It is home to several World Heritage Sites, the sacred river Ganga (considered the holiest river in India), luxurious palaces, massive forts, famous wildlife destinations, mighty Himalayas.

From the palatial palaces to the forts, from the snow carpets to the wild seas, it is a magnificent land of surprises. Hence pack your bags and set on an exploration of exotic North India.

North India is one such tourist destination in India, which will surely impress your being with its exceptional attractions. A tour to North India will offer you a special and memorable travel experience which will remain etched in your mind forever.

8 Must Visit Places to Explore North India

#1. Mcleodganj

Also known as ‘Little Lhasa,’ Mcleodganj is one of the few places in India where one can witness a perfect combination of Indian and Tibetan cultures living in peace, love, and harmony with each other.

The majestic mountains can call tourists to experience the best of what nature has to offer at Mcleodganj – one of the most beautiful places in India.

This hill town boasts of alluring bounties such as picturesque trekking trails, soothing weather conditions, idyllic landscapes, and vibrant culture.

Bhagsu Falls Set amidst lush greenery and dreamy sceneries, in a pristine atmosphere, are these falls with much grandeur and breathtaking beauty, that one just cannot miss, while in the area.

Overlooking the mountain ranges of Dhauladhar, the Namgyal Monastery is situated within the Tsuglagkhang complex. This complex also is the proud home to the residence of Dalai Lama, among various other shrines, temples, bookstores, souvenir shops, etc.

Best time to Visit Mcleodganj: Monsoon season is the best time to visit Mcleodganj. December to February are the coldest months in Mcleodganj with the temperature reaching very close to the freezing point.

Attractions: Kangra Fort, Bhagsunath Temple, Bhagsu Falls, Namgyal Monastery, Dalai Lama Temple complex, HPCA Stadium, tea plantations of Kangra valley, and Triund trek

#2. Leh Ladakh

A paradise for trekkers and an ideal destination for all tourist. For solo travelers ride on the winding roads, stay in the middle and sleep with the locals and learn to be independent.

From mountain biking trekking, and mask dance festival best for every travel enthusiast.

The best time to plan a Leh-Ladakh tour is in summers from June to September, when the temperatures are around 20-30°C and the region has clear, stunning views with warm and sunny weather. However, at night, the temperatures drop sharply.

The Shanti Stupa, an imposing white-domed sacred shrine positioned on a hilltop at Changspa, was built by a Japanese Buddhist organisation to honour 2500 years of Buddhism.

Best time to Visit Leh Ladakh: The Hemis National Park that spreads across an area of about 4440 sq. km. is bordered by the Indus River. Being home to almost two hundred snow leopards,

Attractions: Zanskar Valley, Pangong Tso Lake, Khardung-La Pass, Spituk Gompa, and Hemis National Park

#3. Kasol

To escape from the stress of this chaotic life, it is an ideal destination for a weekend gateway for the ones who love snow.

A stroll by the River Parvati is the most relaxing and rejuvenating experience in Kasol. River rafting, trout fishing and for lazing around amidst the spectacular surroundings.

The magnificent view of the valley and charm of the Gurudwara has made Manikaran Sahib where you can also enjoy hot baths, langar food cooked in natural hot springs and exploring warm stone caves.

Kheer Ganga is a popular place for all kinds of nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts, given its breath-taking view of Parvati Valley and hot springs.

Best time to Visit Kasol: The months of April, May, October, and November are ideal to plan a trip to Kasol. The best season to visit Kasol is summers as the pleasant weather of the hill village making the place more serene and the liveliness just being perfect for a tour to a village in Kullu district.

Attractions: Kheerganga peak, Malana village, Parvati river, Manikaran Sahib Gurudwara, Jari, Bhuntar, and more.

#4. Rishikesh

A place situated in the Himalayan foothills beside the Ganges River. As per the Sanatan Dharma, this city is renowned as a center for yoga and meditation.

Today it styles itself as the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’, with masses of ashrams and all kinds of yoga and meditation classes.

The confluence of 3 rivers, the Triveni Ghat is regarded as a sacred bathing spot for spiritual cleansing. The pedestail only iron suspension bridges, Lakshaman jhula, and Ram jhula join the banks of the river.

In the evening, an almost supernatural breeze blows down the valley, setting temple bells ringing as sadhus (‘holy’ men), pilgrims and tourists prepare for the nightly Ganga Aarti (river worship ceremony).

