The 5-day Punjab tour package pairs Amritsar (Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah) with McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala in the Kangra hills, ending in Chandigarh. About 665 km in one private car with the same chauffeur, climbing from the plains to about 1,800 m. The car is priced per km by class; hotels are quoted separately.
From gurdwara to monastery
There is something satisfying about this route. It starts in the heart of Sikh faith, the Golden Temple, and ends in the heart of the Tibetan exile, Tsuglagkhang in McLeod Ganj, and the two are only a few hours apart by car. In between, the landscape changes from the flat, irrigated wheat fields of the Majha region to the tea terraces and pine forests of Kangra, with the Dhauladhar range as a white backdrop.
This package is for travellers who want both: the energy and history of Amritsar and the cool air and calm of the hills. It suits couples, families with teenagers, and small groups of friends. If you have only four days, the 4-day Amritsar package stays in the city and adds a village day instead. If you have a week and want Shimla and Manali too, the 7-day Himachal package approaches Dharamshala from the other side.
Two days in Amritsar
The first two days are built around the temple's rhythm. On arrival, the Partition Museum is a sobering and well-told introduction to 1947, housed in the restored Town Hall a short walk from the temple. That evening, the Golden Temple itself: cover your head, leave shoes at the free counter, and take your time on the marble walkway.
Day two starts in darkness with the early-morning procession, when the holy book is carried to the sanctum. It is followed by rest, Jallianwala Bagh and, in the late afternoon, the border ceremony at Attari-Wagah. Carry photo ID (passports for foreign nationals) and leave large bags in the car. For more on the city, see our Amritsar road guide and Amritsar taxi service page.
The climb from Pathankot to McLeod Ganj
Day three is a comfortable drive. The road from Amritsar runs east through Batala or Gurdaspur to Pathankot, the gateway town where Punjab meets Himachal and Jammu. From there it climbs into the Kangra valley through Nurpur and Shahpur, and finally up the steep switchbacks from lower Dharamshala to McLeod Ganj.
The elevation changes from about 230 m in Amritsar to around 1,800 m in McLeod Ganj in a single afternoon. Most people feel nothing more than cooler air and perhaps a mild headache, but bring a warm layer even in spring and drink water. McLeod Ganj's streets are narrow and parking is limited, so the car will drop you at your hotel or the main square. Himachal's entry tax for outside-state vehicles is charged at cost.
McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala: how to spend day four
The Tsuglagkhang complex is the spiritual centre of the town: the main temple, the residence of the Dalai Lama, and the Tibet Museum, which tells the story of the Tibetan exile. The circuit around the complex, lined with prayer wheels and flags, is a peaceful hour.
In the afternoon, Norbulingka at Sidhbari preserves Tibetan crafts: thangka painting, woodcarving, metalwork and appliqué. Alternatively, visit Bhagsu's temple and waterfall, the 19th-century church of St John in the Wilderness, or the cricket stadium in lower Dharamshala. Active travellers can walk to Triund ridge instead, a full-day trek. The McLeod Ganj guide and Dharamshala guide go into more detail.
Leaving by Palampur and Baijnath
The last day heads east before it heads south. Palampur, about an hour from Dharamshala, is the tea capital of Kangra; the estates are pleasant to walk through, and you can buy the local tea. Further on, the Baijnath temple, a stone Shiva temple from the early 13th century, is still an active place of worship. From there the route turns south through Hamirpur to the plains and Chandigarh, where the car drops you at the airport, railway station or a hotel.
This is a long final day, about 320 km. If you are flying out of Amritsar instead, the car goes back west after Palampur, a shorter drive of about 200 km from Dharamshala. The booker recalculates the kilometres when you change the end point. See our Palampur guide for more on the tea country.
Where to stay: two very different towns
In Amritsar, staying inside or near the walled city means you can walk to the Golden Temple for the evening visit and the early procession; the streets around the temple are pedestrian-only, so the car drops you at the edge of the zone. Hotels in the Ranjit Avenue and Mall Road areas are larger and quieter, with easy parking, and are a short drive from the temple.
In the Kangra hills, McLeod Ganj is the busiest and most convenient base, close to Tsuglagkhang, cafes and shops, but noisy in the evenings and hard for cars. Dharamkot and Bhagsu, a little higher, are quieter and popular with walkers. Lower Dharamshala and the Sidhbari side near Norbulingka are calmer, greener and easier for the car, though you will drive up to McLeod for the main sights. The travel desk books rooms in every category and quotes them in writing alongside the car.
A note on food along the way
Amritsar's kulchas, lassi and winter fish are famous for good reason; the Golden Temple's langar is a meal everyone should share at least once. In McLeod Ganj, the food turns Tibetan: momos, thukpa noodle soup and butter tea, alongside a surprising number of cafes serving good coffee and bakery goods. On the drive between the two, the chauffeur will stop at a dhaba near Pathankot for a proper Punjabi lunch before the climb.
Which car, and what to pack
For two people, a compact sedan at Rs 72/km handles both the plains and the Kangra roads. An Ertiga at Rs 84/km gives three or four people more comfort, and the Innova Crysta at Rs 114/km is best for families of five or six with luggage. A Fortuner at Rs 168/km suits winter trips when roads above Dharamshala can be icy. Groups can take a Tempo Traveller in Amritsar at Rs 156/km. Full details are on the fleet page.
Pack for two climates: light cotton for Amritsar, and a fleece or jacket for McLeod Ganj evenings, even in April. Comfortable walking shoes that slip off easily help at the temple and on McLeod Ganj's steep lanes. A scarf for head covering is essential at the gurdwara.
When to go
- October and November: clear skies, pleasant days in Amritsar and crisp mountain views in Kangra. Gurpurab and Diwali bring beautiful illuminations and big crowds to the Golden Temple.
- December and January: fog on the plains (morning flights and roads can be delayed) and cold nights in McLeod Ganj, with occasional snow.
- February to April: warming up; Losar (the Tibetan new year) around February or March, and Baisakhi in Amritsar in mid-April.
- May and June: very hot in Amritsar; the hills are pleasant but busy.
- July to September: monsoon rain, heaviest in the Kangra valley; not recommended for this route.
Fare and booking
The car fare is the larger of the planned distance, about 665 km, and a minimum of 250 km a day (1,250 km for five days), multiplied by the per-km rate for your chosen class. The chauffeur's night allowance of Rs 3,000 a night, tolls, Himachal entry tax and parking are added at actual cost, followed by 5% GST.
Book online through the booker, paying by UPI or card, with GST invoices available. For hotels and meals, the travel desk will send a written all-inclusive quote. Cancellation terms: free up to 72 hours before pickup; 10% within 72 hours; 50% within 48 hours; 100% within 24 hours or on no-show (policy).
