North India
North India is captivating, chaotic, extravagant, luxurious and spiritual all at once. From towering Himalayan peaks across vast fertile plains to the sprawling Thar Desert, North India has topography as varied as its attractions. Discover centuries-old citadels, mystical river ghats, parks teeming with wildlife, colonial villages and bustling cities, where old and new thrive harmoniously.
Delhi, India’s capital city, is famous for its bazaars, temples and elegant boulevards. Major attractions are the Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Lotus Temple and Humayun’s Tomb. Wander among the spice, furniture and jewelry stalls of Chandni Chowk. Stroll along elegant Rajpath, connecting the Presidential Palace (Rashtrapati Bhavan) and India Gate. Catch a train to Agra, home of the glorious Taj Mahal.
Travel west to Rajasthan, the Land of Kings, to see opulent forts, palaces and mansions. Appreciate its royal heritage at Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur. Live the life of a Bedouin on a camel safari in Desert National Park. Spot Bengal tigers in Ranthambore National Park.
Bordering Nepal, in the region’s eastern section, is Uttar Pradesh. At the divine site of Varanasi, devotees bathe at ghats on the Ganges River. Come to Amritsar, in Punjab, to visit Sikhism’s holiest shrine, the Golden Temple. Make a side trip to Wagah and watch the flamboyant India-Pakistan border ceremony.
Seek inner peace at the ashrams of Rishikesh and walk to pretty waterfalls in Mussoorie, in Uttarakhand. Spot elephants, Himalayan bears, elephants and tigers at Jim Corbett National Park. Breathe fresh mountain air at the hill stations of Shimla and Manali in Himachal Pradesh. Mingle with exiled Tibetans in Mcleod Ganj.
Head to the far-northern state of Jammu and Kashmir for adventure. Leh is a gateway to mountain biking and motor biking adventures around Himalayan valleys. Go skiing in Gulmarg and white-water rafting in Pahalgam.
Combat the long distances in North India by getting around via the extensive railway network. Chat to locals and get a deeper understanding of this fascinating region.