A relaxed, low-sightseeing trip for 3 people. Three nights in the mountains, one night in Amritsar for Golden Temple and Wagah, then home. Two route options — pick your trade-off.
Dharamshala has no direct flight from Kolkata. You either fly to Amritsar and drive 5 hours, or fly to Gaggal (Dharamshala's own airport) via a 1-stop connection through Delhi. Both land you in McLeodganj the same evening.
Total for 3 pax (flights + cab): ₹57,100
Total for 3 pax (flights + cab): ₹39,000–45,000
| Leg | Date | Flight | Duration | Fare / pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCU → ATQ | Tue 26 May | IndiGo 6E 201 direct | 2h 40m | ₹7,800 |
| ATQ → CCU | Sat 30 May | IndiGo 6E direct | 2h 40m | ₹7,400 |
| Total for 3 pax | ₹45,600 | |||
Why Tue 26, not Mon 25: IndiGo direct runs Tue/Thu/Sat only. Mon 25 means a Delhi connection and ~₹3,000 more per person. Losing one night saves ₹9,000 and 3 hrs travel time.
| Leg | Date | Route | Duration | Fare / pax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCU → DEL → DHM | Mon 25 May | IndiGo / SpiceJet, 1h layover | 5h 30m | ₹12,500 |
| DHM → DEL → CCU | Sat 30 May | IndiGo / Air India, 1h layover | 5h 45m | ₹11,800 |
| Total for 3 pax | ₹72,900 | |||
Upside: 5 full nights in McLeodganj (Mon→Sat). Downside: ₹27,000 more than Option A. Gaggal flights also get cancelled occasionally due to fog or rain — always keep a day-of buffer.
Book window: Lock either option in the next 10 days. Inside 30 days of travel, May peak-season fares typically jump 25–40%.
| Leg | Vehicle | Distance / Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| IF OPTION A (via Amritsar) | |||
| Tue 26 · ATQ airport → McLeodganj | Innova (6-seater) | 200 km · 5 hrs | ₹4,500 |
| Fri 29 · McLeodganj → Amritsar city | Innova | 200 km · 5 hrs | ₹4,500 |
| Fri 29 eve · Amritsar → Wagah border RT | Sedan | 60 km · 2.5 hrs | ₹2,000 |
| Sat 30 · Amritsar hotel → ATQ airport | Sedan / Uber | 12 km · 30 min | ₹500 |
| IF OPTION B (via Gaggal) | |||
| Gaggal airport → McLeodganj | Sedan | 13 km · 35 min | ₹1,500 |
| McLeodganj → Gaggal airport | Sedan | 13 km · 35 min | ₹1,500 |
| LOCAL (both options) | |||
| Local full-day cab (Day 3) | Sedan, 8hr/80km | McLeodganj loop | ₹2,500 |
| Total — Option A | ₹14,000 | ||
| Total — Option B | ₹5,500 | ||
Why Innova for ATQ run: 3 adults + luggage fit a sedan, but Himachal hairpins above Pathankot are more comfortable with the extra wheelbase on a 5-hour climb.
Booking: Gozocabs, CabBazar, or arrange via hotel. Pay in cash on arrival, not upfront.
The only proper 5★ in the region, set in Dharamkot with infinity pool and Dhauladhar views. 6.5-acre property, genuinely quiet. For 3 pax, either a Deluxe + extra bed, or a Suite.
May peak rate: ₹12,000–16,000/night with breakfast · 3 nights: ~₹39,000
Good fit if: you want a quiet resort-style stay and don't mind being 3 km outside McLeodganj centre.
Book: Booking.com · Agoda · MakeMyTrip · Goibibo · Direct
ITC-managed, reliably clean, mountain-facing rooms. Walking distance to Main Square and Dalai Lama temple. Triple rooms available.
Rate: ₹6,500–7,000/night triple with breakfast
3 nights: ~₹20,250
Book: Booking.com · Agoda · MakeMyTrip · Goibibo · Direct
Newer property, solid rooms, rooftop restaurant with Kangra valley views. Just below Main Square. Family rooms fit 3.
Rate: ₹6,500–7,500/night family
3 nights: ~₹21,000
Book: Booking.com · Agoda · MakeMyTrip · Goibibo · Direct
Smaller boutique stays with character. Norling is Tibetan-run, walking distance to Norbulingka. Bodhi Greens sits in quiet Dharamkot. Club Mahindra is worth it if you already have membership.
Rate: ₹4,000–5,000/night · 3 nights: ~₹13,500
Book: Booking.com · Agoda · MakeMyTrip · Goibibo · Club Mahindra
Functional rooms, decent bathrooms, walkable to café strip. Not much character but clean and safe. FabHotels and OYO start from ~₹1,600 if you go basic.
Rate: ₹2,500–3,500/night triple · 3 nights: ~₹9,000
Book: Booking.com · Agoda · MakeMyTrip · FabHotels · OYO
One night near Golden Temple. Walk to the temple at night (best time) and back to hotel. Early flight next morning, airport is 12 km out.
5★, 10 min from Golden Temple, reliable for a short stopover. Triple rooms or suite.
Rate: ₹8,000–10,000/night · 1 night: ~₹9,000
Book: Booking.com · Agoda · MakeMyTrip · Goibibo · Direct
4★ IHG property, well-reviewed, 6 km from Golden Temple. Reliable mid-range with breakfast.
Rate: ₹5,500–7,000/night · 1 night: ~₹6,000
Book: Booking.com · Agoda · MakeMyTrip · Goibibo · Direct
Walkable (5–10 min) to Golden Temple. Basic 3★ but location is unbeatable for a 1-night stopover.
