Always wondered where could you go in 2023 to explore more of North India? Well, the cities in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh never cease to surprise local and global wanderers, however, it doesn’t mean that they are the only ones out there to look out for.

Tripsero has crafted a list of 10 unexplored north Indian cities that you must bookmark for your next travel plan to witness the rich cultural heritage and diversity of India!

Amritsar

Amritsar is very important to the history of India. The largest city of the state of Punjab, Amritsar is recognised as a significant cultural, financial and transportation centre. Amritsar has witnessed one of the significant moments of India’s independence at the Jallianwala Bagh. However, Amritsar is not only about that. It is about the culture, food and flavour of Punjab.

Sikh’s prime place of worship, Golden Temple, is in Amritsar. It is the Sikhs’ holiest gurudwara. Go on a spiritual tour and feel blissful at the gurdwara, primarily known as Harmandir Sahib..

A visit to Amritsar is incomplete without tasting the authentic cuisines of Punjab. Try Amritsari kulcha and lassi when in the city. Also, sarso ka saag tastes different in Punjab than it does in the rest of the country.

Furthermore, there are a lot of options for shopping in Amritsar from Phulkari dupattas to carpets to dry fruits. Amritsar is a full package for tourists.

Jodhpur

The historical and ancient city of Jodhpur is situated in the Thar Desert, in the northwest Indian state of Rajasthan. This is a 15th Century city built around the majestic Mehrangarh Fort. This city is also known as the “Blue City” due to the uniformly painted houses in light blue colour.

The city of Jodhpur is popular for its rugged natural beauty. Its rocky landscape and desert plantations along with ancient ruins of the historical forts and palaces create an adventurous and a mesmerising ambience for visitors. The city looks magical at night, with the forts lighting up the horizon and performers adding to the cultural vibrance of the city.

The main attraction of this city is its majestic forts and palaces. The entire city is built around the imposing structure of the Mehrangarh Fort. The Umaid Bhavan Palace is the epitome of royal magnificence and another stunning attraction that you can check out when you are visiting. The other architectural marvels include the Jaswant Thada, the Ghanta Ghar or the Clock Tower, the Mandore Gardens, the Rao Jodha Rock Park, Phool Mahal – located within the Mehrangarh Fort, the Chand Baori and Osian Temples and Toorji ka Jhalra, to mention a few.

The beautiful city of Jodhpur is thriving with life and adventures. You can enjoy activities such as Overlander Safaris, where you get to meet the locals in the rural regions and learn about the intricacies of their unique culture and lifestyle. The cultural performances at the Desert camps are experiences you can’t miss when you’re in Jodhpur. The true essence of Rajasthani folk music and dance is on full display during these performances. Trying out the unique cuisines and famous street food in Jodhpur is also bound to be a memorable experience when you are in the city.

Jodhpur experiences semi-arid and fairly warm temperatures all throughout the year, which makes it ideal for winter travels. The city is also known as the “Sun City” due to its sunny weather prevailing throughout the year. The weather experiences a sharp fluctuation with days that are hot and dry and cold nights. Rainfall is sparse. The weather is most pleasant from October to March, which is also the best time to enjoy and explore this marvellous city.

Chandigarh

Chandigarh- the city beautiful closed to everyone’s heart for many reasons. Chandigarh is not only known for its well-planned architecture but also for cleanliness and greenery. It has many beautiful places to explore like Sukhana lake which is a popular tourist destination. Here you can enjoy boating and scenic beauty, especially during sunset.

Another very popular tourist destination is the Rock Garden. It is famous for a sculpture garden and its beauty. Its designer Nek Chand made different structures with stones, rocks, and scraps in his spare time. Later on, it became a popular heritage site. It is a must-visit with kids.

Other than these, there is a beautiful rose garden, timber trail, Pinjore garden, and Chatbir zoo which is a common weekend getaway for people from nearby places.

Chandigarh is locally known as ‘the city beautiful’ is indeed a mesmerizing city situated in the foothills of the Shivalik hills. It’s the capital city of both Punjab and Haryana and thus sees an amalgamation of cultures of both the sister states. Chandigarh has its charm whilst being the first planned city of the country. It also catches your attention of being among the cleanest cities of India. Chandigarh very subtly links modernity with a dash of history. Many of these features are yet alien to several Indian cities.

Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer holds a major place in the tourism landscape of Rajasthan. Located in the northwestern part of the Indian State, it is popularly called as the golden city because of its bounteous golden sand dunes and castles built with golden honey sandstones.

