As the seventh largest country in the world, India has 29 states, each with its own culture and festivals, food habits and language. Visiting North India takes us through Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, and Bengal, through mountains, forests and national parks, to the city streets and markets. There is something for everyone in North India.
I am Sneha Thomas, a freelance writer and PharmD graduate, based in India.  I own and operate the travel website Earth’s Tenant, which features budget tips and cultural explorations for traveling in India.  This is the third part of my series on Traveling India here on Gypsy With a Day Job. If you are interested in other areas of this beautiful and diverse country, read my South India Travel Guide, or my West India Travel Guide,  or the final installment of this series, the North East India Travel Guide.Â
North India Travel Guide
Places to visit in North India: Delhi
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Delhi:
Visit the historically significant Red Fort, Humayun’s tomb, Jama Masjid, Qutab Minar and Lotus temple at Delhi, the capital city. Spice up your taste buds at the famous Fatehpuri Market of Chandni Chowk with delicious north Indian dishes. Wander among the streets of Chandni Chowk for shopping and enjoy the market life of Delhi. Watch changing of the guard ceremony every Saturday morning at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Immerse yourself in the spirituality of Sufi music at Dargha of Nizamuddin ever Thursday. Grab your favorite spices at Sadar Bazar, Asia’s largest spice market.
General Information
Language: Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi and English
Food: Chole Bhature, Parathas, Butter chicken, Chaats, Matra Kulcha, Kebabs and Kulfi are some must-try foods from Delhi.
Climate: Even though winter is considered the peak season of Delhi, one can enjoy the monsoon rains as well in Delhi. Winter from October to March is the best time to visit with cool misty mornings and pleasant sunny afternoons. Even though summer is extremely hot with temperature up to 45-degree Celsius, tourists hop to Delhi to take advantage of the offseason.
Transportation: Indira Gandhi International Airport in the capital city has flights hoping to all cities in India and across the world. Delhi is the headquarters of the northern railway with trains to all over the country from four railway stations. DTC, as well as private buses, are available for intercity transportation. Metro trains, rickshaws, taxis and online cabs are available for local transportation.
Places to visit in North India: Uttar Pradesh
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Agra:
Book for a night tour at Taj Mahal, the symbol of love and enjoy its ravishing beauty on a full moon day.  Go for a heritage tour at Agra Fort and discover the majesty of the buildings that can only be seen from inside. Learn the history of the World Heritage Site Fatehpur Sikri. Do ethnic shopping at Kinari Bazaar. Enjoy Mughlai cuisine from the streets of Agra.
Visiting the Taj Mahal is one of the iconic stops on any trip to North India, but it can get very crowded. Be sure that you get in, and that you can enjoy your visit with these important tips for visiting the Taj Mahal.
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Varanasi:
Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India gives an enlightening experience for travelers. Take a boat ride at dawn or dusk and witness the Hindu rituals happening in the Ghats. Wander without a map on different Ghats in Varanasi to explore its culture. Witness the beautiful evening arathi at Dasawemedh Ghat. Visit the Sarai Mohana weavers’ village and explore their weaving culture. Visit the gold-plated Kahi Viswanatha temple. Cross the Ganges via Malviya Double-decker Bridge.
General Information
Language: Hindi and Urdu
Food: Nalli-nihari, Dum Pukht pulao, Bhatti Chokha, Bedhai, Tehri, Baigan Ki Longe, Galaouti Kebab, Dum Aloo, Chaats and Biriyani are some of the savories in the long list of dishes from UP.
Climate: Winter grabs the attention of tourists in Uttar Pradesh with its comfortable cool climate. Summer being extremely hot with high temperature and humidity disturbs the tourists. Monsoon makes UP prone to floods and makes it least advisable to travel.
