After landing and checking in, ease into Amritsar with a relaxed breakfast at Bharawan Da Dhaba or Kesar Da Dhaba to taste authentic Punjabi parathas and lassi, then take a gentle walk through the nearby lanes to soak up colonial-era architecture and bustling markets. Mid-morning, visit Partition Museum for a moving, contextual introduction to the city's history before a short rest back at your hotel to prepare for the evening's Golden Temple visit.
After a restful check-in, wander the food-lined lanes toward Hall Bazaar for light shopping-pick up phulkari scarves and local juttis while sampling street snacks like Amritsari kulcha from a cozy stall. Follow with a peaceful visit to Durgiana Temple, whose mirror of the Golden Temple architecture offers serene photo ops and a quiet moment before you freshen up and head to your evening plans.
As dusk falls, head to the atmospheric Wagah Border for the iconic Beating Retreat ceremony-arrive around 5:30-6:00 PM to soak up the patriotic fervour, colourful drills, and sunset views before the crowds thin. Afterward, return to the city for a relaxed dinner at Crystal Restaurant or Brokenshire's to sample rich Punjabi curries and butter chicken while reflecting on the day's journey.
Begin your day with a soul-soothing pre-dawn visit to Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) to witness the serene morning prayers and the sarovar's mirrored light, then step into the nearby Guru Ka Langar to experience the communal free kitchen and try simple, comforting dal and rotis. Afterwards, stroll to Jallianwala Bagh for a reflective walk through the memorial and its preserved bullet-marked walls, followed by a mid-morning chai and samosa at Kanha Sweets as you digest the history and prepare for the afternoon's market explorations.
After the morning's reflections, head to Town Hall and wander the surrounding lanes of Hall Bazaar Extension to shop for hand-embroidered phulkari stoles and polished Punjabi juttis, stopping at Bansal Sweets to sample warm chana kuah and jalebi. Continue with a culinary walk to Guru Ke Bagh area where you can join a street-food crawl - try spicy Amritsari fish at a well-known stall and a refreshing glass of lassi at Giani Tea Stall - then pause at Company Bagh (Ram Bagh) for a shady rest and people-watching before preparing for the evening's plans.
As twilight deepens, take a leisurely walk to the charming riverside Ravi Fort Promenade for golden-hour views and local stalls selling chai and roasted corn, then settle into a rooftop table at Beera Chicken House to savor rustic tandoori dishes while watching city lights come alive. After dinner, experience a musical evening at Sadda Pind-an immersive cultural village with live Punjabi folk music, bhangra performances, and traditional crafts-before returning for a quiet nightcap at a cozy café near Gurudwara Baba Atal Sahib.
Depart Amritsar after an early breakfast and enjoy the scenic drive to Dalhousie, then check in and freshen up before a gentle exploration; begin with a calming walk along Mall Road (Dalhousie Mall) to browse quaint shops selling woollens and Kashmiri handicrafts and stop for a hot masala chai at Puran Da Dhaba. Continue uphill to the nearby St. John's Church for peaceful colonial-era architecture and panoramic views, then stroll toward Subhash Baoli to inhale crisp mountain air and watch locals practice morning yoga - a perfect introduction to Dalhousie's slow rhythm and cooler climate.
After settling in and a short rest, wander up to Pony Trekking Grounds near Gandhi Chowk for a gentle pony ride or short hike that offers fresh Himalayan air and valley views, then head to Dainkund Peak for sweeping panoramas-time your visit for soft afternoon light and photos. Finish with a cozy late-afternoon stop at Chamera Viewpoint Café, sipping hot neem-honey tea while sampling local trout or steamed momos and watching mist roll over the pine-clad ridges before returning to your hotel to freshen up for evening plans.
As dusk settles, wander to the peaceful Panchpula area to watch the sunset over pine-clad ridges and explore its small waterfalls and memorials, then follow the ridge path toward Bakrota Hills for sweeping night vistas of distant valley lights. Finish with a relaxed dinner at Chhabi's Kitchen or a nearby homestay serving hot Himachali dal and local rajma, pairing simple mountain fare with chai while you plan tomorrow's Khajjiar excursion.
Leave Dalhousie after an early breakfast for a short drive to Khajjiar and begin with a tranquil walk across the famous grassy plateau, pausing to feed Himalayan birds and take panoramic photos of the lake framed by deodar forests. Continue to nearby Ghorakhal for a gentle horse trek up to a viewpoint, then stop at Khajji Nag Temple to admire its hilltop setting and chat with local shepherds before sampling steaming momos and chai at a family-run tea stall near the meadow.
