Away With The Steiners

Detailed Itinerary for North India for 7-, 14- or 21-days.

Sarah Steiner

Choosing an itinerary for North India?  Take an epic adventure of northern India highlights in the ultimate 7-, 14- or 21-day itinerary for North India to experience the best of India on your first visit!

We reckon the north is an incredible part of the country to explore. 

There are palaces and forts and colourful flower markets and bazars.  There are world famous sights, deserts and camels and train journeys to take.  The highlights of this itinerary for North India includes some of the most famous sights of India.

Read on for the ultimate 7-, 14- or 21-day itinerary for North India. 

Choosing and itinerary for North India 

If it’s your first time to the subcontinent, planning an itinerary for North India can feel somewhat like searching for a needle in a haystack! There is so much of India to choose from. 

However, we have designed the following itinerary for North India with the option to make it a 7-, 14- or 21-day itinerary.  

At each of the 7- or 14-day points there is the chance to take a train or flight back to Delhi and adapt the itinerary to suit your timeframe and travel goals. 

Rajasthan planning an itinerary for North India.
Welcome to North India by the way.

Getting to Delhi 

This itinerary for North India begins and ends in Delhi. 

Even if you take the option to use the following guide as a 7-day or 14-day itinerary for North India there is the alternative option to end in Delhi on those days also.

Most travellers begin and end their India trip in Delhi because of the large, international airport there.  It is easy to find flights to Delhi from all over the world with connections in the Middle East and South Asia.   

Arriving at Delhi International Airport (don’t forget to check your baggage is strapped on!). 

What is the best time of year to visit North India? 

Keep in mind whilst planning your itinerary for North India that the best time to visit the north is in the winter months from October to March. 

Winter is generally the best time as days are sunny and not too humid.  

The north of India does get incredibly hot during the summer months of May and June though this is a much quieter season for tourism.  

There is a monsoon season in July and August when there are often heavy afternoon downpours of rain. This is also the season for mosquito borne illnesses. 

A sunny day in early December in Amritsar. 

Transport in India. What is the best way to get around in North India?

This itinerary for North India combines a mixture of local and touristic travel options: flight, trains, taxi, bus and auto rickshaw. 

There is one domestic flight (Jaisalmer to Delhi) and a daytime tourist bus (Jodhpur to Jaisalmer).  

Though the easiest way to get swiftly around in India is by rail.  

For each step of this itinerary North India we have detailed the trains to take and how to book tickets online. 

Travel by train in India is all part of the ultimate adventure.

Summary – 7-, 14- or 21-Day Itinerary for North India 

See the complete adventure below.  But in summary… 

From Day 16 from Jaisalmer there are two options for the last 7 days of this itinerary for North India. 

The first option is to fly from Jaisalmer back to Delhi and explore another day in Delhi and take the fast train to Amritsar in Punjab.  

The second option is to fly back to Delhi and get the train to Varanasi and back.  

Or alternatively you could take the bus to Bikaner and travel onwards to Amritsar by train. 

The full details for each option are below. 

The colours of Jaipur Flower market on a post-monsoon morning are even more vibrant.

Details – 7-, 14- or 21-Day Itinerary for North India 

Read on for the full details of this itinerary for North India. 

DAY 1 – 2 – DELHI – Arrival and tour of Old Delhi 

Arrival and check into your hotel in Delhi for a first evening meal on-site.  

On Day 2, take a tour by auto-rickshaw for the day to old Delhi.  See the historic Jama Masjid mosque, the busy Chandni Chowk marketplace and Red Fort.  

Enjoy lunch in Chandni Chowk and spend the afternoon visiting Humayun’s Tomb and the beautiful Lodi Gardens. 

Golden hour at Jama Masjid, Delhi.

DAY 3 – DELHI TO AGRA – Tour of Agra

Take a morning train from Delhi to Agra.  

Check into your accommodation and head out by auto rickshaw to visit the fabulous Agra Fort in the afternoon. 

Taking the train from (the friendly) New Delhi Railway Station. 

DAY 4 – AGRA TO JAIPUR – Taj Mahal and tour of Agra

Wake up before sunrise to visit the famous Taj Mahal and beat the crowds for a unique tour without rush around this marvellous beauty. 

Return to the homestay for a cooked breakfast. 

Post-sunrise morning light at the Taj Mahal.