Rate: ₹2,500–4,000/night · 1 night: ~₹3,000
Book: Booking.com · Agoda · MakeMyTrip · FabHotels · OYO
Morning: IndiGo 6E 201 CCU→ATQ. Land Amritsar by noon.
Afternoon: Pick up Innova. Quick dhaba lunch on the road (Pathankot has good ones).
Evening: Drive straight to McLeodganj, arriving ~8 PM. Check in, light dinner at hotel. Skip Amritsar today — you're doing it on the way back.
Morning: Sleep in. Breakfast at Moonpeak Espresso or Illiterati. No driving today.
Day: Walk to Tsuglagkhang Complex (Dalai Lama's temple), Bhagsu Nag Temple, Bhagsu Waterfall. All within 2–3 km. Easy.
Evening: Café-hop on Jogiwara Road. Dinner at Tibet Kitchen or Nick's Italian.
Option 1 (active): Triund trek — 9 km round trip, 4–5 hrs. Start from Gallu Mandir at 7 AM. Moderate, views of Dhauladhar and Kangra valley. Back by 3 PM.
Option 2 (relaxed): Full-day cab to Norbulingka Institute, Kangra Fort, Masrur rock temples. Back by 6 PM.
Evening: Dinner at Jimmy's Italian Kitchen or Carpe Diem. Last night in the mountains — pack before sleeping.
07:00: Check out, leave McLeodganj. Scenic drive down through Kangra and Pathankot.
12:30: Reach Amritsar. Check into hotel near Golden Temple area. Lunch at Kesar Da Dhaba or Bharawan Da Dhaba — classic Amritsari thali.
15:30: Leave for Wagah border (28 km, 1 hr). Ceremony starts ~17:15 and runs till 18:30. Get there by 16:00 for decent seats.
19:30: Back to Amritsar. Quick freshen up.
20:30: Walk to Golden Temple — go at night, it's lit up, crowds are thinner, reflection in the sarovar is unforgettable. Langar dinner inside (free, worth doing at least once).
22:30: Back to hotel.
Morning: Early breakfast. If time, quick visit to Jallianwala Bagh (next to Golden Temple, 30 min) or Partition Museum.
09:30: Cab to ATQ airport (30 min).
Afternoon: IndiGo direct back to CCU. Home by evening.
| Category | Detail | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | IndiGo direct CCU↔ATQ × 3 pax | ₹45,600 |
| Ground transport | Innova RT + Wagah + airport cab + local | ₹14,000 |
| Dharamshala hotel | Fortune Park Moksha triple × 3 nights | ₹20,250 |
| Amritsar hotel | Holiday Inn Ranjit Avenue × 1 night | ₹6,000 |
| Sightseeing | Triund guide, Wagah, Jallianwala, misc | ₹3,000 |
| Food | 3 pax × ~₹2,000/day × 5 days | ₹10,000 |
| Buffer | Tips, shopping, Amritsari food | ₹5,000 |
| Total | ₹1,03,850 | |
| Category | Detail | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | IndiGo direct CCU↔ATQ × 3 | ₹45,600 |
| Ground transport | Innova + Wagah + local | ₹14,000 |
| Dharamshala hotel | FabHotel / Hotel Surya × 3 nights | ₹9,000 |
| Amritsar hotel | Budget 3★ near Golden Temple × 1 night | ₹3,000 |
| Sightseeing + food + buffer | Entries, food, misc | ₹18,000 |
| Total | ₹89,600 | |
| Category | Detail | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | CCU↔DHM 1-stop via Delhi × 3 pax | ₹72,900 |
| Ground transport | Gaggal cab RT + local cab | ₹5,500 |
| Hotel | Fortune Park Moksha × 4 nights | ₹27,000 |
| Sightseeing | Triund, entries, misc | ₹3,000 |
| Food | 3 pax × 5 days | ₹10,000 |
| Buffer | Tips, shopping | ₹5,000 |
| Total | ₹1,23,400 | |
| Category | Detail | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Flights | IndiGo direct CCU↔ATQ × 3 | ₹45,600 |
| Ground transport | Innova + Wagah + local | ₹14,000 |
| Dharamshala hotel | Hyatt Regency × 3 nights (Suite / Deluxe + extra bed) | ₹39,000 |
| Amritsar hotel | Hyatt Regency Amritsar × 1 night | ₹9,000 |
| Sightseeing + food + buffer | Entries, Hyatt dinners, spa, misc | ₹24,000 |
| Total | ₹1,31,600 | |
| Location | Day temp | Night temp | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| McLeodganj / Dharamkot | 18–25°C | 12–15°C | Light occasional afternoon showers |
| Lower Dharamshala | 24–30°C | 16–19°C | Dry mostly |
| Triund (2,800m) | 12–18°C | 5–8°C | Fog possible after 2 PM |
Pack: One light fleece, compact rain shell, walking shoes, sunscreen (UV strong at altitude), cap.
Go with Option A · Scenario 1. Fly Kolkata → Amritsar direct, drive up, 3 nights in McLeodganj at a Tier 2 4★ hotel, drive back to Amritsar on Fri 29 for Golden Temple + Wagah border, overnight in Amritsar, fly home Sat 30. All-in ~₹1,04,000 for 3 people.
You get mountains and Amritsar without rushing, no layovers, no weather cancellation risk. Wagah ceremony + lit-up Golden Temple at night is the perfect trip-ender.
Book flights this week. Hotel in Amritsar can wait ~10 days. Cab 1 week before.