Route & accommodations
This was my first time in India, and I didn’t plan everything myself. Here’s the full route, all accommodations, and my honest thoughts on each stop.
New Delhi (5 nights)
I recommend 4-5 nights. I arrived in New Delhi one day ahead of the start of the tour because there was a non-stop flight from Vienna and it gave me some time to acclimate. 4 nights give you enough time to see all the popular sights, even if you do the day trip to Agra. 5 nights also give you some time to relax since it’s a long flight and you might feel a bit jet lagged.
Accommodation: Ashtok Country Resort, New Delhi (~77€)
I didn’t choose this hotel myself, it was selected by the travel agency and it served its purpose but wouldn’t be my first choice.
Pros:
Close to the airport (convenient after a long flight)
Beautiful green gardens and pool, rooms generally clean, staff very friendly
Buffet breakfast and dinner were great (authentic Indian cuisine + western options)
Cons:
Far from the city center (not ideal if you want to go out and explore on your own)
Rooms were very dated, some of them had carpet and felt a bit damp
Stained sheets made me feel a bit uncomfortable
My recommendation:
If you have the choice, stay closer to central Delhi. It’s much more convenient for sightseeing, dining, and getting a feel for the city.
Agra
From New Delhi, we did a full-day excursion to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. A long day, but absolutely worth it.
Accommodation stayed the same - we returned to Ashtok Country Resort in the evening.
My recommendation (0-1 night):
You can totally do a day trip to Agra from Delhi to see the highlights. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, I recommend staying in Agra for one night.
Rishikesh (9 nights)
From Delhi, we drove to Rishikesh, the yoga capital of the world (about a 4-5 hour drive).
Accommodation 1: Yoga Niketan Ashram (4 nights) —> I recommend 3-4 nights (~24€ per night)
A traditional ashram experience: simple rooms, peaceful grounds, strict routines, and plenty of yoga and meditation. A great place if you want to experience authentic ashram life and reset from the city noise.
Accommodation 2: Divine Resort & Spa (5 nights) —> I recommend 3-4 nights (~172€)
After four nights at the ashram, we switched to a more comfortable stay. Located right on the Ganges with incredible views, great facilities, and a much more relaxing setting - the perfect contrast to ashram simplicity. After four days of ashram life, moving to Divine Resort & Spa felt like paradise. Hot showers, fluffy towels, actual amenities - it felt incredibly luxurious after bucket showers and silent meals.
Haridwar
During our stay in Rishikesh, we took a day trip to Haridwar, one of the holiest cities in India. A vibrant, spiritual, and intense place - especially if you witness the evening aarti at Har Ki Pauri.
My recommendation (0 nights):
A day trip from Rishikesh works great since it is only about an hour drive away.
Return to Delhi (1 night)
After two weeks of exploring Northern India, we made our way back to Delhi to end our journey. We spent one last evening together for dinner at the Ashtok Country Resort (the 2nd time I had a somewhat nicer room without a carpet) and the next day everybody went their separate ways.