Best time to Visit Rishikesh: May June is quite hot at Rishikesh temperature touching + 35 °C. The best time to visit Rishikesh for River Rafting is from late September – October to mid-November, and then the best time to visit Rishikesh is from early March – April to the first week of May.

Attractions: Rajaji National Park, Lakshman Jhula, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, Parmarth Niketan, Ram Jhula, Shivpuri River Rafting Point, and more.

#5. Jim Corbett

If you’re a photography-enthusiast, Corbett will never leave you disappointed. This is a remarkable place where you can spot endangered animals, attractive fauna and flora, pleasant weather, great peace and much more.

One of the best national parks in India, Jim Corbett is famous for Indian tiger sightings. The wilderness here becomes hospitable with the luxurious jungle resorts that allow you to stay closer to nature while enjoying the best of comfort.

Best time to Visit Jim Corbett: Most of Jim Corbett National Park is only open to visitors Nov 15–Jun 15. Peak season is May-Jun. Temperatures are cooler Dec-Mar when days are sunny. Tigers are more likely to be spotted during these months, and it’s also a good time for birdwatching. Apr-Jun is hotter, leading up to the central part of the park closing at the start of monsoon season (mid-Jun–Sep). A festival at Sitabani temple marks the holy day of Ramnavami (Mar/Apr).

Attractions: Garjiya Devi Temple, Jim Corbett Museum, Corbett Falls, Corbett Tiger Reserve, Ramganga Dam, and more.

#6. Chopta

Chopta is a small but mesmerizing region in Uttarakhand. Chopta is like a slice of the paradise; lush green, with lofty mountain chains, velvety meadows, and awe-inspiring views.

A part of the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, Chopta is also a base for trekking to Tungnath, one of the Panch Kedar.

The Panch Kedar is the five shrines of Lord Shiva, established by the Shaivite sect. The highest one of them, the Tungnath Temple, is located at a literally breathtaking elevation of 3860 meters.

The Deoria Tal is located on the Ukhimath-Gopeshwar road and is reached by a 2 km trek through Sari Village.

The Tungnath and Chandrashila trek with its simple trail serves as one of the most astoundingly beautiful trek in Garhwal Himalayas.

Best time to Visit Chopta: From April to November. Chopta is also a popular destination during the winter months due to the snowfall that the area experiences. Tungnath temple and Chandrashila are snow-covered from December to March.

Attractions: Tungnath Temple, Deori Tal, Kanchula Korak Musk Deer Sanctuary, Ukhimath

#7. Joshimath

Joshimath, an old fashioned town located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand is a foremost religious and pilgrimage destination.

One of the exceptional hill stations snuggle amid the snow-capped Himalayas, trekking, biking, hiking, camping, and skiing are some of the Best Things to Do in Joshimath.

Positioned at the height of 6000ft, this delightful town boasts of healthy weather all year round produce serenity away from the humdrum busy life of cities.

It is also the route to the Sikh Pilgrimage Centre of Hemkunt Sahib located on the banks of River Alaknanda in Govindghat, about 19 km away from Joshimath.

Best time to Visit Joshimath: Monsoon season also receives heavy rainfall and thus is not a good time to visit the town which may result in landslides. However, summers in the city are delightful being mildly cold. Therefore April to November is recommended as an ideal time to explore the natural beauty and spiritual essence of the town.

Attractions: Ghangaria, Auli ropeway, Nanda Devi National Park, Tapovan, Narsingh Temple, Vishnuprayag river, Govindghat

#8. Varanasi

The north Indian city of Varanasi, or Benares, is regarded as sacred by Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. Along the city’s winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

Boat cruises take visitors past the many Ghats on the waterfront, including the Dashashwamedh Ghat to watch the fiery aarti ritual, performed nightly.

It’s also a centre of silk weaving, so practise haggling at the chaotic bazaar for some beautiful souvenirs. Rickshaws are the best way to get about.

Bhojpuri and Hindi are spoken in Varanasi and written in Devanagari scripts. Urdu is written in the Nastaliq style of the Persian alphabet.

Best time to Visit Varanasi: Early summer would be pleasing, and from there, the temperature and humidity start to raise. The peak of summer would hike the temperature to 45 degree C. Rituals, religious processing and festivals are common in summer too.

Attractions: Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Manmandir Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and Durga Temple.