Dharamsala and Amritsar: A Unique Himalayan-cum-Cultural Trip

 Once you arrive at the Amritsar Airport, our driver will pick you up.

We will visit Wagah Border – This place marks the boundaries between India and Pakistan. Every evening before sunset, the soldiers from India and Pakistan perform the flag ceremony where they lower the flags at this international border. The ceremony ends with a kind gesture where the soldiers of both the countries shake hands and then it is followed by the closing of the gates.

After coming back from Wagah Border we will go on a street food walk:

Some places famous for its non vegetarian food are Chand Dhaba situated in the bylanes near Golden Temple. All its dishes are really tasty. Another place is Chajju da Dhaba situated on Lawrence Road famous for its mutton tikkas. For fried fish lovers there is Makhan Fish Wala famous since time immorial for its fish taste and quality. Another famous place for a variety of sizzlers in Amritsar is Astoria.

Moving onto sweet food, there are plethora of options for people in Amritsar. There is Kanha Sweets famous for its puri aloo and an assortment of Indian sweets. Then there is Sharma Sweets a small shop which sees huge queue of people clamoring for its Gulab Jamun and Jalebi. Then there is Labhayaram another small shop famous for Aam Papad and other Indian candies. For the softy lovers there is Novelty Sweets which used to be a small shop initially but now has grown and infact the intersection infront of it is called now Novelty Chowk. Another famous shop is called Sukharam which is famous for its fruit cream. One more famous place in Old city behind Golden Temple famous for its puri aloo and gud halva is called Baba Borh (Borh- means Banyan Tree)

In the evening you may visit the gorgeous Golden Temple and witness the night view as the lights are all lit up. You may witness the Palki (palanquin) Sahib Ceremony in the temple, where the holy book Guru Granth Sahib is carried to a room for night stay.

Overnight at Hotel.

Fly into Dharmshala Airport, going from Dharamshala to Mcleodganj, covering all places to Visit in Mcleodganj and even going from Dharamshala to Dalhousie.

Today we can see the following places:

Golden Temple, also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, is the holiest shrine of the Sikhs. It is located in the heart of the city of Amritsar. It was bulit in the 16th century. Since then millions of Sikhs and people of all religions have visited this place. At the centre of the shrine is the man made lake, which is surrounded by a collection of buildings around the sanctum and the pool. The additional buildings include a clock tower, the offices of Gurdwara Committee, a Museum and a langar. Langar is unique to the Sikh religion. It is a free Sikh community run kitchen that serves a simple vegetarian meal to all visitors without discrimination. So, when you are in Amritsar, you can try the langar. Over 100,000 people visit the holy shrine daily for worship.

Jallianwala Bagh – It is a public garden known for one of the most tragic event in the history of India. This is where the Amritsar Massacre of 1919 took place.

Partition Museum – The museum was built to showcase the stories and history of the tragic partition that divided the two countries during the declaration of self rule and independence on 1947.

Gobindgarh Fort – It is one of the best historical place in Amritsar which gives us information about royal and courageous sikh history. The Fort was earlier occupied by the army but is now it is developed as a museum which preserves Punjab’s history. Here you can witness the folk dance, Martial Arts, light and sound show on the history of the monument and many more.

Overnight at hotel.

Today after breakfast, checkout  and proceed towards Dharamshala. Amritsar to Dharamshala is 205 kms/ 130 Miles and it around 6-7 hours.

Overnight at the hotel.

Fly into Dharmshala Airport, going from Dharamshala to Mcleodganj, covering all places to Visit in Mcleodganj and even going from Dharamshala to Dalhousie.

After breakfast we will go for Triund Trek today.

The trek starts from Dharamkot, which is less than 2kms from Mcleodganj.

• For beginners, this trek will take around 4-5 hours. You will move at a comfortable pace, exploring the trail, peeking through the dense forest, drinking in the brilliant vista.

• We’ll keep the pace comfortable and enjoy the enthralling trek back.

• In the evening, you reach Dharamkot and then back to the hotel.

Today after breakfast we will see the various places in Dharmashala:

Naddi View Point and Village Walk -This walk through hamlets of the Himalayas is the best way to enjoy the serenity of the place. As you take the nature trail, you can also view the massive Dhauladhar Range at such a close distance. Naddi is a village which is situated away from the hustle and bustle of Mcleodganj and provides complete peace of mind. A walk through the village is a must as it takes you through fields, houses made of stone & mud. One can experience the lifestyle of local people with a view of mountains. Rejuvinate yourself through this guided tour.

St John’s Church – This magnificent church is built amid the picturesque valley of Mcleodganj and is located about 8 kms away from Dharamshala. The church lies in a dense jungle between Mcleodganj and Forsythganj and is a monument dedicated to Lord Elgin, one of the viceroys of India, who died at Chauntra (Mandi district) and was buried here in 1863 A.D. This classic church, which has a Christian cemetery surrounding it, has lovely glass windows and boost amazing architectural design. It is ideally situated in the majestic ‘Deodar’ forest in the wilderness.

Dal Lake – This beautiful, calm and serene lake is set amidst lush green Deodar forests and rugged mountains. It is filled with greenish water and offers peaceful surroundings. This is a perfect place where you can feel the magical spirit of the Himalayas.

Dharamsala Cricket Stadium – Abbreviated as the HPCA Stadium, it is one of the most picturesque cricket stadium of the world. The Himalayan mountains in the backdrop gives it a stunning look.

After breakfast today we see the following places:

Dalai Lama Temple Complex –This place is the official home of the 14th Dalai Lama. The   whole vicinity is decorated with colorful prayer flags and this makes it perfect for long serene walks. One gets to know a lot about the Tibetan people and their religion from this place.

Bhagsunag Temple – Surrounded by lovely pools and lush greenery, the Bhagsunag Temple is one of the oldest ancient temples located about 3 kilometres from Mcleodganj. The two pools around the temple are believed to be sacred.

Bhagsu Falls – Bhagsu Falls is considered as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in India which is about 20 metres in height.The effect of the cold water and the lush greenery around makes it a perfect site to rejuvenate and scenic beauty. Espcially during and after the monsoon, this waterfall is a sight to behold.

War Memorial – The War Memorial in Dharamshala, seating ideally in the in forests of the hill town, is created to commemorate the memory of those who fought for saving India. The War Memorial is surrounded by poetic pine forests of Dharamshala, leading to the lush gardens through a quaint walkway.

Masroor Rock Cut Temple – The Masrur Temples, also referred to as Masroor Temples or Rock-cut Temples at Masrur, is an early 8th-century complex of rock-cut Hindu temples in the Kangra Valley. If you are interested in archeological and cultural destination, this place is worth a visit. It is about 50 Km or 30 miles from McLeodganj and takes about 1.5 hours. 

Shopping and Tibetan Food – In the evening you can visit the market area for some shopping and delectable Tibetian food.

Overnight at hotel.

Fly into Dharmshala Airport, going from Dharamshala to Mcleodganj, covering all places to Visit in Mcleodganj and even going from Dharamshala to Dalhousie.

After a memorable trip, our driver will drop you at the Dharamshala Airport. Take a flight back.