India will change you, one way or another. Everything seems to stand out in this incredibly diverse country: everything you see, everything you smell, all that you experience will be unlike what you’ve previously experienced.
Whether you’re on a path to enlightenment, want to get lost in a world of magical curries, or just experience a new, colorful culture, India will pull you in and hold onto you long after you’ve left – if you do!
Geographically, historically, culturally, climatically, culinarily and in so many other ways, India’s south is different than its north. There are so many amazing places to ramble on about in this amazing country, so today we’re going to focus on the north.
Get ready – your senses are about to be bombarded from all angles; we’re taking you on a ride you’ll never forget.
you should absolutely check out in North India
1. Agra
Taj Mahal. Need we say more? We will anyway. There are lots of things to know before visiting India and no trip to Agra or to North India is complete without seeing the Taj Mahal.
The white marble mausoleum was commissioned by Shah Jahan, to be built in the memory of his wife, and was completed in 1643. The UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts 8 million annual visitors, so try and perfect your selfie skills before arriving, because you might be competing for the best photo ops.
The Red Fort, also commissioned by Jahan, shouldn’t be missed either. Spend an afternoon touring the red beast and marvel over the building’s many intricate designs.
Tip: After a day of touring, find solace atop one of Agra’s many rooftop restaurants. Sip on a sweet chai, watch the monkeys jump from roof to roof, and smile because you’re about to watch the Taj Mahal turn orange and pink and red as the sun slowly sets.
Visit the Taj Mahal (and so much more!) on an epic gap year in India.
2. Varanasi
Varanasi is one of the holiest cities in the world. Pilgrims from all over India, and farther, come here to connect with their spiritual side. Watch daily life on the Ganges River unfold as it has for hundreds of years as locals bathe, shave and pray in the river, which is the holiest to Hindus.
One of the most significant sights is the burning ghats – devout Hindus wish to be cremated and become one with the river. On average, 80 bodies are cremated in plain sight each day, their ashes swept into the river. Photos are strictly forbidden, but it’s a surreal experience that you won’t need a photo to remember.
Varanasi is also one of the best cities in the world for people-watching – kids playing cricket, men playing cards during sunset, religious ceremonies happening on the ghats (stairs), vendors selling spicy samosas, and funeral processions filling the narrow stone streets of the Old City.
Tip: Be sure to try a lassi in one of the many shops in the old area. So. Frickin’. Good. And after that, hop in a boat and be paddled down the Ganges during a stunning Indian sunset.
Read more: How to avoid getting sick in India.
3. Udaipur
Known as the City of Lakes, Udaipur is one of the most romantic and charming cities in India. The beautiful, bright white Lake Palace is located on a tiny island in the middle of Lake Pichola where it seems to be peacefully floating. Take a boat ride around the lake for some great photos ops of the Palace and of Udaipur itself.
The city has a pretty hip vibe to it. It’s a great place to pop into quaint cafes, chat with strangers and drink chai until you’re buzzing with energy. As in all other cities in India, there are some stunning architectural buildings in Udaipur that should not be missed. Take a tour of the City Palace and peer out through one of its many windows at the lake below.
Tip: Consider visiting the other two major ‘pur’ cities, Jodhpur and Jaipur (the blue city), in the state of Rajasthan.
4. Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is that desert oasis you always wanted to visit. With the desert on the city’s doorstep, there’s a ton to do.
Jump on a camel to traverse the awe-inspiring dunes of the Thar Desert. Discover the city’s narrow twisted alleys, which are full of markets and ornately carved houses. Track down some dazzling Rajastani fabrics to spice up your wardrobe and soak up all the atmosphere.
Also travel through time in the Jaisalmer Fort. Built in 1156, it’s one of the largest preserved fort cities in the world. You can walk through its ancient lanes – where 4,000 people still call home – and visit intricate yellow sandstone temples in the aptly named Golden City.
Tip: One of the most rewarding and most memorable ways to travel in India is by train. More than 22 million people travel on Indian trains every day. Join the pack and travel to and from Jaisalmer by train. Chat with locals, sip chai, and watch it all pass by.
Visit Jaisalmer on an amazing India tour.
5. Delhi
There’s no escaping the sounds, the smells, the traffic, so don’t try. One of busiest places on earth, Delhi will take over your senses. Your nose will be in love with spices being cooked-up by nearby food stalls; your ears will find familiarity in the orchestra of honking cars; your idea of personal space will change, but you’ll be greeted with bright eyes, genuine smiles, and an experience you won’t forget.
Stroll through Chandni Chowk and Chawri Bazar, the main commercial area and one of the busiest and oldest markets in Delhi, and test your bargaining skills with one of the persistent hawkers. Get lost in the narrow lanes of Old Delhi, stare in awe at the brilliance and beauty of Jama Masjid and the Red Fort, and get a lift in one of Delhi’s cycle rickshaws and try, just try, to take it all in.
Tip: Eat, eat, and keep eating. Explore Gali Paranthe Wali street and please your taste buds by trying your first stuffed paratha – and your second, and your third. Because it’s so easy to eat yourself into a food coma here.
Delhi is also a great place to give back and help communities, there are lots of India volunteer projects located here where you can really make a difference.
If you want to see as much of India as possible without booking an organised trip, view our tips for train travel in India.