Travel Destinations in Northern India: Breathtaking views of snow-capped mountain ranges, daring winding roads, dreamy mountain villages and centuries-old temple complexes – who doesn’t dream of the impressive landscape of the Himalayas. For adventurous travelers to India, they head up to the north of the country, to the remote provinces of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
You definitely shouldn’t miss the following 10 Travel Destinations in Northern India!
- 1.1 Haridwar & Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
- 1.2 Ghangaria: The Valley of Flowers
- 1.3 Dharamsala
- 1.4 Amritsar
- 1.5 Valley of the Gods
- 1.6 Trans Himalaya Road Trip
- 1.7 Little Tibet: Ladakh
- 1.8 Ladakh’s monasteries
- 1.9 Nubra Valley
- 1.10 Srinagar
- 1.11 Know More
Best Travel Destinations in Northern India Haridwar & Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand
Haridwar and Rishikesh in the Uttarakhand region are just a few hours’ drive from New Delhi. Two of Hinduism’s most important rivers originate here, the Yamuna and the Ganges.
And so it is that Haridwar is considered “the holy city on the banks of the Ganges”. Visitors can regularly attend the impressive lighting ceremonies here and in neighboring Rishikesh and get to know the religion of the region up close.
Another highlight of the region is the Corbett National Park, which is a special experience for every nature lover. In addition to countless unique plant species, this oldest national park in India is also home to the endangered Bengal tiger. Fancy a safari?
Ghangaria: The Valley of Flowers
The north of Uttarakhand lies in the middle of the Himalayas and is characterized by snow-capped mountain peaks and majestic glaciers. But their northern Indian journey is based on the lower lying areas.
A trekking tour in the Valley of Flowers National Park is particularly beautiful. As the name suggests, a colorful sea of flowers opens up here, 10 km long and 2 km wide.
The ideal starting point for the hiking route is Ghovindghat, from where it takes several hours along meandering rivers and thundering waterfalls to Ghangeria. From here it is just a stone’s throw to the Valley of Flowers, which lies at 3,858 m and invites you to unwind for hours.
Dharamsala (McLeodganj)
This place is without a doubt a cultural highlight of the North Indian region because the Dalai Lama lives here. Since he fled Tibet in 1959, the seat of the Tibetan government in exile has been here in Dharamsala (McLeodganj).
The history of Tibet and Buddhism is explained in detail in the Center for Buddhist Teachings, the Art Center and numerous museums. The Dalai Lama temple and residence can also be visited here and, with a little luck, you will experience an audience with the reigning Dalai Lama!
Amritsar
From one spiritual center we now go to the next: Amritsar, northern India, the holy city of the monotheistic Sikhs. With even more visitors than the Taj Mahal, the impressive Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple, is India’s most popular attraction.
A particularly beautiful sight is when the temple is reflected in the artificial pond Amrit Sarovar. In Amritsar, the conflict-ridden history of the region can also be traced, for example in the Jallianwala Bagh garden, site of the 1919 Amritsar massacre of over 1,500 unarmed people.
Valley of the Gods
Anyone who leaves the town of Bhuntar behind is on the safe path to the high mountains of the Himalayas. A wide valley opens up here through which the Beas River flows.
The valley’s main town is the idyllic town of Kullu, which gives it its actual name, but due to the many monasteries and lush green landscape it also has the melodious nickname “Valley of the Gods”.
The highlights of the region are the mountain villages surrounded by forests, orchards and peaks, the centuries-old monasteries such as Hadimba Devi (450 years) or Khardung (900 years) and the hot sulfur springs in Vashist.
Trans Himalayan Road Trip
Anyone who explores the Himalayas with a rental car will soon realize that the spectacular serpentine roads require a lot of courage. A road trip on the Trans Himalaya Route is of course still an absolute highlight.
From lush forests, the roads climb barren mountain landscapes and offer fantastic views of wide valleys and the snow-capped peaks of the mountain ranges. Particularly exciting is the drive over the Khardung La Pass, which at 5,578 meters is one of the highest passable pass roads in the world.
Little Tibet: Ladakh
The Ladakh region is called “Little Tibet” – it is perfect destination for all kinds of adventure tours. While the luggage and food are carried by animals, the hikers cross numerous rivers, pass wild and romantic mountain villages, and cross narrow ones Gorges and enjoy the view of the mountain peaks towering high above them.
One of my favorite routes leads to the Nimaling Plateau at 4,700 m. The sun supposedly shines here all year round!
A special experience for mountaineers is conquering a 6,000 meter peak. The highest mountain in the region is Stok Kangri (6,150m). The climb is difficult – no question about it – but standing at the summit and, with a bit of luck, enjoying a unique view will quickly make you forget the hardships.
Ladakh Monasteries
But it’s not just mountains that attract visitors to Ladakh – it is also the land of Tibetan monasteries. Here you can find peace, meditate with monks or simply admire Tibetan art.
The monasteries are full of beautiful frescoes, hand-carved figurines and huge golden Buddha statues. The most famous monastery is probably Hemis Gompa – by the way, gompa is Tibetan and does not refer to a single temple, but rather an entire fortress-like temple complex. Usually a gompa is located at the top of a mountain or hill.
The only exception is Alchi Gompa, a jewel among Ladakh’s monasteries. One place where the isolation of the monks is particularly noticeable is the Lamayuru monastery, where the monks still live and meditate in small caves that only have a small window. It is the oldest shrine in the region.
Nubra valley
Enough of the mountains? The desert landscape of the Nubra Valley offers a welcome change. Admittedly, the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas can still be seen here – the valley is actually right in the middle of them.
Nevertheless, there is a feeling of the Orient here, including sand dunes and camel caravans! The valley is easily accessible, only about 150km from Ladakh’s capital Leh, and most visitors head to the dunes around Hunder.
Srinagar
The city of Srinagar is located in eastern Kashmir, near India’s border with Pakistan. It is famous for its gardens and lakes, but also for the picturesque houseboats, which are also rented out to visitors and are my absolute favorite accommodation in the city.
Because of its many lakes, the city is also called the “Venice of the East”. The typical souvenirs of the region can also be purchased here at the markets and bazaars – the ideal end to a great trip to North India!
Know More
Visa: Guest must must register online before entering the country, pay the tourist visa fee and present the printed ETA confirmation of registration upon entry – a relatively simple process!
Health: No special vaccinations are necessary to enter India. However, pay attention to the general hygiene of your surroundings and avoid unboiled tap water or raw food.
Climate: While it is very dry from April to June and can get hot during the day, the monsoon climate prevails from July to September. In general, it can get very cold at night and functional equipment is an absolute must!
The most popular travel time is March to October, when temperatures are moderate and rainfall is moderate. Of course, high up in the mountains it can snow all year round!
India is a diverse country with a lot to see. But my favorite region is the north India & Himalaya.
Here you will find ideas for an unforgettable trip to North India.
Travel Destinations in Northern India by Delighted Journey