Top 10 Places To Visit In North India

10 Most Amazing Places To Visit In India 

Top 10 Places to Visit in India

Chaotic and daunting but intoxicatingly beautiful, India is a destination that overwhelms the senses. Home to 1.2 billion people with a diverse topography that features thick jungles, towering mountain ranges, and tropical coastlines, this sub-continental escapade features an assemblage of customs, cuisines, and adventures that guarantee an experience you won’t be able to find anywhere else. A note to the uninitiated — you won’t have the time to experience everything in one trip. The best places to visit in India depend on your flavor for adventure. Don’t know where to go? Here are twenty of our favorite Indian destinations to help you plan the perfect itinerary.

10 BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN NORTH INDIA

Covering an area of around 1,420,540 sq. kilometers with a population of around 543 million, North India is a melting pot of customs, cuisines, religions, and traditions that are as diverse as its topography — the Himalayas to the north, the Thar Desert, and the Indo-Gangetic plains. Featuring sub-tropical forests, glaciers, and wildlife reserves, the north holds some of the best places to go in India, but it pays to know where to look. Here are ten of our favorite destinations in the north.

1. Agra

Home to the wonderful Taj Mahal, Agra also features two more UNESCO World Heritage sites for travelers looking for some eye candy — the Fatehpur Sikri and the Agra Fort. As the chosen capital of Akbar, the Great, the city overflows with rich history just waiting to be discovered. Don’t forget to take a guided tour of Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sample regional heritage dishes at Espahan (arguably the city’s best restaurant) and go shopping at Sadar Bazaar for souvenirs. Those with more time to spare can marvel at Agra’s other architectural marvels like Akbar’s Tomb and Itmad-ud-daula's Tomb.

• Good to know: Hordes of tourists visit Agra on a daily basis for the iconic Taj Mahal, so if you’re planning on visiting this marvelous marble mausoleum, arrive as early as 6:00 or you’ll have to brace against the crowds.

2. Delhi

One of the most popular tourist destinations in India, the massive capital city of Delhi is a merging of both old and new. A visit to Old Delhi feels like stepping into a time machine with its ancient Mughal architecture, laborers carrying spices, and rustic bazaars. In stark contrast, modern New Delhi boasts of colonial-era parliament buildings, skyscrapers, and upscale malls. The city is a cornucopia of cuisine, craft, and history, with countless activities to keep you entertained. Gorge on street food, visit Humayun’s Tomb, explore the Red Fort, or shop for Indian crafts in flea markets like Janpath and Sarojini Nagar. It’s easy to lose yourself in this city, both literally and figuratively!

• Good to know: Gawking at monuments, forts, and mosques are typical Delhi activities, but once you’re done try something a little more offbeat. Explore Gadodia Market for the largest spice collection, check out the vibrantly painted houses at Naughara, or watch folk artists perform underneath the Shadipur Depot bridge in west Delhi! There are so many things to do in Delhi.

3. Amritsar

Punjab’s epicenter of Sikhism, Amritsar is home to the spectacular and ever-popular Golden Temple. Include this in your itinerary but know that there’s more to discover. After taking an Instagram-worthy pic at the Golden Temple, immerse yourself in history by exploring the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum — a museum that pays tribute to the founder of the Sikh empire. All the dawdling around will make you hungry but don’t fret. You’re bound to find amazing street food almost anywhere you look (try Amritsar’s famous kulchas, a type of bread soaked in butter and often stuffed with potatoes).

• Good to know: The best times to take in the majesty of the Golden Temple are before sunrise and during the cooler evenings where temple lights set the surrounding waters aglow. It is recommended for women to dress conservatively when visiting the temple and mind the mischievous monkeys that have a penchant for stalking people who lug around food.

4. Manali

Manali, one of the most well-known hill stations in India, is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. Often touted as the “gateway to adventure”, this high-altitude Himalayan town provides splendid access to Hampta Pass for trekkers and Solang Valley for skiers. It is also a popular jump-off point for rafting, mountaineering, and paragliding. The city provides a humble range of attractions that are still worth the visit — explore the magnificent 500-year old Naggar Castle, gawk over the extremely picturesque surroundings of the Solang Valley, reflect on life at the revered Manu Temple, and hob-nob with the locals at the little eateries of Old Manali.

• Good to know: If you’re new to paragliding, there’s no better arena in the world for starters than Solang Valley in Manali!

5. Kashmir

Contrary to popular opinion, Kashmir isn’t just a destination swarmed by tie-dyed hippies. Dubbed the “Switzerland of India”, the Kashmiri countryside features an unbelievably beautiful landscape of snow-clad ranges and alpine peaks with people from all walks of life. Visit Srinagar and ride a shikara across the calm Dal Lake, snap a photo of the skyline at the peak of the Shankaracharya Temple, and call it a night at any of the iconic houseboats. For thrill-seekers, the options are endless. Visit the snow paradise of Gulmarg for skiing, trek to the Thajiwas Glacier at Sonmarg, or paraglide across the Kashmir Valley. This is one of the best places to visit in North India for adventure travelers!

