North India vs South India Tours: Where Should You Travel for a Luxury Escape?

Last Updated : Oct 24, 2025  |   Author : Tanya Prasad   |   View Count : 909   |   Read Time : 8 min

North India vs South India Tours: Where Should You Travel for a Luxury Escape?

India is known for offering one of the most diverse experiences to its travelers. north India vs south India Whether relaxing on a beach, under the hot sun, or strolling through the cold breeze, between the mountains, whether experiencing the rich culture and tradition of an ancient village, or exploring the wildlife through the dense forests, India is one of the best places to visit.

Which is better for a luxury escape: the serene Kerala Backwaters or the regal charm of North India Tours or basically north India vs south India?

North India vs South India Tours presents a choice between serene luxury and regal splendor. While Kerala offers tranquil houseboat cruises, lush landscapes, and Ayurvedic wellness, North India boasts grand palaces, desert adventures, and cultural landmarks. Discover which region best suits your dream luxury escape.

Table of Contents

1. South India
2. Alleppey
3. Backwater and Houseboat Cruises
4. North India
5. North India Tour
6. Hot Spots of North India Tour
7. Delhi
8. Kashmir
9. Jaipur
10. Agra
11. Amritsar
12. Conclusion
13. FAQ’s

South India

Kerala is the Southern State of the Indian subcontinent and is located at the southwestern tip of the Malabar region. Also known as God’s own country, the city is popular among tourists and is a dream destination for its serene beaches and beautiful mountains, surrounded by dense forests. Apart from its natural beauty, the “Spice Garden” is famous for its backwaters and houseboats.

These water passages are a series of interconnected canals, lakes and rivers and are known for their beautiful route and are a popular tourist destination that attracts a lot of visitors throughout the year.

Kerala backwaters are a network of canals, rivers and lakes that are interconnected to form water passages. These backwaters are located on the Malabar coast of Kerala and stretch for 900 km, which is roughly half the length of the southern state. There are 34 backwaters in Kerala, and out of those, 27 are located near the Arabian Sea.

One of the most popular and best destinations for backwater experiences is Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha. The city is famous for its beautiful backwater passages, houseboat cruises and serene views. It is also known as the “Venice of the East” because of the complex network of canals, rivers and lagoons. 

Alleppey

Alleppey is located on the Southern side of Kerala at the coastline of the Arabian Sea, about 130 km north of Thiruvananthapuram.  Often dubbed as the “Venice of the East”, Alleppey is considered the best place for houseboat and backwater experience and generally remains the most visited place for houseboat experiences throughout the year, due to its water network, which includes canals, backwaters, beaches and lagoons.

Apart from the houseboats, Alleppey is famous for its Ayurvedic spas, wellness centers, tropical life and clean roads, which make this beautiful city a hot spot for backwaters and a popular choice among tourists.

 

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Backwater and Houseboat Cruises

The backwaters of Alleppey are a mazy network of interconnected canals, rivers, lakes and inlets stretching over 900 km. These calm waterways are bordered with thick greenery, coconut palms, paddy fields and charming villages. The backwaters are explored on a Houseboat, offering a sites like luxury escapes India and premium feel to its visitors, and elevating their Kerala trip experience.

The houseboats are well equipped with modern amenities that promise a luxurious and comfortable stay to the travelers. Even the meals provided in the houseboats are no less than a five-star hotel, offering traditional South Indian cuisine, with fresh seafood and tropical fruits.

Experiencing the serene backwaters of Alappuzha in a luxurious houseboat is probably one of the most memorable parts of Kerala’s travel journey.

The houseboats offer their customers some of the most amazing experiences, allowing them to engage in their culture and natural beauty. These experiences/activities are:

  • Kayaking
  • Boat Races
  • Ayurvedic Treatments, and
  • Village tours

 

kerala houseboat-north india vs south india

 

North India

North India is a goldmine of history, culture, natural beauty and spirituality, offering its travelers one of the most memorable experiences. From the natural beauty and calm winds of the Himalayas to the vibrant and loud streets of Delhi, the North India tour offers some for everyone to its visitors.

Whether you are looking for spiritual detox, cultural inspection, or thrilling discovery, the North India tour is your best bet. North India generally includes 8 states and 1 union territory:

  • Jammu & Kashmir
  • Himachal Pradesh
  • Punjab
  • Uttarakhand
  • Delhi
  • Haryana
  • Rajasthan, and
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Chandigarh (UT)

North India Tour

The North India tour usually starts from New Delhi. It takes you from the cold winds of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to the bustling markets of Rajasthan, offering a glimpse of peace and spirituality in Uttarakhand along the way.

