You will not be short of things to see in Northern India. Being one of our favorite countries in Asia, and one of the most special trips we have made, India is as unique as it is chaotic, intense and wonderful. It is undoubtedly a totally different country from all others, and that is a big part of its charm and beauty. There are a program for two weeks in North India.
From its incredible architecture that will leave you speechless, to its markets, its bustling streets and its unique and extremely distinctive atmosphere. In this article you will find all the most important points to see in Northern India in 15 days, so that you can organize a 2-week trip that you will surely not forget.
What to see in Northern India in 15 days
Day 1. City of origin – Delhi. Night in Delhi
Day 2. Delhi. Night in Delhi
Day 3. Delhi – Jaipur. Night in Jaipur
Day 4. Jaipur. Overnight in Jaipur
Day 5. Jaipur. Overnight train to Jaisalmer
Day 6. Jaisalmer. Overnight in Jaisalmer
Day 7. Jaisalmer – Jodhpur. Overnight in Jodhpur
Day 8. Jodhpur. Overnight in Jodhpur
Day 9. Ranakpur Temple and Kumbhalgarh Fort (Transfer Jodhpur – Udaipur). Overnight in Udaipur
Day 10. Udaipur. Overnight in Udaipur
Day 11. Udaipur. Overnight train to Agra
Day 12. Agra. Overnight in Agra
Day 13. Agra. Overnight train to Varanasi
Day 14. Varanasi. Overnight in Varanasi
Day 15. Varanasi. Flight to Delhi and back home
Before you start:
Take a look at the article where we talk about the 8 must-see places in New Delhi in 1 day
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Day 1. Origin Country – New Delhi
This is where your 15-day trip to India begins, where you will enjoy many things to see specifically in the North of India. The first day (or the first two, depending on your hometown) will have to be dedicated to getting to New Delhi, the capital of India, and the place where your 15-day trip to the North of India will begin.
→ If you want to know the entry requirements for the country, how to have internet in India and many other tips, read our article:
To get from the airport to your hotel, we recommend that you use authorized travel agents. We did the same to get to our accommodation located in Connaught Place, the backpacker neighborhood of Delhi.
Or you can use Ubers, have a specific area for pick-ups inside the airport. You have to follow the signs that say, “pick up” and they will take you to a huge parking lot. That’s where it is. To be able to book an Uber, as they haven’t activated your SIM card yet and the airport Wi-Fi doesn’t reach the pick-up zone, there is an Uber stand where they can give you Wi-Fi.
We were going crazy until we discovered this. And above all, be patient because it’s chaos. Alternatively, you can also book the transfer in advance.
IMPORTANT: There is a very typical scam that takes place at Delhi airport. It all starts when you take a taxi, whether it’s “official” or not, to go to your accommodation.
Day 2. Delhi, a must-see city in northern India
Points of interest: Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Chadni Chowk Market, Humanyun Tomb, Lotus Temple, Safdarjung Tomb, India Gate, Gurudwara Bungla Saheb & Connaught Place.
New Delhi is one of the most important cities to see in northern India, and with good reason. It is full of attractions and very interesting things to do. Although it is usually a city that can seem difficult, especially because it is normally the gateway to India, we encourage you to give it a chance and dedicate at least one day to see its most representative places. You can do it at your leisure, but if you really want to soak up its culture and history, the best option is to take a guided tour.
We loved it, it seemed magnetic to us from the first moment. And while it’s true that it’s chaotic beyond belief, it also has a very distinctive energy that’s worth experiencing.
Day 3. Transfer Delhi – Jaipur and visit Jaipur
Accommodation: We stayed at Dev Mahal, in the center city
What to see in Jaipur today: Albert Hall, Hawa Mahal.
The third day of this route through Northern India in 15 days begins by taking a plane or a train from Delhi to Jaipur, one of the most beautiful and interesting cities to see in Northern India in 15 days. We decided to take the train, and it is best to take it early in the morning, between 8am and 10am, to have time to enjoy Jaipur during the afternoon.
In Delhi there are several train stations, some much more chaotic and busy than others. We decided to take the train at Sarai Rohilla, a small and not at all chaotic station. We highly recommend doing it this way, especially if it is the first train you take in India.
On this journey we decided to travel on a third class train, since it is only a 4.30 hour journey and the difference in price between one class and another is noticeable.
Travel tip: to have one of the best views of the Hawa Mahal, one of the most emblematic buildings to see in Northern India, you have to go to a bar called “The Tattoo Cafe & Lounge” which is right in front. You will have to climb some stairs to its small but spectacular terrace, and a little higher up they also have another much larger terrace with tables and chairs to have a drink.
