29 days in India Itinerary

Set over a number of hills, the quiet town of Dalhousie was established by the British in the 19th century as a summer resort town.

On the 26th (Fri), take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Dainkund Peak, then hike along Ganji Pahari, then walk around Beeji's Park, and finally tour the pleasant surroundings at Panjpulla.

To see maps, other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, read our Dalhousie road trip website.

Washington DC, USA to Dalhousie is an approximately 29-hour combination of car and flight. Traveling from Washington DC to Dalhousie, you'll lose 10.5 hours due to the time zone difference. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 26th (Fri) early enough to travel to Leh.

The former capital of the Kingdom of Ladakh, Leh possesses a historic old town area marked by stupas, monasteries, and traditional mud-brick houses.

You'll discover tucked-away gems like Zanskar the Virgin Valley and Saspol Caves. Escape the urban bustle at Photography Tours and Magnetic Hill. And it doesn't end there: witness a stunning natural landmark at Panamic Hot Sulphur Springs, explore the striking landscape at Moore Plains, see the interesting displays at Hall of Fame, and appreciate the views at Nubra Valley.

To see reviews, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Leh online trip planner.

You can do a combination of taxi and flight from Dalhousie to Leh in 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 30th (Tue) to allow time to fly to Nainital.

The popular hill station of Nainital was named after the pear-shaped lake around which the resort town has evolved.

Kick off your visit on the 1st (Wed): take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Guano Hills, tour the pleasant surroundings at Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary, take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Naina Peak, then take in nature's colorful creations at Eco Cave Gardens, and finally admire the striking features of Governor's House Raj Bhawan. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 2nd (Thu): explore the activities along Naukuchiatal Lake, contemplate the waterfront views at Naukuchia Taal, then contemplate the waterfront views at Bhimtal Lake, and finally contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Goddess Naina Devi.

For maps, ratings, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Nainital trip planner.

Traveling by flight from Leh to Nainital takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of bus and train. On the 3rd (Fri), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel to Darjeeling.

The train, the tea, and the hills bring visitors to Darjeeling, one of India's most famous and well-preserved Raj-era hill stations.

Kick off your visit on the 4th (Sat): get to know the resident critters at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Japanese Peace Pagoda, then contemplate the long history of Tinchuley Village, and finally look for all kinds of wild species at Lamahatta. Here are some ideas for day two: get the adrenaline pumping with an extreme tour, then gain insight at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Mahakal Temple, and finally take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Observatory Hill.

To see photos, reviews, and tourist information, read our Darjeeling road trip planning tool.

You can do a combination of taxi, flight, and car from Nainital to Darjeeling in 11 hours. Other options are to drive; or fly. In July, daily temperatures in Darjeeling can reach 90°F, while at night they dip to 78°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Sun) early enough to drive to Pelling.

The small hill station of Pelling draws visitors with its impressive nature and abundance of hotels and resorts.

Start off your visit on the 6th (Mon): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Phodong Monastery, snap pictures at Singshore Bridge Bungee Jumping, then admire the sheer force of Kanchenjunga Falls, then delve into the distant past at Rabdentse Ruins, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Pemayangtse Monastery. Here are some ideas for day two: take in the dramatic scenery at Rimbi Water Falls, then explore the activities along Khecheopalri Lake, then admire the landmark architecture of Sangacholing Monastery, and finally admire the sheer force of Sangay Falls.

For where to stay, other places to visit, traveler tips, and more tourist information, refer to the Pelling online trip builder.

You can drive from Darjeeling to Pelling in 3.5 hours. July in Pelling sees daily highs of 90°F and lows of 78°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 7th (Tue) early enough to drive to Gangtok.

Situated in the eastern Himalayan range, state capital Gangtok combines a modern, resort town style with ancient spiritual beliefs and an impressive natural heritage.

Kick off your visit on the 8th (Wed): admire the sheer force of Kyongnosla Waterfall, make a trip to Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple, contemplate the long history of Nathula, then grab your bike and head to Tsongmo Lake, and finally take in the awesome beauty at White Hill. On your second day here, wander the streets of MG Marg, look for all kinds of wild species at Wildlife Areas, then browse the eclectic array of goods at Lal Bazar, and finally glide through the air with a parasailing or paragliding tour.

To see other places to visit, maps, ratings, and tourist information, refer to the Gangtok road trip planner.

Getting from Pelling to Gangtok by car takes about 4.5 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 9th (Thu) so you can go by car to Lachung.

Perched high in the Himalayas, Lachung offers quintessential mountain scenery and small-village hospitality, making it one of India's most beloved destinations.

On the 10th (Fri), admire the verdant scenery at Yumthang Valley, take in the spiritual surroundings of Lachung Monastery, take in the dramatic scenery at Naga Falls, then take in the dramatic scenery at Bhim Nala Falls, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Lachung Monastery.

For ratings, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Lachung trip planner.

Drive from Gangtok to Lachung in 4.5 hours. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Sat) early enough to travel to Sangla.

Close to the Tibetan border, Sangla is a small town rarely visited by foreign tourists.

Start off your visit on the 12th (Sun): tour the pleasant surroundings at Trout Farm, then trek along Rupin Pass, then explore the activities along Baspa River, and finally take your sightseeing to a higher altitude at Chitkul. On the 13th (Mon), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: stroll through Rakchham-Chhitkul Sanctuary and then wander the streets of Rakcham.

To see where to stay, traveler tips, more things to do, and more tourist information, use the Sangla travel planning website.

Drive from Lachung to Sangla in 44 hours. On the 13th (Mon), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can drive to Kullu.

Kullu tourism thrives thanks to the area's temples and majestic hills, covered in apple forests and deodar trees.

Start off your visit on the 14th (Tue): contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Gauri Shankar Temple, then get outside with Hampta, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Mahadevi Tirth, and finally take in the spiritual surroundings of Jagatipatt Temple. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 15th (Wed): explore the striking landscape of Great Himalayan National Park.

For maps, where to stay, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Kullu trip planner.

Drive from Sangla to Kullu in 9 hours. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 15th (Wed) so you can go by car to Manali.

People visit Manali for a number of reasons, but all of them revolve around the landscape.

Step off the beaten path and head to Jogini Waterfall and Canyoning & Rappelling Tours. Take a break from the city and head to Bhrigu Lake and Solang Valley. Take a break from Manali with a short trip to The Himalayan Trout Fish Farm in Haripur, about 32 minutes away. There's lots more to do: contemplate the waterfront views at Beas Kund, stroll through Manali Sanctuary, admire the sheer force of Zana Falls, and hit the slopes at Solang Nullah.

To find other places to visit, photos, ratings, and more tourist information, go to the Manali online road trip planner.

Traveling by car from Kullu to Manali takes 1.5 hours. On the 21st (Tue), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can fly back home.