After a leisurely lunch, take a short drive to Gandhi Chowk and pick up a local guide for a scenic walk toward Garaon Viewpoint, where sweeping valley vistas unfurl and you can try binocular spotting of distant hamlets. Continue with a gentle nature trail to Kalatope Wildlife Sanctuary's edge for birdwatching (look for Himalayan thrushes) and finish at Café Panorama for hot chocolate and freshly baked pastry while watching the late-afternoon mist roll over pine-clad slopes before returning to Dalhousie town.
As twilight deepens, wander up to Moir Point for a quiet sunset framed by tall deodars and sweeping views of the valley below, then descend toward Goverdhan Anand Ashram to catch a short bhajan session and absorb the calm evening atmosphere. Finish with a cosy meal at Old Sher-e-Punjab (or a nearby homestay kitchen) sampling piping-hot Himachali rajma and siddu while sharing stories of the day's trails under a starlit sky.
Start with a gentle, fresh-air stroll from Gandhi Chowk down the lesser-known lane toward Bhupinder Park, where locals meet for morning tai chi and you can sip piping-hot kahwa from a hill-side stall while watching kids fly kites. Continue to the quaint colonial-era St. Francis Church for a moment of quiet inside its timbered nave, then follow the ridge path to Kalatop Viewpoint Trailhead for a short, easy woodland walk that opens onto sweeping pine-valley panoramas and birdwatching opportunities-perfect for warming up before a late brunch.
After a relaxed brunch, head to Bakrota Hills for a gentle ridge walk that opens onto sweeping views of the Chanapatthar valley, then pause at the rustic Chamera Viewpoint Café to sip hot kahwa and sample freshly made local trout or momos while watching clouds drift over the pines. Continue with a calming visit to St. John's Cemetery-its mossy headstones and quiet groves are perfect for reflective wandering-before finishing at Panchpula Gardens to explore the small waterfalls, old British-era bridges, and a late-afternoon tea at a nearby stall as evening approaches.
As twilight falls, take a gentle stroll to Subash Chowk to watch locals gather and sample hot corn and chai from roadside vendors, then wander down to the peaceful Gandhi Statue Garden for sunset views framed by tall deodars. Afterward, enjoy a relaxed mountain-style dinner at Mr. Anand's Bistro, where you can try homemade thukpa and suji halwa while swapping day's stories, then finish with a slow walk back along the lantern-lit lane by Lower Bakrota, listening for distant church bells and the night breeze through pines.
After an early breakfast, drive into Dharamshala and check in, then stretch your legs with a calming walk through Norbulingka Institute's gardens to admire Tibetan arts, woodcarving workshops, and the serene prayer wheels. Continue uphill to Tsuglagkhang Complex for a quiet visit to the Dalai Lama's temple courtyard and a browse of the Tibetan handicraft stalls, finishing with a leisurely cup of butter tea at the nearby Tibetan Tea House while taking in the panoramic views of McLeod Ganj valley.
After checking in and lunch, wander the peaceful lanes of Bhagsu Village to visit the quaint cafes and browse boutique shops selling Tibetan crafts, then follow the short forest trail to Bhagsu Falls for a refreshing misty break and photography. Continue with a visit to Naddi Viewpoint to catch sweeping Himalayan panoramas as the afternoon light softens, and pause at a hilltop café like Illiterati Café for chai and freshly baked Tibetan momos while watching local life drift by.
As twilight settles, stroll through the aromatic lanes toward McLeod Ganj Market to browse cozy bookshops and pick up Tibetan tea blends, then head to Tibet Kitchen or Gadget Café for a relaxed dinner of thukpa or momos while watching evening life unfold. Afterward, walk up to St. John in the Wilderness for a peaceful, lamp-lit visit to its mossy churchyard and finish with a nightcap at Norling Guesthouse Rooftop (or a nearby rooftop café) to enjoy starry views of the valley and plan tomorrow's McLeod Ganj explorations.
Wake early for a tranquil walk through the terraced gardens of Tushita Meditation Centre, then join a short introductory meditation or Dharma talk to tune into the day's contemplative pace. Afterwards, wander downhill to explore the colorful stalls and handmade thangka paintings at Jogiwara Road Market, pausing for a hearty Tibetan breakfast of butter tea and thenthuk at Tibet Kitchen's quieter back courtyard before heading toward the day's hikes and sights.
Meander up to Stupa Park (Dalai Lama Stupa) for a peaceful walk among prayer flags and panoramic valley views, then visit the nearby Tibet Museum Annex to deepen your understanding of Tibetan history through curated exhibits. Finish with a relaxed late-afternoon at Bhagsu Nagkhang Cafè (a different local spot than Bhagsu Falls) sampling butter tea and Tibetan pastries as you watch pilgrims and trekkers return from nearby trails.