The North India tour is famous for being one of the most diverse cultural tours in India, as it takes you to 8 different states, each with its significance and offering one of the best experiences to make the tour even more memorable. It typically takes around 1 week to 1 month for a North India tour, which mainly depends on the number of states one wants to cover during their time of visit.

 

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Hot Spots of North India Tour

Delhi

The capital of India is famous for its diversity and for offering its tourists a wide range of experiences. Experience the Mughal Architecture of Old Delhi, which is famous for offering glimpses of the past, to explore the vibrant shopping markets in New Delhi, the political capital, remains active for tourism and attracts a lot of visitors globally.

Key Destinations:

  • Red Fort
  • Qutub Minar
  • India Gate
  • Lotus Temple
  • Akshardham Temple

Kashmir

Known for its beautiful mountains, surrounded by serene lakes and natural beauty, makes Kashmir, one of the most beautiful places of the North India tour. Nicknamed the “Paradise on Earth”, the region is probably the most picturesque place of North India tour and remains popular tourist destination.

Key Destinations:

  • Srinagar
  • Gulmarg
  • Sona Marg
  • Pahalgam
  • Dal Lake
  • Betaab Valley

 

kashmir- north india vs south india

 

Jaipur

Also known as the “Pink City”, Jaipur is a lively city in Rajasthan that takes you back to the ancient times and offers a glimpse of the royal past of India. Through its majestic palaces, royal forts and bustling markets the capital of Rajasthan offers an insight of the rich cultural heritage and royalty of the kings and maharajas.

Key Destinations:

  • City Palace
  • Hawa Mahal
  • Amber Fort
  • Bapu Market
  •  

Agra

The “City of Love” is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal. Located in Uttar Pradesh, Agra is the most beautiful place in the state, which hosts the symbol of love, making it a key highlight of the North India tour.

Key Destinations:

  • Taj Mahal
  • Agra Fort
  • Fatehpur Sikri

 

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Amritsar

The holy place for Sikhs, Amritsar, is famous for the Golden Temple, one of the most prestigious and worshipped religious sites in the world. The peaceful atmosphere of the temple and serene beauty make the temple even more beautiful and attract a lot of tourists throughout the year.

Key Destinations:

  • Golden Temple
  • Wagah Border
  • Jallianwala Bagh

What are the Different Highlight Areas Between North India vs South India

Category Kerala Backwaters North India Tour
Geography Houseboats, Alleppey, Backwaters,    Desert, Mountains, Historical Monuments  
Experience Natural and Tropical City, Nightlife and Markets
Weather Pleasant and Mild Depends on the region and is usually at extremes
Activities Houseboats, Backwater Exploration, Fishing, etc. Heritage Walks, Fort Tours, Jungle Safari, Temple Visits and Desert Safaris
Key Destinations Alleppey, Kumarakom, Kollam, Kuttanad Jammu Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh

 

Conclusion

The Kerala Backwater Tour offers a serene and calm experience to its tourists, taking them through the natural and tropical beauty of “God’s Own Country”. North India tour offers a historic, modern and cultural journey to its visitors, taking them through the most diverse and vibrant states of India.

Comparison of the two tours is often inconclusive as both tours offer different experiences from each other. However, choosing the best among the two depends on the type of travel an individual is planning.

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FAQ’s

1. What is the best time to visit the Kerala Backwater Tour?
September to March is generally considered the best time to visit the backwaters of Kerala, as the tropical beauty shines during these months, and the weather is also quite pleasant during these months.

2. What activities can be enjoyed in a North India tour?
North India tour offers a wide range of activities for its tourists to elevate their travel experience. These activities include:

  • Spiritual Practices
  • Shopping
  • Culinary Delicacies
  • Heritage Walks

3. What are the amenities provided in Kerala houseboats?
Kerala houseboats offer a wide range of services such as AC rooms, lounge area, galley kitchen, Wi-Fi and an entertainment zone for kids and adults alike. Personalized services are also provided for an extra luxurious experience for the customers.

4. Are there any other destinations for a houseboat experience?
Although Alleppey is a famous houseboat destination. Kollam, Kumarakom, Kuttanad and Kasaragod are the places that provide houseboat experiences to their tourists.

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