DAY 5 – Train to Jaipur 

Pack your bags ready for the next train adventure this afternoon, departing to Jaipur.  

With time later this morning enjoy breakfast and get a rickshaw out to see the Agra Jama Masjid and Kinari Bazar. 

Return to the homestay for a homecooked lunch and get back in the rickshaw headed for Agra Fort (AF) railway station.  The journey by train to Agra is just over four hours. 

On arrival go straight to your accommodation – a traditional Haveli-style family hotel – by auto rickshaw.  

You arrive in time for a delicious home-cooked and typical Rajasthani dinner at the Haveli!

DAY 6 – JAIPUR – Rickshaw tour of Jaipur

Book a rickshaw for the day to zip around the amazing sights of Jaipur.  

Start in the morning with Hawal Mahal (Wind Palace) and then see the amazing Jal Mahal (Water Palace), Amber Fort and Stepwell with Akbari Masjid and Shri Jagat Shiomani ji Hindu Temple.

DAY 7 – JAIPUR – Tour 

Today take a rickshaw tour to see more of Jaipur.  Using the Composite Ticket entry there are three further sites to include on your itinerary today. 

Depart after an early breakfast to see the colourful Jaipur Flower Market and Isarlat Minaret.  Go next to Masala Chowk for chai before visiting the beautiful Albert Hall Museum. 

Continue by rickshaw back into the centre of the city to see the famous Jantar Mantar observatory of Jaipur and the City Palace. 

After lunch at the palace restaurant take a ride before the golden hour to the famous Nahargarh Fort for sunset. 

If you are doing this as a 7-day itinerary for North India prepare for tomorrow (Day 8) to train back to Delhi.  

Otherwise read on for the continue 14-day itinerary for North India. 

The famous Amer Stepwell near Amber Fort in Jaipur.

DAY 8 – Train to Udaipur – Itinerary for North India

Get breakfast to go from your Haveli homestay in Jaipur for the early departing train to Udaipur. 

We recommend booking AC Chair Class (CC) for the journey. 

On arrival in Udaipur take an auto rickshaw to your accommodation and end the day with a wander on the Ghats of Lake Pichola and dinner at Ambrai Restaurant.

Sunset on Ambrai Ghat with the fabulous Ambrai Restaurant patio in the background.

DAY 9 – UDAIPUR – Itinerary for North India 

Take a walk through the old city.

Visit the City Palace and Museum and enjoy a boat trip out to Jagmandir Island before finishing the day with dinner at the waterfront Ambrai Restaurant. 

Just wandering the romantic grandeur of Udaipur is the best part of this City of Lakes.

DAY 10 – Car to Jodhpur – Itinerary for North India

The travel time from Udaipur to Jodhpur is around five hours by car.  

Stop on the way to visit Kumbhalgarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest forts in India. 

DAY 11 – JODHPUR

Take a morning tour with Blue City Walks to explore the old city of Jodhpur and see the historic Mehrangarh Fort, the famous stepwell and colourful Hindu temples and shrines dotted around the streets and courtyards of the Blue City. 

In the afternoon visit the colour bazaars of the old city or take a cooking class. 

Views to Mehrangarh Fort over the Blue City of Jodhpur.

DAY 12 – Bus to Jaisalmer – Itinerary for North India 

Depart mid-late morning from Jodhpur.  

The bus takes around 5 – 6 hours to Jaisalmer and is the most convenient way to connect the two cities.   

Stopped en route somewhere between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur by bus. 

DAY 13, 14 – JAISALMER – Overnight Camel Safari in the Thar Desert

Trek on camels from the village into the sunset and enjoy dinner cooked over the campfire in the sand dunes and sleep (literally) underneath the stars.  

Approx 1.5 hours from Jaisalmer. 

After sunrise and breakfast in the desert return by camel to the nearby village and back again by Jeep to Jaisalmer.  

Enjoy a relaxed lunch back at your guesthouse (and a shower after the desert).  

Take a late afternoon walk through the markets to Gadisar Lake. 

If you are doing this as a 14-day itinerary for North India instead of Gadisar Lake this afternoon take a walking tour of Jaisalmer Fort.  Tomorrow (on Day 15) fly back to Delhi to compete the itinerary. 

Ready to ride?
Our camels unsaddled and finished for the night.

