Dimapur to Amritsar Flights

  About Dimapur

A fast-growing and flourishing city in Nagaland that is certainly worth exploring is Dimapur. It is not the most popular tourist spot, but you won't regret taking a trip here. From resting by the Dhansiri River to exploring the 10th-century Kachari Ruins, there is quite a lot that you can do in this city. Since the city is only used in transit because of its airport, even just a day is enough for you to get around the city. The Triple Falls, located in Seithekima village, is a sight for sore eyes. You can also visit the Kachari Ruins that was created by the Dimasa Kachari Kingdom of Dimapur. You can also shop for handmade products that are made by the Naga tribes. Dimapur is the perfect destination if you want to enjoy some alone time with nature. If you are planning a backpacking trip across North-East India, it is highly recommended that you add Dimapur to your list.

Best Time to Visit Dimapur

Since Dimapur is surrounded by hills, the weather is quite moderate throughout the year. However, October to June is considered to be the best time to visit Dimapur. October to March are also suitable months to plan a trip to Dimapur. You can book a hotel in Dimapur that has a view or even a decent homestay. You will find several homestays and good flight deals to Dimapur, too. The people are quite friendly and will make sure that you have a wonderful vacation.

October to March is when the city experiences winter. The temperature ranges from 13 to 18 degree Celsius. The climate is very soothing and pleasant during this time, which makes it a suitable time to plan a trip here. The view of the hills and the waterfalls during this season will leave you mesmerised. The summer is from March to June. The maximum temperature reaches 38 degree Celsius. The weather remains pleasant even during summer and also makes for a decent time to be in the city.

Dimapur experiences heavy rainfall from July to September, making it a less favourable time to plan a trip here. Since it is offseason and a lot of activities that you can otherwise do remain closed, you might get cheap flight tickets to Dimapur. However, you can sit at a cafe or in your hotel room and admire the beautiful city post the downpour.

Places to Visit in Dimapur

The Triple Falls is one of the highly recommended places in Dimapur. It's an apt sightseeing spot, especially if you are a fan of waterfalls. You get to see three waterfalls rush and converge down at the same spot. The waterfalls are maintained by the Government of Nagaland and are a major tourist attraction here. Whenever you are in Dimapur, you must certainly visit the Triple Falls. This is also a trekking point for all you adventure and nature lovers out there.

If it is archaeology and history that has your attention, do visit the Kachari Ruins. According to beliefs, these monoliths shaped like mushrooms were created by the Kachari Kingdom in the 13th century. Though a lot of it is ruined, the ones that still stand erect make for a breathtaking view. The interesting part about the ruins is that no one knows about the purpose and origin of the pillars. This is also an apt place to take lots of pictures. Visit the beautiful Chumukedima Village to enjoy its tranquillity and the magnificent waterfalls near the village. You can book a hotel in Dimapur that is around Chumukedima village.

Dimapur also has a Zoological Park which is touted to be one of the best places to go to in the city. The Rangapahar Reserve Forest is another popular tourist attraction for sightseeing. Not only will you spot animals like bears, deers, wild goats and so on, but you will also find medicinal plants in the forest. It is advisable to hire a tour guide when you plan to visit the forest. You can also visit the Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary. The Shiva Temple in Dimapur also has religious significance. It is believed that the village was built in 1961 by the villagers. You can also visit the Nagaland Science Centre, which is one of a kind. It is quite a unique experience, and if you are travelling with your kids, they will definitely love it.

Things to do in Dimapur

If you are in the city in December, do visit the Hornbill Festival that is organised by the Government of Nagaland. Since the state has a lot of different tribes living together, the government organises the festival to get the different tribes to interact with each other and promote their culture further. Make sure you also visit the Museums in the city to know more about Nagaland's culture and the tribes that reside there. The wildlife photographer in you will love the visits to the wildlife sanctuaries.

Go for a trek at the Triple Falls or any other waterfall of your choice. It will undoubtedly be an experience of a lifetime. You can even try out waterfall rappelling at Amsoi. Make sure you listen to all the safety protocols, too. Take a Nagaland Rural Experience tour. Get to know more about the lifestyle of the people of Nagaland. You can also participate in the festivals and be a part of the celebrations. Go shopping at the Hong Kong Market or any other shopping markets for that matter. This is like a paradise for all shopaholics. You will get foreign goods here that are imported from Thailand and Myanmar, at a cheaper rate. If it is souvenirs that you are looking for during your shopping spree, you will find a lot of those, too.

