Discover one of Sikhism’s most sacred pilgrimage destinations & experience a journey that connects history, devotion, and tradition.
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur stands on the exact site where Guru Nanak Dev Ji lived, preached, and breathed his last. Kartarpur Sahib holds a singular place in Sikh history. It was here that Guru Nanak Dev Ji — the founder of Sikhism — spent the final 18 years of his life (1521–1539) after completing his four great journeys (Udasis) across the world. He farmed the land, established the first permanent Sikh community (sangat), and passed away here at the age of 70.
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur stands on the exact site where Guru Nanak Dev Ji lived, preached, and passed away. No other site in Pakistan — not Nankana Sahib, not Panja Sahib — holds this particular emotional and spiritual weight. For many Sikh pilgrims, setting foot in Kartarpur is the fulfilment of a lifelong prayer.
Guru Nanak Dev Ji's final resting place. The Ber Sahib tree he planted still stands over 500 years later. For many Sikhs this is the fulfilment of a lifelong prayer.
OCI card holders and Indian passport holders cross the Kartarpur Corridor without a Pakistani visa — the only visa-free crossing into Pakistan in the world.
Free community meals served throughout the day. Open to all faiths — a living embodiment of Guru Nanak Dev Ji's teaching of equality and service.
Main prayer hall, Samadhis, Ber Sahib tree, Baoli Sahib well, Langar hall, and a dedicated museum — each site with deep spiritual significance.
Pakistan also has Nankana Sahib (birthplace of Guru Nanak), Panja Sahib, and Lahore's Sikh sites — all reachable in a single trip.
Many diaspora Sikhs visit with elderly parents and children. Our team manages all logistics so your entire family can focus on the spiritual experience.
Duration: 1 Day
A focused pilgrimage experience centered around Gurdwara Darbar
Duration: 1 Day
A convenient pilgrimage option combining Kartarpur Sahib with departures from Lahore.
Duration: 2 Days / 1 Night
Designed for travelers arriving in Islamabad who wish to experience Kartarpur comfortably
Duration: 3 Days / 2 Night
Combine the spiritual significance of Kartarpur with Lahore’s rich
The Kartarpur Corridor opened on 9 November 2019, on the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. It is a dedicated, visa-free pilgrimage route connecting Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Punjab to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan — a distance of just 4.7 kilometres.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
Corridor Distance |
4.7 km (India–Pakistan border to Gurdwara) |
Opened |
9 November 2019 (550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji) |
Visa Requirement |
No visa required for Indian passport holders and OCI card holders |
Daily Capacity |
5,000 pilgrims per day (expandable to 10,000 on special occasions) |
Operating Days |
Open daily (subject to Pakistani government announcements) |
Corridor Fee (India side) |
USD 20 per pilgrim (waived on major Gurpurabs) |
Pakistani Entry Permit |
Required — obtained via online registration at the official Indian government portal |
Travel with in Pakistan |
Permitted with corridor permit — not restricted to Gurdwara only |
Stay Duration |
Day visit (return same day) or multi-day if arranged through licensed operator |
Nearest Pakistani City |
Narowal (32 km), Lahore (120 km) |
Many pilgrims planning a visit to Kartarpur Sahib ask:
Note for Pakistani diaspora: British Pakistanis, American Pakistanis, and other Pakistani nationals can visit Kartarpur Sahib via the standard Pakistani visa route — the corridor is specifically for Indian-origin pilgrims. Tours de Pakistan facilitates both routes.
Follow these steps carefully. Mistakes in registration are the #1 cause of pilgrims being turned away at the border.
Register at the official Indian government portal. Fill in all personal details, passport/ OCI number, travel date.
Upload clear passport-style photo, passport bio-data page, and OCI card. Tours de Pakistan reviews before submission.
Receive and print your Pakistani Entry Permit (e-permit) from the same portal. Bring the original — no digital copies.