The entrance fee on the weekend is 250INR (2.50€), but the amount is deducted from your order at the restaurant. We highly recommend going at sunset, so you can see the Hawa Mahal by day and by night.
How to book train tickets in India
This may be one of the most confusing topics for travelers planning what to see in Northern India. There are two main ways to book your train tickets:
Do it on IRCTC, the official Indian train website. Here things get a little complicated, as it is not a very reliable website: it crashes, gives many errors, and makes the purchase process very difficult. But they have many more tickets and schedules available.
To get from the train station to your accommodation, a good idea is to have a transfer booked in advance.
Day 4. Jaipur, the pink city to see in Northern India
What to see in Jaipur today: Amber Fort, Shri Jagat Shiromani Ji Temple, Jal Mahal, Nahargarh Fort, Gaitor Ki Chhatriyan, Chandpole Bazaar, Nahargarh Street
Today, start your full day in Jaipur, one of the most popular cities to see in Northern India. The truth is that the city has everything and more: the spectacular Amber Fort, bazaars everywhere or places as special and quiet as Gaitor Ki or Shri Jagat Shiromani.
Being a large city with many interesting places to see, it is highly recommended to take a tour of Jaipur with an expert guide to learn about the history behind the most emblematic monuments of the city.
Travel tip: To get around Jaipur, we recommend you use a tuk tuk (rickshaw). It’s the most efficient way to get around this chaotic city, and it’s also the cheapest. Just don’t forget to haggle. As a tip, use the local transporter to be clear about the fair price for the trip you want to take (and then bargain with the tuk tuk with knowledge of the facts) or even to book tuk tuks directly through the app. We did it many times and it couldn’t be more comfortable.
Where to stay in Jaipur
There are several interesting areas to stay in Jaipur, basically varying from the budget you have. The ideal is to stay in the city center, which is called the Pink City. This way, you’ll be super close to most tourist attractions. The downside is that it is a rather noisy and dirty area, and the prices, if you want something that is decent, are a bit high.
Alternatively, you have the Bani Park area, which is where we stayed. We could say that it is the backpacker part of the city, since you can find accommodations for all budgets and that are quite good. It is located near the train station and not far from the center.
Day 5. Jaipur in the morning and overnight train to Jaisalmer
What to see in Jaipur today: City Palace and Patrika Gate
For day 5 of this route about what to see in Northern India, spend the morning visiting some of the places you have left in Jaipur. As you can see, there are many things to see in Northern India, and Jaipur is no exception.
Start with the City Palace, the official residence of the maharajas of Jaipur, and visit the Patrika Gate, one of the most incredible gates to see in Northern India. It is a bit far from the center of Jaipur, so it is best to go by tuk tuk, it will take you about 20 minutes.
How to get from Jaipur to Jaisalmer
Depending on the time of year you travel to India, you will have more or less options for transfers between these two cities. If you travel in the months of October to May, there are two airlines that operate to and from Jaisalmer airport. But from May to October, coinciding with the rainy season in Northern India, these companies have decided, for now, to cancelled flights.
So, in our opinion, the best option is to go by night train. We traveled in third class with air conditioning, and although there are no luxuries, we did not find it to be so bad. However, the bathrooms are a special case. We booked the tickets through the official website of Indian trains. Our train left Jaipur at 16:35 and arrived in Jaisalmer at 05:25. Luckily, it was not delayed.
Travel tip: It’s a good idea to go to the Tourist Office, show your ticket and they will confirm which train is yours, from which platform it leaves, the carriage and the time. In our case, the screen showed one platform, and it turned out to be another.
Once you arrive in Jaisalmer, as it will be early in the morning, you can haggle for a tuk tuk, hire one through Uber or have it booked in advance so that it will be waiting for you at the station and take you to your accommodation.
Day 6. Jaisalmer, one of the most special cities to see in Northern India
Accommodation: We stayed at Lalgarh Fort & Palace. We really liked both its location and the terrace.
What to see today in Jaisalmer: Jaisalmer Fort, Salam Singh Ki Haveli, Kothari’s Patwon Ki Haveli, Nathmal Ki Haveli, Gadisar Lake, and if you feel like it you can try camel ride.
Jaisalmer is known as the golden city to see in Northern India, and for good reason. It is different from all the others, mainly because its fort, built in 1156, is the only inhabited one in all of India and one of the few in the world. In fact, almost a quarter of the population of the old city lives inside. And we can assure you that it is a true wonder.
