Destinations
Hill Station & Himalayan Tours
When the plains grow hot, India climbs into the mountains. Our hill station and Himalayan tours reach the great ranges of the north — the lake-and-garden valley of Kashmir, the high-altitude desert of Ladakh, and the colonial hill towns and apple-and-deodar valleys of Himachal Pradesh. These are private, tailor-made journeys built around scenery, cool air and mountain culture, from a shikara glide on the Dal Lake to a drive over some of the highest motorable passes on earth.
The Indian Himalaya offers several very distinct mountain experiences, and our tours let you choose the one that fits your taste and the season. Kashmir, in the far north-west, is the softest and most romantic: the Mughal gardens and houseboats of Srinagar's Dal Lake, the meadows of Gulmarg, the pine valleys of Pahalgam and the alpine sweep of Sonmarg. It is a valley of water, flowers and gentle beauty, and its houseboat stays are an experience found nowhere else in India.
Ladakh, over the mountains to the east, is the opposite in mood — a stark, luminous high-altitude desert of ochre peaks, whitewashed Buddhist monasteries and impossibly blue lakes. Journeys here take in Leh, the dunes and double-humped camels of the Nubra Valley, and the surreal shifting colours of Pangong Lake, reached over passes that rank among the highest roads in the world. Because of the altitude, Ladakh needs careful acclimatisation, which we build into the pace. Himachal Pradesh, more accessible from Delhi, is the classic hill-station country: Shimla with its colonial Mall and toy train, the mountain resort of Manali, and the pine-scented Parvati Valley around Kasol — greener, lower and easy to reach.
Season is everything in the mountains. Kashmir is glorious from spring through autumn, with tulips in April, alpine meadows in summer and golden chinar leaves in October, while winter turns Gulmarg into a ski resort. Ladakh's road season runs roughly from late spring to early autumn, when the high passes are open and the skies are clear. The Himachal hill stations are at their best from spring to early autumn, and again under snow in winter. We plan every mountain trip as a private, chauffeur-driven journey with drivers experienced in high-altitude roads, sensible acclimatisation days where needed, and hotels or houseboats chosen for their setting. Tell us your dates and we will match you to the right range.
Dal Lake houseboats
A stay on a carved wooden houseboat on Srinagar's Dal Lake, with a shikara glide past floating gardens and the Mughal gardens on the shore.
Kashmir valleys
The meadows of Gulmarg, the pine valley of Pahalgam and the alpine bowl of Sonmarg — some of the gentlest, greenest mountain scenery in India.
Ladakh & its monasteries
Leh and the great Buddhist monasteries of the region, set in a stark high-altitude desert of ochre peaks and prayer-flag ridges.
Nubra Valley & Pangong Lake
Sand dunes and Bactrian camels in the Nubra Valley, and the shifting blues of Pangong Lake, reached over some of the highest motorable passes on earth.
Shimla & Manali
The colonial hill town of Shimla and the mountain resort of Manali in Himachal, linked by deodar forests, orchards and the Parvati Valley at Kasol.
Itineraries
Hill Station & Himalayan Tours — sample itineraries
Every itinerary below is private and fully customisable. Enquire for a tailor-made quote.
FAQ
Hill Station & Himalayan Tours — frequently asked questions
It depends on the region: Kashmir is beautiful from spring through autumn and snowy in winter, while Ladakh's high passes are generally open from late spring to early autumn. The Himachal hill stations are best from spring to early autumn.
Ladakh is remote and high, but very manageable with the right planning. The main challenge is the altitude, so we build in acclimatisation days and use drivers experienced on the high passes; travellers with heart or breathing conditions should consult a doctor first.
The main tourist areas of the Kashmir Valley — Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg — are visited by many travellers, and we monitor conditions and plan accordingly. As with any destination we keep to established routes and advise on the latest situation before you travel.
A houseboat stay lets you sleep on the water in a carved cedar boat and glide across the lake by shikara. It combines beautifully with the Mughal gardens of Srinagar and day trips to Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg.
Yes, all our Himalayan and hill station tours are private and tailor-made. You have your own vehicle and driver, chosen hotels or houseboats, and a pace set around acclimatisation and the mountain roads rather than a fixed group schedule.
Ready to plan your India journey?
Tell us your dates and interests and our Delhi team will send a tailor-made itinerary and quote — usually the same day. No obligation.