You will also find a lot of packages and readymade itineraries online if you are unsure about how to plan the trip. There are quite a few adventurous outdoor activities, too, for nature lovers and adventure seekers but you will have to make sure that you pick the right season for it. Monsoon might stop you from venturing out and trying out a lot of activities that you would have tried otherwise.

Food and Restaurants in Dimapur

The ILI-AH Restaurant is a place you must go to for delicious food and relaxing, long conversations over the meal. It is known for its pork sizzlers with mashed potatoes. Not only will your taste buds be satiated but you will also feel rejuvenated, thanks to the scenic view. Tibetan Canteen is a favourite joint among people in Hong Kong Market. You can stop by here after your shopping spree. There aren't too many items on the menu, but you'll enjoy whatever it is that you do order from the menu. Beef Dimsums and Thukpa are highly recommended dishes here.

Rusoki's Kitchen is a fancy restaurant that serves a fusion of Naga and oriental cuisine. The seafood here is also highly recommended. You can sit inside comfortably or choose the outdoor seating. Ruby's Cafe is a cosy and small cafe for you to hang out for some time and chill. You can order something from the resort's bakery or beverages of your choice. Zephyr Lounge restaurant serves South-East Asian cuisines, and you'll get the best Thai or Korean food at this restaurant.

How to reach Dimapur (Transportation)

By Air

There is only one airport in Nagaland, and it is located in Dimapur. Due to a lack of dedicated runway and airlines, the flight connectivity from Dimapur is limited to Guwahati and Kolkata. The nearest international airport is in Guwahati. The international routes to Dimapur for tourists travelling from different countries connect from Guwahati. The domestic routes from Dimapur are also quite limited to Kolkata, Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Imphal. If you book in advance, you might even get cheap flight tickets to Dimapur or a good flight deal online that is combined with hotel accommodation.

By Rail

Dimapur is also the only city that is well-connected to other major cities from Dimapur Railway Station, in Nagaland. Though travelling by air can get a little bit tedious because of the poor connectivity, it is a convenient option. Taking a train will be a treat to your eyes, courtesy the beautiful view outside till you reach Dimapur station. The trains run quite frequently from these cities. As an important city in Nagaland, Dimapur is the centre for all kinds of transport connection from air to rail. However, travelling within the state will not be that big a problem since transport is easily available to reach the nearby cities within the state.

By Road

It is easier to reach Dimapur by road from neighbouring North Indian states. You can either opt for the bus services or hire a private taxi. The National Highway 39 is a popular route to Dimapur that connects from Kohima and Imphal. A road trip from any one of these cities is also not that bad an option. Of course, you will have to be quite careful and mindful of the roads if you travel during monsoon.

  About Amritsar

Amritsar, in Punjab, has been a city of historical and mythological importance since a very long time. According to scriptures, the city housed Maharishi Valmiki, who wrote Ramayana. It is also said that Goddess Sita gave birth to Luv and Kush at the Ramtirth ashram in Amritsar. Amritsar is colloquially called Ambarsar and was initially called Ramdaspur. And how can you forget the Golden Temple! It's one of the most famous religious places of worship and has also been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Golden Temple sees visitors from all over the world throughout the year. You cannot leave Amritsar without visiting the Golden Temple and embracing your spiritual side. The langar food will leave you satiated for a very long time. You can also volunteer in the kitchen and help the others serve. It is an experience of a lifetime.

Amritsar was founded by Guru Ram Das, who is the fourth Sikh guru who founded the holy city in the Sikh tradition. Guru Ram Das made a pool and a home next to it after which he named the town he founded, Ramdaspur. He then invited merchants and artisans to come to live in the town that was later called Amritsar. Sikhism is a widely practised religion in Amritsar, and the Sikhs have also been a very integral part of Indian history. Amritsar is also known for the tragic Jallianwala Bagh Massacre that saw the merciless killing of hundreds of Sikhs. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions, too, where you can see the bullet marks on the walls even now.

