Rejuvenate with regular yoga sessions, practising amidst a stunning backdrop of the Himalayan foothills
Stretch your legs on day hikes to mountain-top temples, remote villages and jaw-dropping viewpoints across the Himalayas
Immerse yourself in Tibetan Buddhist culture and Raj-era history in the hilltop stations of Shimla and Dharamshala
Day 1
Join the group transfer from Delhi Airport and settle in for the transfer across town, or make your own way to the hotel in the city centre (see 'Getting There' for details). Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to head out and explore some of Delhi's sights before meeting your group for dinner.
Day 2
Leaving the hustle and bustle of Delhi behind, travel up into the green foothills of the Himalayas to the hilltop station of Shimla. Your day kicks off with an early transfer to New Delhi station to catch the Shatabdi Express to Kalka. From there, travel by vehicle through winding mountain roads lined with scattered Himalayan villages. At an elevation of 2200m, Shimla has always been a place to escape the soaring summer temperatures with a fresh climate and cool mountain air. Perched on a forested ridgeline, with views of the high mountain peaks above, Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh and the old 'summer capital' of British India. After exploring some of the grand Victorian architecture and bustling street markets, you'll be driven up higher still to your quiet resort nestled in the hills of Mashobra, which will be your base for the next few days.
Day 3
Start the day with your first rejuvenating yoga session. Depending on the temperature, your yoga practice will either be in the hotel gardens or indoors with a view of the mountain scenery. Breathe in the clean mountain air as you settle into your daily practice. Your instructor will guide you through a flow of asanas designed to relax and refresh your body ahead of your day walking in the surrounding nature. Set off from the door for your first hike - your guide will lead you through a tranquil pine forest where you'll pass towering deodar trees, known locally as Himalayan Cedars, and be treated to the calming chirp of songbirds as you make your way downhill to the village of Sipur. Here you find old temples constructed from the local cedar, showcasing Himalayan architecture and hinting at the region's history as a former part of the Kingdom of Nepal. You'll be picked up after lunch for the 30-minute transfer to your hotel in Mashobra. For those who are keen, there's the option to walk to a local market.
Throughout the trip, yoga sessions will be taken outdoors when temperatures allow, but during colder conditions (as is typical from mid-October until the end of November), the classes will be indoors.
Day 4
Today's hike is a moderate trail to the second-highest peak in the Shimla region, Hatu Peak. After a short section of single-track road, you'll meet the highway and continue the drive to the trailhead at Narkanda. Begin your hike through a dense forest of conifer, oak and maple. At the top of the 3400m peak you'll find the sacred shrine of Hatu Mata. Steeped in Hindu mythology, this temple is believed to be where the Pandava brothers spent some of their 13 years in exile after losing their kingdom (and wives!) on a game of dice. Explore the temple and drink in the panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayas in the distance, with lush green forest stretching far below. Soak up the scenery over lunch before continuing the hike downhill to a lake, where you'll meet your vehicle and drive back to the hotel in Mashobbra.
Day 5
There's time for a final early morning yoga session on the lawn (weather permitting) before bidding farewell to your instructor and hilltop retreat, ready to embark on a Himalayan road trip. You'll pass through the mountain villages of Himachal Pradesh on your way to the 'winter capital' of Dharamshala, stopping for lunch en route. In the late afternoon, you'll arrive at Dharamshala, home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. Intrepid pilgrims and travellers journey to this spiritual centre to visit the McLeod Ganj temples and the tranquil gardens of the Norbulingka Institute. Have a wander to stretch your legs after the long drive and settle into your hotel on the peaceful outskirts of McLeod Ganj before dinner.
Day 6
Today is your longest hike, but the views from the top are worth the climb – you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the Kangra Valley and the snow-covered Dhauladhar Range. After breakfast, you'll drive for around 30-minutes to the trailhead at Dharamkot. From here the path heads up through lush rhododendron, pine, and coniferous forest. You'll pass a clearing at Galu temple, and several small tea shops along the way, before reaching the halfway point at the 'Magic View Cafe' – an opportunity to stop for a refreshing chai. (If wanting an easier day, it is possible to return to the start from this point, having still enjoyed a good walk and great views.) From here the trail gets steeper as you emerge from the treeline onto a rocky spur, climbing up to the alpine meadow of Triund. The meadow stretches across a wide ridge with epic views up to Indrahar Pass and the peaks of the Dhauladhar range. Take some time to explore the meadow and boulder field along the ridge before making your way downhill to Bhagsu Village, and on to your hotel.
