7-Day Dharamshala Dalhousie Amritsar Tour: Himalayas to the Golden Temple

Our Dharamshala Dalhousie Amritsar tour is a slow and easy journey from the Himalayas to the Punjab plains. Spend three nights in Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj, the home of the Dalai Lama, with a free day for Kangra Fort or the Triund hike. Then enjoy two nights among the pine forests of Dalhousie with a day at the meadow of Khajjiar, and end in Amritsar with the Wagah Border ceremony and the Golden Temple at sunrise. It is a private tour with your own car, driver and local guides.

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted Himachal tour operator. Since 2002 we have planned private Himachal and Punjab tours for families, couples and groups.

Tour at a Glance

Here are the key facts of the 7-day Dharamshala Dalhousie Amritsar tour.

Tour name: Himalayas to the Golden Temple
Duration: 7 days and 6 nights
Route: Dharamshala (3 nights), Dalhousie (2 nights), Amritsar (1 night)
Starts: Amritsar, Pathankot, Kangra (Gaggal) airport or Chandigarh. Ends: Amritsar
Tour type: private tour with car, driver and local guides
Highlights: the Tsuglagkhang temple, McLeod Ganj, Bhagsu Falls, Kangra Fort or Triund, Khajjiar, Kalatop, the Wagah Border ceremony and the Golden Temple
Best time: October to June

Why Choose This Tour

Three different worlds: Tibetan McLeod Ganj, colonial Dalhousie and Sikh Amritsar.
A relaxed pace: three nights in Dharamshala give you a free day to rest, explore or hike.
Khajjiar: a full day at the Mini Switzerland of India.
Short drives: no drive is longer than about six hours.
Private and flexible: one of our most popular Himachal tour packages for families and couples.

Dharamshala Dalhousie Amritsar Tour Itinerary

This is the day-by-day plan of the Dharamshala Dalhousie Amritsar tour.

Day 1: Arrive and Drive to Dharamshala

We meet you at Amritsar airport or station, about 200 km and four to five hours from Dharamshala, or at Pathankot station (about 90 km), Kangra airport (about 15 km) or Chandigarh. Drive into the Kangra Valley with the snow peaks of the Dhauladhar range ahead, check in to your hotel and rest.

Overnight: Dharamshala

Day 2: McLeod Ganj and Tibetan Culture

With a local guide, visit the Tsuglagkhang complex, the main temple next to the residence of the Dalai Lama, and the Namgyal Monastery. Walk the lanes of the McLeod Ganj market, see the hill-top HPCA cricket stadium, then go up to the Bhagsu Nag temple and Bhagsu Falls.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Dharamshala. Read our Dharamshala travel guide.

Day 3: Free Day, Kangra Fort or Triund Hike

Choose your own day. Relax at a café in McLeod Ganj, or drive about 20 km to the old Kangra Fort, one of the oldest forts in India, and the Norbulingka Institute of Tibetan arts. If you are fit, hike to the Triund ridge, about three to four hours up, for a close view of the Dhauladhar snow peaks.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Dharamshala

Day 4: Dharamshala to Dalhousie

After breakfast, drive four to five hours, about 120 km, through pine and cedar forests to Dalhousie. Check in to your hotel, then walk from Gandhi Chowk along the Mall, past St John’s Church.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Dalhousie

Day 5: Khajjiar and Kalatop

Drive about 24 km through the Kalatop forest to Khajjiar, a wide green meadow and small lake ringed by tall cedar trees. Visit the old Khajji Nag temple, and enjoy pony rides, short walks or simply the view. On the way back, stop in the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Dalhousie. Read our Dalhousie tour packages and travel guide.

Day 6: Dalhousie to Amritsar and the Wagah Border

Drive to Amritsar, about five to six hours, and check in to your hotel. In the late afternoon, go to the Attari-Wagah border for the flag-lowering ceremony, full of music and national pride.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Amritsar

Day 7: The Golden Temple and Departure

The last day is the highlight of the Dharamshala Dalhousie Amritsar tour. Visit the Golden Temple at sunrise, when the gold glows on the holy pool. Share a simple meal at the langar, the free community kitchen, then walk to the Jallianwala Bagh memorial. We then take you to Amritsar airport or station. Your Dharamshala Dalhousie Amritsar tour ends here.

Meals: breakfast. Read our Amritsar guide.

What Is Included

Your Dharamshala Dalhousie Amritsar tour includes:

Six nights in hotels of your choice, from 3-star to luxury, on a twin or double sharing basis
Breakfast every day
A private air-conditioned car with driver for all transfers and sightseeing
A local guide in McLeod Ganj and Amritsar
All taxes, tolls, parking and driver costs

What Is Not Included

Flights and trains
Lunch and dinner
Entry tickets, a Triund trek guide, pony rides and activities
Personal expenses and travel insurance

Best Time for This Tour

The Dharamshala Dalhousie Amritsar tour is best from October to June. October and November bring clear mountain views, December to February brings snow to Dalhousie and Khajjiar, and March to June is pleasant in the hills but hot in Amritsar. The Triund hike is best from March to June and in October and November. July to September brings heavy rain to the hills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Dharamshala Dalhousie Amritsar tour private?

Yes. You travel with your own car and driver, with local guides.

Is the Triund hike hard?

It is a moderate hike of about three to four hours up. You need good shoes and normal fitness. If you prefer, spend Day 3 at Kangra Fort instead.

Can I start in Amritsar instead?

Yes. We can begin with the Golden Temple and Wagah, and end the tour in the hills.

Will I see snow?

From December to February, snow often falls in Dalhousie and Khajjiar, and the Dhauladhar peaks stay white for most of the year.

Is there a shorter version?

Yes. Our 6-day Amritsar Dharamshala Dalhousie tour has two nights in Dharamshala instead of three.

How much does the Dharamshala Dalhousie Amritsar tour cost?

The price depends on your hotels, the number of travellers and the season. Tell us your plans and we will send a clear quotation.

More Tours with Amritsar

Many guests change or extend their Dharamshala Dalhousie Amritsar tour.

4-day Dalhousie with Amritsar tour: Dalhousie and Khajjiar only.
5-day Amritsar Dharamshala tour: Dharamshala and McLeod Ganj only.
6-day Amritsar Dharamshala Dalhousie tour: the same route, one day shorter.
8-day Himachal with Amritsar and Katra tour: with Vaishno Devi.

See our Dharamshala tour packages and all our Himachal tour packages. We are one of the best tour operators for North India, and we also plan the best North India tours, from the Himalayas to Rajasthan and the Taj Mahal. Ready to book your Dharamshala Dalhousie Amritsar tour? Request your free quote

Plan Your India Holiday with Shamrock Journeys

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator and holiday planner. Since 2002 we have designed private India tour packages, family tour packages, honeymoon tours and cultural tours for travellers from around the world.

Recognised and trusted: Recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Member of PATA, TAAI, IATO and ADTOI.

Tell us your travel dates and we will send you a personal itinerary. Request your free quote