You can also visit the Bhagwan Valmiki Tiath Asthan, which is believed to be the birthplace of Luv and Kush. It is also where Maharishi Valmiki stayed and wrote the Ramayana. If you feel like going on a shopping spree, you will find lots of colourful clothes and souvenirs to take back home. All you women out there, make sure to buy the phulkari dupattas from the markets. Hall Market is one of the most popular lanes for a fun shopping spree. You can also indulge in some scrumptious local treats and try out the street food. Amritsari kulchas, Tandoori luchas, Keema naan, kulfis, phirni and some mouth-watering lassi at a Dhaba. Hungry yet?

The city is also visited a lot because of the Wagah Border. Witness the retreat ceremony at the border that divides India and Pakistan two hours before sunset every day. It will surely make you feel patriotic and can get quite overwhelming. You can also visit the Museums in the city to get to know more about its history. The Sikhs are also known to be very friendly and hospitable, which is another reason you must visit this city, at least once in your life. The city is well-connected, and if you are starting your trip from Delhi, a nice road trip will work just perfectly. The popular route from Amritsar to Delhi is often the most sought-after for an impromptu road trip.

Best Time to Visit Amritsar

Amritsar experiences winter from November to March, which is also the best time to visit the city. It's ideal to go sightseeing and plan other outdoor activities that can get quite difficult during summer and monsoon. The temperature can fall below 5 degree Celsius in January and evenings can get quite foggy. Summer starts from April and goes on till June. The summer gets really hot, and the maximum temperature is approximately 40 degrees Celsius. The heat will only make it more difficult for you to get out of your hotel rooms. The monsoons start from July and till October. The city experiences mild rains sometimes that can also get intense a lot of times. But the weather is mostly humid during monsoon and makes it unfavourable for you to step out or plan a trip during this time.

Places to Visit in Amritsar

The Golden Temple is one of the first things that you must visit when you reach Amritsar. The sheer aura of the temple is so positive, it will put you in a good mood instantly. Make sure to cover your head with a piece of cloth or dupatta, for women. The dome at the top of the temple is made of pure gold, and it even has a pond inside the complex. Do not leave without relishing the langar prasad. The Jallianwala Bagh is yet another place of historical importance that you must visit when you go to Amritsar. It was where hundreds of people were shot dead by Britishers, and the walls still have bullet marks. The spot was turned into a memorial after the independence to honour those who lost their lives on that fateful day.

Do make sure you also visit the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum which was actually the palace of the first King of the Sikh empire, Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The museum boasts of antiquities and personal belongings of the King. You'll also come across a lot of paintings as you take a tour of the palace. The Ram Tirth Ashram is yet another place that you can visit. It's an ancient pilgrimage where Luv and Kush were born. You'll also come across a hut in which Maharishi Valmiki stayed. The Gobindgarh Fort is another location that deserves your attention and is also of historical importance. The fort was built by Gujjar Singh Bhangi's army and was later reconstructed by Maharaja Ranjit Singh in the early 1800s.

Things to do in Amritsar

Be a part of Guru Ka Langar. You can volunteer in serving the langar food or in the kitchen to cook, chop vegetables or do the dishes. It is very fulfilling, and you'll surely enjoy it. You can also visit all the major attractions in the city like the Jallianwala Bagh, Gobindgarh Fort, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum and a couple of more places. Either you can hire a cab for an entire day to go sightseeing, or you can plan your own itinerary. You will easily find rickshaws and other modes of commuting quite easily. Make sure you try out Amritsari food and lassi at the dhabas after your shopping spree at the Hall Market. You can also go birdwatching at the Harike Wetlands. Your trip to Amritsar will be historical, educational, gastronomical and fun. Getting around the city won't be that difficult. To make things easier, you can hire a tour guide at the museums and historical locations if you wish to. You'll also find amusement parks in the city if you are travelling with your kids or a large family.

Foods and Restaurant in Amritsar

Whatever you do, do not miss the langar ka prasad. It's a simple meal consisting of dal, roti and kheer, but you will simply love it. It is advisable to go to the temple in the morning, offer your prayers and then wait to be served the best food in one of the biggest kitchens. You can also head to All India Famous for some Amritsari kulchas. Buzz is that they run out of kulchas by 2 pm so you might have to get there for breakfast or early lunch. Kesar Da Dhaba is one of the most popular dhabas and only serves vegetarian food. The dhaba was started way back in 1916, and the recipe has not changed since then. Pal Da Dhaba and Beera Chicken House are some of the other famous eateries if you want to binge on some mouth-watering butter chicken or lamb. Head over to Ahuja Milk Bhandaar for a delicious, tall glass of lassi. No meal in Amritsar is complete without a glass of lassi. You'll find a lot of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options in the city. It is also advisable to carry your own bottle of alcohol if at all, you wish to dine and drink at the same time. A lot of places that serve non-veg do not provide alcohol. The locals also carry their own bottle of liquor when they eat out.

