Our summer vacation was a mix of religious exploration and a retreat to the hills, planned to keep the kids engaged while ensuring some relaxation for the adults. Covering Amritsar and Dalhousie in five days, this journey was a wonderful balance of spirituality, scenic beauty, and family bonding.
Day 1: A Spiritual Start in Amritsar
We took the 7 AM Shatabdi from Delhi, arriving in Amritsar by 2 PM. Our stay was at Taj Swarna, which unfortunately did not meet our expectations.
In the evening, we visited the Golden Temple, a spiritual and peaceful experience. Dinner was at the famous Brothers Dhaba, but the food was average—quite unexpected for Amritsar.
Day 2: Journey to Dalhousie
After breakfast, we hired an Innova for the next four days and left for Dalhousie around 11 AM. On the way, we stopped at Haveli near Pathankot, where the food was decent.
We reached The Mount View Hotel in Dalhousie by 4 PM. The location, views, and food were outstanding. We enjoyed some tea and pakoras along with pizza and fries for the kids, which was a delightful start to our hill station stay.
Day 3: Exploring Dainkund and Khajjiar
The day began with a visit to Dainkund Peak, about an hour’s drive away. The climb was easy, and hiring a guide-cum-pithoo to carry our little one made it even more convenient. The view from the top, including one of the Panch Kailash Mountains, was mesmerizing.
Next, we headed to Khajjiar, often called “Mini Switzerland.” Despite the crowd, the place was full of fun for the kids. The scenic drive and the Shikanji we had there added to the charm. However, the Sunday traffic caused delays on our way back.
Lunch at The Mount View was again a highlight, but we skipped horse riding and visiting Kala Top due to time constraints and hungry kids.
Day 4: A Relaxed Day in Dalhousie
We started the day by visiting Chamera lake, which is formed by a reservoir. While the drive down was scenic, the boating experience was underwhelming. Unfortunately, we missed the nearby Mata Mandir as the driver took a wrong turn.
Back at the hotel by lunchtime, we spent the afternoon relaxing. The kids enjoyed the jacuzzi in our room, while I took my elder one for some shopping at Mall Road, where he got a heavy plastic bat.
The included breakfast and dinner were good, though the aroma of non-vegetarian food in the dining area led us to request a separate hall.
Day 5: Heading Back
We left the hotel for Amritsar airport in the morning, heading straight for our 4 PM flight back to Delhi. The Pathankot-Amritsar highway was excellent, and we reached the airport on time.
This trip was a mix of varied experiences—from spiritual moments in Amritsar to scenic adventures in Dalhousie. While a few aspects didn’t meet expectations, the overall experience was memorable and left us rejuvenated.