Transportation: Uttar Pradesh has four domestic airports at Lucknow, Agra, Kanpur and Varanasi. Lucknow Airport is well connected with all other major cities in India. The best mode of transportation in UP is by train as it is well connected to almost all villages and cities. Lucknow is the main junction of the northern railway network in India. Apart from trains, UPSTC and private buses are the intercity mode of transportation in UP. Autos, taxis and local buses are available for intra-city transportation.
Places to visit in north India: Himachal Pradesh
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Shimla:
Shimla, known as the honeymoon destination India is romanticized with snowcapped mountains and pine forests. Take a ride in the loud whistling Kalka- Shimla toy train, a UNESCO world heritage site built during British rule. Go for a hike through the tall alpine trees to Glen, Summer Hill and Jakhoo hill. Try Asia’s open-air ice skating at Circular road in Shimla during winter. Go for an adventure Yak ride at Kufri. Witness a beautiful sunrise at Chadwick waterfalls. Go for a guided heritage tour at Rashtrapathi Niwas, a gothic styled building. Check out the arms and ammunition at the military museum in Annandale.
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Kullu:
Go for an adventurous ride with an experienced driver through the Rohtang pass, one of the world’s most dangerous and spectacular road. Do winter adventure activities at snow point in Solang valley. Visit the Hidimba wooden temple built in the Buddhist model. Go for a trekking at Great Himalayan National Park.
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Kangra:
Enjoy paragliding with a beautiful scenery of snow mountains at Bir Billing, the paragliding capital of India. Explore the hippie cafe culture at Dharmashala. Be a part of the volunteer works at Dharmshala. Register for a yoga class and explore your spiritual self. Learn about the Buddhist culture at McLeod Ganj known as ‘Little Lhasa’, with the highest number of Tibetan population.
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Spiti:
Enjoy camping at Chandratal Lake, a destination of your dreams. Take tours through the Spiti villages, which takes you back in time. Go for a wildlife adventure at Pin Valley National Park. Visit the oldest and biggest Tibetan Key monastery, which is a training center for Lamas. Don’t miss the Mummy of Gue, 500-600-year-old naturally preserved mummy of India.
General Information
Language: Hindi and English
Food: Mdra, Dhaam(meal), Tudkiya Bhat, Bhey(lotus stems), Chha Gosht(lamb), Siddu, Babru, Aktori, Mittha are some of the main dishes in Himachal Pradesh.
Climate: Summer shows the best of Himachal Pradesh with the green of trees from March to June. Tourists’ flocks to Himachal during summer makes its tourist season. Monsoon is not advisable since the place is prone to landslides. Winter from November to February is the time to visit if you’re a snow lover and would like to see snow covered mountains and trees.
Transportation: Kullu-Manali Airport, Dharamsala Airport and Shimla Airport are the three main domestic airports in Himachal Pradesh well connected with Air India flights to other major cities in India. Harsh weather conditions during winter restrict many flights to Himachal Pradesh. The difficult terrain of Himachal Pradesh limits the railway option to Kangra Valley railway which runs from Pathankot(Punjab) to Jogindernagar(Himachal). Daytime travel by road is the best option of transportation in Himachal. HPTDC, private buses and taxis are available from Delhi to reach Himachal. Local buses, shared shuttles and taxis are available for local transportation.
Place to visit in North India: Punjab
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Amritsar:
Learn the Sikh culture at Amritsar, a sanctity for Sikhs. Visit the famous Golden Temple and immerse in the spiritual lifestyle of Sikhs. Take a tour and have a free meal or langar from the Golden Temple kitchen, the largest free community kitchen in the world. Visit the new Partition museum to know the partition history of India and Pakistan. Visit Wagah border and feel the patriotism at Indian-Pakistan border with the famous Flag retreating ceremony at every sunset hour. Take a culinary tour through the old Amritsar market. You may want first hand information and tips for visiting Amritsar and the Golden Temple.
General Information
Language: Punjabi, Hindi and English
Food: Langar, Butter chicken, Shakkar Para, Lassi, Chole, Amritsari Fish, Dal Makhani, Paneer Tikka, Punjabi Pakoda, Rajma ChawalMakke Ki Roti, and Pinni can entertain your taste buds.
