Duration
Starting Price
Pickup & Drop
Upon arrival at Amritsar airport or railway station, you will be transferred to your hotel. After some rest and relaxation, we will visit the Golden Temple, the epitome of Sikh culture and community spirit. The Sikhs have taught us the principle of serving people as a service to God. When you visit the Golden Temple, the strong yet tranquil spiritual atmosphere will captivate you without being overwhelming. The constant recitation of the holy book brings a certain sense of peace to the individual. During the day, we will also visit Jallianwala Bagh, the martyr’s memorial where thousands of our beloved brothers and sisters were cordoned off by the British and fired upon. Later, we will visit the Golden Temple again after dinner to witness a spectacular ceremony where the Sikhs put their holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, to sleep. The priests carry the book over their heads and place it in a golden palanquin. The book is then carried to an inner chamber in the palanquin, accompanied by the sound of bugles and drums and the chanting of the name of the Lord.
Following a leisurely breakfast and some downtime at the comfort of your hotel, we will head to the legendary local bazaars of Amritsar for a shopping experience. You wil find Punjabi juttis, phulkari, papad, and an abundance of other Punjabi items to take back home. Later, we will proceed to Heritage Street in Amritsar, home to some of the oldest and most beloved restaurants in Punjab, such as Brothers Dhaba, Bharawan Da Dhaba, and Kesar Da Dhaba. Then, you can treat yourself to a hearty Punjabi meal and lassi at any restaurant here. Next, we will journey 40 km to Wagah, the border between India and Pakistan. Each evening, a very impressive lowering of guards ceremony is performed along with a march-past by soldiers of both countries. It is quite a spectacular sight to see the same ceremony happening on both sides of the border. After Wagah, make your way to Sadda Pind. Here, you can relish traditional and authentic Punjabi food and immerse yourself in the culture of Punjab.
Morning, following breakfast, we will drive to Palampur. Upon arrival, we will check into our hotel, The Lodge at Wah, Palampur. The Wah Tea Estate was established in 1857 in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh by the British. Later in the evening, enjoy the night sky, the soft sounds of nature and music, along with a cozy, secluded spot in the garden.
Following breakfast, we will participate in a pottery workshop at the Andretta Studio. Learn from a true artisan the basic skills of throwing a pot on the manual wheels they have at the studio. Discover the intricacies of pottery-making from a local craftsman who has maintained a long-standing reputation for producing some of the finest works in this medium. Andretta is also renowned for its blue pottery technique, used in ancient Indian pottery, which has been rediscovered over time. In Palampur, Upper Dharamshala is home to the Dalai Lama’s temples, a medical college, and art galleries. A half-day excursion here often includes stops at various cafés. A glimpse into Pahadi miniature art at the museum in Lower Dharamshala is followed by a visit to the Norbulingka Institute, workshop, and Dolls Museum. The evening tea at The Lodge is a cherished experience.
Following breakfast, we will depart from Palampur for Manali. Upon arrival in Manali, we will travel to Karjan village, where we will check into our hotel, Shivadya. Flanked by the majestic Himalayan range, this beautiful luxury resort commands spectacular views of the verdant valleys and lush apple orchards. The rest of the time is at leisure to wash away the tiredness of our travels.
An early morning start from Shivadya will take you north on one of the highest motorable roads in the world - the Rohtang Pass, which greets you with breathtaking views of the Western Himalayas. Or you can choose to drive down to the ever popular Manali, where short visits to the over 400 year-old ‘Hadimba’ temple set amidst a pine forest, the old Manali village and the local markets complete the journey.
Today, the day is at leisure for your independent activities. Alternatively, you can opt for Yoga and Meditation sessions, a great way to relax and rejuvenate amidst nature. You can also visit local cafes, go for nature walks, and have short excursions to local villages as well.
After breakfast, we shall drive towards Chandigarh for our onward journey.
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