As dusk falls, wander up to Dalai Lama Temple Complex's outer courtyards to listen to distant prayer chants and watch saffron-robed monks light lamps, then stroll toward Mcleod Ganj Rooftop Viewpoint for panoramic sunset views over the valley while sipping chai from a street-side vendor. Finish the night with a relaxed dinner at Common Ground Café sampling Tibetan-style stews and yak momos, followed by browsing the late-evening stalls at Lama's Market for handmade prayer beads and incense before returning to your guesthouse.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Bharawan Da Dhaba (breakfast) | ₹200 |
| Kesar Da Dhaba (breakfast) | ₹300 |
| Partition Museum (entry) | ₹100 |
| Hall Bazaar (shopping, snacks) | ₹300 |
| Durgiana Temple | Free |
| Wagah Border Beating Retreat (transport + entry area) | ₹400 |
| Crystal Restaurant (dinner) | ₹600 |
| Brokenshire's (dinner) | ₹700 |
| Sri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) & Guru Ka Langar | Free |
| Jallianwala Bagh (entry) | Free |
| Kanha Sweets (chai & samosa) | ₹80 |
| Town Hall / Hall Bazaar Extension (shopping) | ₹200 |
| Bansal Sweets (snacks) | ₹150 |
| Amritsari fish (street stall) | ₹250 |
| Giani Tea Stall (lassi/tea) | ₹60 |
| Company Bagh (Ram Bagh) | Free |
| Ravi Fort Promenade | Free |
| Beera Chicken House (dinner) | ₹600 |
| Sadda Pind (cultural village - show + entry) | ₹700 |
| Gurudwara Baba Atal Sahib (visit) | Free |
| Travel: Amritsar to Dalhousie (shared taxi/bus per person) | ₹700 |
| Mall Road (Dalhousie Mall) / Puran Da Dhaba (chai) | ₹150 |
| St. John's Church (Dalhousie) | Free |
| Subhash Baoli | Free |
| Pony Trekking Grounds (pony ride) | ₹500 |
| Dainkund Peak (entry/guide negligible) | Free |
| Chamera Viewpoint Café (drinks/snack) | ₹200 |
| Panchpula | Free |
| Bakrota Hills (evening view) | Free |
| Chhabi's Kitchen (dinner) | ₹450 |
| Khajjiar (park entry/parking) | ₹100 |
| Ghorakhal (horse trek) | ₹400 |
| Khajji Nag Temple | Free |
| Momos & chai at local stall (Khajjiar) | ₹120 |
| Garaon Viewpoint (local guide tip) | ₹200 |
| Kalatope Wildlife Sanctuary (entry at edge / birdwatching) | ₹150 |
| Café Panorama (drinks/pastry) | ₹180 |
| Moir Point (sunset) | Free |
| Goverdhan Anand Ashram (bhajan session) | Free |
| Old Sher-e-Punjab (dinner) | ₹400 |
| Bhupinder Park (kahwa/snack) | ₹100 |
| St. Francis Church (Dalhousie) | Free |
| Kalatop Viewpoint Trailhead (walk) | Free |
| Bakrota Hills (ridge walk snack) | ₹100 |
| Chamera Viewpoint Café (repeat) (drinks/food) | ₹200 |
| St. John's Cemetery (visit) | Free |
| Panchpula Gardens | Free |
| Mr. Anand's Bistro (dinner) | ₹350 |
| Travel: Dalhousie to Dharamshala (shared taxi per person) | ₹600 |
| Norbulingka Institute (entry, gardens) | ₹150 |
| Tsuglagkhang Complex / Dalai Lama Temple (visit) | Free |
| Tibetan Tea House (butter tea) | ₹80 |
| Bhagsu Village (cafes) | ₹200 |
| Bhagsu Falls (entry/approach) | Free |
| Naddi Viewpoint (entry/tea) | ₹100 |
| Illiterati Café (chai & momos) | ₹250 |
| McLeod Ganj Market (shopping) | ₹300 |
| Tibet Kitchen (dinner) | ₹400 |
| Gadget Café (dinner) | ₹350 |
| St. John in the Wilderness (evening visit) | Free |
| Norling Guesthouse Rooftop (nightcap) | ₹200 |
| Tushita Meditation Centre (intro session/donation) | ₹200 |
| Jogiwara Road Market (shopping) | ₹200 |
| Thenthuk / Tibetan breakfast (Tibet Kitchen) | ₹200 |
| Stupa Park (Dalai Lama Stupa) | Free |
| Tibet Museum Annex | ₹100 |
| Bhagsu Nagkhang Café (butter tea) | ₹100 |
| Dalai Lama Temple Complex (evening visit) | Free |
| Common Ground Café (dinner) | ₹350 |
| Lama's Market (souvenirs) | ₹200 |
| Estimated Total (per person) | ₹14100 |