One week in Punjab
Seven days lets you pair the big-hitters with rural Malwa, royal Patiala, and 2 offbeat detours most itineraries skip.
Mustard fields near Patiala in winter bloom
Days 1-2: Amritsar
Base yourself near Heritage Street or Ranjit Avenue. Beyond the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh, spend a half-day at the Partition Museum in Town Hall ($3, closed Mondays) — it's the emotional counterweight to the temple's serenity. Eat your way through Lawrence Road: Bhrawan Da Dhaba for thali ($4), Ahuja Milk Bhandar for lassi ($1.50), Gian Chand Lassi Wale for a sweeter version. Book the Sadda Pind cultural village on the outskirts for a full evening of bhangra, tractor rides, and unlimited Punjabi thali at around $18.
Days 3-4: Amritsar to Patiala via rural Malwa
Hire a car with driver ($55 a day) and drive south via Tarn Taran Sahib, another important Sikh gurdwara with a huge sarovar and no crowds. Overnight in Ludhiana if you want a hosiery-industry stopover, or push straight to Patiala (5 hours). In Patiala, tour Qila Mubarak in the old city — the sheesh mahal is stunning and entry is $0.60. Try Patiala peg cocktails at the Baradari Palace bar, and eat kadhi chawal at the Adalat Bazaar dhabas for under $2.
Day 5: Chandigarh
Two hours from Patiala. Focus on Sector 17 for shopping (Fabindia, Sagar Ratna for South Indian breakfast), the Rock Garden, and the Government Museum's Gandhara sculpture gallery ($0.50). Dinner at Backpackers Cafe in Sector 9 — pastas around $6, decent cocktails. If you have energy, catch live music at Peddlers in Sector 35.
Days 6-7: Kasauli and back
Kasauli is a Himachali hill station 65km from Chandigarh but effectively a Punjab weekend spot. Drive up (2 hours) for pine-forest walks along Upper Mall, the Christ Church, and Monkey Point (requires an ID for the cantonment). Stay at Baikunth Resort or Kasauli Regency (about $80 a night). On day 7, drop down to Chandigarh airport for departure or return to Amritsar via the direct expressway (5 hours).
Frequently asked questions
What people ask before they set off on this one.
Split between Amritsar (2-3 nights) and Chandigarh (2 nights), with 1-2 nights in Patiala or the Kasauli hills. Trying to base in one city means too much daily driving.
Yes if you want to see rural Malwa and Patiala; the intercity trains are good but villages need road access. Budget $50-65 a day including fuel and driver food.
If you have 7+ days and it's April-June or October, yes — the pine air is a genuine break from plains heat. Skip in monsoon (July-August) when landslides shut roads.
About $200-250 for meals, tips, entries, and small shopping. Cards work in cities but dhabas, auto-rickshaws, and rural stops are cash-only.
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