Clear both immigration checkpoints. Our team meets you at Pakistani Zero Line and transfers you to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib.
| Step | Timeline | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
1 |
4 weeks before |
Register at the official portal — fill in all personal details, passport/OCI number, travel date |
2 |
4 weeks before |
Upload clear photo (passport-style, white background), passport bio-data page, and OCI card (if applicable) |
3 |
3 weeks before |
Receive acknowledgement email with reference number — save this |
4 |
1 weeks before |
Download and print your Pakistani Entry Permit (e-permit) from the same portal |
5 |
Day of travel |
Arrive at Dera Baba Nanak ICP (Indian side) with original passport, OCI card, e-permit printout, and USD 20 |
6 |
Day of travel |
Clear Indian immigration, board the shuttle (or walk) to Pakistani side |
7 |
Day of travel |
Clear Pakistani immigration at Zero Line ICP — your Tours de Pakistan representative meets you here |
8 |
Day of travel |
Travel 4.7 km to Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in our dedicated private transport — your pilgrimage begins |
Practical details for pilgrims travelling from the UK, USA, Canada, UAE, and other countries.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
Currency |
Pakistani Rupee (PKR). Exchange at Lahore airport or major banks. USD/GBP accepted at most hotels. |
Language |
Urdu and Punjabi widely spoken. English understood in tourist areas and hotels throughout Lahore and at Kartarpur. |
SIM Card |
Purchase Jazz, Zong, or Telenor SIM at Lahore airport with your passport. Affordable data packages available on arrival. |
Transport — Lahore to Kartarpur |
120 km, approximately 2 hours by car via Lahore–Sialkot Motorway (M-11). Tours de Pakistan provides private AC vehicles. |
Transport — Islamabad to Kartarpur |
380 km, approximately 4 hours by motorway (M-2 then M-11). |
Accommodation near Kartarpur |
Limited options in Narowal (32 km). Most pilgrims stay in Lahore & make day trips. Tours de Pakistan arranges hotel stays. |
Pakistani Visa (non-corridor) |
UK, USA, Canada citizens: e-visa at visa.nadra.gov.pk. Processing: 5–10 working days. |
Emergency Contact |
Tours de Pakistan 24/7 WhatsApp: +923703049245 | Email: info@toursdepakistan.com |
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib was renovated extensively before the corridor opening in 2019. The current complex spans 42 acres and includes the following sacred sites.
Many pilgrims planning a visit to Kartarpur Sahib ask:
| Prayer / Service | Details |
|---|---|
Amrit Vela (Pre-dawn prayers) |
3:00 AM – 6:00 AM |
Morning Hukamnama |
6:00 AM |
Continuous Kirtan |
6:00 AM – 10:00 PM |
Evening Rehras Sahib |
Sunset (approx. 6:00–7:00 PM seasonally) |
Kirtan Sohila (night prayers) |
10:00 PM |
Parkash (Guru Granth Sahib Ji installed) |
3:30 AM daily |
Sukh Aasan (Guru Granth Sahib Ji rested) |
10:00 PM daily |
Pakistan’s seasons affect the spiritual atmosphere, crowd levels, and comfort of your visit significantly.
best time
Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s birth anniversary (Gurpurab) — largest annual gathering. Deeply spiritual atmosphere. Book 3 months in advance.
Excellent
Hola Mohalla — warm weather, manageable crowds, pleasant for
extended visits and family groups.
Cool weather (5–15°C). Quiet, peaceful atmosphere — ideal for personal spiritual retreat.
Rising temperatures (25–40°C). Less crowded. Early morning visits recommended for comfort.
Monsoon season — humidity and occasional flooding. Corridor may close temporarily during heavy rains.
We were operating Kartarpur pilgrimages from the first week the Corridor opened in 2019. No operator in Pakistan has more corridor experience.
We were there from day one when the Corridor opened. No other operator in Pakistan has more direct corridor experience or relationships with Gurdwara management.
Fully licensed by Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC). Your safety and legal protection is our priority at every step of the journey.
Our guides are trained specifically in Sikh history, Gurbani, and Gurdwara etiquette — not generic tour guides. Deep knowledge, deep respect.
From the moment you book to the moment you return home, our team is available on WhatsApp around the clock. One number, always answered.
We monitor corridor registration slots, alert you when to register, and review your application before submission — preventing the errors that turn pilgrims away.
No hidden fees. Our package price covers everything listed. We never add corridor service fees after booking. What you see is what you pay.
No. OCI card holders, Indian passport holders, and PIOs do not need a Pakistani visa to visit Kartarpur via the Kartarpur Corridor. You need only a Pakistani Entry Permit (e-permit) obtained through registration at the official Indian government portal. This is separate from a standard Pakistan visa.
Yes. British Sikhs who hold an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) card can use the Kartarpur Corridor without a Pakistani visa. British Sikhs without OCI status must apply for a standard Pakistani visa. Tours de Pakistan assists both categories.
