Luxury Amritsar Tour

THE HARMANDIR SAHIB GURDWARA gets its epithet ‘the Golden Temple’ from its gold-leaf-covered outer sanctum commissioned by the great Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh.

It is nestled in the middle of a man-made pond and was originally constructed in 1581-1604 AD. 

The Golden Temple is also the place where the HOLY SCRIPTURE GURU GRANTH SAHIB is kept.

Every evening, after sunset, the Guru Granth is carried in an elaborate ceremony to the inner sanctum and lessons from the scriptures are read aloud. Free food called LANGAR is given to all its visitors and devotees.

Aside from the Golden Temple, Amritsar is also the legatee of a rich historical heritage of the Indian partition, Gurdwaras (Sikh Temples) and landmarks.

Be sure to make attendance at the AKAL TAKHT (the highest temporal seat of the Sikh authority), SHRI DURGIANA TEMPLE, GOBINDGARH FORT and JALLIANWALA BAGH.

Every evening before sunset a patriotic ceremony full of charged emotions and fervor takes place at Wagah, at the border with Pakistan.

Also known as the “BEATING RETREAT CEREMONY,” the ceremony involves a grand synchronized parade in the backdrop of patriotic songs by the Border Security Force (BSF), the custodian of the Indian border.

Flags of both India and Pakistan are lowered in a simultaneous synchronized manner and the border is ceremonially closed for the day. The 45-minute long flag-lowering ceremony is an absolute must-watch in Amritsar.

As one of Punjab’s most important historical and spiritual cities, AMRITSAR brims with heritage sites.

Among them are some exquisite old-fashioned Punjabi traditional mansions where you can enjoy a splendid heritage stay. Places like the 250-year-old RANJIT’S SVAASA (run by one of the city’s oldest families) is excellent for such a stay.

In one of the British Raj’s saddest incidents, authorities clashed with a peaceful crowd in the Jallianwala Bagh (who were protesting against the arrest of pro-independence leaders and the anti-civil rights “Rowlatt Act” in April 1919) resulting in the loss of precious lives.

The site of THE JALLIANWALA BAGH incident now houses a Memorial and an eternal flame called “Amar Jyoti” burns to symbolize eternal remembrance of the sacrifice. Be sure to pay your respect.

Amritsar is famed for its delectable Punjabi cuisine and vibrant food culture.

When you are in town, be sure to try the AMRITSARI KULCHA (bread stuffed with potatoes, onions and spices), AMRITSARI FISH FRY, MURGH MAKHANI (butter chicken) and SARSON DA SAAG (mustard greens served with cornmeal bread).

The Amritsari Lassi (yogurt drink) is particularly refreshing on a warm day and Jalebi (pretzel-like sweet) is wonderful dessert.

One of the central pillars of the Sikh faith is the hospitality extended to guests. At Gurdwaras, devotees are treated as respectable guests and fed well with warmth and love.

Food is offered to all visitors, tens of thousands of them, at the Golden Temple, regardless of their faith, caste or color. The food offered is called “LANGAR” and is a way to promote harmony and equality and remove barriers.

Find out how thousands of Langar meals are prepared every day in our exclusive ‘Behind-the-Scene Langar Experience’

Amritsar is an important center of traditional as well as modern Punjabi music. Traditional devotional music Shabad Kirtan of Amritsar (performed at the Golden Temple) is particularly famous.

The city has produced some renowned modern artists of the wildly popular Punjabi Bhangra and rap music. Enjoy our exclusive sessions with Ambarsari local artists and performers to learn traditional Punjabi folk dances, musical instruments or even the art of turban tying.

Famous landmarks and monuments of Amritsar like the Golden Temple, Shri Durgiana Temple, Sadda Pind Amritsar, Akhal Takht, Gobingarh Fort and Jallianwala Bagh are excellent backdrops for a memorable photographic experience.

Go on a private photographic journey featuring the top sites of the city with our expert

THE PARTITION MUSEUM in Amritsar is an excellent historical catalog of the sad events of 1947 when the partition of India led to one of the biggest mass migrations in modern history.

The resultant bloodshed took the lives of millions. Memories of partition are painstakingly collected in forms of photographs, personal letters, artifacts and exhibits at this very important museum.

The Punjabi Sikhs were one of the so-called Martial Races of the British Indian Empire who fought valiantly and earned their reputation for bravery and loyalty in both world wars.

Also known as GATKA, the Sikh Martial Arts tradition which dates back centuries involves sword-fighting, the use of sticks and hand-to-hand combat. Take our Gatka session and learn a few self-defense skills.

Amritsar is a dense urban sprawl, much like other major cities of India. But beyond the city, in the hinterlands are nestled hundreds of agrarian Punjabi villages characterized by a pristine rural way of life and sustenance farming.

Take our bespoke tour of nearby villages, interact with local communities, experience rural life and discover lesser-known heritage sites and cultural practices of the region.