Punjab Tours & Experiences

Things to do in Punjab

Start in Amritsar

Amritsar has the Golden Temple and its free kitchen, with the flag-lowering at Attari close by; our Amritsar page covers the city in detail. The Golden Temple, Amritsar tour takes in the temple, the Akal Takht and the langar with a private guide, and the ten-day tour adds the Attari ceremony.

Watch Hola Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib

Every March, straight after Holi, Nihang Sikhs gather at Takht Sri Keshgarh Sahib for Hola Mohalla, the festival Guru Gobind Singh began, with gatka, the Sikh martial art, horse riding and processions. Langar is served along the roads into town, and visitors are welcome.

Learn Sikh history at Virasat-e-Khalsa

Near the Takht at Anandpur Sahib, where the Khalsa was created in 1699, the Virasat-e-Khalsa museum tells the story of the Sikhs. It opens from 10 am to 4 pm and closes on Mondays and public holidays.

Celebrate Vaisakhi

On 13 or 14 April, Punjab marks the harvest and the founding of the Khalsa with Nagar Kirtan processions, bhangra and giddha. The largest gatherings are at the Golden Temple and at the mela around Takht Sri Damdama Sahib in Talwandi Sabo, about 30 km from Bathinda.

Follow the gurdwaras of Sikh history

Gurdwara Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, near Sirhind on the Grand Trunk Road, marks the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh's two younger sons in 1705. At Sultanpur Lodhi, Guru Nanak attained enlightenment while bathing in the Kali Bein in 1499.

See the palaces of Patiala and Kapurthala

Patiala has the Qila Mubarak and the Sheesh Mahal, and Kapurthala's Jagatjit Palace was modelled on Versailles.

Go birdwatching at Harike

Harike, where the Beas meets the Sutlej, is the largest wetland in northern India and a Ramsar site for resident and migratory birds. Punjab Tourism suggests going early in the morning.

Watch a border ceremony beyond Attari

The Border Security Force also holds its evening retreat at Hussainiwala, near Ferozepur, and at Sadqi, near Fazilka. Public viewing can be stopped at short notice, so check the day before.

Eat Punjabi food

Order Amritsari kulcha, dal makhani, chhole bhature, or makki ki roti with sarson ka saag; meat eaters add Amritsari fish or tandoori chicken. Note that Anandpur Sahib restricts non-vegetarian food and alcohol.

Choosing between our tours and experiences

Both trips on this page are private tour packages that centre on Amritsar, and both also appear on our Punjab tour packages page. The Golden Temple tour fits into any North India trip: a private guide and vehicle in Amritsar, time for the langar and a briefing on dress and etiquette. The 10 Days Delhi Agra Jaipur with Golden Temple Tour suits a first trip to India, with flights from Delhi to Amritsar and back after the Golden Triangle. Anandpur Sahib, Patiala or Harike can be planned into a tailor-made trip.

When to go for these

October to March suits most of Punjab. IMD's averages for Chandigarh put May and June days near 38°C, and July and August are the wettest months, with about 275 mm of rain each. In late December and January, dense fog can cover most of the state and delay flights, trains and road journeys. Hola Mohalla falls in March and Vaisakhi in mid-April.

Planning tips

Distances are long, so give each region its own day rather than racing between them. Gurdwara etiquette starts at the Golden Temple: shoes off at the counters, head covered, with scarves on hand. Our Punjab travel guide covers the places themselves.