Think of a North India itinerary, and the grand palaces of Rajasthan or the iconic Taj Mahal probably come to mind. However, travelling with our 2 and 3 year old boys, we were conscious that a full week of touring palaces and forts may be a bit much.
So rather than opt for the well-trodden Rajasthan circuit, we decided to head east from Jaipur and Agra to explore the spiritual side of Northern India and end with a hill station with hopes of panoramic vistas to the Himalaya.
This is our 10 day north India itinerary with young kids.
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We took trains where possible. Ensure you book these well in advance using the excellent 12Go website.
When the tracks didn’t take us where we wanted to go, we opted for an autorickshaw or taxi. These can be booked through your accommodation, or flag one down and try your haggling skills.
We flew directly in to the Pink City of Jaipur as we were able to fly direct from our home town of Bangalore. However, if coming from overseas, it’s more likely that Delhi will be your entry point; just adapt this itinerary and backtrack a little.
For much of the year, temperatures are hot. So plan your days around an afternoon siesta to escape the heat.
Day 1 – Arrive in Jaipur
We stayed at: Jai Niwas
READ: Things to do in Jaipur with kids
The start of our ten day North India itinerary.
Our flight landed early evening to Jaipur and so we only had time for dinner and showers before bed, ready for adventures to begin the next morning.
Day 2 – Jaipur
We stayed at: Jai Niwas
READ: Things to do in Jaipur with kids
Visit the City Palace as soon as it opens at 9.30am to avoid the tour groups. Marvel at the intricate pink architecture whilst the kids run around enjoying the open spaces and hidden doorways. Try to catch a live traditional puppet show as well.
Then pop over the road to Jantar Manta, an observatory with a collection of bizarre sculptures and instruments.
Later in the afternoon, take an auto to Naharagarh Fort (40 minutes drive) for incredible views back down to the city. As you can see from the above photo, it’s a great sunset spot.
Day 3 – Amber Fort and afternoon train to Agra
Where we stayed: DoubleTree by Hilton Agra
By this time, you’ve probably befriended an auto driver. Arrange for him to collect you at 7.30am today to visit Amber Fort, which opens at 8.00am.
For little legs, it’s a bit of a walk uphill to the entrance, so you may have to resort to shoulder-carries if, like us, you don’t use a sling. Once inside, the kids will love exploring the narrow staircases and corridors, which sometimes lead to an impressive elaborate courtyard, and other times a dead end.
There are a choice of afternoon trains to then take you to Agra, taking between 4.5 to 6 hours.
Day 4 – Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and train to Delhi
Where we stayed: Emblem Hotel
READ: Visiting the Taj Mahal with young kids
Arrive at the Taj Mahal for sunrise. This isn’t to beat the crowds (everyone is now in on the trick of getting there as soon as it opens), but rather to beat the heat.
You will be there for a good couple of hours and if you need to take snacks for your little ones, just hide them better than we did in your day bag.
Rather than shuffling along with the crowds, find a few shady spots so the kids can play and you can attempt to take it all in (as much as any parent can whilst ensuring their kids don’t kill each other wrestling).
After breakfast in a roof-top restaurant over-looking the Taj Mahal, head back to the hotel for naps (it was a very early start!). Then later in the afternoon, visit Agra Fort to explore more ancient Dtunnels and staircases, and perhaps look for dragons.
You could stay another night in Agra and get the train the next day to Haridwar. However, the prospect of entertaining our young boys on a train for 10 hours, didn’t appeal to us. Unfortunately there isn’t a sleeper train. Instead, we opted to break up the journey and ride the Gatimaan Express, the fastest train in India, to Delhi.
Day 5 – Train to Haridwar
Where we stayed: Hotel Krishna Ji
By all means, stay a day or two in Delhi to take in the sights, including the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Lodi Gardens, or even Safdarjung Tomb (check out this post from globetotting.com for more ideas).