Yes, but not via the Corridor. Pakistani nationals and those of Pakistani origin can visit Kartarpur Sahib using their Pakistani passport or by obtaining a Pakistan visa. The Corridor is specifically for Indian-origin pilgrims. Tours de Pakistan organises Kartarpur visits for Pakistani diaspora as part of heritage tours.
Yes. Kartarpur has received over 500,000 pilgrims since 2019 without a single security incident involving foreign visitors. The Gurdwara complex has dedicated Pakistani security and SGPC-appointed management. Tours de Pakistan accompanies every group with registered local guides. The UK Foreign Office, US State Department, and Canadian DFATD all permit travel to this region.
Yes. Gurdwara Darbar Sahib is open to people of all faiths and backgrounds. The only requirements are that you cover your head, remove your shoes, and conduct yourself respectfully inside the Gurdwara. Langar is served to everyone regardless of religion.
Day visitors via the Corridor must return to India the same day. However, if you have a standard Pakistan visa (not using the Corridor), overnight stays can be arranged in Narowal (32 km) or Lahore. Tours de Pakistan arranges multi-night Kartarpur packages including accommodation, early morning Amrit Vela prayers, and extended Gurdwara time for non-Corridor visitors.
You need: (1) Original valid passport, (2) OCI card if applicable, (3) Printed Pakistani Entry Permit (e-permit), (4) USD 20 in cash for the India-side service fee. Keep all documents in a waterproof folder. Do not rely on phone copies — original documents are mandatory.
Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur is approximately 120 km from Lahore city centre — roughly 1 hour 45 minutes by private car via the Lahore–Sialkot Motorway (M-11). Tours de Pakistan provides private AC transfers from Lahore.
Yes. Langar is served continuously throughout the day at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib. It is completely free and open to all visitors regardless of religion or nationality. The langar typically includes dal, sabzi, chapati, and kheer (rice pudding). It is a deeply moving experience and one of the highlights of the pilgrimage.
Yes, and Tours de Pakistan strongly recommends it. Pakistan contains some of the most significant Sikh heritage sites in the world — Nankana Sahib (birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev Ji), Panja Sahib in Hasan Abdal (site of the sacred handprint miracle), Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore, and Samadhi of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Our 7-day Complete Sikh Heritage Circuit visits all four sites.
The Indian government charges USD 20 per pilgrim as a service fee, collected at the Dera Baba Nanak ICP on the Indian side. This fee has been waived on major Gurpurabs. The Pakistani side does not charge a separate fee for corridor visitors.
Register at least 4 weeks before your travel date. During Gurpurab season (October–November), the daily 5,000-pilgrim cap fills up within hours of slots opening — register 8–10 weeks in advance for Gurpurab visits. Tours de Pakistan monitors registration slots and alerts clients when to register.
There is no age limit. Infants, children, and elderly pilgrims all visit. The Gurdwara complex is largely accessible, with ramp access and seating available for elderly and disabled pilgrims. Wheelchairs can be arranged. Tours de Pakistan advises families with very young children or elderly members on the most comfortable visiting options.
The most common route is to fly into Amritsar (ATQ) or Chandigarh (IXC) in Indian Punjab, then drive to the Dera Baba Nanak ICP — approximately 1–1.5 hours from Amritsar. Alternatively, fly into Lahore (LHE) in Pakistan if you plan to visit additional Pakistani Sikh heritage sites. Tours de Pakistan arranges both routing options.
The Corridor has occasionally closed due to political tensions or national events. Tours de Pakistan monitors corridor status in real time and notifies all registered clients immediately. In case of closure, we arrange alternative entry via a standard Pakistan visa, or assist with rebooking at no additional administrative charge.
Photography is permitted in the outer courtyards, gardens, and most areas of the Gurdwara complex. Photography inside the main prayer hall (where the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is installed) requires explicit permission and must be done respectfully without disrupting prayers. Always ask before photographing inside the prayer hall.
Yes. The Gurdwara management permits licensed guides inside the complex. Tours de Pakistan provides trained Sikh heritage guides who explain the spiritual and historical significance of each area — the Samadhis, Ber Sahib, Baoli Sahib, and the prayer hall — in English, Punjabi, and Hindi.
Whether you’re planning a personal pilgrimage, a family journey, or a broader Sikh heritage experience, ourteam is here to help create a meaningful and seamless visit.