Day 7
Wake early and head to the hotel's rooftop terrace for sunrise views over the surrounding forest-covered hills, fresh mountain air, and your next morning yoga session (alternatively, yoga will take place indoors during cooler temperatures). You'll have a new instructor local to Dharamshala, but you can expect a similar approach to rejuvenating yoga designed to complement your days walking in the hills. Today is all about exploring the sights and tranquil settings of the Tibetan temples and complexes around Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj, and a chance to rest the legs ahead of yesterday's longer hike. First head to Dharamshala and visit the Norbulingka Monastery complex – an institute dedicated to preserving Tibetan art and culture – before returning to McLeod Ganj where you'll have time to explore the town and markets. Next, you'll visit the largest Tibetan temple outside of Tibet at the Tsuglagkhang Complex, which is situated in front of the residence of the Dalai Lama, before finally taking in Tse Chokling Gompa, a beautiful temple on a hilltop above Dharamshala with views over the entire valley. Your guide can show you around these sights, or if you prefer, you may explore on your own before returning to your hotel.
Day 8
Rise early for another restorative morning yoga practice on the idyllic rooftop as the sun rises over the distant mountains (you guessed it - weather permitting). Today's hike takes you in search of the mountaintop temple of Guna Devi. You'll pass through several small villages on a flat trail before a short but steep climb up to the village of Galu. After a rest, and perhaps a chai or lemon tea from one of the teahouses, there is an hour's gradual ascent up to the temple. Rising on a small prominence above the trees, the temple has stunning views of the forest below as well as snow-capped Himalayan peaks in the distance. Named after the Hindu Goddess Guna Devi, the temple is believed to have been built to celebrate the victory of the local people over evil forces and boasts a unique blend of traditional Himachali and North Indian architecture. After soaking up the ambiance of this serene spot it's time to head back down the trail to Naddi, where you can relax with a drink in front of one of its famous sunset viewpoints.
Day 9
Fuel up at breakfast, and then drive for around 45 minutes to Kandi village, where today’s hike begins through the forests of the Kangra Valley and the foothills of the Shivalik Hills. A steep uphill trek of around two hours climbs steadily through tea gardens and forest tracks to the tribal villages of Kharipatti and Bangotu, before a further hour of ascent brings you to a ridgeline. From here, the route descends to Leta village and continues downhill to Bhagsu Waterfall (bathing is not permitted for safety reasons). You’ll then pass through the Tibetan market and the Bhagsu Nag Temple complex, home to a restored five-thousand-year-old shrine and three pools said to have healing properties. Ritual bathing is only permitted for men in the designated pool. After some free time to explore the complex, the hike finishes back at your hotel. Freshen up before joining the yoga practice in the early evening.
Note: If trail conditions are poor following/during bad weather, your guide may offer an alternative hiking route for your safety, such as through the Kangra Valley and Shivalik Hills to Thatharana meadows.
Day 10
Limber up for your final morning yoga session before the drive out of the mountains to Amb railway station. There'll be time to grab some lunch before heading to the station for the express train to Delhi. You'll arrive back in Delhi late evening and be taken back to your hotel, where you can celebrate the end of your trip with your fellow adventurers.
Day 11
After one last breakfast, your host will provide a group transfer back to Delhi Airport, where you can catch your flight home.
For active people who want to explore more wild and adventurous places
No previous experience is needed for any of the activities, only an average level of fitness and a sense of adventure.
The yoga sessions are suitable for beginners and the in...
Your next adventure is out there
Margaret C. November 2025
Chun W. November 2025
Amanda W. September 2025
Sabine C. May 2025
Carolyn B. May 2026
“Great experience with daily yoga and hiking, met lovely fellow travellers and was well looked after by our group leader Manu and our driver Vicky. Some long transit days but that was expected, especially with typical winding Indian roads in the Himalaya footfills and the volume of people on the move. All part of the experience 😀 Our yoga teacher Raj in the Dharamshala area was excellent and our guide for this area was also good. Food was good, with a variety of options for everyone. We recommend.”
