I was lucky enough to independently explore the incredible country of India, so if you’re planning to travel to the northern regions of India, this itinerary may provide some inspiration for your journey.

This itinerary starts in the capital of Delhi and moves westward into the state of Rajasthan visiting the cities along the way.

The thing with India is the sheer size of it, which can be pretty daunting. Picking a specific region to explore is a good idea since you’ll have more time to experience the local culture and you’ll get a better overall feeling for the place.

From Delhi to Agra we took a tourist bus, however from Agra onwards we hired a driver. I have heard mixed reviews on the trains in India, and we did experience them in the south of the country. However, for ease of movement we opted for a driver.

We organised these trips via Hippo Cabs. They have an app which organises one way travel in air-conditioned cabs. It was straightforward, reliable and easy to use. We travelled in early February, the weather in my opinion was perfect not too hot!

Route: 15 nights

New Delhi: 3 nights

Agra: 1 night

Jaipur: 3 nights

Pushkar: 2 nights

Jodhpur: 2 nights

Ranakpur: 1 night

Udaipur: 3 nights

Alternative ending: Mumbai or Ahmedabad. We finished this route in Ahmedabad and flew south from their airport

*Additional stops: Ranthambore National Park, Ranakpur Temple.

Highlights of this tour

Experience the craziness of Delhi’s bazzars, visit the Taj Mahal, one of the greatest wonders of the world and head deep into the wonderful region of Rajasthan state: filled with stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, delicious food and friendly people.

You will visit 3 of the biggest cities in Rajasthan: Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur and see the well preserved historic fortifications and palaces.

Along the way you’ll discover a famous national park (and hopefully come across the elusive Bengal Tiger or Asian Leopard), see the edges of the Thar Desert and visit the most romantic place in all of India – Udaipur.

Many international flights arrive into India’s capital city of Delhi, so I recommend you commence your trip from there.

Arrival into Delhi (3 nights)

Begin your trip in the capital of Delhi, diving straight into Indian culture head first.

Explore the city in a classic yellow and green tuk-tuk, head to the impressive India Gate and marvel at the fountains surrounding the giant war memorial.

Next head to the Red Fort and see for yourself the red coloured sandstone that gives the fort its name. I can also recommend a visit to Humayun’s Tomb – a 16th century tomb with extensive gardens and structures to visit.

On day two, dive into the bazaars and explore the bustling markets filled with people, silverware, flowers, bright fabrics, spices and even more people. After your intense shopping trip, head to New Delhi area to recover and find inner peace at the Lotus Temple. This modern temple is an architectural marvel.

Finally, spice up your evening with the sampling of a Delhi original dish – Butter Chicken!

Spend your last morning by filling your belly on a Delhi food tour. I can highly recommend Delhi Food Walks, where you have the choice of a breakfast or brunch tour through the Chandi Chowk bazaar. They also have an evening historic lanes of Shahjahanabad. Our breakfast tour also took us through the flower market and the smell and colours was incredible.

This tour is a great education if you are new to Indian food and are a bit timid to try things on your own.

Disclaimer* There are many scam artists in the area! One popular tactic is to claim they work for the government tourism office. They will provide directions and can be a nuisance, typically directing you to unscrupulous travel agents who will be more than happy to plan your entire trip for an inflated price. Just be street smart.

Travel to Agra (1 night)

After leaving the madness of Delhi, head south towards Agra, the home of the world famous Taj Mahal.

I’d advise gettting an early start to beat the crowds and enjoy the site at sunrise if possible. We travelled to Agra the day before our visit to the Taj Mahal.

There are 3 entrance gates to the Taj Mahal so be sure to read up on each so you know which is the closest option for you.

We stayed in the Eastern Gate section at Hotel Sheela and it was an easy walk – less than ten minutes to the Taj. The hotel was basic and nothing special, but it did the job and the location is really what we wanted.

The park is open 30 minutes before sunrise so I’d advise getting there early to avoid the midday heat and the crowds. Be patient with the crowds, it’s worth it.

I should also mention that the site is closed on Fridays. You can pre book your tickets through the Indian government website.

(2024) tickets for foreigners were 1100RS which is approximatley £10 each

It should also be mentioned that there are few do’s and don’ts when visiting.

The most important ones are:

Drone camera is strictly prohibited inside and around the Taj Mahal
Eating and smoking is strictly prohibited inside Taj Mahal. Arms, ammunitions, fire, smoking items, tobacco products, liquor, eatables (Toffees), head phones, knives, wire, mobile charger, electric goods (except camera), Tripods are also prohibited.
Photography is prohibited inside the main mausoleum.

If you have time in the afternoon you can see the Agra Fort and walled city, the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty. In all honesty, we didn’t really see much more than this - during my night in Agra I was unwell and stayed in bed. I hauled myself out to see the Taj and I am glad I did but I will one day hope to return to see it again.

