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Exploring Northern India In A Week
Northern India is vast and enticing, home to some of the country’s most fascinating landmarks and areas of natural beauty. From the clustered streets of Delhi to the mountainous communities clustered around the Himalayas, this region of the country begs to be explored.
I’ve come up with a few pointers to help you make the most of northern India, on the assumption you’re dedicating a week to its sights and sounds. See if you can find any inspiration in the ideas below – 7 days trip to India.
One Week in North India
Dazzling Delhi
It’d be remiss for me to show off northern India’s highlights on a one week trip to India without talking about Delhi. This is a world-class city by anyone’s definition, heaving with crowds and always with something to see and do. Delhi offers a mind-boggling range of experiences and sights across a smorgasbord of history, culture, shopping, and cuisine.
While lists of what to do in Delhi feature plenty of ways to get stuck into the community, for me it’ll always be the markets that appeal. The thrill of the haggle and the chance of finding the bargain of a lifetime is such a massive part of the Delhi experience that no trip to the city is complete without it.
Stunning Shimla
Close enough to Delhi to make it a popular day out for city dwellers, Shimla is a mountainside treat. Pine trees and snowy Himalayan mountain caps make for superb views all around, and the pedestrian-only town center is rich with colonial architecture that wouldn’t look out of place in the Tudor London of centuries past.
This community’s also well connected to other cities in Himachal Pradesh and is beloved for its hikes up to Jakhoo Hill. Definitely, seek more information about Shimla if you want to get off the beaten track in northern India.
Mysterious Old Manali
I really need to give some appreciation to this fantastic hidden gem. Old Manali is just up the hill from Manali proper in Himachal Pradesh, and its old fashioned-houses and family-run inns give a real sense of serenity. Tucked in the hills like a town time forgot, visitors here can see how life in northern India has been led for generations, unspoiled by modern influences.
Sacred Varanasi
Whatever your beliefs, it’s hard not to feel anything but inspired at Varanasi. I’m completely in love with this colorful yet deeply spiritual city, considered a sacred site under Lord Shiva himself. The Ganges River that winds through this city is a big part of prayers and rituals here, and it’s said that bathing in it helps cleanse you of your sins. Evenings become magical with the lighting of thousands of lamps and the chant of prayers rising to the heavens as the sacred river is worshipped from the famous ghats along its banks.
Adventures in Ladakh
Ladakh and its stark landscapes are really a sight to behold. The buildings here look as Eastern as they come, thanks to the influences of nearby Tibet. That spiritual feeling washes over the place with a cool sweep, yet what Ladakh actually offers is an adventure. Jeep safaris and hiking trails are all the rage here, keeping you going through forgotten mountain passes and along vast flatlands. Ladakh is an adventure amongst some of the most surreal landscapes on the planet.
India Tourism
How To Get To India
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Driving around India
If you are looking at getting best deals on car rental in India, India, then look no further. You can rent a car in India to explore and experience amazing India and embark on a road trip of exploration and discovery of India. Alternatively, if you have a valid Indian driving license then you could also rent a self-drive car from few major cities in India which includes free fuel and insurance.
Be it one week in India or 2 weeks in India, I love the contrasts you get in northern India, from the bustling cities to silent retreats. Nature is huge and wonderful, and I can’t wait to hit the road again. Have you traveled in India? If yes, how was the experience? Do let us know.
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Haven’t been to India yet and for me it sounds so difficult to get around! But you made it feel easy! One week for North India wow! Thanks for the info, I didn’t know some of these cities either!
My husband spent time in India and still speaks of Varnasi and how colorful and wonderful it was. I love your day trip ideas outside of the city and the hikes sound ideal. Shimla must smell awesome with al of the pine trees.
India is so high on my bucket list and this post just makes me want to go more. I mean this is just perfect for hiking! In case my travel plans get more concrete I will definitely use this.
Haven’t been to India yet and for me it sounds so difficult to get around! But you made it feel easy! One week for North India wow! Thanks for the useful information.
This is a lovely post for me, as I’ve never travelled to India. There are so many beautiful places, like Shimla and Ladakh, the landscape is stunning. I really hope to see this one day for myself and photograph the land!
