This is a voyage for the body, mind and spirit. Discover the religions that have shaped North India, as the fresh mountain air lifts your own spirits.
New DelhiMosque, temple & gurdwara visitsShimlaTrain journeys, including the "toy train"MandiDharamsala, home of the Dalai LamaTibetan craft workshopsAmritsarRishikesh, the "yoga capital of the world"Ganga Aarti fire ritual on the Ganges RiverOptional: bazaar, jungle trek, bathing in ghats, hilltop temple walks, nature walks, massages, Bollywood film nights
Up to US $390 off selected dates. Late availability on these dates: 06 Sep, 09 Sep, 13 Sep, 20 Sep, 23 Sep, 27 Sep, 04 Oct, 11 Oct, 14 Oct, 18 Oct, 21 Oct, 25 Oct, 28 Oct, 15 Nov
Colourful and cultural, Punjab is a feast for body and mind, from its Golden Temple to its frequent festivals.
Vacation information
Small group tour, ideal for solos & couples:
Small group travel is not large group travel scaled down. It is modeled on independent travel – but with the advantage of a group leader to take care of the itinerary, accommodation and tickets, and dealing with the language. It’s easy to tick off the big sights independently – but finding those one-off experiences, local festivals, traveling markets and secret viewpoints is almost impossible for someone without the insider knowledge gained from years in the field. For those with limited time, a small group tour will save valuable time in planning, and on vacation.
Reviews
3 Reviews of Punjab vacation, Mountains & Mystics
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Reviewed on 29 Mar 2025 by Elizabeth Hewett
Some amazing views and scenery and great moments with the Golden Temple at Amritsar, or the buddhist center at Darashalam. We went to places not often visited by European tourists.Read full review
Reviewed on 05 Aug 2019 by Howard Somerville
The most memorable parts of the vacation were the interesting sights (historical and natural) and the pleasant and relaxed experience in general.
Read full review
Reviewed on 07 Oct 2017 by Claire Walker
Seeing golden eagles in the mountainous areas, seeing the Golden Temple at Amritsar, the Dalai Lama’s temple in Dharamshala, the ceremony on the border of India and Pakistan, the food, the people!Read full review
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) vacation so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your vacation to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
In the hills above Chamba you spend three nights as the guests of a local family at a farmstay to experience traditional rural life. Much of the food you enjoy here has been organically grown and cultivated by local workers. By opting to take walks into the hills with a local guide, take part in some traditional farming, or even having your bags carried for you by the villagers, you are supporting some of the families that live in the area.
People
India plays host to a diversity of spiritual centers and places of pilgrimage. On this trip you will visit the Islamic mosques, Sikh gurudwaras, Tibetan settlements and Himalayan Hindu temples that all go towards representing the heart and soul of this incredible country. It is important to have some background knowledge on these places before visiting them so as to treat these holy places with the respect they inspire from the locals. Your leader will help you learn more about the place you visit to enable a deeper understanding and enjoyment from the experience.
Dharamsala is the home in exile of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and if in town, there is the opportunity to meet with His Holiness and offer support to the Tibetan cause. You will visit the fantastic Norbulingka Institute, which was developed to train (and house) Tibetan refugees in the skills needed to preserve the traditional arts and crafts of Tibet, so that the skills will not be lost. There is a shop here where you can buy some of the craftwork and clothing made by the refugees.
At the end of our journey travelers may donate any unwanted clothing, medicines and bandages, which are distributed to a group called Goonj. This organisation is a nationwide movement that provides help to remote villages in Assam, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, Uttaranchal and wherever the demand arises or disaster forces people to look for support.
