included

End of the tour and the services.......!

This is the tour itinerary for the Diwali Festival Tour India also known as the Festival Of Lights which we run regularly. The Festival of Lights “Diwali” is celebrated each year in Mid October to Mid November for one day. The dates for the Festival changes every year due to cycle of the moon as per the Hindu calendar. It can be altered & customized as we like to discuss plans with clients and can make suggestions about special places to visit depending on our clients’ interests, and available time. You can get an idea of your holidays from the mentioned tour. The itinerary is planned in such a way that while travelling you get a good time to experience India and see the real life of Indian people from much closer.

Whether you choose to be on a privately guided tour to India or set off on a more independent trip, with local guides available wherever required, you can travel reassured, knowing our vast experience and provide you with around-the-clock support to smooth out anything unexpected. The safety and well-being of our guests is paramount.

When celebrated: “Diwali” is one of the most popular Hindu Festivals, also known as India’s Festival of Lights. Diwali is celebrated and coincides with the new moon, known as the Amavasya – the darkest night of the Hindu calendar. The festival date varies every year, as per the cycle of the moon. It is observed on the 15thday of Kartik month in the Hindu calendar, and typically comes in Mid October to Mid November. The Festival is associated to Hindu Goddess Laxmi- the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity.

To celebrants Diwali people start weeks in advance with cleaning, renovating, and decorating their homes and workplaces. They do decorate their houses and work places with electric lights, Diyas (wax lamps/ oil lamps) and Rangoli (colorful designs on floor). People wear their finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes, offer Puja (worship) to Goddess Laxmi in the late evening and light fireworks, change exchange gifts and sweet boxes with their friends and loved ones.

Why Celebrated: Diwali symbolizes the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The major belief links the festival to legends in the Hindu epic Ramayana where Lord Rama, returns back to his kingdom, after finishing the exile of 14 years and killing the demon king Ravana. The people of Lord Rama’s kingdom felt happy that their king had returned back to the kingdom after finishing the exile of 14 years and they decorated their houses with oil lamps and butter lamps to give Lord Rama a warm welcome. This is how the festival of lights started in Hindu religion.

The festival date varies every year, as per the Hindu calendar, and typically comes in Mid October to Mid November. Below are the tentative dates of the Festival of Lights Diwali, please re-confirm them with us, before booking your tour.