Climate: Winter season is the best time to visit Punjab rather than travelling there in the summer heat and rains of monsoon. Winter starts from October and extends up to March with a soothing climate.
Transportation: Amritsar International Airport is the only international airport in Punjab apart from four other domestic airports. Train facilities are available from one city to another in Punjab. No inter-city trains are available. The dream project of Punjab government, PUNBUS is the best option for transportation in and around Punjab. Rickshaws and taxis are in avail of local transportation.
Places to visit in North India: Jammu & Kashmir
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Srinagar:
Enjoy a Shikhara boat ride at Dal and Nageen Lake. Go for a trek to Tarsar Marsar. Enjoy the various colors of Tulips at Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden. Engage in apple picking at apple orchards of Srinagar. Visit Pari Mahal and indulge in the glowing yellow light ambience at night. Shop the best quality of Pashmina shawls and saffron from the place of its origin.
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Leh:
Visit the former royal palace of Leh, now running as a museum for visitors. Walk through the Old town of Leh to see the old-fashioned brick houses and stupas. Drive to the high altitude blue lake of Pangong. Visit the famous Hemis Buddhist Monastery. Get to know more about the Buddhist religion at the Namgyal Tsemo Gompa temple. Enjoy a camel safari through Nubra valley and visit the tallest statue of Lord Buddha at Diskit Monastery.
General Information
Language: Urdu, Kashmiri, Dogri, Hindi, Punjabi and Ladakhi.
Food: Kachaloo chaat, Kaladi Kulcha, Rajma Chawal, Khatta Meat and Patisa are the famous Jammu dishes which you get specifically at Jammu district. Dum Aloo, Kashmiri Pulao, Seekh Kebab, Rogan Juice and Nadru Yakhni comes, especially from Kashmir.
Climate: Winter starting in October and summer from March opens a pleasant climate to travel in J&K. Temperature starts dropping down from October, with the beginning of winter from November. Summer shows you the green of Jammu.
Transportation: Srinagar Airport hosting domestic and international flights has regular air services to major cities in India. Apart from Srinagar airport, Jammu and Leh host domestic flights. Jammu Tawi is the main railway station in Jammu and Kashmir connecting to other important towns in the state. Road is the best transportation mode in Jammu and Kashmir with Private and public transportation in and around the city. Shared and private taxis are available for local transportation.
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Places to visit in North India: West Bengal
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Kolkata:
Spot the royal Bengal tigers and experience the best wildlife in The Sundarbans forest. Pay your respect for the Albanian missionary, Mother Teresa at Mother Teresa home and visit the museum with her belongings. Get little spooky at South Park street cemetery built in 1767. Have your breakfast at India’s one and only Chinatown, Teretti Bazaar and explore the Chinese- Indian culture. Take a tram ride in Kolkata, the oldest tram network in Asia introduced in 1902. Visit The Armenian Church of the Holy Nazareth, open for worshippers which has a history of once flourished Armenian community in Kolkata. Walk through Kumortuli, the potter’s lane with artists working on the statues of Hindu Gods.
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Darjeeling:
Be a silent witness for one of the best sunrises in your life at Tiger Hill. Stay amazed by the first raises of sun falling down the mighty mountains of Kanchenjunga. Take a tea estate walking tour and sip the world famous Darjeeling tea. Visit Kalimpong, a sanctuary for Buddhists who fled to India from Tibet in 1959. Shoot up your adrenaline by enjoying the best whitewater rafting at Teesta River. Try your mountaineering skills at the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute.
General Information
Language: Bengali and English.
Food: Luchi Alur Dom, Keemar Doi Bora, Kathi rolls, Jhal Muri, Daab Chingri, Shukto, Bhetki Macher Paturi and Kosha Mangsho gives you a unique culinary experience.
