Self-Launched Hiking & Yoga in the Indian Himalayas

Fly into Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and make your own way into the city centre — the Airport Express Metro runs directly to New Delhi station in around 20 minutes for under £1. Check into your hostel in Paharganj or Karol Bagh, both central and well-connected. If you arrive with time to spare, explore the lanes around Connaught Place or grab a thali at a local dhaba. Tonight is a good chance to rest and adjust to the time zone before an early start tomorrow.

🚌Airport Express Metro: DEL to New Delhi station (~£0.80, 20 mins)

🛏Zostel Delhi or similar hostel — dorm from ~£6, private room from ~£15

• →Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport
• →Take the Airport Express Metro to the city centre (~£0.80)
• →Check into hostel in Paharganj or Karol Bagh
• →Optional: explore Connaught Place or local markets

Head to New Delhi railway station early to catch the Shatabdi Express to Kalka (departs ~06:00, ~4 hrs, book in advance on IRCTC or Cleartrip for around £8–12 in AC Chair Car). From Kalka, either take the famous narrow-gauge UNESCO-listed Kalka–Shimla toy train (a scenic 5-hr journey, ~£3) or a shared taxi/bus up to Shimla (~1.5 hrs, ~£2–4). Shimla sits at 2,200m and is packed with Raj-era architecture, vibrant Mall Road, and cool mountain air. Consider staying slightly outside town in Mashobra (10 km away) for a quieter base — several budget guesthouses and homestays here offer Himalayan views.

🚌Shatabdi Express New Delhi–Kalka (~£10, book on IRCTC); Kalka–Shimla toy train (~£3) or shared taxi (~£3)

🛏Guesthouse or homestay in Mashobra — from ~£12–18/night

• →Board the Shatabdi Express at New Delhi station to Kalka (~£10)
• →Onward by toy train or shared taxi to Shimla (~£3–4)
• →Explore Mall Road and the Victorian architecture of Shimla
• →Check in to guesthouse in Mashobra

Start the day with a morning yoga session — many guesthouses in Mashobra and Shimla can arrange a local yoga instructor for ~£5–8 per session, or search for drop-in classes at local yoga centres in Shimla. After breakfast, set off on the self-guided trail from Mashobra through pine and deodar cedar forest down to Sipur village (~10 km, 250m up / 470m down, around 4 hrs). The route passes ancient cedar-wood temples reflecting Himalayan and former Kingdom of Nepal architecture. A local trail map is available from guesthouses. Return by shared taxi (~£1–2) or walk back to Mashobra.

🚌Hike on foot; shared taxi return ~£1–2

🛏Guesthouse or homestay in Mashobra — from ~£12–18/night

• →Morning yoga session with local instructor (~£6)
• →Hike Mashobra to Sipur village through deodar pine forest (~10km, ~4 hrs)
• →Visit cedar-wood temples in Sipur
• →Optional: walk to local weekly market

Today's big hike is up to Hatu Peak, the second-highest in the Shimla region at 3,400m. Take a shared taxi or local bus from Mashobra to the trailhead at Narkanda (~1.5 hrs, ~£3). The trail (14 km, 700m up/down, 6–7 hrs) winds through oak, conifer and maple forest to the sacred Hatu Mata shrine at the summit, steeped in Mahabharata mythology. Panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayas await. Pack a packed lunch from your guesthouse or grab supplies in Narkanda. Return to Mashobra by shared taxi in the late afternoon.

🚌Shared taxi/bus Mashobra–Narkanda return (~£6 total)

🛏Guesthouse or homestay in Mashobra — from ~£12–18/night

• →Shared taxi/bus to Narkanda trailhead (~£3)
• →Hike to Hatu Peak (3,400m) — 14km, 700m ascent/descent, ~6–7 hrs
• →Visit Hatu Mata Temple at the summit
• →Picnic lunch with panoramic Himalayan views
• →Return by shared taxi to Mashobra (~£3)

Rise early for a final yoga session in Mashobra, then pack up and head to Dharamshala — home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. The most budget-friendly option is an HRTC state bus from Shimla Bus Stand to Dharamshala (~7–8 hrs, ~£4–6), passing through spectacular Himalayan villages. Alternatively, book a seat in a shared Sumo taxi (~£7–10). Stop for lunch at a dhaba en route. Arrive in McLeod Ganj by late afternoon and check into a guesthouse — the area has excellent budget options with mountain views.

🚌HRTC bus Shimla–Dharamshala (~£5) or shared Sumo taxi (~£8)

🛏Guesthouse in McLeod Ganj — from ~£10–18/night (e.g. Green Hotel, Norling Guesthouse or similar)

• →Early morning yoga session in Mashobra (~£6)
• →HRTC state bus or shared Sumo taxi Shimla to Dharamshala (~7–8 hrs, ~£5–8)
• →Lunch stop at roadside dhaba en route
• →Evening wander around McLeod Ganj markets

This is the longest and most rewarding hike of the trip. Take a short shared auto-rickshaw or walk up to the trailhead at Dharamkot (~30 mins, ~£1). The trail to Triund (14 km, 933m up, ~7–8 hrs return) climbs through rhododendron and pine forest, passing Galu temple and the famous Magic View Cafe — perfect for a chai break at the halfway point. The alpine meadow at Triund sits on a wide ridge with jaw-dropping views of the Dhauladhar Range and Kangra Valley. Descend via Bhagsu village and walk back to McLeod Ganj. No permit is currently required for Triund day hikes (verify locally before setting off).

