Amritsar Itinerary: 3 Days Under Rs. 5000

From crossing borders and entering into Pakistan to channelling your inner Bollywood star in the blooming mustard fields, your Amritsar trip could be packed with adventure. In just 72 hours, you’ll visit two sacred Sikh sites and experience the electrifying atmosphere at the Attari-Wagah border. You might gain a few pounds by indulging in all the lip-smacking street food, but trust us, it’ll be worth it!

Now, here's the catch— What if we told you all this is possible in just 3 days, and that too under a budget of Rs. 5000? Curious? Then grab a glass of lassi and read on.

Day 1:

Check-in at The Hosteller, Amritsar 

13:00 PM: After settling in The Hosteller, Amritsar, freshen up and head out for an authentic Amritsari meal. Start with some Chole Kulche and a thick, creamy Lassi at the renowned Kesar Da Dhaba. It should cost you about Rs. 275.

Here's a list of our top food spots to check out on your next trip to Amritsar. To know about the best food to eat in Amritsar, check out our Amritsar food blog.

• Kesar da Dhaba
• Kulcha land
• Beera Chicken House
• Ahuja Milk Bhandar
• All India Famous Amritsari Kulcha
• Kanha Sweets
• Brothers' Dhaba
• Makhan Fish and Chicken Corner
• Surjit Food Plaza
• A-one Kulfa

Mouth-watering Chole Kulche and Amritsari Lassi at the Kesar Da Dhaba 

Spend golden moments at the Golden Temple:

15:30 PM: After a hearty and delicious lunch, set out for the Golden Temple, to witness its beauty at the golden hour. Also known as Sri Harmandir Sahib, Golden Temple is the largest and most important Gurudwara in India. This Gurudwara is home to the final guru of Sikhism - Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the central holy scripture of Sikhism, regarded as the final, sovereign and eternal Guru.

We recommend visiting the Gurudwara during both daylight and nighttime for a magical experience.

Note: Remember to cover your head before entering the Gurudwara. Additionally, wear appropriate clothes that cover your entire body. Shorts, skirts, and sleeveless tops are not allowed inside the main complex. 

The majestic Golden Temple glowing in the radiant golden hues as the sun sets

Recommendations:

• At the golden hour, the temple shimmers in the warm hues of the setting sun, creating a divine appearance. Its reflection in the still waters below is a sight to behold, almost like a magical mirror image.
• Don’t miss the Kara Prasad, a sweet blessing that you’ll receive after offering prayers.
• Head to the langar, world’s largest free kitchen, where volunteers serve a nourishing meal of dal, roti, sabzi and kheer to over 100,000 people daily.
  

Did you know? Anyone can participate in 'seva' (service) in the langar halls, serving food, cleaning, or washing dishes. There's also a chance to help in the kitchen, from peeling vegetables to making chapatis.

Post langar, sit by the Amrit Sarovar, the sacred pool within the temple complex. The soothing gurbani kirtan tunes in the background will make your visit surreal.

Aerial view of magnificent Golden Temple

Feasting on local cuisine in Amritsar:

20:00 PM: After exploring the temple, head to the market for a sweet treat.

• Just outside gate no. 2 of the Golden Temple, there is a roadside shop called Lal Singh Kesariya Milk that offers warm masala milk filled with dry fruits and topped with rose petals. It’s divine and costs approximately Rs.40.
• Nearby, at Gurudas Ram Jalebi Wala, savour the most incredible jalebis for approximately Rs.60.

Total expense: With a full stomach and happy heart, you can wrap up your first day in Amritsar with a total expense of approximately Rs.400-500.
 

A mouth-watering street dessert - piping hot jalebis

Day 2

The second day will be packed with exciting stops, starting with the Partition Museum, followed by Sadda Pind, and ending with the Attari-Wagah Border. If you are visiting in winters, sport a Punjabi suit or leather jacket to channel your inner Simran or Raj, and get ready to witness the iconic sarson ke khet on the way to the border.

9:15 AM: Rise early and make your way to Bade Brother's Dhaba for breakfast. It opens very early and the food here is great. Order yourself a plate of aaloo paranthas and chai (garma garam). It should cost you around Rs. 130. Once you are done with food, head to the Partition Museum right after.

Enroute - The Partition Museum:

10:15 AM: Check out this museum if you are a history buff and curious about India's partition history. To commemorate the pain that partition brought, Amritsar built this unique museum that is titled the "People's Museum" and is home to numerous tales, memoirs, art, and artefacts.

As you exit the Partition Museum it feels like leaving behind an era-sistable past! The weight of history hung heavy in the air. It's not just about the artefacts or the displays; it's about connecting with the past that's shaped our present.