Apart from the fort, another of Jaisalmer’s attractions are its havelis. There are many of them spread throughout the city, so it is best to choose 3 or 4 and visit them inside. Some are in a rather poor condition, and others, like Kothari’s, are an indisputable beauty.
And to end the day we recommend that you go to Lake Gadisar, one of the most popular places to see in Northern India, and without a doubt a beautiful place where you can breathe peace.
Where to stay in Jaisalmer
When you look for the best areas to stay in Jaisalmer, you have to keep in mind that you can stay inside or outside the fort. Although being inside is special and there is a lot of atmosphere, the prices are higher. On the other hand, outside the wall you will find very good accommodation at a much cheaper price.
We decided to stay outside the wall, specifically at Lalgarh Fort & Palace, and it was a great success.
Day 7: Jaisalmer and transfer to Jodhpur
Accommodation for today: We decided on Pal Haveli Jodhpur. The accommodation is not bad, it is very picturesque and well located. We do not recommend the restaurant.
What to see in Jaisalmer today: Bada Bagh
Halfway through this route through Northern India in 15 days, today it is time to visit Bada Bagh, one of the most beautiful cenotaph complexes to see in Northern India, located about 7km from the city. We recommend that you hire a tuk tuk to take you, wait 1 hour in Bada Bagh and return you to your accommodation.
How to get from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur
After Bada Bagh, you should head to the next stop to see in Northern India, the beautiful city of Jodhpur.
The best option is to do it by train. This time, we booked it through IRCTC, but for more convenience you can do it by good reliable agent. We decided to try the lowest class of Indian train with bunk beds, the Sleeper Class, and it was quite an experience. We recommend trying it even just once, but never on night journeys. The ticket from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur cost us 220INR (2.40€), and the train left at 15:10h and arrived at destination at 20:30h. Once at the station, to go to your accommodation, it is best to order an Uber or have previously booked the transfer.
Day 8. Jodhpur, the blue city to see in Northern India
What to do: Mandore Gardens, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Clock Tower and Market, Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi, Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada
Jodhpur is the second largest city in all of Rajasthan, and without a doubt, it is one of the essential places to see in Northern India and a good place to take a private tour with a guide in Spanish. If there is one thing that characterizes it, it is that a large part of the old city is blue: its walls, its streets, its doors… and that gives it a special charm.
You can go to most places on foot, but there are others further away where you will need to hire a transfer or haggle for a tuk tuk.
Where to stay in Jodhpur
In our opinion, the best area to stay in Jodhpur for value for money is the Gulab Sagar area or near the Clock Tower. Here you will find plenty of accommodation for all budgets, although it is mainly focused on backpacker budgets.
We stayed at The Pal Haveli. It had a very good location and although the accommodation was not bad, the rooms were a bit run down.
Day 9. Transfer from Jodhpur to Udaipur with a stop in Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur
Accommodation: Ram Pratap Palace Udaipur, our accommodation in Udaipur was the one we liked the most on the whole trip, an absolute recommendation.
What to see: Kumbhalgarh Fort and Ranakpur Temple
Although day 9 of this route through Northern India is a transfer day, we recommend that you take advantage of the time and stop on the way at two of the most incredible places to see in Northern India: the Kumbhalgarh Fort, popularly known as the Great Wall of China of India, and the impressive Ranakpur Temple.
How to get from Jodhpur to Udaipur
There are several ways to get from Jodhpur to Udaipur, the most common being the train, plane or private driver. However, if you want to visit the Kumbhalgarh Fort and the Ranakpur Temple on the way, the only way to do so is by hiring a private driver who will pick you up at your hotel in Jodhpur and take you to the hotel in Udaipur, stopping at these two places.
In Jodhpur there are several agencies that can book this service for you. We contacted Delighted Journey directly through their website and they arranged the transfer to Udaipur with the corresponding stops.
Travel tip: If you prefer to go from Jodhpur to Udaipur by train and still don’t want to miss the Kumbhalgarh Fort and the Ranakpur Temple (one of the most incredible we’ve ever seen), you have these two private excursions that leave from Udaipur:
Day 10. Udaipur, one of the most romantic cities to see in Northern India
What to see today: Jagmandir, Lake Pichola, Ambrai Ghat, Gangour Ghat, Tagore Ki Haveli, Jagdish Temple, City Palace
Just by setting foot in Udaipur you will feel that this city is different from the rest to see in Northern India. Here you can breathe a certain calm, it is much cleaner and you can enjoy moments of relaxation. It is certainly a small oasis within the constant chaos that can be India, and it is the perfect place to rest a little and take a free tour or a guided tour of the city.
India, although it is a wonderful country, is also a very intense trip and can be physically and mentally exhausting. Therefore, visiting Udaipur halfway through your route through Northern India is a great idea.
