Where to Travel in NORTH INDIA 

Amristar and the Himalayan Foothills lying between Dharamsala and Almora remain largely the preserve of the knowledgeable Indiaphile; yet have a powerful lure for the visitor who is looking to get off the beaten track and enjoy wonderful uncrowded Himalyan vistas, authentic cultural immersions, wildlife experiences, and the chance to embark on some delightful guided soft treks amongst fragrant pine and deodar forests.  On the Punjab plain in the northwest corner of India, Amritsar is famous for its resplendent Golden Temple, the holiest of all sites for Sikhs. To the northeast of Amritsar, Dharamsala lies in the beautiful Kangra Valley and is home to the Dalai Lama. This bustling town has a distinct Tibetan feel and supports the migrant Tibetan community in their quest to preserve their traditional arts, crafts and unique culture. South of Dharamsala, Pragpur and nearby Garli are quiet heritage villages noted for their quaint cobbled streets lined with attractive buildings and handicraft-shops. As you travel further southeast, enjoy a ride on the narrow-gauge ‘toy train’ up into the Himalayan foothills to discover the lingering echoes of the Raj in Shimla -  the summer capital of British India that was once considered to be Queen of the Hills. Further to the East at  Rishikesh, on the banks of the sacred Ganges, witness a splendid ‘Aarti’ (prayer) ceremony and see locals offer their thanks to the river; then search for tiger, leopard, elephant, and bear at the exceptionally beautiful Corbett National Park. A walk through the foothills of the Himalaya is nearly always a lovely thing, and is a key reason to visit Almora and the Kumaon villages where a number of traditional houses have been adapted to enable the visitor to trek in comfort from village to village and discover terraced paddy fields, rushing streams, and glinting snow-capped Himalayan peaks.