However, we felt the boys had perhaps seen enough palaces and forts and after a lazy morning, jumped on the 11.00am train to Haridwar. It’s supposed to only be a 5.5 hour journey. However, our train didn’t get in till 6.00pm, so we only really had time for dinner and bed once we had arrived at the hotel.
Day 6 – Haridwar
Where we stayed: Hotel Krishna Ji
Take a five minute auto ride to the cable car for Mansa Devi Temple. Ensure you get there early to beat the crowds as it’s a chaotic shuffle around the temple. Hold the kids high so they can see the goings on and then save processing your thoughts for the gentle cable car ride back down.
In the late afternoon, take a stroll over the bridges and along the ghats towards Har-ki-Pairi Ghat Ganga Temple (quieter option). Find a spot on the ghat and watch the pilgrims bathing and placing offerings of flowers and candles on the water. At sunset you can watch a flamboyant fire ceremony.
Day 7 – Rishikesh
Where we stayed: Hill Top Swiss Cottage
READ: Visiting Rishikesh with kids
After breakfast, flag down an auto to take you to Rishikesh. This is a seriously bumpy and spine-jarring road, so hold on tight!
Once you reach the city of Rishikesh, you have to change autos to then take you to your hotel. Ideally you want to stay in the more picturesque, less hectic, north of town.
Spend the afternoon strolling around Laxman Jula. Cross over the wobbly bridge (minding the motorbikes, monkeys and cows), wander around the hippy-shops, grab a drink in an cool café or pop into a temple to enjoy the celebratory drumming and singing.
The highlight for our boys, however, was playing in the sand on the banks of the River Ganges.
Day 8 – Rishikesh
Where we stayed: Hill Top Swiss Cottage
READ: Visiting Rishikesh with kids
Head down to Ram Jhula and either walk along the bridge or take the short ferry crossing. Walk around the markets and ashrams, then pop to the ghats for a paddle (or dip!) in The Ganges.
Return in the evening to witness first-hand the noise, mystique and colour of a Ganga ceremony; the incredible levels of devotion shown by the pilgrims is breath-taking.
We suggest going to the ghats to the left of the ferry crossing on the Northern side. It is one of the quieter options to witness the ceremony, which is perhaps more accessible for young kids. Finish your day by lighting a candle, placing it in the river, and watching it sail away on the current.
Day 9 – Mussoorie
Where we recommend staying: Hotel SunGrace
Book an early morning taxi to take you up the mountains to the colonial hill station of Mussoorie. I previously had visions of a quaint colonial hill station with dramatic vistas of the Himalayas. Unfortunately, it was a massive disappointment, starting with our hotel choice (I’ve recommended a different hotel above).
The town itself is just a congested mess of vehicles, tacky shops and people everywhere. Seriously the busiest place we have been to in the whole of India.
Then to top it all off, cloud. Big white nothingness veiling any suggestion of a craggy edge. Thankfully, we stumbled across the wonderfully grand Savoy Hotel and the boys enjoyed ice-cream, football on the lawn and the best playground!
If, however, you have caught Mussourie on a clear day, there is a cable car to a wonderful viewpoint (Gun Point) and the drive along Camels Back Road is worthwhile (we managed to do this the next morning when the cloud had suddenly cleared).
We also suggest visiting during the week; it may be less crowded.
Day 10 – Fly home
If, like us, you arrived on a very cloudy day. Rise early, just in case the clouds have cleared to reveal those fine views. After breakfast, go into town to get a taxi to Dehradun Airport (aka Jolly Grant Airport). Allow two hours to get to the airport.
Continuing your itinerary…
From Dehradun Airport there are flights to main Indian cities, from where you can get an international flight home, or perhaps fly south to explore the sights of Hampi, Mysore, Kochi or Pondicherry, or maybe enjoy some well-deserved beach time in Goa.
You may also like to read:
India with kids: top 10 things to do
Best beaches in Goa for kids
Bangalore with kids