Where to stay in Udaipur
The Old City is undoubtedly the best area to stay in Udaipur, one of the most beautiful cities to see in Northern India. The vast majority of the city’s tourist attractions are concentrated there, meaning you can get to them without having to go by tuk tuk. It is also an area that is full of life, shops and restaurants.
We stayed at Ram Pratap Palace Udaipur, and we cannot recommend it more. A super nice, well-kept hostel, with a common area and incredibly friendly staff. It was the accommodation we liked the most on the whole trip.
Day 11: Udaipur and overnight train to Agra
What to see and do today: Ahar cenotaphs, Saheliyon Bari, visit local market, walking tour in a village near by Udaipur & buying souvenirs…
Today is one of the more relaxing days on the trip through Northern India. Visiting the Ahar cenotaphs and Saheliyon Bari won’t take you much time, visit a local village so spend the rest of the day doing some necessary errands in India: doing laundry (if you need to), changing money and buying some souvenirs.
Udaipur is one of the best places to take souvenirs from India. We bought some very special clothes at Sandouk Boutique and we had two custom silver rings made at this place (the location is approximate, it’s almost on the corner and it’s a very small shop). The owner is charming, very noble and willing to help you. Of course, haggle a lot because in India they will always inflate the prices a lot.
How to get from Udaipur to Agra
To get from Udaipur to Agra you can do it by plane or train. If you decide to go by train, as it is a journey of many hours, it is best to do it on a night train, so you will spend most of the time sleeping.
We bought a first class ticket and the truth is that it was great: private cabin with door and latch for both, air conditioning, blankets, comfortable beds… and the good thing about first class is that the bathroom is exclusive for those who travel in this class, and as there are few cabins, much fewer people go to the bathroom and they are much cleaner.
You can book the ticket through IRCTC to do it more comfortably, the official website for Indian trains.
To get from Agra train station to your accommodation, we recommend that you book an Uber or Ola, or that you already have the transfer booked in advance.
Day 12. Agra, an interesting city to see in Northern India
Accommodation: We stayed at Grand Mercure Hotel, 5 minutes from the East entrance gate to the Taj Mahal. Unbeatable location.
What to see and do today: Akbar’s Tomb (Sikendra), Itmad-Ud-Daula, Agra Fort, Mehtabh Bagh (Taj Mahal viewing platform)
Today is the first full day in Agra, and although it is not one of the cities with the most things to see in Northern India, it does have very interesting attractions beyond the famous Taj Mahal.
We divided what to see in Agra into 2: today we visited everything that wasn’t the Taj Mahal, and tomorrow we dedicated the day solely to visiting the Taj Mahal and taking it easy. At this point, the trip is already starting to get a bit heavy, and even more so if you come from a night train, you have to get up early to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise, and another night train afterwards.
Agra is a big city, and the tourist attractions are not too close to each other, so the best way to get around the city is by tuk tuk. We highly recommend that you book it through the Ola or Uber apps, or if you want to pick it up directly on the street, check the price on the apps beforehand so you know more or less how much to haggle.
Special mention to the Agra Fort, the most important fortress in India and one of the most spectacular to see in Northern India. Considered a World Heritage Site since 1983, inside you will find a multitude of palaces and stately buildings. It is a true wonder, and from inside you can also see the Taj Mahal in the distance.
Where to stay in Agra
Although Agra is one of the largest cities to see in Northern India, the best option is to stay in the surroundings of the Taj Mahal, since it is the only monument that is worth being able to walk to from your hotel or hostel.
There are mainly two interesting areas, the West area of the Taj Mahal and the East area. The best one for you will depend on which door you want to enter the Taj Mahal through, whether the West Gate or the East Gate. As we have said previously in this article, we recommend entering through the East Gate, since there are much fewer people and this way you can be among the first people to enter the grounds.
We stayed at Joey’s Hostel, literally 5 minutes walk from the East Gate, and we highly recommend it. Simple but clean rooms, a rooftop with views of the Taj Mahal and very friendly staff.
Day 13. Taj Mahal and Overnight Train to Varanasi
Accommodation: We took a overnight comfortabe train.
What to do: be amazed by the incredible Taj Mahal
Today is one of the most special and emotional days of the entire trip. Today you will visit the Taj Mahal, one of the 7 wonders of the world and one of the most incredible monuments to see in Northern India.
It is best to book your tickets online on the official website, this way you will avoid having to wait in line to buy tickets and you will only have to wait in line to enter the complex. We highly recommend that you go 30 minutes before the doors open, so you can enjoy this wonder with as few people as possible.
