Away With The Steiners

Five Unique North India Itinerary Options for 3 or 4 Weeks. 

Sarah Steiner

Three to four weeks in India is a fabulous amount of time to see a great part of this huge subcontinent country.  The only challenge is choosing where to go and what not to miss!  In this article we list five different sample north India itinerary options for how to spend up to one month in India.  

Albeit five itineraries are a lot to choose from.  With each north India itinerary, we have listed some pros and cons for each choice.  And at the end this article, we give suggestions to help pick one to suit best and share our favourite north India itinerary. 

Here we go! 

Why do we suggest a one-month itinerary in North India? 

In north India, traveling for three or four weeks makes for a good pace and with the extensive Indian railway network you can get from one side of Uttar Pradesh all the way to the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, to the famous Golden Triangle of India and north to Punjab too.  

Plus, it is straightforward to get a 30-Day Tourist e-Visa for India and so it makes sense to travel for up to one month and make the most of the permitted visa validity.  

One month in India will be a grand adventure.  

Busy first day in Delhi on North India Itinerary option number one month.
The capital is busy by the way. Busy but absolutely loveable and with so much to see every time you step out in Delhi.

Getting to North India 

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.   

However, some of these India itinerary options start in Kolkata or Mumbai.  Both of these cities are also well connected with flights to Asia, Europe and the Middle East. 

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

There are advantages to travel in North India at different times of the year. 

The summer from May and June can be unbearably hot in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. But the summer months have clear skies and this is the quietest tourist season to travel. 

The rainy season in July and August is notoriously wet.  And yes; India does still get the monsoon weather in the north!

The winter from October to March is when the temperature is pleasant and the chance of rain is much less.  

The main disadvantage from November to March is the smog. Unfortunately, Delhi is especially polluted as one of India’s largest cities. For farmers it is the burning season for crops in November in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh and that coupled with the pollution in the cities there can often – and daily – be high levels of polluted air. 

We have travelled in North India at all times of year including in the high of summer, the monsoon season and in the colder, smoggier winter months. And the truth is that whatever time of year you are there you will find pros and cons to the weather.

Though do be extra careful in the monsoon and rainy season in India! 

Ghanta Ghar Clock Tower in Udaipur and a beautiful crisp day in North India.

Choosing a North India Itinerary 

North India is huge!  It includes the most well-known states of Rajasthan, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.  And it has everything from the mountains of the Himalayas to the incredible Thar Desert and all the way to the holy city and sacred River Ganges in Varanasi. 

It really depends on what you are looking for with one month in India.  And whether you like to travel more slowly or prioritise getting further off the beaten track (we do!). 

Each of these north India itineraries has different highlights and with the varied directions of travel means there are choices to make to move between cities.

Option #1 – Delhi to Delhi – North India Itinerary

About North India Itinerary Option #1

This is a great itinerary for north India that can be easily extended to one month.  

Rajasthan is the most popular state to visit in India with an array of magnificent forts and palaces, and a vibrant and colourful experience of Indian culture.  And this itinerary also covers the Taj Mahal in Agra and Varanasi; India’s other two most popular destinations. 

Up close and personal with this incredible Wonder of the World. 

HIGHLIGHTS – OPTION #1 

These are the top highlights of this itinerary.  

You can see a more detailed list in our articles about each India destination.

PROS – OPTION #1

This itinerary option covers most of the best Rajasthan destinations and starting and ending in Delhi means that travel distances between the cities are not uncomfortably long.  

ANY CHALLENGES WITH THIS ITINERARY?

This itinerary assumes a flight from Delhi to Jaisalmer however this flight route only operates during the winter months from October to March. 

Further options with North India Itinerary #1

Ending back in Delhi opens options for a short trip of a few extra days somewhere nearby.  We suggest adding 3 days to this north India itinerary and taking the Vande Bharat fast train to Amritsar.  

OPTION #2 – Mumbai to Delhi – North India Itinerary 

A beaut day in Udaipur out on Lake Pichola.

About North India Itinerary Option #2

This is an awesome north India itinerary covering all the major destinations of the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan plus Varanasi and Amritsar. 

HIGHLIGHTS – OPTION #2

These are the top highlights of this itinerary.  

You can see a more detailed list in our articles about each India destination.

PROS OF OPTION #2

This itinerary also includes Mumbai where the other itinerary options start in Delhi or Kolkata.  Mumbai is an incredible city to experience and one of the largest and most famous cities in the world. 

I also like this itinerary for the 3 nights allocated in Jodhpur.  This is a smaller Rajasthani city and especially in contrast to the much busier megacity of Mumbai.

ANY CHALLENGES WITH THIS ITINERARY?

There are a lot of days taken up with daytime train travel and a car journey to Jodhpur plus two overnight trains.  

The trains are a great way to travel but arriving to Mumbai means that geographically you start further away from Rajasthan and most of the other cities on this north India itinerary. 