The city is adorned with a number of lagoons, ornamental Jain places of worship, and lavish havelis. This is however one side of the coin. Jaisalmer is also known for its offbeat desert safari experience. The city offers pleasant stays in the middle of the vast spread Thar desert and loads of adventure activities to give you a completely unforgettable experience. The city is also packed with colorful handicraft marketplaces that will take you back in the timeline to offer you an experience of Indian culture and heritage.

Jaisalmer is home to some of the most sought after attractions of the nation like the majestic Jaisalmer Fort, full of live desert national park, ancient Kuldhara Village, beautifully designed Jain temples, surreal Gadisar Lake, rustic Sam Sand Dunes, artistic Tazia Tower and Badal Palace, intricately designed Patwon ki Haveli, glorious bada bagh, and many more significant places of tourist attractions.

In the course of your visit to the city of Jaisalmer, you can indulge in a number of desert experiences which are not only adventurous but also filled with fun. Heading out on a safari tour on a jeep or camel and traversing your way through the sands is certainly a great experience. The desert camps have also got loads of other fun for you. You will be spending amazing evening hours at the campsite witnessing the traditional performances of music and dance. The campsites are also known to offer the best ever authentic Rajasthani dishes to delight your taste buds.

Jaisalmer remains hot all through the year. It experiences very hot summer days from the month of April to the month of July, rainy season from the month of July to the month of August, and milder winter days from the month of December to the month of March.

Agra

Agra is a major tourist destination in North India because of its many Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The tourist places in Agra speaks volume about the rich culture and heritage of Agra.

The city is known for its historic sites, architecture, and ambiance of being in the Mughal era. Agra is also included in the Golden Triangle circle with Delhi and Jaipur and hence people travelling to the north, usually visit these three cities together.

The city is not only important to the Mughal dynasty but also has its mentions in the Mahabharata, which makes it a strategic location for both Hindus and Muslims in India and in the Indo Aryan Plains. Agra is, thus, full of legacies, history, period horizons and more.

Among the top tourist places in Agra is Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Taj Mahal is showpiece architecture of fine Mughal craftsmanship. It was built under the aegis of Shah Jahan as a memorial for his beloved wife Arjumand Bano Begum. Her body is enshrined in the tomb at the Taj Mahal.

The designs of this structure incorporate Persian and Mughal architecture. The highlight of the structure is the tomb which is a large structure made completely of marble. Another is Agra Fort, also called the Red Fort, this structure dates back to the 16th century.

It is situated near the gardens of the Taj Mahal. Made of red sandstone, Agra Fort has walls that surround for at least two kilometers and more. Inside are many splendid palaces such as Jahangir Palace and Khas Palace. It is over here that you will find the grand hall of audiences called Diwan-i-Khas. Also on the location are a couple of magnificent mosques.

Udaipur

In the southernmost part of  Rajasthan, Udaipur is surrounded by the Aravalli Range and is brimming with natural beauty. It was set up in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II as the nascent capital of the Mewar Kingdom. Udaipur is well- connected with other parts of India through airway, railway and roadway.

Unlike other parts of Rajasthan, Udaipur is filled with serenity. Away from the urban chaos, it is a blend of regal beauty, elevated slopes  and picturesque panorama. Udaipur is also known as the “City of Lakes” because of the presence of numerous interconnected natural lakes in and around the city. The “City of Lakes” is also profoundly called the “White City” because the Rajput style Palaces and Forts in Udaipur are made up of white marbles. Additionally, houses and other structures of the city are also dressed in white.

Udaipur is famous for its historic Rajput-era forts, grand palaces, striking lakes, architectural temples, museums, galleries, traditional festivals and rich culture. The best places to visit in Udaipur which are must-have in your itinerary are Lake Pichola, City Palace, Eklingji Temple, Ambrai Ghat, Vintage Car Museum, Bada Mahal and Shilgram.

People looking forward to doing thrilling things in Udaipur can happily indulge in Trekking, Paragliding, Cycling Tours and Helicopter Ride. Among passive activities, Sunset boat rides at Lake Pichola or Fateh Sagar Lake are excellent options to seek some solace. Others can go on a shopping spree at Shilpgram or Bada Bazaar or  Mochiwada Bazaar to hoard exquisite items like Bandhani sarees, handmade juttis, silver jewellery, bags and authentic Rajasthani handicrafts.

The best time to visit Udaipur is between the months of November-February i.e. the winter months. During this time, the average temperature varies between 12°Celsius to 28 °Celsius. Since the climate of Udaipur remains pleasant during winters, travellers can explore the outdoors and participate in numerous activities without any inconvenience.

