What to See in Northern India

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Northern India is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

Great Himalayan National Park ★★★ (2014)
This site, stretching between 1,500 and 6,000 metres in altitude, offers stunning mountain landscapes perfect for hiking.

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks ★★ (1988)
Surrounded by peaks over 6,000 m, these two Himalayan parks are UNESCO-listed. You can hike through stunning landscapes, spot relatively abundant wildlife (bears, leopards, etc.) and, above all, enjoy lush flora (500 species) in the Valley of Flowers.

Jammu and Kashmir

At the northernmost tip of the country, this Himalayan region (a source of recurring border conflicts with Pakistan) boasts stunning landscapes and offers countless trekking opportunities.

Gulmarg ★
This is "the" ski resort in the region, not far from Srinagar.

Leh ★★
The capital of Ladakh is first and foremost the place where treks (or white-water rafting trips) in the region are prepared. Leh is also home to many Tibetan refugees and is a recognized center for the study of Buddhism.

Hemis Monastery ★★★
Among the forty or so Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh, Hemis is the largest and one of the most beautiful. It is also known for its annual festival and is accessible by trek.

Lamayuru Monastery ★★
This is the oldest Tibetan monastery in Ladakh, built at an altitude of over 3,500 m in a stunning setting. It hosts two annual festivals of sacred dances and is also on the itinerary of many trekkers.

Thiksey Monastery ★
One of the imposing high-altitude monasteries (3,600 m) in Ladakh. Architecturally, Thiksey bears some resemblance to the Potala in Lhasa.

Srinagar ★★
Summer capital and largest city of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar is best known for the houseboats on Dal Lake in the heart of the city and its Mughal gardens.

Natural Heritage

Khardung La ★★
Reaching an altitude of 5,602 m, this road connects (from May to September) Leh to the Nubra Valley and is the highest in the world, with the added bonus of beautiful landscapes, as is often the case in the region.

Ladakh ★★★★
This is the southeastern part of Jammu and Kashmir, bordering Tibet (the region is often called "Little Tibet"), with stunning Himalayan landscapes, Buddhist monasteries, and a trekker’s paradise.

Hemis National Park ★★
A vast high-altitude park in Ladakh with stunning landscapes and rich wildlife (snow leopards, bears, wolves, birds). Hiking is possible from June to October.

Nubra Valley ★★
This pretty valley in Ladakh is known for its flowers, crops, and numerous Buddhist villages and monasteries.

Zanskar ★★★★
This is a remote valley in Ladakh renowned for its stunning Himalayan landscapes and Buddhist monasteries. It is also, and above all, a region for trekking and rafting.

Himachal Pradesh

In northern India, this state offers breathtaking trekking landscapes, monasteries, and a significant Tibetan exile community, including the Dalai Lama.

Bilaspur ★
The district of the city of the same name is home to several forts and ruins dating back centuries.

Bir ★
This locality is home to a large Tibetan exile community and several Buddhist monasteries. Over time, it has become a hub for ecotourism, meditation, and spirituality. It is also well-known among paragliding enthusiasts.

Chamba ★★
A small town with many temples and palaces. You can hike in its lovely valley.

Dalhousie ★
A hill station in Himachal Pradesh with trekking opportunities in the surrounding area.

Dharamsala ★★
The city is world-renowned as the residence of the Dalai Lama. It is also a center for studying Buddhism and Tibetan culture.

Khajjiar ★
A village in the mountains, between Dalhousie and Chamba, called the "mini Switzerland of India" due to its landscape similarities.

Manali ★★
A fairly touristy hill station with numerous temples and monasteries. It’s also—and above all—a good base for preparing a trek or nature activities in the area (skiing, mountain biking, rafting, climbing).

Tabo Monastery ★
One of the main Buddhist monasteries in the Spiti region, over a thousand years old.

Shimla ★★
The capital of Himachal Pradesh, known for its Victorian architecture from the colonial era.

Natural Heritage

Kinnaur ★★★
This region of Himachal Pradesh, bordering Tibet, offers stunning landscapes and a unique culture to discover in its small villages. It is a trekking area.

Lahaul and Spiti ★★★★
This district in Himachal Pradesh is widely loved by travellers for its landscapes, treks, Buddhist monasteries, and the unique culture of its people.

Great Himalayan National Park ★★★
This site, stretching between 1,500 and 6,000 metres in altitude, offers stunning mountain landscapes perfect for hiking.

Sangla Valley ★★
Located in Kinnaur, this is one of the stunning Himalayan valleys in the region. It’s ideal for trekking.

Chandigarh and Punjab

This state, Punjab, north of Delhi, was originally shared with Pakistan. It is the homeland of the Sikhs, with Amritsar as its holy city.

Amritsar ★★★
The holy city of Punjab and the capital of the Sikh religion. It is famous for its Golden Temple built in the 18th century.

Chandigarh ★
Although the city is the capital of Punjab and Haryana, it holds the special status of "Union Territory". This new city, created in the 1950s, is renowned for its "modern" architecture, notably shaped by Le Corbusier.

Uttarakhand

A Himalayan state where nature (wildlife, flora, parks, mountains, outdoor activities) blends with spirituality (several sacred cities and pilgrimage sites).

Haridwar ★★★
One of the seven sacred cities of India. Beyond its temples, the presence of the Ganges draws crowds of pilgrims. It is also one of the four cities in the country where the "famous" Kumbh Mela (processions of sadhus) is celebrated.

Kausani ★
A hill station surrounded by stunning Himalayan landscapes, ideal for trekking.

Mussoorie ★★
One of the many hill stations in the Himalayan foothills, Mussoorie is set in a stunning landscape of mountains, waterfalls, and lakes ideal for hiking.

Nainital ★
A pleasant small town at 2,000 m altitude by a lake.

Rishikesh ★★
The city has become the world capital of yoga and meditation, with its many ashrams. It was also made famous by the Beatles. It’s also a great base for trekking, climbing, rafting, or kayaking in the surrounding area.

Natural Heritage

Corbett National Park ★★
India's oldest national park. It is known for its elephants and, especially, its tigers. You can go trekking on elephant back (or on foot outside the park).

Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks ★★
Surrounded by peaks over 6,000 m, these two Himalayan parks are UNESCO-listed. You can hike through stunning landscapes, spot relatively abundant wildlife (bears, leopards, etc.) and, above all, enjoy lush flora (500 species) in the Valley of Flowers.