Gaze at the glistening Golden Temple, watch a bizarre border ceremony and listen to monks chant in the Himalayan foothills, filled with fluttering prayer flags. This spiritual trip will take you from eye-opening Amritsar into India’s ‘Little Tibet’, a Buddhist nook between forested peaks that the Dalai Lama calls home. First, you’ll visit the Golden Temple, the holy centre of the Sikh religion. You’ll also swing by the surreal and flamboyant border ceremony between India and Pakistan, before heading into the Himalayas for some fresh air and hilltop meditation.
Day 1 – Arrival in Amritsar & Golden Temple visit
When you arrive in Amritsar you’ll be transferred to your hotel. You may be flying in or travelling by train from Delhi. Amritsar is the heart of Sikh culture and home to the famous Golden Temple, one of India’s most important religious sites.
In the early evening, you’ll visit the temple complex with a local guide, when the heat of the day has eased and the temple is illuminated against the Pool of Nectar. Your guide will explain the history and significance of the site as you walk around the complex, watching pilgrims come to pray and taking in the evening atmosphere.
Day 2 – Explore independently & Wagah border ceremony
Today is free for you to explore independently. If you’re keen to visit the Golden Temple again then get there early to avoid the crowds. Just a short walk from the temple is the historically important Jallianwala Bagh Memorial – also worth a visit.
About 20 miles west of Amritsar lies the India-Pakistan border, where the famous Wagah border ceremony takes place each afternoon before sunset. On the second day of your stay, your driver will take you there in time for the ceremony. The atmosphere builds as large crowds gather on both sides of the border, with soldiers from India and Pakistan carrying out a highly choreographed display of marching, flag-lowering and ceremonial gestures. The gates are then closed for the night, marking the end of the ceremony. It’s a lively and unusual experience that gives you a glimpse of the history and relationship between the two neighbouring countries.
Day 3 – Travel from Amritsar to Dharamsala
After breakfast, you’ll drive into the foothills of the Himalayas to Dharamsala. This lofty hill station was founded by the British in the mid-19th century to escape the summer heat. It is also known as ‘Little Tibet’, because it is home to the exiled Dalai Lama, and there’s a huge community of Tibetan refugees here. The monks define the gentle atmosphere of the town. Surrounded by evergreen forests and fresh green tea plantations, it’s an excellent place to unwind and recharge. Take a walk past the temple and wander amongst stupas and prayer flags in the pine forests. You will stay in a comfortable guesthouse for two nights.
Day 4 – Dharamsala sightseeing
There is much to see in and around Dharamsala. Today we’ll arrange a full-day guided tour. You’ll visit the Dalai Lama’s temple and join the Tibetan pilgrims on their traditional “kora”. You can see the buildings that make up the Tibetan Parliament, and walk through tea plantations that are surprisingly close to the town. In Lower Dharamsala you can visit the fascinating Norbulingka Institute, a large complex dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan culture. You can enjoy extensive views of the hills and mountains above Dharamsala, and take a short walk through a traditional village belonging to the Gaddi people.
This trip draws to a close the next day and you’ll get ready to hit the road for your next destination.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
The Sikh & the Monk - In Style accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we have an alternative option available for your accommodation. Our In Style version is something a bit more special or unique but still with lots of local flavour! If you would like to upgrade your accommodation for this bite-sized trip, select our In Style option below.