Posted by Satu Susanna Rommi on 19 July 09
North India has mountains, deserts, holy cities by the sacred river Ganges and stunning architecture from the Taj Mahal to the Golden Temple.
To see all the places mentioned in this article would take about three months, if travelling mainly by trains and buses, and leaving enough time to explore an area beyond a rushed sightseeing tour. Of course it can all be rushed through in a shorter time, but do leave a few days here and there for just relaxing and remember that anyone can get sick at some point and need time to recover.
In addition, travel plans in India may have to be adjusted at the last minute because of weather (monsoon rain, floods or snowstorms in Ladakh) or political events (strikes or demonstrations).
Places To See In North India
Starting from Delhi, take a few days to recover from jet lag and adjust to India while exploring the sights of the capital city. The Taj Mahal in Agra is then a short drive or train trip from Delhi. Also worth visiting is Fatehpur Sikri, near Agra and an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From Agra there are train and bus connections to Jaipur, the Pink City, and the rest of Rajasthan. This desert state with its stunning cities, palaces, forts and camel safaris deserves a couple of weeks, at least.
The Golden Temple in Amritsar, in the Punjab, is the holiest site in Sikhism and should not be missed. When travelling between Amritsar and the rest of North India, the city of Chandigarh is a regional travel hub with connections to Amritsar, many destinations in Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi. There is also a daily Shatabdi Express train between Delhi and Amritsar.
Himachal Pradesh is a the place to explore the Himalayas, especially in April and May when the rest of India starts to get too hot. There are hill stations such as Manali and Shimla, treks in the mountains, motorbikes to rent, and of course the Tibetan community in Dharamsala and McLeodGanj. Those who visit India between May and October can continue from Manali to Leh in Ladakh.
Rishikesh by the holy river Ganges, in the state of Uttarakhand, is famous for yoga courses and ashrams, and is also a major traveller centre. Nearby Haridwar, also on the holy Ganges, is one of Hinduism's sacred cities. Trains connect Haridwar to another sacred city Varanasi (Benares) where Hindu pilgrims bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges. Bodhgaya, where the Buddha gained enlightenment, is a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists.
Varanasi has train connections back to Delhi as well as further east to Kolkata (Calcutta) in West Bengal. Those who travel in India during April and May can travel on from Kolkata to Darjeeling and Sikkim, but this area is definitely not recommended during monsoon.
When To Travel To North India
The best time to visit Himachal Pradesh is in the summer, April and May, when the rest of India gets unbearably hot. The best time to go to Ladakh is from June - the roads to Ladakh are only open between May and October.
The season in Darjeeling and Sikkim is from March to May; during monsoon from June to September this area gets very heavy rain and should be avoided.
The areas around Delhi as well as Rajasthan and the Punjab get very hot between April and June. Many travellers visit these areas between November and March, and when the heat starts to build up, move on to the Himalayas for cooler climates.
Resources: http://india-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_best_of_north_india
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