How to reach Amritsar (Transportation)

By Air

The Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport is only a 15-20 minutes drive to and from the city. Domestic flights from Amritsar to major metropolitan cities run every day from here, and it also connects directly to a couple of international destinations. You can get pretty good flight deals online for Amritsar and can even book hotels in Amritsar along with it.

By Rail

The Amritsar railway station connects to Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Agra, Ahmedabad, Kolkata and Chandigarh. Delhi to Amritsar is a popular route that a lot of travellers prefer. It takes about 6 hours to reach Amritsar from Delhi. Paschim Express is the fastest train that you can board from Mumbai to reach Amritsar, and the journey takes about 30 hours approximately.

By Road

You'll find a lot of government and private bus services from Ambala, Patiala, Delhi, Chandigarh and Jammu. You can also hire a taxi from these cities to reach Amritsar. If you are travelling from afar, flights are the best options or trains, if you are on a budget.

  About Amritsar Airport

Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport serves as an international airport for Punjab and is located in the city of Amritsar. The airport is 11 km away from the city centre. The Amritsar Airport has been named after the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das. The Sikh Guru is believed to be the founder of the Amritsar city. Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport is known to be the busiest airport in Punjab. The airport is also being acknowledged as a fastest-growing venture in India and is ranked as the sixth-best regional airport in the country as well as Central Asia. The airport, previously known as Amritsar Rajasansi Airport's Airstrip was established to cater to the British in the 1930s. It was specifically used for VVIP movements. After the independence though, the town's airport received good connection with Indian cities such as Srinagar and Delhi. The airport launched its first international flight in 1960. The flight was chartered to Kabul in Afghanistan. Later, in 1982, the Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport also started their direct international flight to connect Amritsar and Birmingham in the United Kingdom. The flight didn't last for long as it had to be stopped by Air India, following the controversial Operation Blue Star, which took place in 1984.

About Amritsar Airport Terminals

There is a single passenger terminal that has integrated international and domestic flight operations. Back in 2009, the Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport inaugurated an integrated terminal to bring forth a modernized program and enhance the airport's passenger capacity and functioning. An integrated terminal building has been built to accommodate passenger traffic. The terminal has been constructed with steel and glass and is perfectly equipped with world-class facilities such as inline X-ray baggage, conveyor system and various other amenities. They have incorporated Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE) as well as Flight Information Display System (FIDS), as part of their modern amenities. The new terminal holds 30 check-in counters, 26 immigration counters, 12 security check booths, four x-ray scanners and four conveyor belts, for arrivals. The new terminal also harbours more extensive apron to accommodate parking of more than 15 aircraft.

About airport authority

Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport is owned and operated by Airports Authority of India. AAI acquired the regional airport with a means to expand its functioning and to bolster its performance. The airport has witnessed a good surge of air traffic as well as passenger activities. Hence, the Airports Authority of India has worked on its expansions and developments. The statutory body has brought forth an integrated terminal to bring forth better facilities for the domestic as well as international terminal. Both the flight activities catering to international and domestic flights are handled from the new terminal. AAI has brought forth amazing modern amenities to enhance the airport's functions. From modern designs to newer installed equipment, the airport body has brought tremendous efficiency to the regional airport.

Facilities at the Amritsar Airport

WiFi: Amritsar airport has immaculate WiFi services available. The WiFi services at Amritsar airport is free for 30 minutes. However, if you need it for more than the allotted time, you will have to purchase the internet card. The card is available for INR 20 per hour. The connection is good and even required as often the connectivity for a mobile network in the airport is not excellent.

ATMs and Forex: As the airport does see a lot of crowd at the domestic as well as international terminals, there are many ATM kiosks and forex counters available. The foreign exchange counters are available at the departure as well as the arrival segments.

