One Month in North India

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.

実用的なメモ

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.