Varanasi

Varanasi, a city that oozes charm and mesmerizing beauty, is amongst the holiest cities in India and arguably in the world. With a massive number of temples, shrines, and ghats, for anyone who seeks the blessings of the almighty, Varanasi, should be at the top of their priority list.

Known as Lord Shiva’s City, this majestic place has a distinct essence in its soothing surroundings, which would certainly leave any visitor spell bounded. Many people from all over India visit the shores of the pious Ganges River and take a holy bath, which is believed to banish all the sins from the body and soul.

If you are visiting Varanasi any time sooner, then boat riding at the holy Ganges river should be at the top of your bucket list. This would be an unforgettable experience of your life as the picturesque views from the rides have a charm of its own.

The stunning panoramic experience of temples and practices of Hindu rituals would harmonize your heart and soul. You should also attend the glorious Aarti sessions at the Ganges River. Spiritual chants and the essence of aromatic surroundings will be an ideal experience if the person wishes for a calm and serene place to cherish.

This divine ceremony is even enhanced in magnitude when witnessed at the Dasaswamedh Ghat. The use of heavy brass lamps for the ceremony makes the experience even more satisfying.

Pushkar

Pushkar is one of the most ancient cities of India. Located in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district in midst of Aravali range, Pushkar is often called tirtha-raj, which literally means the king of pilgrim sites. It is also among the five pilgrim sites or dhams for people following Hinduism.

There are several temples in Pushkar and the most famous temple is the Brahma temple, which is one of the few temples dedicated to Brahma in the world. Pushkar is also famous for the Pushkar Lake, which has 52 ghats. Pilgrims from across the country visit the lake to take a dip in its holy water. The sacred Pushkar Lake resounds with the chants and hymns from the 400 blue colored temples located on its banks. Pushkar is also called ‘the rose garden of Rajasthan’, because of the flower farming in and around the city. These flowers are exported across the world.

Surrounded by hills, Pushkar is a popular destination among the devotees and tourists alike. In the recent years, Pushkar has become one of the most famous tourist destinations among Indian as well as international tourists. The annual Pushkar Camel Fair, which is held in November, is a major crowd puller. The spirituality and tranquility will make you fall in love with Pushkar instantly. The beautiful architectural heritage and its interesting history make Pushkar a must-visit place in India.

Delhi NCR

Delhi is undoubtedly one of the most amazing cities which one can hope to explore different places to visit in Delhi in India. The reason for this is an amazing mix of culture, people, and Lutyens architecture.

Thriving, growing, and prospering on the banks of Yamuna Delhi has seen a lot of churning historically as well as culturally. This has been the land that has seen the marching vigor of the British, the empirical rule of the Mughals, and what not.

And perhaps that is the reason why it pops as one of the most visited tourist attractions of India. Seeing so much of history, blood, rule of Rajputs, Mughals and in the end the Britishers before rising as the capital of our sovereign country.

Jaipur

Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, India’s largest state, was built by Sawaji Jai SIngh in the 18th century. Located 268 Km away from New Delhi, it is a major tourist destination that forms an important part of the famous Golden Triangle tourist circuit.

The chaotic, colourful streets of Jaipur present a recurrent pattern of new and old. The city, encircled by besieged walls and rugged hills, is full of well-preserved historical buildings and royal heritage. It forms a part of the Golden Triangle Tourist Circuit, with its wide roads dotted with majestic statues and its impressive palaces.

The City Palace is an iconic landmark that lies at the heart of the city, still housing the royal family. The Jantar Mantar is another famous attraction, with its vast collection of ancient astronomical instruments. While here, prepare to get bedazzled by the architectural brilliance of the Hawa Mahal and the grandeur of Jaipur’s star attraction, the Amber Fort.

On the outskirts of Jaipur lies the Aravalli hills, which presents ample trekking opportunities at Chouri Ghat and Bhuteshwar Nath. You can also take part in cycling tours and check out some of the seasonal waterfalls around here. Nahargarh and Jhalana provide wildlife photography and jungle safari opportunities. ATV rides and zip-lining are some of the other activities you can try out in Jaipur.

Jaipur has a hot semi-arid climate with hot summers and mild winters that are short lived. The monsoon season runs from July to August, providing yearly precipitation of more than 63 cm. The average temperature here lies around 25.1 degrees Celsius and on rare occasions, it can fall below freezing point in winter.