If you have bought your ticket online, the best door to enter is the East door, since only people who already have a ticket can enter there, and therefore, there are much fewer people.
As an alternative, and if you do not want to structure your days in this way, you can also visit Akbar’s Tomb (Sikendra), Imatd-Ud-Daula and Mehtabh Bah on the first day, and on the second take a guided tour of the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort.
How to get from Agra to Varanasi
Without a doubt, the best option is to go by train. There is a flight, but it is not direct and not cheap either, so our recommendation is that you make this transfer by night train.
Unlike all the other journeys we went on by train, this one in particular was the only one in which the majority of people we shared a carriage with were not Indian. This means that taking the night train is a very common way of travelling around India.
You can book your ticket through IRCTC, the official website for Indian trains.
Once you arrive at Varanasi train station, it is best to take an Uber or Ola to your accommodation.
Day 14. Varanasi, a very different city to see in Northern India
Accommodation: We stayed at Palaces on Ganges, very close to Ashi Ghat. Although it is a bit difficult to find (like most in Varanasi) the interior is fine and the location too.
What to see: Ghat Manikarnika (cremations), Shri Kashi Vishwanath, Gurga Temple, Ghat Aarti, Ghat Dashashwamedh, and Ganga Aarti ceremony (at Ghat Dashashwamedh or at Ghat Aarti)
Varanasi will not leave you indifferent. It is a unique, special city and completely different from all the others to see in Northern India. There is a very dense and somewhat peculiar energy, which is why it is interesting to take a private tour of the temples of Varanasi to understand why. We suppose that is part of its appeal, the close relationship between life and death that is experienced in this city. It is certainly a place that must be seen once in a lifetime and we believe that it should be on any itinerary for a trip to North India.
However, we found it to be an exhausting city. Personally, I felt that the energy of the city stole my own. In addition, it is the dirtiest, most chaotic, disorganized and incomprehensible city of all those we visited on this route through North India in 15 days.
And I suppose that is its charm. It is India at its best, with its extremes and its incomprehensible behaviors. I think that to understand and comprehend this city, it is necessary to spend many days in it, to live it and feel it calmly, and that is complicated on a trip through North India in 15 days.
It is a difficult place to understand and in which, for many moments, we did not know what was happening, what we were doing or where we were going. I expected to find a mystical, relaxing and peaceful city, and we found the opposite. Varanasi has a very strong and intense energy that is not for everyone. But, I repeat, we believe that it is essential to visit it and try to understand it at least once in your life.
Where to stay in Varanasi
The most interesting area to stay in Varanasi is the one that goes from Dashashwamedh Ghat to Ashi Ghat, specifically the part that is a few steps from the Ganges River. It should be noted that, especially the part close to Dashashwamedh, is a very labyrinthine area, with very narrow streets and where you will probably get lost more than once.
Also, in this part of the city neither cars nor tuk tuks can enter, so be patient because it may take you a while to find your accommodation.
The same thing happens with the area closest to Aasi Ghat, although in this case, there are some wider roads nearby and the atmosphere is a little less oppressive.
Day 15. Varanasi, transfer to Delhi and back home
What to see: boat ride on the Ganges, points you left undone from the previous day (if you left any), and last glimpses of the city
Today is the last day of this route through Northern India in 15 days. Depending on what time your flight home leaves (we recommend that it be late to make the most of the day), you will have more or less time to enjoy Varanasi or see some of the tourist spots if you didn’t have time to see them all yesterday.
You will have to take an internal flight from Varanasi to Delhi, and from Delhi return to your city of origin. To get from Varanasi to the airport, it is best to do so by taxi, as it is almost an hour’s journey and in a tuk tuk, with all the backpacks or suitcases, it can be difficult. Our recommendation is that you order it through Uber or Ola.
Travel tip: Once you arrive at Delhi airport, if you have landed in a terminal that is not the same as your intercontinental flight, there are white buses with the letters “deep travels” in red that are free and travel between the different terminals at New Delhi airport.
Don’t forget to take out good travel insurance
We always travel with travel insurance, it is something that makes us feel calm since apart from any health issue (something essential for traveling to India), it also covers many other things related to traveling such as flight delays or lost luggage. Traveling with insurance is almost mandatory, so if you are going to travel to India, do not hesitate and take advantage.
And that’s it for the article on what to see in Northern India in 15 days!
We hope you found it useful, enjoyed it and got lots of ideas for when you plan your trip to this incredible country. India will always be one of the most special trips we have ever made. Its landscapes, its architecture, its people and its energy make it a unique and wonderful country.
