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 Day Northern India Itinerary, incl. Delhi and Shimla
Seven cities from Delhi to Shimla unfold over 10 days in Northern India. The Golden Temple's spiritual heart, Dharamsala's Tibetan culture, and colonial Shimla captivate visitors, concluding with UNESCO-listed toy train journey through 102 tunnels.
![Map of Himalayas Tour By Train with Amritsar [Golden Temple] & Shimla Toy Train Tour [10 Days]](//cdn.tourradar.com/s3/map/768x776/241046_581a.png)
![Map of Himalayas Tour By Train with Amritsar [Golden Temple] & Shimla Toy Train Tour [10 Days]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=UTF-8,%3Csvg%20width='1'%20height='1'%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
- Days 1-2
Delhi
Land in India's capital and take a full day to adjust to the time zone. Visit Karol Bagh market on your first evening if you're not too tired. It's a gentler introduction than Old Delhi. Get an early start on day 2 at Old Delhi around 8:00 AM before the crowds fill the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. You'll need slip-on shoes since you'll take them off often at religious sites. Take a cycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk instead of walking. The narrow lanes are busy and this is much safer.
- Days 3-4
Amritsar
Catch a morning train from Delhi to Amritsar. The journey takes 6-7 hours. The Golden Temple is stunning at sunset when lights sparkle on the water. One visitor shared: "The kitchens at the Golden Temple were fascinating - having a guide helped us access areas we wouldn't have found alone. Make sure to cover your head and remove shoes." The India-Pakistan border ceremony at Wagah is full of energy. Get there by 3:30 PM for good seats.
- Days 5-6
Dharamshala
The drive from Amritsar takes 6-7 hours through mountain scenery. Stay in McLeod Ganj, where most of the Tibetan exile community lives. Visit Norbulingka Institute in the morning to see artisans at work. Pack some warm clothes since mountain weather changes quickly. Check out the Kangra Art Museum to learn about local culture, but know that most signs are in Hindi.
- Days 7-8
Shimla
Drive 6 hours to reach this old British summer capital. Walk The Mall Road and The Ridge in late afternoon light to see the colonial buildings. Book the Viceregal Lodge tour early. The guided visits of this Neo-Gothic building fill up fast.
- Days 9-10
Shimla to Delhi
The historic "toy train" to Kalka winds through 102 tunnels in about 3 hours. But have a backup plan. One traveler noted: "The toy train was cancelled during our visit which was disappointing." Connect to the Shatabdi Express for a 4-hour ride to Delhi. Spend your last day exploring New Delhi's broad streets and government district before you leave.
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.
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.
![Map of Himalayas Tour By Train with Amritsar [Golden Temple] & Shimla Toy Train Tour [10 Days]](http://cdn.tourradar.com/s3/map/768x776/241046_581a.png)
Northern India 10 Day Tour Packages You'll Love
![Himalayas Tour By Train with Amritsar [Golden Temple] & Shimla Toy Train Tour [10 Days]](data:image/svg+xml;charset=UTF-8,%3Csvg%20width='260'%20height='203'%20xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg'%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Himalayas Tour By Train with Amritsar [Golden Temple] & Shimla Toy Train Tour [10 Days]
Private 10 Days Himalayas with Golden Temple tour by car From Delhi
Explore Hunza and Skardu - Northern Pakistan tour
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Complete Himachal Tour
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![Himalayas Tour By Train with Amritsar [Golden Temple] & Shimla Toy Train Tour [10 Days]](http://cdn.tourradar.com/s3/tour/645x430/241046_63fa614311600.jpg)
What people love about 10-day Northern India tours
- Himalayas Tour By Train with Amritsar [Golden Temple] & Shimla Toy Train Tour [10 Days]
We had an amazing 10-day trip with the Himalayas Tour! From Amritsar to Dharamshala, McLeod Ganj, and the Shimla Toy Train, everything was awesome. The guides were super friendly, the McLeod Ganj hotel was great, and the toy train ride was so much fun. The hotels were comfy, and our group of four loved every moment. Totally recommend this tour for a fun and easy Himalayan adventure!
- 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.
- The Best of Kashmir & Ladakh
It was amazing trip. Very well organised. Hotels were excellent. Best way to experience the beautiful Kashmir.