EMMA M. December 2025
“We loved this trip, lots of amazing scenery, great hikes, beautiful temples, stunning views & friendly knowledgeable guides with us. We particularly loved the Nordic Inn; it was cosy & warm, with great food & the staff were so so helpful. There were a few changes during the trip (a train instead of a car, one walk was different due to the previous monsoon) which worked out great & in my experience of travelling India is to be anticipated - things are always very fluid!! Manu looked after the group well & did his very best to assist us all, and he did this with a smile! Vasu & Sunjay were really knowledgeable about the areas we hiked around. All in all it was great! India is an amazing country (if not a little crazy) & this was another fabulous experience - thanks!”
Sean S. November 2025
“Overall, the hiking was enjoyable -strenuous, but not too much and we had beautiful blue skies. It’s hard to get used to the amount of trash on the trails though. As other reviews mentioned, it is a lot of time in a van on some really windy roads so that would be a caution for people prone to motion sickness. The time in Shimla had proportionally more time driving than in Dharmsala-some of that is just the crowded touristic nature of the town. In general, the Shimla accommodation seemed fairly remote and it might have been more fun to stay closer in town. In contrast, the accommodation in Dharmsala was great because you could go and wander the town on your own. The staff of the nomad Inn were also very nice. The rooms in Shimla were kind of cold, but I’m not sure that can be readily fixed. Drivers were great- yoga was fun and the leader accommodated different levels The toy train is problematic. It’s historic and kind of cool but the amount of time it takes to drive there and back negates some of the pleasure . Not sure if maybe we could have taken the train up to Shimla on our initial day of arrival and not have had to backtrack?”
Louise A. November 2025
“It was a great trip to northern India. The group was interesting and I enjoyed getting to know everyone, our guide Manu was exceptional and the fount of all knowledge. The walking trails were sometimes challenging for me, but I never felt under pressure and there was always a guide at the back as well as the front. The food was excellent, especially at the hotel at Shimla where we enjoyed several fantastic buffet meals. However this hotel was cold and also a bit damp in early November. The hotel in Delhi was functional but the staff were really helpful and the hotel in Mcloud Ganj was very comfortable. I'd strongly recommend, I'd never travelled as a solo traveller on an organised trip but it was very friendly and really fun. The yoga was a nice way to stretch in the morning.”
Donna E. November 2025
“Overall, an enjoyable trip - highlights were the treks but be warned, although the notes say moderate fitness, you do need a good level of fitness and be used to hiking in tough terrain as some of the treks were really challenging. . . . Two walks had 1000m of ascent! I loved McLeod Ganj and the amazing Nomadic Hotel and the wonderful staff there. There are three full days of travel - easier sections on train and more challenging, winding roads by car. The drivers were with us throughout the trip and were fantastic but the winding roads and crazy traffic are not to be under-estimated. It was much colder in the evenings than any of us expected - especially in Shimla and the hotel was very cold so bring layers and woolly socks. I found the activities pace a bit much - yoga started at 0645 every day and the programme went on all day but you could easily dip out and most of us did for one or two activites. I did generally really enjoy the whole experience but hope that the hotel in Delhi is changed as it was poor and there must be better options. We had a lovely group and a very caring guide, Manu who always tried hard to make everyone happy.”
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In India, where yoga has its roots, the practice is approached as a spiritual discipline rather than a form of exercise. The focus is on connecting mind and body through physical postures, controlled breathing and meditation. On this trip, most sessions are Hatha yoga, moving slowly through poses with an emphasis on steady breath. Sessions may also include pranayama and meditation, offering a rounded introduction that works well for those new to yoga as well as those with some experience.
All yoga sessions are included but entirely optional. Just let your guide know if you plan to skip a class. Most sessions take place before breakfast, usually around 07:00, during your time in Mashobra and Dharamshala. On Day 9, yoga is scheduled for the early evening at around 17:00, and there is no yoga planned on Days 4 and 6 to allow for longer hikes. Sessions are led by a qualified local yoga instructor and can be adapted to suit the needs and abilities of the group.
