Best of North India Amritsar, Dharamsala and Dalhousie - Budget

Welcome at Chandigarh airport/railway station & proceed by road to Amritsar (240 kms / 4 hrs). On arrival checkin at hotel and later visit Indo-Pak Wagah Border to watch Flag Retreat Ceremony- Wagah, an army outpost on Indo-Pak border 30 Kms from Amritsar where the daily highlight is the evening “Beating the Retreat” ceremony. Soldiers from both countries march in perfect drill, going through the steps of bringing down their respective national flags. As the sun goes down, nationalistic fervour rises and lights are switched on marking the end of the day amidst thunderous applause. Overnight stay at Hotel.

After breakfast today, go on full day city tour of Amritsar. Visit the most important, gilded Sikh shrine Golden Temple - considered the holiest gurudwara and a symbol of the spiritual and historical traditions of the Sikhs. Later, visit the historical place Jallianwala Bagh - where British and Gurkha soldiers opened fire on an unarmed forbidden gathering, killing hundreds of civilians. Also, visit the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Summer Palace Museum. Overnight stay at your hotel in Amritsar.

After breakfast today, check out from your hotel in Amritsar and get ready to proceed to Dharamshala (by road - 210 kms/approx 4.5 hrs). Dharamshala is surrounded by dense coniferous forests from all sides, is located in the Kangra Valley. A walk in the lush green surroundings of this valley offers a delightful experience. On arrival, check-in at the hotel & evening free for leisure. Overnight stay at Hotel.

After breakfast today, get ready for a local sightseeing tour of all the major attractions of Dharamshala. Visit and explore Dal Lake, Church, Bhagsu Nag Temple and Tibetan Monastery - all filled with natural beauty. After lunch, we embark on a visit to the famous Tibetan Medical Centre (where various ailments are treated using rare Tibetan medicines, and St. John Church, one of the oldest churches of the region. Some of the other places to visit include Kangra Art Museum, Tea Gardens and Kunal Pathri Temple. Overnight stay at hotel in Dharamshala.

Check out from your hotel after breakfast. Later, hit the road to Dalhousie - a famous hill station and unique summer retreat in Himachal. Watch for curious painted rock carvings of Buddhist deities along the south side of the ridge. The ravishing rhododendrons, gorgeous greens and pristine air add to the beauty of Dalhousie. Quite a few Tibetan refugees have found and made their homes in Dalhousie as well. You can also choose to visit the British-era churches of St John (1863) and St Francis (1894) or wander around the market areas of Subhash Chowk and Gandhi Chowk. Your evening is free for leisure activities. Overnight stay at hotel in Dalhousie.

After breakfast today, visit Khajjiar - Often called India's Switzerland the exquisite glade of Khajjiar (1960m) has a circumference of about 5 km. Along with its fringes thick forests of deodar climb the slopes snow-line rests above these woods. At Khajjiar there is a 12th century temple dedicated to KhajjI Nag. Within the temple are life size wooden images of the five Pandav brothers. Overnight at the hotel in Dalhousie.

After breakfast we checkout from hotel and proceed for Chandigarh by road (around 8 hour journey). On arrival you will be transferred to the airport/railway station to board the flight/Train back to home.