Himachal with Golden Temple

Day-wise itinerary

1. Day1

   Day 1: Chandigarh to Shimla

   

   Your driver meets you at Chandigarh airport, railway station or bus stand for the drive into the hills. The highway climbs through Parwanoo, Dharampur and Solan, with a tea stop on the way, and you reach Shimla by afternoon.

   After checking in and resting, walk up to the Ridge and Mall Road for the evening. Christ Church, Scandal Point and the old Gaiety Theatre sit close together, and the views across the valley at dusk are a lovely start to the trip. Dinner and overnight in Shimla.

   • Meals: Dinner
   • Overnight: Shimla
   • 115 km
   • 3–4 hrs
2. Day2

   Day 2: Kufri and Shimla sightseeing

   

   After breakfast head to Kufri for views across the ranges, pony rides up to Mahasu Peak and, in winter, a good chance of snow. Children enjoy the Himalayan Nature Park close by. Carry a warm layer, as Kufri is noticeably colder than Shimla town.

   Return to Shimla to visit Jakhoo Temple with its towering Hanuman statue, and the Viceregal Lodge, where much of India's pre-Independence history was discussed. The late afternoon is free for Lakkar Bazaar and Mall Road. Dinner and overnight in Shimla.

   • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
   • Overnight: Shimla
3. Day3

   Day 3: Shimla to Manali

   

   Leave early after breakfast and descend through Darlaghat and Bilaspur to Sundernagar and Mandi. From Mandi the road follows the Beas river past the Pandoh Dam and through the Aut tunnel into the Kullu valley, one of the most scenic stretches of the trip.

   Stop at Kullu for shawls or, in season, a short rafting run on the Beas. Lunch is usually taken at a dhaba near Mandi, with tea breaks whenever you need them. Arrive in Manali by evening and check in. Dinner and overnight in Manali.

   • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
   • Overnight: Manali
   • 250 km
   • 8–9 hrs
4. Day4

   Day 4: Manali local sightseeing

   

   Begin at the Hadimba Devi Temple in its grove of giant cedars, then explore Old Manali with its cafés and apple orchards. Cross the river to Vashisht village to see the old temple and natural hot water baths.

   After lunch visit the Tibetan monastery and the Club House by the Manalsu stream. The evening is free for Mall Road, where you can shop for woollens, dry fruits and local jams, or settle into one of the cafés of Old Manali for an evening coffee. Dinner and overnight in Manali.

   • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
   • Overnight: Manali
5. Day5

   Day 5: Solang Valley and Atal Tunnel

   

   Drive to Solang Valley, around 14 km north of Manali. In winter and spring there is usually snow for skiing and tubing; in summer the slopes are green and busy with paragliding and the ropeway. Activities are paid directly to local operators.

   If the road is open and tourist vehicles are allowed, continue through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu in Lahaul to see its waterfall and stark mountain scenery. Snow or traffic can close this section without warning. Between roughly June and October, Rohtang Pass is an option with a valid permit. Return to Manali for dinner and overnight.

   • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
   • Overnight: Manali
6. Day6

   Day 6: Manali to Dharamshala

   

   After breakfast drive down the Kullu valley to Mandi and turn west via Jogindernagar. Stop at the ancient stone Shiva temple at Baijnath, then continue through Palampur, where tea gardens line the road beneath the Dhauladhar range.

   The drive moves from river gorges to open tea country, and the snowline of the Dhauladhar stays in view for much of the afternoon. Reach Dharamshala in the evening and check in to your hotel in Dharamshala or McLeodganj. If you still have energy, take a short walk around the McLeodganj square. Dinner and overnight.

   • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
   • Overnight: Dharamshala
   • 235 km
   • 7–8 hrs
7. Day7

   Day 7: McLeodganj, Bhagsu and Naddi

   

   Visit the Tsuglagkhang complex, the main temple of the Dalai Lama, with its prayer wheels and a small museum on Tibetan history. Walk on to the Bhagsunag temple and the waterfall just above it.

   In the afternoon see the stone church of St John in the Wilderness and the HPCA cricket stadium, set against the mountains in lower Dharamshala. Finish at Naddi viewpoint for sunset over the snow peaks. Bring a light jacket, as it cools quickly once the sun drops. Dinner and overnight in Dharamshala or McLeodganj.

   • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
   • Overnight: Dharamshala
8. Day8

   Day 8: Dharamshala to Dalhousie and Khajjiar

   

   Check out after breakfast and drive through Nurpur and Banikhet to Dalhousie, arriving around midday. After checking in, continue through deodar forest to Khajjiar, about 22 km away, where a wide green meadow surrounds a small lake and the old Khajji Nag temple.

   Spend the afternoon walking, taking pony rides or simply relaxing on the grass. Zorbing and short horse rides are offered by locals in season. Return to Dalhousie for an evening stroll past the colonial churches between Gandhi Chowk and Subhash Chowk. Dinner and overnight in Dalhousie.

   • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
   • Overnight: Dalhousie
   • 120 km
   • 4–5 hrs
9. Day9

   Day 9: Dalhousie to Amritsar

   

   After an early breakfast, leave the hills behind and drive down through Pathankot and Gurdaspur into the flat farmland of Punjab. You reach Amritsar by afternoon and check in to your hotel close to the old city.

   In the evening visit the Golden Temple, Sri Harmandir Sahib. Walk the marble parikrama around the sacred pool, listen to the kirtan and, if you like, share a simple meal at the langar, where volunteers serve thousands of visitors every day. Heads must be covered and shoes left at the counter. Dinner and overnight in Amritsar.

   • Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
   • Overnight: Amritsar
   • 200 km
   • 5–6 hrs
10. Day10

    Day 10: Amritsar sightseeing, Wagah border and departure

    

    Check out after breakfast and visit Jallianwala Bagh, the garden memorial to the 1919 massacre, followed by the Partition Museum in the old Town Hall. There is time for lunch and shopping for phulkari and juttis in the old bazaars.

    In the afternoon drive to the Attari–Wagah border, roughly 30 km away, for the flag-lowering ceremony. Arrive early, as crowds are large and security checks take time; the ceremony timing shifts with sunset. Afterwards your driver drops you at Amritsar airport or railway station, so please book an evening or night departure.

    • Meals: Breakfast

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