Punjab
The five rivers of Punjab keep the fields lush and fertile. The temples of gold, the sprawling forts, and the extravagant palaces keep the landscape interesting and unique. Butter chicken keeps making welcome appearances on the menus. The abundant wildlife of the wetlands keeps nature-buffs enthralled. And the region’s spiritual heartlands: Rishikesh, with its ashram-lined riverside, Amritsar, central to the Sikh religion, and Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama, keep people coming back.
Our Punjab holidays explore the Indian side of the region with sensitivity and depth. Using local guides you will get great background information that will enrich your understanding of the spiritual centres and places of pilgrimage, whilst a farmstay with a local family gives a glimpse into everyday life beyond the golden walls.
Our Punjab holidays explore the Indian side of the region with sensitivity and depth. Using local guides you will get great background information that will enrich your understanding of the spiritual centres and places of pilgrimage, whilst a farmstay with a local family gives a glimpse into everyday life beyond the golden walls.
Textile tour of Himachal & Punjab, India
Best of Himachal & Punjab with immersive textile experiences
From
£3022 to £4082
17 days
ex flights
Punjab holiday, mountains & mystics
Mountains remote villages Golden Temple
From
£774 to £1435
13 days
ex flights
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Punjab map & highlights
The larger Punjab geographical and cultural region is known as ‘The Land of Five Rivers’, and much of it lies within Pakistan. In India, the Punjab region includes the states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and, yes, Punjab. It’s an established destination for travellers, with most organised tours roaming from the hot, fertile plains of Punjab into the cool and lofty Himalayan foothills. Tours often begin in Delhi, with long distances on trains or bumpy roads unavoidable on a typical fortnight’s itinerary. Amritsar to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, for example, is best done by sleeper train, while sensational scenery makes up for six hours on the ‘toy train’ from Kalka to Shimla.
Amritsar
1. Amritsar
In the heart of the fertile plain known as India’s ‘bread basket’, Amritsar is the centre of Sikhism in India. Its famous Hari Mandir, or Golden Temple, is surrounded by a sacred lake and reached by a white marble causeway – it’s a serene, beautiful and incredibly welcoming place. In the Old City, wander the rambling bazaars, perhaps picking up some famous Punjab juttis (embroidered leather shoes).
Dharamsala & McLeod Ganj
2. Dharamsala & McLeod Ganj
Most travellers to Dharamsala come to see the town the Dalai Lama fled to from Tibet in 1960. In fact, he and the Tibetan Government in Exile are based 3km away in McLeod Ganj. In both, though, prayer flags flutter and monks stroll between monasteries. Visit the Norbulingka Institute, dedicated to Tibetan art and culture, and the Tsuglag Khang complex, for His Holiness’s temple.
Mandi
3. Mandi
On the banks of the Beas River and with over 80 shrines and temples built by Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists, Mandi is one of the most beautiful spiritual hubs in Himachal Pradesh. Explore its sunken garden and market, spend time at the bathing ghats or hike to hilltop temples outside the town. Mandi is also the gateway to the Kullu Valley, a hotspot for adventure sports.
Rishikesh
4. Rishikesh
Famously visited by the Beatles in 1968, Rishikesh is a magnet for yoga fans and seekers of spiritual enlightenment. Temples and ashrams line the eastern bank, mostly to the north around Swarg Ashram, a vegetarian and alcohol-free enclave. In the evening, stroll along the holy Ganges with sadhus (holy men) and pilgrims as temple bells ring and the nightly Ganga Aarti river worship ceremony begins.
Shimla
5. Shimla
The Raj’s summer capital, Shimla sits at over 2,000m, making it cool and pleasant when temperatures sizzle below. As well as amazing views of the Himalayas, highlights include Mall Road, Shimla’s popular shopping strip, the Viceregal Lodge where the partition agreement was drawn up and Christ Church. You can also join the monkeys milling about Jakhu Temple or stock up on wooden crafts at Lakkar Bazaar.
The Toy Train
6. The Toy Train
The UNESCO World Heritage-listed ‘Toy Train’ connects Kalka to the Raj summer capital of Shimla in the foothills of the Himalayas. This narrow-gauge line is just 76cm wide and rises to more than 2,000m above sea level at its highest point. It takes six hours to travel along, but the sleepy pace gives passengers a chance to enjoy the dramatic views over mountains and villages.
Our Punjab holidays reviews
4.2
5Punjab holidays reviews
Elizabeth Hewett29 Mar 2025
Some amazing views and scenery and great moments with the Golden Temple at Amritsar, or the buddhist centre at Darashalam. We went to places not often visited by European tourists.read more
Jan White Spunner02 Apr 2023
Loved every bit of it! Meeting the people who actually make traditional craft work. Being invited into their homes... An excellent mix of Craft work and textiles, sightseeing and culture , traditional and modern.read more
Maggie Elsdon31 Mar 2023
The scenery, it was one of the most beautiful trips have taken, the views were stunning and unusual, it looked like Lord of the Rings mixed with fairyland. I never knew that that part of the world was so enchanting. It's not just mountain views.read more
Howard Somerville05 Aug 2019
The most memorable parts of the holiday were the interesting sights (historical and natural) and the pleasant and relaxed experience in general.
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