india tour

Geographically, the major part of northern India is covered by the mighty Himalayas and other mountain ranges. It also has the Indo-Gangetic plains and the Thar desert. With all these unique landscapes, Northern India stands exceptionally beautiful, breathtaking, and mesmerizing. Each place is culturally inclined, heritage-rich, tour-friendly, and nature-bound. Here is an expert-curated list of cost-effective or affordable tourist places in North India.

Budget-friendly North India Tourist Destinations: Top 7 Picks

  1. Agra and New Delhi
  2. Manali and Shimla
  3. Sonamarg and Gulmarg
  4. Jaipur and Jaisalmer
  5. Mussoorie and Nainital
  6. Leh and Ladakh
  7. Dharamshala and Amritsar

Agra and New Delhi

Agra is located in Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi is the country’s capital. Though they belong to different states, most people prefer visiting these two places together, as they cover some of the must-visit tourist places in  India, including the Taj Mahal (one of the seven wonders of the world).

Budget range: INR 15,000 to 40,000 per person.

Places to visit: Agra Fort, India Gate, Lotus Temple, Red Fort, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Fatehpur Sikri, Jahangir Mahal, Jama Masjid, National Museum, Humayun’s Tomb, and Qutab Minar.     

Things to do: Sightseeing, shopping, exploring the architecture, Mughal-influenced traditions, authentic foods, heritage walks, etc. 

Manali and Shimla

Tourists who love snow-clad mountains and chilled winter must visit these two places in Himachal Pradesh. Not only snowfall, but there are other attractions like waterfalls, parks, temples, and monuments. Woollen and handcrafted products are cheaper here. 

Budget range: INR 20,000 to 50,000 per person.

Places to visit: Manu Temple, Solang Valley, Rohtang La, Van Vihar, Jogini Falls, Kali Bari Temple, Bird Park, Mall Road, Jakhu Hill, and Cultural Complex. 

Things to do: skiing, rafting, paragliding, camping, zorbing, trekking, hiking and shopping. 

Sonamarg and Gulmarg

These two hill stations in Jammu and Kashmir are heaven on earth with such majestic peaks and sunrise viewpoints. They are extremely high in altitude and hence can give the most memorable moments in a lifetime. Also suitable for a honeymoon, a trip with friends, a family vacation, or a solo trip. 

Budget range: INR 35,000 to 70,000 per person.

Places to visit: Zoji La, Gadsar Lake, Amarnath Cave, Apharwat Peak, Sonamarg Market, Durga Temple, Strawberry Valley, Afarwat, Gondala, Kongdori, and Golf Course. 

Things to do: adventure rides and activities (most importantly, the world-renowned Gondola ride), relaxing, and photography.  

Jaipur and Jaisalmer

Rajasthan is one of the best choices for budget-friendly North India tour packages. Cities like Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, and Bikaner offer splendid experiences—with respect to history, culture, heritage, and food. Thus, perfect for a low-budget trip.

Budget range: INR 10,000 to 30,000 per person.

Places to visit: Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Rambagh and the City Palace, Jaigarh Fort, War Museum, Art Gallery, Birla Mandir, Desert Cultural Center, Nathmal Ki Haveli, and Jaisalmer Fort.

Things to do: divine experience in temples, admiring the articles in museums, tasting the Rajasthan cuisine, discovering the history, camel rides, and relaxed walks in palaces and forts. 

Mussoorie and Nainital

These are another set of hill station tourist places in North India—Uttarakhand. Popularly called the “Queen of Hills”, Mussoorie is a paradise with the most pleasant weather. Nainital, called the “city of lakes,” is known for its natural beauty.

Budget range: INR 15,000 to 40,000 per person.

Places to visit: Nani Peak and Lake, Snow Viewpoint, Naini Devi Temple, High-altitude Zoo, Eco Cave Park, Bhatta and Kempty Falls, Kellogg Memorial Church, Garden, Lake, Library Bazaar, and Cloud End Viewpoint. 

Things to do: enjoying the waterfalls, rock climbing, trekking, hiking, mountaineering, cable car ride, stargazing, paragliding, and taking a zoo safari. 

Leh and Ladakh

Exploring these India-administered regions in the northernmost part of India requires at least 7–10 days. Though the starting price range looks higher, it looks economical for most travelers, especially for those planning road trips. The mountains and valleys dominate these places. 

Budget range: INR 30,000 to 55,000 per person.

Places to visit: Hall of Fame, Leh Palace, The Lamayuru and Thiksey monasteries, the Magnetic Hill, Zorawar Fort, Shanti Stupa, Pangong Tso, Zanskar, and Nubra Valley.

Things to do: sightseeing, visiting monasteries, and activities, like bike riding, river rafting, jeep safari, camel ride, etc. 

Dharamshala and Amritsar

Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh and Amritsar in Punjab are two nearby affordable tourist places with more divine influence. The most famous Dalai Lama Temple and the Golden Temple are located here. There is not much of a cost involved other than for accommodation and food because most places are only sightseeing and not adrenalin-rush outdoor activities.

Budget range: INR 10,000 to 25,000 per person.

Places to visit: Dalai Lama Temple, St. John Church, Naddi Viewpoint, Namgyal and Gyuto Monasteries, Sir Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple), Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Park, and the Partition Museum.   

Things to do: explore the historical places, visit the temples and monasteries, and enjoy the savories and street food. 

India’s Best North India Tour Packages

The best North India tour package must cover everything from suggesting the right place catering to the needs to preparing a perfect itinerary to booking the tickets and accommodation to guiding the travelers with the dos and don’ts to complete their journey with safety. Of course, this requires expertise and experience. Thus, always trust a well-established and leading tour company that can flawlessly offer all these services. 

Pick the itinerary of your choice from these best North India Tour Packages—Golden Triangle, Himachal, Jammu & Kashmir, Leh & Ladakh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand.