10-Day Northern India Tour Packages
Want to explore northern India beyond rushed tours? The Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) deserves time, so you can see the Red Fort, Taj Mahal, Amber Fort, plus time to actually absorb each city. Extend to Pushkar for Brahma Temple and desert vibes, Ranthambore for tiger safari, and Udaipur's lake palaces. Or go north to Rishikesh and Haridwar in Uttarakhand. It will all blow your mind.
Insider tips: Recommended 10-day Northern India tour itineraries
Compiled by
MelissaNorthern India travel expert at TourRadar
10 Days in North India, incl. Delhi and Himachal Pradesh
Northern India's 8-city circuit spans 10 days of discovery. Rohtang Pass offers snow adventures, while the Golden Temple radiates spirituality and Shimla charms with colonial architecture. The 1620km route includes Kullu Valley rafting and the Wagah Border ceremony.
- Day 1
Delhi
Begin in Delhi by visiting Old Delhi's main attractions like Red Fort and Jama Masjid during the morning before the crowds get heavy. It's best to book a hotel in Central Delhi near Connaught Place for good Metro connections. Since afternoons get hot, visit indoor sites like Humayun's Tomb later in the day. Finish your day at India Gate during sunset when it's cooler and the lighting is beautiful.
- Days 2-3
Shimla
The drive from Delhi to Shimla takes 8 hours through the foothills. Consider taking motion sickness medication if needed. Book accommodation near Mall Road in Shimla for excellent mountain views. Take the heritage toy train to Kufri - it's a 20-minute ride with beautiful valley views. Bring warm clothes since evenings can be cool at 15°C even in summer. Visit the mini-zoo in Kufri and go horseback riding before 11 AM when the trails are quieter.
- Days 4-5
Manali & Rohtang Pass
Plan for a 9-hour drive from Shimla to Manali by starting early. Stay in Old Manali for its genuine mountain village atmosphere. Head to Rohtang Pass at 5 AM to avoid traffic - they usually close the pass by 3 PM because of weather. The altitude is 13,050 feet so bring sunscreen and plenty of water. Try paragliding in Kullu Valley during early morning when the winds are gentlest. "The riverside markets in Kullu are perfect for authentic Himachali shawls - I got better prices here than in Manali town," one experienced traveler mentioned.
- Day 6
Dharamshala
The 8-hour mountain drive from Manali provides incredible views. Choose the left side of the vehicle for the best scenery. Visit the Dalai Lama's temple in McLeod Ganj early when monks are doing their morning prayers. Bring an umbrella since afternoon rain is common in the mountains.
- Days 7-8
Amritsar
Visit the Golden Temple at sunrise for smaller crowds and beautiful morning light. Get to the Wagah Border ceremony 90 minutes early if you want good seats. Bring a hat and water since there's no shade in the viewing area. "The energy at the Golden Temple at 5 AM is incredibly peaceful - worth the early wake-up call. The free kitchen serves amazing dal," shared one visitor.
- Days 9-10
Chandigarh & Return to Delhi
Visit Chandigarh's Rock Garden before noon to stay out of the heat. Allow extra time for the 5-hour drive back to Delhi due to city traffic, especially if you have a flight to catch. You'll find good rest stops every hour on the new expressway.
10 Days in Pakistan, incl. Islamabad and Hunza Valley
Three major stops punctuate this 10-day Himalayan adventure. The path from Hoper Valley (2,800m) leads to Rush Peak (5,098m), with nights at Barichkor and Chidin Harai camps. Eight peaks above 7,000m, including Kunyang Chhish, pierce the sky.
- Day 1
Islamabad
Begin in the capital with an early morning visit to Faisal Mosque to beat the heat. Check out the Pakistan Monument and visit Raja Bazaar in Rawalpindi after 4 PM when it's cooler and livelier. Wear comfortable shoes as you'll navigate uneven lanes in the bazaar.
- Day 2
Islamabad to Chilas
Leave early for an 8-10 hour drive on the Karakoram Highway. You'll stop at Lulusar Lake and Babusar Pass (4,173m). Pack warm clothes as the pass can be 15-20°C cooler than Islamabad. The road gets rough after Naran. Consider motion sickness pills if needed.
- Day 3
Chilas to Hunza Valley
A 6-7 hour drive through stunning mountain landscapes. Stop at the Nanga Parbat viewpoint before noon for the clearest views. Have lunch in Gilgit city on your way to Hunza. The Rakaposhi viewpoint offers incredible views of the 7,788m peak.
- Day 4
Hoper Valley to Barichkor
Your trek begins. Cross Hoper and Mair glaciers in sturdy boots with good ankle support. The 5-6 hour trek is best started early to avoid afternoon sun on the glaciers.
- Days 5-6
Rush Lake Trek
A challenging climb to Rush Lake (4,694m). Day one takes 6-7 hours of steep hiking, stopping at Chidin Harai for lunch. The next day includes an optional climb to Rush Peak (5,098m) for views of K2 and Broad Peak. The altitude is significant so drink plenty of water and pace yourself.
- Days 7-8
Return Trek
Two days to descend via Hapakun and White Glacier. The way down is quicker but still technical. Trekking poles will help. Spend the night in Gilgit city with welcome amenities.
- Days 9-10
Return to Islamabad
A long drive back on the Karakoram Highway. Your final chance to photograph Pakistan's mountain scenery before spending your last night in Islamabad.
Explore Hunza and Skardu - Northern Pakistan tour
A 10-day Northern Indian region tour winds through 5 cities including Hunza Valley and Skardu. The route showcases Shigar Fort, Baltit Fort, and Hussaini Suspension bridge, with domestic flights minimizing travel time.
Northern India 10 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
Private 10 Days Himalayas with Golden Temple tour by car From Delhi
10 Days Rush Lake Trek Nagar Valley Pakistan
Explore Hunza and Skardu - Northern Pakistan tour
Rakaposhi & Diran Peak Basecamp Trek - Pakistan's Hunza Valley
India Tiger Safari Tour
North India Highlights
Himachal Holidays
The Best of Kashmir & Ladakh
Spiritual India - Yoga, Ganga And Golden Temple
Golden Triangle Tour Chambal Safari with Varanasi All Inclusive
What people love about 10-day Northern India tours
- Explore Hunza and Skardu - Northern Pakistan tour
I chose Exploria for my 2 week tour of Lahore, Islamabad and Gilgit-Baltistan based on online reviews and Arif’s responsiveness and can-do attitude in planning my trip. The success on the ground of any trip like this really depends on the availability of support from the company during the tour, the standard of accomodation and the quality of the guides. It proved to be a very enjoyable and I have some fantastic memories, so thank you to the Exploria team. Fareed, my guide in Gilgit-Baltistan was very good - he’s a local, has been doing this for years and has friends and contacts everywhere. He was flexible, patient and knowledgeable, with excellent English. The mountains are stunning, especially during blossom season, and I strongly recommend both him and this area. My guides for my initial 3 days in Lahore and Islamabad were less good - not knowledgeable about the sites visited, or at least unable to communicate what they did know due to lack of fluent English. My first guide was also late meeting me at the Wagah border. The hotels were all clean and comfortable. Exploria were in regular contact with myself and the guides throughout the tour. They established a WhatsApp group so that they were on call for any issues that did arise, such as arranging last-minute car transport following the cancellation of my Gilgit-Islamabad flight. With the benefit of hindsight, I have a few suggestions for anyone planning to go this area in March-April. Firstly, although the blossom is beautiful and it was very uncrowded, it is very early in the season in the mountains - not all facilities are open and many hiking trails may be inaccessible due to snow. Secondly, think very carefully about including flights to or from Gilgit - the cancellation rate due to bad weather is high and the alternative road-trip to Islamabad (nearly 15 hours in my case), on frequently awful roads, is not fun. Thirdly, I was in Lahore/Islamabad during Ramadan, and although there was no restriction on me eating or drinking, it was hot and by mid-afternoon energy levels amongst those who were fasting understandably dropped; their focus was on sunset and the breaking of the fast. Finally, don’t apply for a Pakistan e-visa too early - a 90 day visa expires 90 days after it is issued, regardless of your travel dates; also, keep a hard copy handy at all times as it is checked frequently.
Now I understand why people call Hunza the inspiration for Shangri-La. There’s a vitality in the people here that’s difficult to describe resilient, warm, and full of life. The landscapes are just as unforgettable. I saw five 7,000-meter peaks in one sweeping view from valley floor. Reaching the base of Rakaposhi was undoubtedly the most rewarding trek I've ever done. Found Expeditions ran the trip with precision and deep respect for the land and culture. The trip was full of authentic, meaningful interactions, from eating at women-run restaurants like Lal Shehzadi to village walks and sharing a traditional meal with a local host family. Muneer Alam, our tour leader, deserves special recognition, as he is perhaps the most incredible tour leader I have ever encountered. Funny, kind, and endlessly knowledgeable, he brought the whole experience to life. His passion for Hunza and adventure travel shined through every moment. Traveling with him was a joy. Highly recommended if you want something real, raw, and unforgettable.
Rakaposhi & Diran Peak Basecamp Trek - Pakistan's Hunza Valley
- North India Highlights
Our group of friends joined this Rajasthan tour and had a great time. The itinerary was well designed, covering everything from big cities to quiet villages. We really enjoyed the Ranthambore safari spotted many deer and birds. The driver handled drives smoothly, and all hotels were comfortable. We felt taken care of the whole way.