Quick note: The timings for the Partition Museum are 10 am - 6 pm. The museum is closed on Mondays and National holidays.

Historic Partition Museum building, a testament of sacrifice (Source - partitionmuseum.org)

Games, pottery and giddha - 'Sadda Pind' diaries:

11:30 AM - Take an E-auto from the Museum to get to Sadda Pind, which will cost approximately Rs.100. Sadda Pind, which translates to "our village", is a fantastic Punjabi Village Resort spanning over 12 acres. Bursting with vibrant colours and rich flavours, it's the perfect spot to dive into Punjabi culture.

Here’s all you’ll get to see here:

• Classic small Punjabi houses
• Bigger houses known as havelis
• Lush fields (or 'khet' as the locals say) stretching as far as the eye could see
  

One of the highlights is trying your hand at pottery. Get your hands dirty and create something from scratch. Afterward, relive childhood nostalgia with some cotton candy while enjoying a lively puppet show.

The real fun begins as you dive into traditional games like Gilli Danda and Kancha (good old Hopscotch) right in the middle of the road. When you start feeling exhausted from all the playing, refresh yourself with some ganne ka ras. You might also catch some ladies gracefully dancing the Giddha to the rhythmic beats of the dholki—so why not join in and learn a few moves?

Post games and dance, dive straight into lunch. From the sizzling tandoori delights to the aromatic curries, each dish carries the authentic flavours of Punjab. And to top it off, try the delicious dessert. Sadda Pind is a feast for the belly and the heart, serving up memories. It’s an experience you’ll not want to miss!

View of Sadda Pind, a beautiful Punjabi village resort (Source - Saddapind.co.in)

The beating retreat ceremony at Wagah border:

15:15 PM: The Attari-Wagah border shared between India and Pakistan is renowned for its daily flag-lowering ceremony. It is a popular site among Indians and foreigners alike.

• Avoid visiting Wagah Border in summers. It’s toooo hot and you’ll need a lot of water to keep yourself hydrated.
• Get there before 3:30 PM to get the best seats. Lower the better.
• Don’t trust the vendors outside the gate. They’ll tell you no water bottles are available inside. Well, it is not true.

The flag retreat ceremony starts around 4:15 pm in winter and lasts for about 45 minutes. Tunes of patriotic songs echo from both sides, and the crowd catches the patriotism fever. You’ll see people dressed in tricolour, some with their faces all painted, and both grown-ups and kids going full-on with the patriotic spirit.

The ceremony kicks off with an electric parade. Soldiers from India's Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan's Rangers take a super aggressive and hyper-energetic stance, making it feel like a live-action showdown!

As the sun sets, soldiers from both sides flawlessly synchronise the lowering of their respective national flags. The iron gates at the border open and the soldiers carefully lower and fold the flags. A solid handshake between the soldiers marks the end of the ceremony.

After the ceremony, make your way back to Amritsar.

Total expense: You can expect to conclude Day 2 with a total expense of approximately Rs.1000-1500

Crowd chanting patriotic chants and cheering at the Attari-Wagah border

Day 3

Crossing Borders And Entering Into Pakistan:

The last day of your Amritsar trip will be the most memorable. Why? Because you will get a chance to step into Pakistan! Here’s how! On the third day, you’ll take an epic day trip to the Kartarpur corridor which connects Gurdwara Darbar Sahib, near Narowal in Pakistan to Gurudwara Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur district, Punjab, India.

To know more about the importance of Kartarpur Corridor, read our detailed blog on the same.

How to reach Kartarpur Sahib Corridor: The Kartarpur Sahib Corridor is roughly 65 km from Amritsar. To reach Kartarpur, head to Dera Baba Nanak, a small border town just 2 km from the Corridor. It hosts India's last bus stand and railway station before crossing into Pakistan. You'll encounter BSF Jawans in this area. Multiple transportation options are available to reach Dera Baba Nanak.

8:15: Depart from Amritsar Bus Stand. 

View of majestic Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara, Pakistan

10:00: You’ll arrive at Dera Baba Nanak nearly two hours later. The Corridor is about 2 km from the bus stand, and you can opt for an E-auto for approximately Rs.40 (negotiable, of course!) or walk.

At the terminal, you’ll need to verify your essential documents — your passport and ETA copies. Check out our detailed blog on the Kartarpur Corridor for a complete overview.

The first sight of the Indian and Pakistan flags in the distance is sure to give you goosebumps! Not many people can say they've been to Pakistan, and you can be one of them!

At the terminal, you'll need to screen your luggage before heading to immigration. After completing the formalities and paperwork, it’s time to head to Pakistan. Right outside the terminal, sit in the golf carts which take pilgrims to the zero line, border between India and Pakistan. Within a few seconds, you’ll be at the checkpoint in Pakistan. You’ll feel an adrenaline rush as you cross the border and enter Pakistan!