Wow a great post and how you can see most of northern India in a week. I have travelled myself to some of the places and yes Delhi as a starting point is best. The hills and valleys of Manali simply stunning. Thanks fir sharing a great post. Like the visuals as well
The landscape of Northern India looks so beautiful! I have never been to India, but hope to one day. I like the idea of visiting Shimla because it is a day trip away from Delhi. Ohhh and Ladakh looks and sounds amazing! It’s great to know that it is also possible to drive around – but is it easy to drive around as a tourist?
Wow, you sure crammed a lot in! 1 week does not seem enough to explore Northern India! It’s been on my bucket list for a while though. I would love to go to Ladakh!
Wow! Everything looks so beautiful! I always wanted to go to Delhi, but you have made me want to visit many other places in India haha Ladakh looks just stunning! Thanks for all the tips about the booking and the driving. Will kep them in mind.
Great list of places for a week trip in Northern India. I’m yet to explore Ladakh and Varanasi, these places look so amazing. And thanks for sharing all the travel options along with places. Great read!
I’ve been dreaming about exploring Ladakh, maybe as an aside from our upcoming trip to Pakistan. I’m so glad I came across this so that I know how much else there is to explore in Northern India over a relatively short time! Looks like I’ll be changing my itinerary.
I’ve read plenty about India, but this post is by far the most enlightening of all (in terms of geographical planning for a trip in this side of the country). I’ve always wondered where to start once I get to visit, tbh. Personally, I’d love to visit Ladakh. Your description of its landscape and your photo makes me want to go there, not to mention the variety of adventure activities one can enjoy.
India is blessed with diversity at its best. I have visited most of the places listed here. Though Varanasi and Ladakh are high on my list. Its a great compilation of places in Northern India.
Beautiful options for traveling in northern India. Is Shimla extremely busy because of its close proximity to the city?
I prefer the mountains and countryside, but I agree that it is remiss to leave out the big cities, like Delhi, in any region. I love visiting the local markets too. Thanks for the link for things to do in Delhi. Shimla sounds like its worth a visit. Oh I’s love to hike to see those gorgeous landscapes of Ladakh. I haven’t had India on my bucket list, but you are making a good case for changing my mind!
I can’t wait to visit India next spring and so loved reading your descriptions. It doesn’t look like I’ll get too far north beside New Delhi but I’m sure the trip will be wonderful. It was refreshing to see natural settings too after hearing so much about the crowds.
So much to explore and experience in the Northern regions of India, it’s more diverse than I actually expected and so nature inspired.
Definitely each of these 7 day trips are worth taking. It’s like exploring the vast range of destinations that North India has got to offer, one at a time. I would love to add Uttarakhand to your list.
A friend of mine was telling me all about Manali the other day and now there are two of you so maybe time to make some time for it!
Northern India is a location that has been so far off my radar. I really had no idea most of these places even existed! Ladakh looks stunning, definitely the kind of scenic escape I enjoy checking out.
India has been on my travel list for a awhile now! I’d love to visit Delhi and Varanasi if ever I had to a chance to visit the northern India. Varanasi itself fascinates me ( the traditions )so hopefully to visit soon.
We have been to almost all of these places listed in your post and each one i amazing in its own way. Nothing can beat the adventures of Ladakh and Himachal. Shimla the mountain beauty reminds you of colonial times. The only place yet to explore is Varanasi. Hopefully soon. Great post.
When I saw the title, my antenna was up and wanted to know which places made it to the list. I can see that you have carefully chosen to omit some of the usual suspects 🙂 Good thinking 🙂
My friend went to India last month to learn about Laughter Yoga straight from the source. After the conference, the locals offered to take her on a tour around India and she told me how mesmerized she was with the beauty of India! She showed me pictures similar to this, and Im just really excited to visit India with her next year!
That’s quite a bit to see in a week. Running from the altitude and chillness of leh ladakh to varanasi, should be quite a journey. Possible in a road trip, or a flight to move between shimla, manali and varanasi?
This one-week idea for covering Northern India is great for travellers who are on a tight time schedule and are still keen to cover as large ground as possible. I see you dropped Rajasthan and Agra completely.
Living near Delhi, I have explored the places you mentioned except for Varanasi. High time I go to see this city. I would recommend all the places you have mentioned except for Shimla, it is too crowded and touristy now for my taste, but there are places around Shimla which are still nice. Also, ladakh and Delhi themselves would make for a nice week long itinerary.