Ranthambore National Park - Full day or 1 night

You can extend your accommodation in Agra or plan your trip to the Ranthambore National park and stay in one of the resort hotels there.

The park is famous for its tigers and is one of the best locations in India to see the majestic predators in the wild.

Timings for entry into, and exit from, the park vary according to the season.

Note: The Ranthambore National Park is closed during the rain season, usually around mid-June to the end of September.

Travel to Jaipur (3 nights)

Head west to the pink city of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, with its beautifully preserved palaces including the Hawa Mahal and the Amber Fort.

The famous Hawa Mahal is right in the city centre, I would recommend booking entrance tickets online before your visit. (2024) Entrance cost 400rs.

After you have explored the interiors, cross the street to one of the rooftop cafes. You’ll be rewarded with an eye level view of the palace and it’s a great place for photographs. We visited a couple, one was also randomly, a tattoo studio - I’ll link their social media here.

The Amber Fort is located high on a hilltop, a strong defensive position overlooking the city. Allow a full day to explore the fort, we jumped in a tuktuk to take us there and back.

I also recommend a look into the Chand Baori (Stepwell) which is situated in the centre of the city. The stepwell is over 1000 years old and is the perfect spot to sit and people watch.

Whilst you are nearby I recommend an afternoon strolling through the bazaars for gifts and authentic Rajahstani goods. Jaipur is famed for its textiles and there are many vivid colourful shawls and fabrics to choose from. I picked up a beautiful pink embroidered jacket from one of the market stalls.

Jaipur has many different places to eat, one unusual establishment is Chool – a school themed restaurant. Enter through a yellow school bus and sample the different elementary school based dishes!

I booked our hotel Collection O Khandaka via Booking.com, it was very central and beautifully decorated inside.

Head eastwards to Pushkar

(2 nights)

Next head to the much more laidback town of Pushkar, a small town which surrounds a holy lake and borders the Thar Desert – you will see many camels there too! The town was much needed after the hustle and bustle of the larger cities and where we stayed was really nice and peaceful.

Pushkar has a hippie culture and is very laidback, and I do recommend you stop over to reset. We travelled by road from Jaipur and the journey took around 4 hours. We stayed at the Royal Pushkar Camp, which can be found on both airbnb and booking.com, I will link their details here.

The town is based around the sacred Pushkar Lake, a sacred Hindu site with 52 ghats (stone staircases) where pilgrims bathe. The legend with the lake is that the Hindu God Lord Brahma dropped a lotus flower on the ground to kill a demon and the lake was magically formed here in the middle of the desert. Tourists are not permitted to enter the water of the lake.

Time your visit around sunset for beautiful light and then head up to one of the many rooftop restaurants in the town.

Pushkar also have a lot of street art murals, most of them are around the lake area and you’ll also find some beautiful artworks for sale in the shops. I purchased a few hand painted note books to take home. If you are an artist, you might want to look out for some hand carved wooden stamps

Be wary of “religious men” at the lake who will approach you and offer you a blessing for money. They will approach you with an invitation to be blessed by the lakeside, and of course they will demand a large payment.

My favourite thing to do in Pushkar was people watch, however if you are feeling up to it you could climb Ratnagiri hill to the Savitri temple at the top.

Whilst you are nearing the the top you’ll spot some cheeky monkeys, be wary though we witnessed one monkey literally mug a visitor of her lunch.

The walk up will take around 40 minutes (650 steps) and you’ll be rewarded with stunning views from the top.

Tip: If you are visiting Pushkar during the month of October and November, be mindful that the town will be packed for the famous annual camel fair.

Travel to Jodhpur (2 nights)

After a couple of days relaxing and enjoying the slower pace, it was time to head on the road again. The journey by road from Pushkar to Jodhpur was just under three hours.

Leaving Pushkar you can head to Jodhpur, known as the “Blue City” for its blue painted buildings in the city’s old quarter. The city has sunny hot weather all year round and the blue paint is said to help keep the temperature cooler.

The city is famous for the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort that overlooks the city. The fort dominated the skyline, 400 metres up is absolutely a must visit.

Inside you can discover the expansive courtyards, beautiful windows, costumes of the era and extensive weapons collection. There is a lot to see and I’d allow the majority of your day to be spent here.

Before you head up to the Fort, take time to explore the medieval streets and market square where you will spot a distinctive clock tower. The square is bustling all day and it’s a good place to start your day with some breakfast at the highly recommended Shri Mishrilal Hotel, next to the clock tower. Try the Mirchi Bada, a popular street food snack in Jodhpur, consisting of mashed potato mixed with various spices, green chilli and covered with gram flour paste and deep fried.