Further options with North India Itinerary #2

Because this itinerary also comes in under with four days under one month in India there is the option to add extra days at one or two of the slower cities – like Udaipur or Jodhpur – and slow down a bit. 

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

Option #3 – Delhi, Rajasthan and Punjab Roundtrip – North India Itinerary 

Somewhere en route to Varanasi traveling on the famous Indian Railway in AC Second Class (2A).

About Itinerary Option #3 

This is an awesome north India itinerary covering all the major destinations of the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan plus Varanasi and Amritsar. 

HIGHLIGHTS – OPTION #3

These are the top highlights of this itinerary.  

You can see a more detailed list in our articles about each India destination.

PROS OF OPTION #3 

This itinerary covers the classic north India destinations in a way that the travel between cities is only during the daytime and most journeys can be made on the Vande Bharat fast train. 

ANY CHALLENGES WITH THIS ITINERARY? 

There are a lot of days taken up with daytime train travel in this north India itinerary.  

You could potentially add an extra day in Udaipur or Jaisalmer to have a rest day somewhere in the middle of the itinerary.  

Further options with North India Itinerary # 3

Because this itinerary starts and ends in Delhi but with the final days in Amritsar it also opens the option to cross the border from Amritsar to Lahore in Pakistan.  We have done this four times in the last few years! 

If you have the correct visa for Pakistan and a multi-entry visa for India, you can exit India at Amritsar and re-enter with the same visa. 

OPTION #4 – Mumbai to Kolkata – North India Itinerary 

About Itinerary Option #4

This includes the three largest and most famous cities in India – Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.  It also manages to allow enough time for a trip to the desert in Jaisalmer and travel by overnight train twice in North India.

Getting a morning train from Jaipur (JP) to Agra Fort (AF) station.

HIGHLIGHTS – OPTION #4

These are the top highlights of this itinerary.  

You can see a more detailed list in our articles about each India destination.

PROS OF OPTION #4

This itinerary includes Kolkata too and with it being the last stop means there is the option to visit the Sundarbans National Park if you have more time.  

The Sundarbans is a huge mangrove area that is mostly in Bangladesh but extends through to West Bengal near Kolkata too.  

Just make sure you have enough days left on your India e-Visa to extend time near Kolkata. 

Visiting the House of Mother Teresa at the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata is a highlight for sure.

ANY CHALLENGES WITH THIS ITINERARY? 

The main downside of the route starting in Mumbai and ending in Kolkata is that you need to do an overnight train within your first few days in India.  If this feels like too much it would make sense to start on the opposite side and begin in Kolkata and end in Mumbai. 

OPTION #5 – Delhi, Bikaner and Jaisalmer to Mumbai – North India Itinerary 

Don’t forget to look up as you explore Bikaner. 

About Itinerary Option #5

I really like that this itinerary option includes Bikaner, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.  Those cities are to the far west of Rajasthan and so take a bit of travel to get to.  

But the way that this India itinerary is set out means that all the travel is doable by daytime train, fast train and transfer by car (Jodhpur to Udaipur).  And then the only overnight train is right at the end of the itinerary, when your confidence for navigating India will be high! 

HIGHLIGHTS – OPTION #5

These are the top highlights of this itinerary.  

You can see a more detailed list in our articles about each India destination.

The morning is recommended as a (fairly) quiet time of day to visit Jama Masjid in Old Delhi.

PROS OF OPTION #5

This has a good mixture of large cities (Delhi, Mumbai and Jaipur) as well as a chance to slow down and get a taste of the smaller north Indian cities (Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur).  

With an extra day in Udaipur there is the option for a day trip to one of the nearby forts.  As well as the chance to see Kumbhalgarh Fort on route from Jodhpur to Udaipur which is often referred to as the ‘Great Wall of India’ and the largest for in the country!  

ANY CHALLENGES WITH THIS ITINERARY? 

This is quite a relaxed pace with a few longer daytime train rides.  There is a bus ride or two between Bikaner and Jaisalmer or to Jodhpur.   But in truth, the buses are comfortable enough, and the distance makes for another type of manageable daytime travel adventure.

Which option would we recommend? 

If it is your first time traveling in India, we would recommend Option #1 for your North India Itinerary.

This is the simplest itinerary starting and ending in Delhi and covering the class highlights and major destinations for north India.  It makes it easier (and cheaper) to arrive and depart from Delhi International Airport. 

Which is our favourite itinerary option? 

I’m pretty sure that all our family would choose Itinerary Option #3 simply because it includes Jaisalmer (our favourite), Bikaner and Amritsar too.  

Bikaner is a bit more off the beaten track and lesser travelled as far as Rajasthan destinations.  And we really rate Jaisalmer as our favourite place in India. 

Welcome to the lesser visited North India city of Bikaner.

Other India itineraries and inspiration

Here are some other itinerary ideas for planning an epic trip in 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

A small double room at Prince Haveli in Bikaner.

Tips for travel planning to India and beyond

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

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