• Good to know: One of the most unforgettable experiences in Kashmir is staying a night in a houseboat. Tip: agencies take a large cut of the rental when you book from them. Rent directly from the locals to benefit the boat owners.

6. Varanasi

Known as the spiritual capital of India, this complex and chaotic but incredibly poetic Indian city in Uttar Pradesh houses around 2,000 temples, including the popular Golden Temple dedicated to Shiva. If you’re looking to kick back and relax with a cosmopolitan in hand, ditch Varanasi in favor of Thailand’s Koh Tao. This isn’t a place for leisure, but for life lessons. Take a spiritual boat ride along the Ganges River, visit the picture-perfect temples, and take a breathtaking sunset stroll along the River Ganga amongst other activities. The Varanasi weavers at the Sarai Mohana village craft some of the world’s most beautiful saris — a must buy if you’re planning to take home souvenirs.

• Good to know: The Evening Aarti Ceremony is a definite inclusion to your itinerary. Best viewed from the Dashashwamedh Ghat, this surreal and spellbinding Hindu worship ritual involves offering chants, flowers, and massive brass lamps of about 4.5kgs to one or more deities.

7. Leh-Ladakh

This mountainous region located in the Jammu and Kashmir area extends beyond the Himalayas and features breathtaking landscapes and picture-perfect Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. Also known as the “Land of High Passes”, this high-altitude destination is home to mostly Tibetans who are largely self-sufficient in food and fuel. Drift across its winding roads to come across stupas and monasteries, go river rafting, trekking, or go on a camel or jeep safari. A plethora of adventure activities await travelers looking for an adrenaline rush!

• Good to know: Around 30km from Leh on the Kargil Highway is what the locals call the “Magnetic Hill”. Even if your car’s engine is turned off on this mysterious spot, it will still keep moving.

8. Rajasthan

Jaipur’s home state in northwest India, this arid destination features the expansive Thar Desert and the Aravallis, one of the world’s oldest mountain ranges. Arrive by sleeper train and take in the breathtaking views. Rajasthan feels like stepping into a surreal world with a mish-mash of different elements — one-minute ornate Mughal palaces, vast deserts the next. The places to visit in Rajasthan itself is overwhelming. On top of, colorful festivals and rich wildlife make this destination one of the top places to travel in India.

• Good to know: Experience the best of India’s wildlife with far fewer tourists. Head to the Keoladeo National Park (known formerly as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary), a popular avifauna sanctuary, to spy on over 230 species of birds, or check out the Sariska Tiger Reserve for jungle cats, leopards, chowsinghas, and hyenas.

9. Meghalaya

Famous for being the world’s wettest place, this popular monsoon destination dubbed the “abode of clouds” separates the plains of Bangladesh from the Assam valley. Pine trees, rocky cliffs, impressive waterfalls, and some of Asia’s most expansive caves make this state a popular destination for travelers looking to rough it out. Head to Dwaki and kayak across the pristine Umngot River, walk across bridges completely entwined with roots, go waterfall rappelling at Elephant falls or spelunking at Krem Mawmluh. There are a lot of activities to satisfy the daredevil in you!

• Good to know: Go off-the-beaten path and head to Mawlyngot, just a two-hour drive from Shillong, for an unforgettable experience away from the touristy crowd. Sign up for day treks across expansive tea gardens, learn about how tea is processed, sample some of the best teas across all of North-eastern India, and learn about how the state’s love for the herbal drink was instrumental for their new-found progress.

10. Rann of Kutch

Located in Gujarat’s Thar Desert and measuring 10,000 sq. kilometers, the Rann of Kutch is the world’s largest salt desert. During the monsoon season the entire expanse becomes submerged in water, but come October, it dries up and transforms into a vast and desolate flatland. Villages around Kutch are home to a plethora of tribal groups who are renowned for their quality textiles and handicrafts. For those who want to explore, the options are endless. Visit Kala Dungar, or Black Hill, for splendid panoramic views of the entire desert, or explore the Vijay Vilas Palace where a number of popular Bollywood films are filmed. A Rann Ustav festival is held every November until February, where food stalls, handicraft bazaars, and luxurious tents are scattered around the Gateway to Rann Resort at Dhordo.

• Good to know: Textiles from Kutch are among the world’s most famous. Head to Bhuj and learn about its flourishing textile trade. This small city is home to nomads who barter and sell vibrant tribal ware that features hand-stitched embroidery, mirrors, and hand-printed patterned fabrics.