7-Day North India Itinerary

1. Day 1: Visit the Red Fort, Old Delhi
   30 minutes (11.3 km) from Indira Gandhi International Airport

   Explore Mughal-era architecture at this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk through the Diwan-i-Aam and Diwan-i-Khas halls and admire the intricate marble work at the Moti Masjid.

2. Day 2: Admire the Taj Mahal, Agra
   4 hours (240 km) from Red Fort, Old Delhi

   Witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Stroll through the impressive gardens and take a guided tour of the marble mausoleum.

3. Day 3: Explore Hawa Mahal, Jaipur
   4 hours 30 minutes (240 km) from Taj Mahal, Agra

   Climb the honeycomb-style palace to get an exceptional view of the city and sunrise. Learn about Rajput architecture and history.

4. Day 4: Discover Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
   5 hours 30 minutes (330 km) from Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

   Get a glimpse of the kingdom's past at this Rajput citadel on a rocky outcrop. Visit the palace apartments and learn about the lifestyles and traditions of the erstwhile Rajasthani royalty.

5. Day 5: Shop at the Blue City Markets, Jodhpur
   30 min (7 km) from Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

   Buy Rajasthani textiles, silver jewelry, and ethnic handicrafts at the bustling bazaars. Savor delicious street food like the classic 'mirchi vada'.

6. Day 6: Touch the Holy Ganges River, Haridwar
   13 hours (681 km) from Blue City Markets, Jodhpur

   Visit the beautiful Ganga ghat and participate in the evening 'aarti' ceremony. Take a dip in the sacred river and purify your soul.

7. Day 7: Explore the Holy City, Rishikesh
   30 min (21 km) from Haridwar

   Find inner peace with yoga and meditation. Take a dip in the Ganges, and admire the iconic suspension bridge. Take a nature walk and visit the scenic Neer Garh Waterfall.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Red Fort entry fee (2 hours, INR 500)
• Taj Mahal tour (3 hours, INR 2000)
• Hawa Mahal entry fee (2 hours, INR 200)
• Mehrangarh Fort entry fee (3 hours, INR 1000)
• Shopping budget at Blue City markets (2 hours, INR 1000)
• Haridwar Ganga Aarti Ceremony (2 hours, free)
• Rishikesh nature walk (2 hours, INR 500)
Total Estimated Costs (per person): INR 5200

Useful Tips

For those with more time, Delhi is an excellent city to explore with its museums and cultural centres. Jaisalmer's Palace, Udaipur's Lake Pichola and Ajmer Sharif's Dargah are other fantastic places to include. For those with less time available, you can omit Jaipur, Jodhpur, or even Rishikesh.