Climate: Winter from October to March is the best time to visit West Bengal with the lush green of mountains after the monsoon. Summer is the least preferred time of the year to visit Bengal with high humidity.
Transportation: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport is the only international and domestic airport in the state with the gateway to Bangladesh, North-East India and Bangkok. With a good rail network, West Bengal has inter and intra-city trains running from Howrah, Sealdah and New Jalpaiguri stations as main railheads. Â Darjeeling, Kharagpur, Naxalbari and Alipurdur are other active railway station in West Bengal with many local, express and passenger trains passing through it. State transport and private buses are available for intercity transportation. Metered taxis, rickshaws and buses are available for local transportation.
General India Travel Information:
Currency: Indian rupee or INR. (Check the current conversion rate here.)
Visa: All foreign nationals planning to visit India must have a national passport and a valid Indian Visa obtained from an Indian Mission or post abroad. An Indian Visa can be applied through an online application link. Click here for detailed information.
SIM cards: Best SIM cards in India are Reliance jio, BSNL, Airtel, Idea, and Vodafone. Indian SIM cards are available from the kiosks of mobile service providers such as Airtel or Reliance at the International airport or cell phone shops of the downtown areas. Purchase of a SIM card requires: two color passport photographs of you; photocopy of the personal details page of your passport and visa (Your original passport and visa has to be submitted and will be given back after verification); photocopy of the proof of your home address from the country of your residence (any government-issued document like passport or driving licence); proof of where you’ll be staying in India (a letter from your hotel confirming that you are a guest).
What to pack: India is a conservative country with traditional norms. But it doesn’t mean that you have to wear saree and salwar all the time. The younger crowd in India prefer to wear western clothes. Outside of the city, it is preferred to wear clothing like jeans, trousers, t-shirts, and blouses which cover your shoulders and legs. In the city the dress code is more liberal.
Safety tips: Women’s safety is always a concern India. Women are advised to always travel with a companion at night. While traveling in an auto or cab never let any friends of the driver travel with you. It is never a wise choice to share your details with random people you meet on the road whether they are male or female. Always carry a pepper spray for safety. Don’t accept free things from strangers, as often there is an ulterior motive.
Accommodation: There are various accommodation options like backpacker hostels, Airbnb, Couchsurfing, volunteer accommodation, hotels, and resorts available in India. Female travelers must be careful while selecting Couchsurfing in India. Hostels are safe for budget and female travelers. Most of the hotels and resorts provide complimentary breakfast. Budget accommodations are available from $5-$10.
Emergency numbers:Â National emergency number: 112; police: 100; women helpline: 1091
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We hope this North India Travel Guide has shown you the great diversity and wonders of the North India region. From great spiritual sites, cultural hubs and stunning natural sites, it is no wonder North India is so popular among visitors!
About the Author: Sneha Thomas is a travel blogger and freelance writer based in India focusing on exploring offbeat destinations and celebrating cultural travels. She has written for travel websites like Tripoto, Arrivedo, and The art of travel, among others. Be sure to check out her website Earth’s Tenant.  You can also find her on the Earth’s Tenant Facebook Page, and the Instagram feed.
6 thoughts on “North India Travel Guide”
Excellent! Thanks for sharing this insightful write up.
North India is a fascinating experience. The Mughal architecture is grand and the food scene is lip-smacking. I had been to Delhi and UP and it has become some of my best travel memories. Next up on the list would be Shimla and Spiti.
Very significant Information for us, I have think the representation of this Information is actually superb one. Himachal is one of the best holiday destination and there are many good places where you can visit and see this heaven on earth & the valley of Gods
North India is the best place to travel. Lot’s of places are beautiful is in North India. Most of the tourist visit this place. I would like to visit the post once more of its valuable content. Thanks for sharing this blog.
Great Blog!! Thanks for sharing the list. Himachal Pradesh is the heart of India everyone has to visit here at least once in our life. Himachal Pradesh contains very beautiful cities, snow-capped mountain, awesome whether every time and much more.