Proceed to Pakistan immigration, where only a passport and no ETA is needed. Although passports are not stamped, they verify entry fee payment and provide a yellow "Yatree Tag." After completing the formalities, board the AC bus that will take you to the Gurdwara.

A huge statue of Kirpan (daggar) inside the complex of Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara

The Gurudwara is truly heavenly! To enter the Gurdwara, you pass through a vast open area and long corridors to reach the main shrine. After enjoying the hymns, head to the langar. The hall is clean and spacious, serving delicious food.

You can meet and greet fellow Pakistanis at the Gurdwara. Indians wear yellow tags, while Pakistanis wear blue or red ones. Don’t miss the chance to discuss food, interests, work, Bollywood, and cricket of course! You’ll realise how similar certain aspects of both countries are, and it’s really fascinating!

Did you know? You can shop here and bring some Pakistani snacks on your way back. Grab some exclusive Pakistani biscuits, chocolates, snacks, and drinks. After this delightful experience, return to India. Take the bus from Dera Baba Nanak bus stand back to Amritsar. 

Pilgrims at Kartarpur Sahib Gurdwara

The Ultimate Lassi Showdown:

15:00: When in Amritsar, you have got to take on the lassi challenge with your friends! Head to Gian Di Lassi, a popular lassi spot. Challenge your friends to finish a glass of lassi in 30 seconds. Chug down the thick, creamy lassi or savour it at your own pace; Amritsari lassi is an unmissable delight! A glass of Amritsari lassi costs approximately Rs. 50.

If you're up for a lassi challenge with your friends, just like us, here are a few spots to get the best Lassi in Amritsar:

• Gian Di Lassi
• Ahuja Milk Bhandar
• Pehalwan Lassi
• Kanha Sweets
• New Munim Di Hatti 

Lip-smacking, creamy lassi at a local shop in Amritsar

Shopping In Amritsar - Every Shopaholic's Dream:

18:00: After the lassi challenge, head to the Hall Bazaar for some shopping. Explore the vibrant market for beautifully designed Phulkari dupattas and juttis to complete your look. You can also pick up traditional kadas worn by Sikh men as a symbol of their faith. While you’re there, don’t forget to stop by a local store to grab some Punjabi treats like Aam Papad (sun-dried mango pulp mixed with jaggery and syrup) and Punjabi Masala papad.

Summing up, as promised, by the end of your trip, you’ll have a blast in this vibrant city with this 3-days Amritsar itinerary. And hey, if you are looking for affordable accommodation in Amritsar, remember to check out The Hosteller, Amritsar.

Intricately designed Amritsari Juttis at a local shop in Hall Bazaar

How to reach Amritsar:

By Air: Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport of Amritsar is well connected to most cities in India and major international cities, making it convenient for domestic and foreign tourists to visit the holy city. This airport is approximately 13 km away from The Hosteller, Amritsar.

By Train: Amritsar can be conveniently reached by train from major cities across India. The Amritsar Junction (ASR) is only 2.4 kilometres from The Hosteller, Amritsar. One can easily find cabs and auto-rickshaws outside the junction, costing Rs.60.

By Road: Amritsar is accessible by road, thanks to its extensive network. Numerous private and state-owned buses operate from Delhi and Chandigarh. The closest bus station – Amritsar Bus Stand – is 500 metres from The Hosteller, Amritsar.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs):

1. What is the best time to visit Amritsar? The best time to visit Amritsar is from September to March. During this period, the weather is very pleasant, making it ideal to explore the city’s tourist attractions. Summers can be exceptionally hot, so it is advisable to avoid travelling to Amritsar during this season.

2. What are the timings of the Golden Temple? The Golden Temple visiting hours vary depending on the season. Typically, visitors can pay their respects from 4 am to 10 pm every day of the week.

3. Is Wagah Border entry free? No entry passes or tickets are required to attend the Beating Retreat ceremony at the Wagah Border; it is open to all. Seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

4. How many days are sufficient for Amritsar? Amritsar, with its captivating history and numerous tourist attractions, is a charming city worth exploring. A recommended timeframe for your visit would be 2-3 days. Consider planning your upcoming trip with this awesome 3-days Amritsar itinerary.

5. Can we stay in Golden Temple at night? Visitors have the option to stay for free within the temple complex. The "Guru Arjan Dev Niwas" provides simple dormitory-style accommodation with shared bathrooms specifically designated for tourists, allowing a complimentary stay for up to 3 days. Additionally, there are several hotels and hostels available in the vicinity. For those seeking affordable accommodation in Amritsar, check out The Hosteller, Amritsar.