Guided tours are an excellent way to experience all that a country has to offer and few countries in the world offer as much as India. The unique culture, exotic food and varied sites make India ideally suited to guided touring. Below, I have listed the top five places that should be included on any guided tour of Northern India.

The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is India’s most recognisable tourist destination and any visit to India would not be complete without a visit to this World Heritage site. Located in Agra, the Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. I recommend rising early to catch the sunrise over the Taj Mahal, as the soft morning light encapsulates the Taj Mahal’s extraordinary beauty perfectly.

The Abandoned City OF Fatehpur Sikri

Built in 1571, the city of Fatehpur Sikri acted as Emperor Akbar’s imperial capital until it was mysteriously abandoned in 1586. The city remains in an astonishing state of preservation and walking around the numerous palaces and courtyards with their magnificent architecture and carvings feels like you have been transported back to the 1500s.

The Ranthambore National Park

The Ranthambore National Park is one of the largest national parks in Northern India, covering 275 square kilometres. Ranthambore National Park is one of the best places in the world to see tigers in their natural habitat and safaris run daily. In addition to tigers, the park is also home to 270 different species of birds including crested eagles, as well as leopards, wild boars, sloth bears and monkeys.

The Red Fort of Agra

The Red Fort of Agra was rebuilt by Emperor Akbar using red sandstone and was completed in 1573. The Fort of Agra acted as the headquarters of the Mogul Empire and contained the largest state treasury and mint. The vast size and opulence of the Fort makes it an extremely compelling place to spend a day.

The Jama Masjid Mosque

The Jama Masjid mosque is the largest mosque in India and one of the largest mosques in Asia. It was commissioned in 1644 by Emperor Shan Jahan and the mosque was completed in in 1658. The mosque courtyard can hold up to 25,000 worshippers. The mosque is a great example of Mughal architecture with 260 pillars and 15 domes at various heights.