Child care rooms: Child care centres are also present at the Amritsar airport. Often new mothers need private spaces to feed their infants and to change their diapers. Not to mention how the environment also needs to be hygienic. Hence, it is essential that they get a dedicated space that would allow them for the same. The airport's child care room also has some toys and hygienic ambience to help soothe the child.

Restaurants and cafes: A majority of the food establishments and restaurants at the Amritsar airport have Punjabi cuisine. Since the place is predominantly rich in Punjabi cuisine, much of the restaurants prevalent in the airport are also inspired by the same. However, the airport also has global food joints such as Burger King, KFC, McDonald's, to name a few famous ones.

Prayer rooms: There is a hall dedicated to prayers. The place is open for multi-faith and can be used for meditation as well. It is expected that people of all faith maintain decorum in the hall and not intervene with other faiths' practices.

Medical services: As it is imperative that every airport have medical facilities to ensure that emergency cases are handled, the Amritsar airport also has a devoted emergency medical station. You can get more details of the same at the information desk as well. In fact, in times of emergency, a medical team is immediately dispatched for assistance to the scene.

VIP lounge: VIP lounge and business facilities are also available. However, these can be found outside of the terminal building. The VIP lounges are only accessible for travellers who have the first-class ticket or have premium memberships. Various airlines have provisions of membership that allow them to benefit from the lounge.

Information centre: The information counter is an essential desk that is available at regular intervals. For any kind of query ranging from flights, schedules to gates and terminals, you can get help at the information desk. You can even make special requests such as to ask for extra trolleys or boarding pass copies (in case you lose yours), lost and found details and more. You will be able to get all your answers. Plus, the desk also gives you tour guides to the city at the arrival segment.

Luggage: The luggage services at Amritsar airport is quite good as they have trolleys and portage options available. You need to pay for portage though. A portage basically enables you to receive services of a professional, who will escort your luggage to the check-in or even till the security.

Top airlines flying from the Amritsar Airport

Amritsar has a limited set of Indian airlines that operate from the city. In fact, airlines from Amritsar Airport cater majorly to a few of the cities in North India. These include Delhi, Srinagar, Jaipur, Patna and more. Interestingly, aside from the North cities that Amritsar caters to predominantly, the airport also has services to other metro cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Ahmedabad. Domestic airlines flying from Amritsar Airport are Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara. The options are fewer as the connectivity is not spectacular. The airport doesn't connect to a lot of cities in Southern India. You will need to connect at New Delhi or Jaipur to get to the Southern cities of India.

Amritsar Airport does have good connectivity with cities in Central Asia. There are airlines that directly connect to the international cities of Central Asia, such as Ashgabat and Tashkent. Not many flights fly from Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport as a regional airport. However, it is still considered to be one of the fastest-growing. Amritsar Airport was considered to be one of the best airports with excellent international connectivity. There used to be a direct flight from Amritsar to Birmingham (United Kingdom) by Air India. A direct flight was also operational from Amritsar Airport to Kabul. However, these flights and airlines do not operate from the city anymore. Airlines flying from the Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport are AirAsia X, Air India Express, Malindo Air, Qatar Airways, Scoot, Turkmenistan Airlines and Uzbekistan Airways.

How to reach Amritsar Airport

Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport is perfectly connected to the National Highway 354. This route connects Amritsar and Ajnala. Through this route, you can take up car rentals and taxi cabs as a means to reach the Amritsar airport. Taxicab services such as Ola Cabs and Uber have good connectivity and services which help with the traversing. Since it is about 11 km away from the main city of Amritsar, it is essential that prebook the taxi cab services. Some taxi cab and prepaid taxi services are available at both the terminals. You can make prior bookings for an airport shuttle, or you can book them at the airport counter. One of the most convenient ways to reach Amritsar airport is the Amritsar MetroBus. It is also a favourable method to reach the airport as it is affordable and convenient. Some of the key features of the Amritsar MetroBus is that the bus is AC with automatic doors located at the metro stations. It is reserved for passengers only. The path has two diverse lanes which ensure the opposite movements of two buses traversing simultaneously. You will require a special Metro Smart Card to swipe and take advantage of the metro services. It works in the lines of Metro Rails where you need to recharge your cards and avail the services. The structures of the MetroBus stations are well-maintained and have modern infrastructure. You can make use of the Amritsar MetroBus with its scheduled buses to reach the Amritsar Airport.