To continue on with your foodie tour you can learn a new recipes at the Incredible Krishna cooking workshop. Experience the flavour of Rajasthan with a talented chef in a 2-3 hour workshop where you’ll learn to cook ten traditional dishes in a clean, well equipped kitchen. This women led experience is something

I highly recommend and at the end of it, she will email you the step by step guide on the dishes you made so you can have a try at home.

Travel to Udaipur (3 nights)

The next overnight stop is the city of Udaipur (still in Rajasthan) heading south.

If you hire a driver, a common stop on the route is the village of Ranakpur – home to the Ranakpur Jain Temple. The temple is carved from marble and construction began back in the 15th century. It is one of the largest temples in Jain culture.

Generally you could see the temple in a couple of hours, however if you want to extend your time in the region there is the opportunity to go on a small safari and do some leopard spotting.

The safari can be arranged from outside the Jain temple. We decided to do the safari but still head to our hotel in Udaipur. We were lucky enough to spot some lazy leopards chilling on the rocks but they were very far away. If you do intend to do this make sure you have some binoculars with you!

Udaipur City

Arriving into the beautiful white city of Udaipur you will be amazed by the surrounding landscapes. The city is set around a series of artificial lakes and is known for its lavish royal residences. To me, Udaipur was the most romantic place I’d visited in India, even more so than the Taj Mahal.

Udaipur is a wonderful blend of ornate palaces, intricate temples, stately havelis (smaller local palaces) and narrow, twisted whitewashed streets. A boat ride through the serene waters of Lake Pichola will be enough to prove to you why Udaipur is the pride of Rajasthan.

By the time you reach Udaipur you may be experiencing “palace fatigue” but you have to visit the City Palace here. Set on the lake, the whitewashed walls hold 11 different palaces within it’s complex – if you are a photographer you will relish in the perfect lighting!

Udaipur is ideal for sunset watching on the lakeside and many small cafes have lake views and you can enjoy a fresh cup of chai. Our hotel had a rooftop area where we could watch the sunset. I highly recommend the Lake Face hotel, the owner was exceptionally helpful and friendly.

If you have time I also recommend a visit to Saheliyo Ki Bari Gardens (Courtyard of Maidens). These lush gardens are well cared for with plenty of marble fountains throughout. Whilst we were in Udaipur visiting one of the night markets for souvenirs we witnessed a majestic elephant casually walking down the street – it was a travel experience I’ll never forget.

Leaving Udaipur: When we left Udaipur we took a bus to the city of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat for our onwards flight to the south of India.

Alternatively, you can head back to Delhi, or fly south to the big city of Mumbai.

Pros of this route

Experiencing this part of India will create travel memories that last a lifetime. Imagine your first glimpse of the Taj Mahal, your first sip of steaming hot chai in the backstreets with the locals and that first taste of a freshly made curry in Delhi is something you will always remember!

Out of all the places mentioned above, a special mention to Pushkar and Udaipur. I hadn’t experienced a truly spiritual destination before and these two towns are knee deep in spirituality and peace.

If you travel with an open mind you will love this part of India.

Cons of this route

Rajasthan, beautiful and interesting as it is, does receive a lot of tourists.

Be prepared for that or travel in August and September, when it’s less likely to be crowded - however temperatures at this time will be unbearably hot!

Bear in mind that the city life can be hectic and incredibly overwhelming in the beginning. If you arrive in Delhi you will be hit by the choking pollution, swarms of people and constantly honking tuk-tuks. Despite all of that – bear with it. It’s extremely rewarding.

Also depending on the time of year, this part of India can be blisteringly hot. We travelled in February and the temperature was ideal (20 degrees on average).

Cost of Travel

Despite being touristy, Rajasthan has plenty of inexpensive hotel accommodation and some lovely hostels. It would fit the pocket of a budget traveller (looking at spending as little as £550 for the entire trip) and at the upper end, Rajasthan has some of the most stunning and expensive hotels in all of India so you could easily spend well over £2000 per head if you’d rather live in luxury.

We had a mix of accommodation throughout, cheap hostels are good if you’re on a tight budget but bear in mind the facilities are very basic.

I would suggest paying a little extra and stay in a guest house ( look on airbnb.com) and you will have better bathroom facilities at the very least.

Visiting attractions and entrance fees are relatively cheap, even the Taj Mahal entrance fee was reasonable. The most expensive activity we did was our safari, however it was a unique experience. If you want to see the Tigers in the wild, be prepared to pay for it.

Eating out in restaurants is very affordable, the cost of bottled water is also cheap (remember don’t drink the tap water).

In terms of laundry facilities, your accommodation provider may offer that service. Independent launderettes are priced by weight or number of clothing items- again in terms of other Asian countries, I would say this is affordable.

You will also need an Indian Visa prior to entry into the country, we applied online and the turnaround was quite quick. I would always check for update information with the UK foreign office. I will link the online visa site here.

Northern India Itinerary (Rajasthan)