Guides ·Itineraries

Punjab in 3 days, upgraded

For around $250 a day you can pair heritage-hotel stays, private guides, and 2 chef's-table dinners across Amritsar, Patiala and Chandigarh.

Guide

Itineraries

Length

7 min read

Region

Punjab

Chandelier and mirror work at Baradari Palace, Patiala

Day 1: Amritsar with a private guide

Check into The Ranjit's Svaasa Boutique Heritage on Mall Road — a 250-year-old haveli with 20 rooms from $140 a night, spa included. Hire a licensed guide through the hotel ($40 for half a day) for a Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, and Partition Museum circuit that skips queues via the Foreigners' Assistance Office. Lunch at Bhrawan Da Dhaba's newer AC branch. Sunset drink at The Lounge, Hyatt Regency, then dinner at Thai Chi if you need a break from Punjabi food, or Saffron at Hyatt for a modern take on lamb champaran.

Day 2: drive to Patiala, sleep at a palace

Private car to Patiala (4.5 hours, $75 including driver). Stop at Fatehgarh Sahib gurdwara en route. In Patiala, the Neemrana-run Baradari Palace has 16 rooms in the former royal garden palace, from $110 a night, with a bar in the original Durbar Hall. Book the heritage walk of the old city and Qila Mubarak with the on-site historian. Dinner is the Patiala thali at the hotel's Sheesh Mahal restaurant — around $22 with a Patiala peg of single malt.

Day 3: Chandigarh design and food

Two-hour drive to Chandigarh. Check into the JW Marriott in Sector 35 (rooms from $160) or the smaller Taj Chandigarh. Book the Le Corbusier Centre and Capitol Complex through the Chandigarh Tourism office — foreign passport needed for the Complex. Late lunch at Swagath in Sector 26 for coastal seafood. Afternoon at the Government Museum's Sector 10 art gallery. Dinner: Virgin Courtyard in Sector 7 for wood-fired pizza and cocktails, around $45 for two.

Frequently asked questions

What people ask before they set off on this one.

What's the best luxury hotel in Amritsar?

Taj Swarna and Hyatt Regency lead the international brands; The Ranjit's Svaasa wins for character. All three sit in the $140-220 range for standard rooms.

Can I stay at Baradari Palace in Patiala as a tourist?

Yes, it's a Neemrana Hotels property open to public bookings. Non-guests can still drink at the bar or eat at the restaurant with a reservation.

Is a private car worth it for 3 days?

For this itinerary yes — trains between Amritsar, Patiala and Chandigarh don’t line up neatly, and a driver saves 3-4 hours in transfers over 3 days. Budget $180-220 total.

Where do I get the Capitol Complex permit?

Chandigarh Tourism office, UT Guest House, Sector 6, weekdays 9am-4pm. Free with passport copy; apply at least a day ahead or the same morning for the afternoon slot.

Where to stay