9 Must-Visit Places In North India

Mountains, waterfalls, valleys, hill stations, ancient ruins, religious sites, and much more to explore in North India. One visit is not enough to cover everything! If you're planning your next vacation in India, we recommend taking a look at these top 9 places to visit in North India.

1. Delhi, NCR
The national capital of India, Delhi, is a blend of cosmopolitan with historical influence. The city has witnessed the rise and fall of many empires and is full of historical monuments and heritage sites. The winding roads of Old Delhi from the Mughal rule add another dimension to the city. A few places we recommend you visit are Red Fort, Purana Qila, Qutub Minar, Lodhi Gardens, India Gate, and Rashtrapati Bhavan.

For all of you who love to shop, you will be spoilt for choice with the numerous stores and thrift shops littered around the city. You should visit the oldest and busiest market in Delhi, Chandini Chowk. Delhi is also known for its street food, and you should definitely try the chaats, butter chicken, kebabs, samosa, and gol gappas! The best time to visit Delhi is from October to March. Skyway Tour offers customised North India tour packages covering Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.

2. Shimla, Kullu & Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Located at the foothills of the Himalayas, you can witness the mesmeric views of snow-capped mountains, forests, and lush green valleys at Shimla. British impact remains visible to this day with the architecture and historical sites. We recommend you visit the Ridge, Jakhoo Hill and Temple, Himachal State Museum, and Green Valley. You can also go shopping on the pedestrian-friendly Mall Road, filled with numerous eateries and historical buildings.

Another famous hill station, Manali, offers breathtaking views of the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges, usually covered in snow for most of the year. With streams, valleys, meadows, waterfalls, and apple orchards, Kullu-Manali is a sight to behold. We recommend you visit Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, Jogini Waterfalls and Parvati Valley. If you're going on a 7 to 10-day vacation to Himachal, you can also visit Kasol, Manikaran, Tosh and other quaint villages for a complete experience! The best time to visit is from March to June. You can visit from December to February for the cold weather, snow and winter sports. A honeymoon destination as well as an adventure destination, with trekking, paragliding, camping, and river rafting, the Kullu-Manali package is truly a one-size-fits-all package. Skyway Tour offers a range of North India tour packages from Bangalore that cover numerous places in Himachal Pradesh.

3. Dharamsala and McLeodganj, Himachal Pradesh
Dharamsala is famous mainly for being the home of the Tibetan Spiritual Leader, Dalai Lama. The city is also known as Little Lhasa, owing to its Tibetian influence. The winter capital is divided into lower and upper divisions due to its varying altitudes. The lower division is the town of Dharmasala itself, and the upper division is McLeodganj, located 3 km away. Known for its monasteries, Tibetan markets, and old bungalows, Dharamshala oozes spirituality, history and culture.

The best time to visit is from February to June. We recommend visiting Bhagsu Falls, Namgyal Monastery, Tsuglagkhang Complex, Bhagsunag Temple, and the Tibetan Museum.

4. Agra, Uttar Pradesh
Agra is located on the banks of River Yamuna and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is home to the 6th wonder of the world, the Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz. Agra is a medley of local markets, monuments, emporiums and mouthwatering food. The best time to visit Agra is from October to March.

We recommend you visit the Mughal Gardens, Agra Fort, Akbar's Tomb, Fatehpur Sikri, and Jama Masjid. You can also visit the neighbouring cities of Agra, which is part of the famous Golden Triangle circuit covering Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

5. Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Located between Dehradun and the Himalayan ranges, Mussoorie is truly the queen of hills! The Mall, a popular tourist attraction, is a steep boulevard lined with quaint colonial-style homes and littered with shops and eateries along the road. We recommend you visit the ropeway to Gun Hill, the second-highest peak in Mussoorie. You can take a cable car ride and witness the entire city below you with the mesmeric Himalayan mountains around you.

You should also visit Doon Valley, Har Ki Dun,

Malsi Deer Park and Mussoorie Lake, among others. The best time to visit Mussoorie is from March to June. You can visit from December to February, mainly ideal for snow and winter sports. Take a look at our North India tour packages and witness the beauty of Uttarakhand yourself!

6. Haridwar and Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
The twin national heritage cities of Haridwar and Rishikesh attract pilgrims from all around the world.

The name Haridwar translates to the home of Vishnu. Devotees travel every year to partake in the holy pilgrimage. Haridwar is one of the seven holiest cities in India, lined with temples and ashrams. Devotees believe that taking a dip in the Har Ki Pauri relieves one of all their sins. Since it is a religious centre, alcohol and non-vegetarian food are prohibited here.

While still a spiritual place, Rishikesh is also known for its adventure activities, Yoga and cafes. It is popularly known as the Yoga capital of the world. The International Yoga festival is conducted every year in Rishikesh in the first week of March, attracting yoga enthusiasts from across the globe. The best time to visit is either from March to June in the summer or October to November in the winter. We recommend visiting Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi Temple, Yoga Treats, Jadh Ganga Trek, and Kuari Pass.

7. Amritsar, Punjab
Amritsar is a culmination of spiritual and architectural beauty. Home to the shrine of the Sikhs, The Golden Temple is one of the most visited temples in India. Amritsar has been a significant part of our freedom struggle, and it is visible to this day with the bullet marks on the walls of the Jallianwala Bagh. The Wagah-Attari border is another reason to visit Amritsar, where you can witness the Change of Guard ceremony by the Indian and Pakistani armies every evening.

The best time to visit Amritsar is from October to March. We recommend you visit the Gobindgarh Fort, Company Bagh, Jallianwala Bagh, Shahi Qila, and the Partition Museum.

8. Leh & Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
Ladakh, a union territory, is a picturesque town of rugged mountains, snow-capped peaks, pristine blue lakes, meandering rivers, and complete with Buddhist monasteries. It is one of the most picturesque adventure spots in Jammu and Kashmir, a thrill-seeker's paradise! You can trek across the Zanskar range, ride a bike over the mountains or go rafting down the Indus range.

The Tibetian culture heavily influences the food and culture in Ladakh. We recommend you visit Khardung La, Nubra Valley, Thiksey Monastery, and Leh Palace to experience the authentic culture of Leh-Ladakh. The best time to visit Ladakh is from April to September. You can also visit from November to March, offering you a chance to see the frozen lakes.

9. Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Named the Heaven on Earth, Srinagar is located on the banks of River Jhelum and surrounded by the Himalayan Mountains. The city is complete with serene lakes, lush Mughal gardens, religious sites, and cosy cafes. A must-try in Srinagar is a Shikara boat ride across Dal Lake. We guarantee that it will be a sight worth seeing! You can also visit the Floating Vegetable Market and go on houseboats and gondola boat rides.

We recommend you visit Pari Mahal, Hazratbal Shrine, Tulip Gardens and the Mughal gardens. While in Srinagar, you must try Kashmiri delicacies, locally known as Wazwan, and shop for beautifully embroidered clothes, carpets, woodcraft and more! You can also visit neighbouring places like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonmarg. If you're planning to take a trip, get in touch with Skyway Tour for personalised North India tour packages!