🚌Auto-rickshaw/walk to Dharamkot (~£1); descend on foot via Bhagsu

🛏Guesthouse in McLeod Ganj — from ~£10–18/night

• →Walk or auto-rickshaw to Dharamkot trailhead (~£1)
• →Hike to Triund meadow (2,828m) — 14km, 933m ascent, ~7–8 hrs
• →Chai stop at Magic View Cafe on the ascent
• →Views of Dhauladhar Range and Kangra Valley from the ridge
• →Descend via Bhagsu village back to McLeod Ganj

A rest day for the legs and a deep dive into the rich Tibetan Buddhist culture of the area. Begin with morning yoga — there are several excellent yoga centres in McLeod Ganj offering drop-in sessions from ~£4–7 (try Iyengar Yoga Institute or Tushita Meditation Centre for a taster). Then explore on foot: head to the Norbulingka Institute (~£2 entry, 5km from McLeod Ganj by auto-rickshaw), a beautiful complex dedicated to preserving Tibetan arts and crafts. Return to McLeod Ganj to visit the Tsuglagkhang Complex — the largest Tibetan temple outside Tibet, adjacent to the Dalai Lama's residence (free entry). End the afternoon at Tse Chokling Gompa, a hilltop monastery with sweeping valley views.

🚌Auto-rickshaw to Norbulingka Institute (~£2–3 each way)

🛏Guesthouse in McLeod Ganj — from ~£10–18/night

• →Drop-in morning yoga class at a local yoga centre (~£5)
• →Auto-rickshaw to Norbulingka Institute (~£2 entry, ~£2 transport)
• →Visit Tsuglagkhang Complex and the Dalai Lama's temple (free)
• →Explore McLeod Ganj market stalls and Tibetan eateries
• →Visit Tse Chokling Gompa hilltop monastery (free)

Rise early for a sunrise yoga session on your guesthouse rooftop or a nearby hilltop — many McLeod Ganj guesthouses have rooftop terraces with Himalayan views perfect for this. Today's hike heads to the mountaintop Guna Devi Temple (12 km, 440m up, ~5–6 hrs). Walk or take a shared auto to Galu village and follow the trail uphill through forest and small villages. The temple, built in traditional Himachali style, sits above the treeline with sweeping views of snow-capped peaks. Return downhill to Naddi, which has famous sunset viewpoints — grab a masala chai and watch the light fade over the Dhauladhar Range before heading back.

🚌Walk or shared auto to trailhead (~£1); walk return from Naddi (~£1–2 auto if needed)

🛏Guesthouse in McLeod Ganj — from ~£10–18/night

• →Sunrise yoga session on guesthouse rooftop (~£5)
• →Hike to Guna Devi Temple — 12km, 440m ascent, ~5–6 hrs
• →Pass through small Himalayan villages and tea gardens
• →Visit Guna Devi Temple and admire Himachali architecture
• →Sunset views at Naddi viewpoint with chai

Fuel up well at breakfast — today's hike packs in serious elevation. Take a shared taxi or auto (~45 mins, ~£2) to Kandi village as the starting point. The trail (9 km, 900m up, ~5–6 hrs) climbs through tea gardens and forest to the tribal villages of Kharipatti and Bangotu before reaching a ridgeline and descending to Leta village. The route then passes Bhagsu Waterfall and continues through the colourful Tibetan market back to the Bhagsu Nag Temple complex — a 5,000-year-old shrine with sacred pools. Allow time to explore the temple freely. End the day with an evening yoga session — many McLeod Ganj centres run evening classes from ~£4–6.

🚌Shared taxi to Kandi (~£2); hike finishes back near McLeod Ganj

🛏Guesthouse in McLeod Ganj — from ~£10–18/night

• →Shared taxi to Kandi village trailhead (~£2)
• →Trek to Leta village via Kharipatti and Bangotu (~9km, 900m ascent, ~5–6 hrs)
• →Visit Bhagsu Waterfall
• →Browse Tibetan market stalls near Bhagsu
• →Explore Bhagsu Nag Temple complex (free)
• →Evening drop-in yoga session (~£5)

Rise for a final morning yoga session before checkout. Take a shared taxi or HRTC bus from McLeod Ganj/Dharamshala to Amb Andaura railway station (~3 hrs, ~£3–5). Grab lunch near the station before boarding the express train to Delhi (Shan-e-Punjab Express or similar, ~7 hrs, ~£8–12 in Sleeper/AC). Book your train ticket in advance on IRCTC. You'll arrive back in Delhi late evening — head to your pre-booked hotel near Paharganj or Aerocity if you have an early flight.

🚌Shared taxi/bus to Amb Andaura (~£4); Express train to New Delhi (~£10)

🛏Budget hotel near New Delhi station or Aerocity — from ~£12–20/night

• →Final morning yoga session (~£5)
• →Shared taxi or bus to Amb Andaura railway station (~£4)
• →Lunch near Amb station (~£3–5)
• →Express train Amb Andaura to New Delhi (~7 hrs, ~£10)
• →Check into hotel near Delhi airport or city centre

Enjoy a final breakfast in Delhi before heading to Indira Gandhi International Airport. Take the Airport Express Metro from New Delhi station (or a prepaid taxi from your hotel) to the airport. Allow at least 3 hours before your flight for international departures. If you have time before checkout, consider a morning visit to Humayun's Tomb or the nearby Lodi Garden for a peaceful send-off.

🚌Airport Express Metro New Delhi to DEL (~£0.80) or prepaid taxi (~£6–8)

🛏N/A — departure day

• →Final breakfast in Delhi
• →Optional: morning visit to Lodi Garden or Humayun's Tomb
• →Airport Express Metro or prepaid taxi to IGI Airport (~£1–8)