RoutesSouth Asia
One Month in North India
Delhi, the Ganges, the Taj Mahal and Rajasthan's fort cities by train.
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Dotted path is schematic (great-circle-ish arcs between stops), not a transport route.
Stop by stop
Click a stop (or its pin on the map) for costs, country facts and what to do there.
1Delhi INOld Delhi's Chandni Chowk and Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar.3 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Delhi or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
train to Haridwar and taxi to Rishikesh · about 6.5 hours
2Rishikesh INYoga classes, riverside walks between the suspension bridges and the aarti at Triveni Ghat.5 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Rishikesh or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
taxi to Dehradun airport and domestic flight to Varanasi, often via Delhi · about 7.0 hours
3Varanasi INDawn boat ride along the ghats and the evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat.4 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Varanasi or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves. Nearest profiled destination: Kathmandu (about 350 km).
overnight sleeper train · about 13.0 hours
4Agra INThe Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra Fort and the view from Mehtab Bagh.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Agra or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
train · about 4.5 hours
5Jaipur INAmber Fort, the City Palace, Hawa Mahal and the Jantar Mantar.4 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Jaipur or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
train to Ajmer and taxi to Pushkar · about 3.0 hours
6Pushkar INWalk the ghats around Pushkar Lake and climb to the Savitri Temple for sunset.2 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Pushkar or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
bus · about 5.0 hours
7Jodhpur INMehrangarh Fort, the blue old city and the clock tower market.3 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Jodhpur or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
bus or hired car via Ranakpur · about 6.5 hours
8Udaipur INThe City Palace, boat trips on Lake Pichola and sunset from the hills above the city.4 nights
We do not hold a full destination profile for Udaipur or its country yet, so there are no cost, climate or visa figures for this stop; the route notes describe what it involves.
Delhi and the Ganges
The route starts in Delhi, where the bazaars of Old Delhi and the Jama Masjid contrast with Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar in the south of the city. It then heads north by train to Haridwar and on to Rishikesh, the foothill town on the Ganges known for yoga schools, ashrams, riverside walks and white-water rafting in season. A flight links the foothills with Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, where the ghats, the evening Ganga aarti ceremony and dawn boat trips on the river are the main draws.
Agra and the Golden Triangle
An overnight sleeper train carries the route west to Agra for the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays) and Agra Fort, with the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri as an optional half-day trip. Jaipur, the third point of the Golden Triangle, follows: the Amber Fort, the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal and the Jantar Mantar observatory, plus the bazaars of the walled old city. Pushkar, a small pilgrimage town set around a sacred lake, is a slower stop on the way west.
Rajasthan's blue and white cities
Jodhpur sits beneath Mehrangarh Fort, with the blue-painted houses of the old city spreading below its walls. The road south to Udaipur passes the marble Jain temple complex at Ranakpur, a common stop on the way. Udaipur closes the route with its lakes, the City Palace and rooftop views over Lake Pichola, and has an airport with domestic connections. Indian Railways reservations open well in advance and popular trains fill quickly, so the route relies on booking the main legs early through the official IRCTC website or authorised apps.
Practical notes
Visas: Most nationalities need a visa before arrival. India's e-Visa covers many passports; the official Government of India e-Visa portal is the place to apply and to check current eligibility. Transport: Long-distance trains in sleeper and air-conditioned classes for most legs, taxis or buses for Pushkar and the Jodhpur to Udaipur road, and one domestic flight from Dehradun to Varanasi. Weather: October to March is the main season. December and January can be cold and foggy in Delhi, Agra and Varanasi, which often delays trains, and April to June is very hot across the plains. Budget: The mid figure assumes private rooms in mid-range guesthouses and heritage havelis, air-conditioned train classes, the domestic flight, monument entry fees and some guided visits. Safety: Road traffic, food and water hygiene and air quality (notably in Delhi in winter) are the main concerns, and touts around stations and monuments are common. Government travel advisories are worth checking before departure.