10 Days - Quintessential Punjab Tour

Welcome to India! You'll be met by our local staff on arrival in Delhi and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay, before departing for Patiala the following day.

Travel to Patiala today by train (about 5 hours), or by car if you prefer (around 6 hours).

On arrival, check in to the heritage hotel, Baradari Palace. Built in 1876, this white, colonnaded building was once the residence of the Patiala royal family, with rooms and suites named after them. The property has been carefully restored, preserving its authenticity with period furniture, royal portraits, and a portico furnished with cane chairs reminiscent of old colonial bungalows, evoking the charm of a bygone era.

Patiala, known for its rich cultural heritage and royal history, is famous for its grand palaces, gardens, and unique architectural style that blends Mughal and Rajput influences. The city is also well known for its traditional crafts, such as Phulkari embroidery and juttis (embroidered shoes), and for giving the world the popular 'Patiala peg' and the distinctive Patiala salwar.

Spend this morning exploring Patiala, beginning at Qila Mubarak. Built in 1763 as a mud fortress by Baba Ala Singh, the fort was expanded until the 19th century and served as the Maharajas' residence until 1862. The complex, an impressive blend of Mughal and Rajasthani styles, includes inner and outer courtyards. The Durbar Hall, now a museum, showcases a stunning collection of Bohemian cut-glass chandeliers, a silver alloy chariot, and rare weapons like cannons, swords, and daggers.

Continue to Moti Bagh Palace, the main seat of the Patiala royal family. Started in the mid-19th century and completed in the early 20th century, this grand Indo-Saracenic palace has over a thousand rooms and is set within a 162-hectare Mughal garden, featuring terraces and water channels. The terraces lead to Sheesh Mahal, a part-European, part-Mughal structure, now an art gallery with collections of miniature paintings, rare manuscripts, objets d'art, and hunting trophies from the royal collection.

Finish your tour at the Kali Devi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Kali and held sacred by both Hindus and Sikhs. Thousands of devotees visit, especially on Saturdays. The temple complex also includes a popular Shiva temple, attracting many worshippers on Mondays. The afternoon is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace.

Set off for Amritsar this morning, with the drive taking about 6 hours. Along the way, stop at Kapurthala, a town known for its gurdwaras that commemorate events from the life of Guru Nanak, the First Guru of the Sikhs. The most significant is Gurdwara Ber Sahib, a sacred site believed to be where he attained enlightenment. Visit Jagatjit Palace, once home to Maharajah Jagatjit Singh, who commissioned a French architect to design the palace, inspired by Versailles and Fontainebleau. Surrounded by gardens with stone statues and fountains, the palace's Durbar Hall features ornate domes, canopies, and intricate stone latticework, making it one of India’s most impressive.

Also in Kapurthala is the unique Moorish Mosque, designed by a French architect and inspired by the Grand Mosque of Marrakesh. Its inner dome is adorned with stunning artwork by Punjabi artists, reflecting Maharajah Jagatjit Singh’s secular outlook. Arrive in Amritsar in the late afternoon.

Amritsar, meaning “holy pool of nectar,” was founded by Guru Ram Das in 1574 and is now a major pilgrimage centre for Sikhs worldwide. This morning, visit the stunning Golden Temple, an architectural blend of Islamic and Hindu styles. Spend time exploring the complex and, if you like, have a meal at the langar, where free food is served to thousands daily by volunteers, embodying Sikhism's principle of equality.

In the afternoon, take a guided walk through the vibrant Walled City of Amritsar, known as Hall Bazaar. Its narrow streets are lined with stalls selling jewellery, textiles, utensils, and traditional crafts like Phulkari embroidery. The local markets, such as Guru Bazaar and Katra Jaimal Singh, are excellent for shopping, with items like Punjabi juttis, shawls, and the popular Patiala salwar. Later, drive to Wagah, on the India-Pakistan border, to witness the 'Beating the Retreat' ceremony. This elaborate 45-minute event, featuring synchronised marching and military commands by Indian and Pakistani soldiers, attracts numerous visitors daily and is a spectacle of patriotism and precision.

After a leisurely breakfast, leave Amritsar for the 1-hour drive to the Gurdaspur region, where you'll stay at Punjab Village Farm, a working property set amidst green fields and canals. The lodge has four stand-alone cottages built with locally made mud bricks, supporting traditional construction methods. Each cottage features a covered deck and a private roof terrace offering views of the lush farmland.

A highlight of your stay is the chance to savour Punjabi cuisine, including tandoori dishes and open-air barbecue dinners. A three-night stay here allows you to unwind and experience life on a working Punjabi farm.

Spend the next two days relaxing and enjoying the activities available in this peaceful rural setting. You might like to watch or join in with various farming tasks, including a visit to a nearby dairy farm to learn about traditional methods and even try your hand at milking cows.

There are plenty of walking and cycling trails to explore, as well as a chance to visit the local village and the Sikh History Museum, built to inspire pride in Punjabi culture. You can also visit the Sikh temple, Ghallughara Saheb, where religious ceremonies take place in the mornings and on weekends. For a bit of rural fun, tractor and tonga (traditional horse-drawn carriage) rides can be arranged.

Spend another day unwinding and experiencing rural life at Pubjab Village Farm. If you’re here on a Sunday, you can visit a small carnival at local gurdwaras, where people from nearby villages gather for prayers and a community kitchen. A small market is also set up, selling toys and sweets.

In addition to farm walks and cycling, you can try your hand at farming tasks like sowing or harvesting, enjoy a tractor ride through the countryside, or even learn to drive a tractor with guidance from a local farmer.

Drive to Chandigarh today, a journey of about 5 hours. Designed by Le Corbusier in the 1950s, Chandigarh is India’s first planned city, created to reflect Nehru’s vision of a modern and forward-looking nation.

Spend the afternoon exploring the city’s broad boulevards, parks, and neighbourhoods, which showcase Le Corbusier’s urban planning. Visit the Architecture Museum to learn about the city’s creation and view Modernist artworks. Explore the Capitol Complex, featuring the iconic Open Hand Monument and a Cubist mural by Le Corbusier. In addition, be sure to visit Nek Chand’s Rock Garden, an 8-hectare wonder of thousands of sculptures made from rocks, concrete, and recycled materials, set amid mosaic courtyards, waterfalls, and winding paths.

Transfer to the station to board a train to Delhi. Alternatively, you can take the famous ‘toy train’ journey up to Shimla, where you can enjoy a couple of days of mountain air and stunning Himalayan views, or fly to Varanasi or Jaipur via Delhi for further touring.