Eleven days from the Golden Temple of Amritsar to the hill stations of the Himalayas! After a day in Delhi, your driver takes you to the holiest place of the Sikh faith, then up to Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama, on to Manali and its snowy peaks, and finally to colonial Shimla.
Highlights of the Golden Temple and Dharamsala tour
- Old and New Delhi, from the Jama Masjid to Humayun’s Tomb
- The Golden Temple of Amritsar, the spiritual heart of the Sikh faith
- Jallianwala Bagh, the memorial garden of Amritsar
- Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan community in exile
- Rafting, paragliding, hikes or apple orchards around Manali
- Shimla, the “Queen of Hill Stations”, and its colonial charm
The Golden Temple and Dharamsala tour day by day
Day 1: Arrival in Delhi
Welcome to India! Your driver meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel. Time to settle in and recover from the journey.
Day 2: Discovering Delhi
A full day in Delhi with your driver. Old Delhi first, with the Jama Masjid, the Red Fort, Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, and the maze of lanes around Chandni Chowk.
Lunch in Connaught Place and its famous restaurants. Then on to New Delhi. The Laxminarayan Temple, the Presidential Palace and the embassy district seen from the car, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb, the Bahá’í Lotus Temple and the Qutub Minar to round off the day.
Day 3: Delhi to Amritsar (about 7 hours)
About 450 km of road to Amritsar, in Punjab. This leg also works by overnight train, ask us for details. The city is home to the Harmandir Sahib, better known as the Golden Temple, the most important pilgrimage site for Sikhs.
Day 4: Amritsar and the Golden Temple
An early start for the Golden Temple. Guru Ram Das, the fourth Sikh Guru, had its sacred pool dug, and his successor Guru Arjan Dev built the temple. Pilgrims come from all over the world to pay their respects to the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of the Sikhs, and to bathe in the Amrit Sarovar, the pool of nectar, for spiritual purification.
Amritsar is also home to Jallianwala Bagh, a memorial garden that recalls the 1919 massacre under British rule.
Day 5: Amritsar to Dharamsala (about 5 hours)
After breakfast, about 5 hours of road to Dharamsala. The town is home to the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetans, and to a Tibetan community that has lived here in exile since the 1960s. Life follows the rhythm of Buddhist and Hindu festivals.
Dharamsala is also a lively bazaar town and a base camp for exploring the nearby mountains. The rest of the day is yours.
Day 6: Dharamsala at your own pace
A whole free day to explore Dharamsala and its surroundings at your own pace. Stroll through the bazaar or head for the mountain trails, it’s your call.
Day 7: Dharamsala to Manali
This morning, the road takes you to Manali and its spectacular views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Its big asset is how close it is to the snowline. Honeymooners love it, trekkers set off from here, and adventure sports fans are spoilt for choice.
Day 8: Manali, adventure or relaxation
Depending on the weather and your mood, go skiing in winter, paragliding or river rafting, take a short hike, visit the Mountaineering Institute and the apple orchards, or simply relax and enjoy the scenery. Your day, your rules!
Day 9: Manali to Shimla
Drive to Shimla, which the British called the “Queen of Hill Stations”. The town is surrounded by forests of pine, deodar cedar, oak and rhododendron. The former summer capital of British India keeps a colonial feel despite its modern growth, and remains one of the biggest and most popular hill stations in the country.
Day 10: Shimla
A relaxed day to stroll along the Mall, wander through the bazaars, visit smaller towns nearby and soak up the mountain views.
Day 11: Shimla to Delhi
Time to head back down to Delhi, where your tour ends. Safe travels!
What’s included
Included
- Your private car with driver for the whole tour
- The organisation of your itinerary
- State taxes and tolls
- Fuel
- Your driver’s meals and accommodation
- Parking fees
Not included
- Your hotels
- Your meals
- Entrance fees to monuments and sites
- Train tickets and domestic flights
- The usual tip for your driver
Need hotels or train tickets? We can book them for you, just ask.
Make this tour your own
Want to tweak the route? Add a day in Amritsar for the Wagah border ceremony, travel to Amritsar by overnight train, or finish in Rishikesh and Haridwar on the banks of the Ganges. Share your ideas with us and we’ll build the tour together. Ask for your free quote.