DAY 15 – JAISALMER – Itinerary for North India

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on the rooftop of your guesthouse then take a walking tour of Jaisalmer and Jaisalmer Fort. 

Enjoy lunch in the afternoon at Mandir Palace or Trio Restaurant. 

In the afternoon take a Jeep to see Vyas Chattri and the tombs on the outskirts of the city. 

Jaisalmer Fort is one of the world’s largest fully preserved forts and one of the very few ‘living forts’ in the world.

DAY 16 – Fly to Delhi – Itinerary for North India 

Enjoy one more morning walk in Jaisalmer for a morning chai at Chai Chowk.  Return for breakfast on the rooftop and pack your bags for the domestic flight to Delhi. 

Take a flight with IndiGo from Jaisalmer back to Delhi.  

From the airport take a taxi to your accommodation in Delhi.

DAY 17 – DELHI – Tour of South Delhi 

Make the most of another day in the capital with a day tour of Delhi by auto rickshaw.  

Visit the Ghandi Museum, Qutab Minar or the Sikh Gurudwara or go further from the old city to the Lotus Temple or Akshardham Hindu temple and museum. 

If you are staying near Connaught Place or Paharganj take the chance to explore Main Bazaar on your doorstep for shopping and souvenirs.  Otherwise make a stop at Dilli Haat Market for the best souvenir shopping in Delhi! 

Enjoy dinner in Delhi in Connaught Place. 

Delhi is an incredible – and colourful – contrast of old and new traditions and culture.

DAY 18 – Train to Amritsar – Itinerary for North India 

Make the most of the morning and midday in Delhi before taking the train this afternoon to Punjab. 

We recommend visiting the Akshardham Hindu temple and museum.  There is a great short boat-ride audio tour that lasts about 20 minutes and gives a great overview of history and culture in India. 

Have lunch at the Akshardham foodcourt then head back to the hotel to get your bags for the train. 

On arrival to Amritsar get a taxi from outside the station or auto rickshaw to your accommodation.

DAY 19 – AMRITSAR – Itinerary for North India

Get ready for a seriously special day!  

Today you will visit the Golden Temple; the holiest gurdwara (religious complex) of the Sikh Religion and experience the selfless generosity of hundreds of volunteers that staff the world’s largest Community Kitchen – the Langar of the Golden Temple – serving 100,000 people every day!  

This part of your itinerary for North India is more than just observing too.  

A visit to the Golden Temple in Amritsar also offers the chance to be a part of this incredible experience and join in and volunteer in this famous community service. 

The largest community kitchen in the world in Amritsar, Punjab.

DAY 20 – AMRITSAR

Today see more of Amritsar and tour the Heritage Street walk.  Visit the famous Hindu temples and try the best Amritsari food at Kale Da Dhabar. 

In the afternoon take a taxi to the India Pakistan border to see the unique daily Attari-Wagah Border Ceremony between the two nations.  It really is one of a kind! 

DAY 21 – Train to Delhi 

Today is the last day of your itinerary for North India.  

Take the fast train back to Delhi from Amritsar.

We hope you have enjoyed a great itinerary for North India!

Options for the last week of this itinerary

The second option for the last 7 days of the above itinerary for North India is to take the train on Day 18 from Delhi to Varanasi.

With this option you could stay three nights in Varanasi and return on the fast train Varanasi to Delhi.

Sunset or sunrise on the River Ganges is a must-do in Varanasi. 

Have more time on your itinerary for North India? 

Read more about the best things to do in Delhi, Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Bikaner, Udaipur, Pushkar, Ajmer, Varanasi, Amritsar and Agra. 

Booking accommodation on your itinerary for North India 

To help with booking accommodation based on the above itinerary for North India, this is where you will spend your 7-, 14- or 21- days. 

Happy travels and enjoy a fantastic itinerary for North India!  

Accommodation we recommend in North India

A photo with host Mum – and fabulous cook – Ranjana at Aman Homestay in Agra. 
Outside Hotel Temple on Ganges in Assi Ghat on our first visit to Varanasi. 

Accommodation we recommend in Rajasthan

Million dollar lake views from our budget family room at Hotel Lake Star in Udaipur.
A late night arrival to the huge bed and amazing window balcony of the King Suite / Family Room at Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer.

Read more about travel in North India

About travel planning for India and beyond…

These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel. 

Exit mobile version