Building a 2 week North India itinerary is tough, with so much to see and do. So we’ve narrowed down all the best parts, into 2 weeks in North India.
2 Week North India Itinerary Map
Delhi
Things to do:
The Red Fort
India Gate
Humayun’s Tomb
Chandni Chowk
Try Delhi Chaat
Experience The Nightlife
We landed in Dehli for the first stop on our 2 week North India itinerary, and spent a couple of days in the capital.
We visited the usual touristy spots such as The Red Fort, the Independence Monument and of course some food spots along the way.
If you do plan on heading to the Red Fort, be sure to grab your Humayun’s Tomb & Red Fort Combi-Ticket in advance to skip-the-line and enjoy a hassle-free visit to the Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, and the Red Fort.
We chose to explore the majority of the city ourselves, with a little help from the guys at our accommodation, however there are always plenty of great tours available.
Chandni Chowk is another great spot that shouldn’t be missed and we took the Eat Like a Local: Chandni Chowk Street Food and Walking Tour which was an awesome experience into the food markets.
Delhi can be quite overwhelming, so if you’re flying into DEL then take your time and keep your wits about you.
The city is a natural place to start your 2 week North India itinerary, and a place we’re sure you’ll never forget!
Amritsar
Things to do:
Golden Temple
Wagah Border
The next stop on our 2 week North India itinerary was Amritsar.
From Delhi we pushed out West to the home of the most popular Sikh Gurdwara in the world, The Golden Temple.
A Gurdwara is a place of worship for Sikhs, and of the 27 million Sikhs in the world, 83% of them live in India and 76% of those live in the state of Punjab.
A great option if you have time is to take a Small Group Sightseeing Tour, where you’ll explore the highlights of Amritsar (including the Golden Temple) on a private tour with a local guide. It’s a pretty hectic experience to say the least.
We also paid a visit to the Wagah Boarder Ceremony, where both the Indian and Pakistani militaries put on a patriotic display, opening and closing the gates that separate the boarder.
Overall Amritsar is a pretty popular spot when planning your 2 week North India itinerary, and one we definitely recommend for the deep religious history.
Dharamshala
Things to do:
Bhagsu
Dharamkot
Mcleod Ganj
Tibet Museum
Bhagsunag Waterfall
Dalai Lama Temple
Yoga
Next stop on the 2 week North India itinerary, is the hippie centre of the North.
Dharamshala is a city broken down into 3 main tourist destinations: Bhagsu, Dharamkot and Mcleod Ganj.
Located up in the mountains of India, sitting on the edge of the Himalayas, we rarely left our accommodation without long trousers and a jumper of some sort. So it’s a nice break from the humidity and hustle of most Indian cities!
We based ourselves in Bhagsu, where there’s not a lot to do apart from chill, eat avocado and take part in yoga. There’s also a pretty nice trek to Bhagsunag Waterfall.
From Bhagsu you can visit Dharamkot, which is basically a smaller version of Bhagsu, and take a day trip to Mcleod Ganj – home to the Dalai Lama and many Tibetan markets.
Wherever you choose to stay, all 3 towns in Dharamshala are within walking distance of each other.
For those short on time, or that prefer everything to be organised for them, we recommend booking a Dharamshala Full Day Customizable City Sightseeing Tour in advance.
With this option you can customise your itinerary with a local guide, who will accompany you to all the sightseeing points for a full 8 hours.
Manali
Things to do:
Hidimba Devi Temple
Mall Road
Shimla
Solang Valley
Rohtang Pass
One long, painful bus journey over from Dharamshala (certainly the worst of our 2 week North India itinerary) and you’re rewarded with the best views in India.
Snow capped mountains, and some awesome viewpoints, bring a lot of Europeans to the highlands. That, alongside the relaxed atmosphere and camping spots.
It’s similar in a sense to Dharamshala, with the hippie clothing and healthy foods, but it’s so much more adventurous!
Where Dharamshala has relaxation and meditation, Old Manali has mountain trekking and paragliding!
If you’re looking for something sweet, you HAVE to check out Dylan’s Toasted & Roasted Coffee House for the best cookies in Manali.
Manali is a place we fell in love with, and you can read our comparison in Dharamshala Vs Manali – Which To Choose & Why.
Rishikesh
Things to do:
Yoga Teacher Training
Rafting
The Beatles Ashram
Trekking
Neergarh Waterfall
Bungee Jumping
Rishikesh Bridge
Markets
You can’t plan a 2 week North India itinerary, and not factor in yoga.
So Rishikesh, also known as ‘the birthplace of yoga’, has become hugely popular with westerners in recent years.
But as well as plenty of yoga training courses, there are also some awesome eateries, an infamous bridge (that we’re sure you’ll cross one too many times) and an opportunity to try out cheap water rafting.
Overall, Rishikesh was one of our favourite spots on our 2 week North India itinerary. The people we met, activities we took part in, and how small and accessible the city was made it memorable.
Plus keep your eye out for a lot of Beatles memorabilia scattered around the city. In February 1968, the English rock band travelled to Rishikesh, to take part in a Transcendental Meditation training course.
It’s said that they then decided to stay and write many songs during their visit, and the Beatles Ashram is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in Rishikesh!
Where To Stay In India
For pre-booking accommodation when travelling, we always recommend Booking.com!
From 5 star hotels, to budget backpacker hostels, it’s got everything and the site is super easy to use.
So to compare deals, and pre-book all of your 2 week Rajasthan itinerary accommodation, you can check the latest prices on Booking.com.
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Arriving In India – Things To Know + Tips
One Day In Delhi Itinerary – How To Do Delhi In A Day
Planning Your Taj Mahal Visit – A Complete Guide To Visiting
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