Yoga is practised outdoors whenever conditions allow, but temperatures in the mountains can feel cold, particularly from mid-October to the end of November. In cooler weather, sessions will move indoors. As hotels in this region don't have central heating, warm yoga clothing is recommended.
In remote and mountainous regions such as those visited on this trip, the weather can be unpredictable. In some years, the Indian monsoon is particularly intense and can damage infrastructure and hiking trails. Your guide will make decisions based on safety and enjoyment and will adapt your itinerary if needed. This may mean hikes are shortened or replaced by alternatives, or that timings are adjusted. If the hike on Day 9 isn't feasible due to conditions, there is an alternative hike through the forests of the Kangra Valley and Shivalik Hills to Thatharana meadows (Hiking: 5-6 hrs - 9km - 800m up - 800m down). During cold or rainy weather, there are suitable spaces at each of the hotels to take the yoga sessions indoors.
A tour leader will join you throughout your trip. On the hikes you will also be joined by a local trekking guide. You will also have a yoga instructor for each of the sessions based at the hotels in Mashobra and Dharamshala.
Excess luggage which is not needed for the trip can be left at your hotel in Delhi.
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. The following advice may be subject to change. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
All foreign nationalities entering India require a valid visa, which in most cases must be obtained in advance of travel (please check the regulations for your nationality). You must have a machine-readable passport, valid for at least 180 days from your arrival date in India. Persons of Indian origin must have an OCI card. Clients with a Pakistani passport or of Pakistani descent will need extra time and additional documents for visa processing.
Applicants of eligible countries can either apply online for an Indian e-Visa or apply for a Standard Visa, which involves an in-person visit to a branch of the Indian High Commission's Visa Facilitation Service (VFS). There have been delays to Standard Visa processing times so please book your appointment ASAP if using this service.
Travellers eligible for an e-visa, which includes those from the UK, US, CA and EU, can apply online via https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. Applications for 30-day e-Tourist visas can be made from 30 days before the proposed date of travel and not less than 4 days before your arrival date in India (applications for multiple entry 1-year e-Tourist visas can be made from 120 days in advance).
Applications for a Standard Visa (requiring both an online application and an in-person appointment) can be made via the VFS Global website.
You’ll also need to complete an e-arrival card online before travelling to India. This digital form replaces the paper arrival card (still accepted until March 2026) and can be completed up to 72 hours before arrival. It’s not a visa, and a valid visa or OCI card is still required. More details are available on the Indian visa website.
Filtered water will be provided at the hotels each day. You will need to bring a reusable water bottle or a water bladder to be filled. You may also wish to bring a water filter/purification tablets to negate the need for resupplying with bottled water.
At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you're fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation 'on the ground'.
Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.
BACKGROUND
In the Himalayan regions of North India, cuisine is shaped by high altitudes, colder climates and limited arable land, resulting in simple, nourishing meals based on grains, lentils, root vegetables and, in some areas, dairy and meat. Dishes tend to be hearty and seasonal, with influences from Tibetan and Central Asian food traditions. Travellers with dietary requirements can often find suitable options, particularly for vegetarian diets, though variety may be more limited in remote areas. It helps to plan ahead and communicate clearly, with a guide able to coordinate meals and adapt to specific needs where possible.
Vegetarian Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.
Vegan Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance.
Kosher Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and usually cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.
Halal Certified Halal supply varies by destination and may not always be possible. Vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.
INTOLERANCES
Gluten Free Gluten-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Bread options available in North India include misi roti (made with chickpea flour) and pearl millet bread.
Lactose Free Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. While lactose-free milk and products are available in major cities but less so in remote areas, India offers abundant dairy-free options suitable for lactose-free diets, including:
ALLERGIES
Our host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please get in touch with our Customer Experience team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority.
Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.
Allergies to mustard, peanut, and soybean can be challenging to accommodate, but our host is committed to working with you to manage your allergy on their trip.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
The best time to visit this part of the Himalayas is before or after the monsoon season, which runs through July and August. The months of May and June, as well as September and October, tend to be dry and pleasant for hiking. In the cities and valleys, you can expect daytime temperatures of around 25-30°C.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 338kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
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