India’s Golden Triangle 10-day Itinerary
India
Where to go and what to see in India’s Golden Triangle to get the most from your trip – a 10-day itinerary from destination expert and leading travel writer Amar Grover.
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India’s Golden Triangle
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Last updated: 02 March, 2023
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur – the so-called ‘Golden Triangle’ – lie at the heart of many Indian cultural tours and form the backbone of most first-time visits to India. These three destinations pack in most of India’s most bucket list experiences and all of its unique cultural essence.
Delhi, the capital, presents two distinct faces: Raj-era New Delhi boasts neat tree-lined boulevards and most of the best hotels, while Old Delhi distils a frantic, earthier atmosphere and is dotted with medieval monuments.
Agra is synonymous with the iconic Taj Mahal while Jaipur is the vibrant capital of Rajasthan, an exotic desert state hosting massive forts and exquisite palaces. A few hours from Jaipur is the Ranthambore National Park, one of the best places in India to see wild tigers.
There are good transport links between the three destinations, but for a real treat, take the luxury Mahajaras Express train which shuttles you between the main stops in blissful comfort, as you stare out at India’s uniquely exotic and evocative scenery.
Orientation
The capital, Delhi, lies in the north of the country. Despite differing characters, New Delhi and Old Delhi have merged into one great city, with Connaught Place (now officially renamed Rajiv Chowk) at its heart.
Agra – home of the Taj Mahal – stands 170km south with the Yamuna River linking both cities.
To the west stretches the huge desert state of Rajasthan whose capital, Jaipur, and nearby Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, remain easily accessible.
Our writer’s recommended itineraries for this destination
The bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination
Taj Mahal
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
India’s iconic landmark and one of the world’s most beautiful buildings readily matches, if not exceeds, the hype. Built in 1653 by the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to entomb his wife, Mumtaz.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
Tiger safari in Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India
Experience the thrill of spotting one of the world’s last remaining wild tigers on a game drive in the Ranthambore National Park, one of India’s most picturesque and easily-visited reserves.
Best for ages: 8+ | £25 | 3 hours
Amber Fort
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
One of Rajasthan’s great maharaja fortress-palace complexes, dating back to the 16th century, set amidst a spectacular backdrop of stark hills.
Best for ages: 13+ | Free
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Maharajas Express
India's Golden Triangle, India
Relive the era of the British Raj on this fabulously luxurious train – and discover the highlights of Rajasthan, from the Taj Mahal and the magnificent royal palaces, to tiger safaris at Ranthambore.
Best for ages: 13+ | £3,000 | 4+ days
Other worthwhile experiences in this destination if you have the time or the interest
Experience
Bhangarh Fort
Bhangarh, Rajasthan, India
A small, part-ruined medieval ‘ghost-town’ – reputedly one of India’s most haunted places – in picturesque countryside near Sariska Tiger Reserve.
Best for ages: 13+ | £1
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Experience
Deeg Palace
Deeg, Uttar Pradesh, India
A little-visited lakeside summer resort and palace complex that was built in 1772 for the Jat kings of Bharatpur, as a luxurious retreat. Its architecture fuses Mughal and Rajput styles.
Best for ages: 18+ | £1
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Elephant Conservation & Care Centre
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
A welfare centre that looks after and rehabilitates formerly captive and abused elephants, and an education centre that teaches the importance of elephant conservation.
Best for ages: 8+ | £15
Experience
Indira Gandhi Memorial Museum
Delhi, India
The former bungalow residence of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is now a slightly macabre museum. Assassinated here in 1984 by her bodyguards, even that very spot remains spotted with blood.
Best for ages: 18+ | Free
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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers
11 Days Golden Triangle & Varanasi With Luxury Accommodation,internal Flights
New Delhi
• Experience the Wonders of India with a Magical 11 Day Tour Including Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi.
• Sunrise Taj Mahal, Early Mornin...
$847 | Rating 4.76 / 5 [13 ratings]
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2 Day Private Luxury Golden Triangle Tour to Agra and Jaipur From New Delhi
New Delhi
The Golden Triangle tour is a tourist circuit which includes tourist places Agra, and Jaipur. This tour is known as the Golden Triangle beca...
₹18,500 | Rating 4.96 / 5 [31 ratings]
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2-Day Golden Triangle Tour to The Taj Mahal, Agra and Jaipur from Delhi by Car
New Delhi
7am Pickup from Hotel / Airport / Railway Station or any other desired pickup location in Delhi, Noida, or Gurugram and three hours drive to...
$224 | Rating 4.86 / 5 [72 ratings]
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3-Day Private Luxury Golden Triangle Tour to Agra and Jaipur From New Delhi
New Delhi
Explore India’s Golden Triangle, including Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, on this private 3-day tour from New Delhi. Visit the 11th-century UNESCO ...
₹21,500 | Rating 4.89 / 5 [128 ratings]
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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay in this destination
Thikana Delhi
Delhi, India
A small but comfortable B&B with the ambience of a homestay, featuring recently-renovated rooms and super-friendly hosts.
Official star rating:
Diggi Palace Hotel
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Characterful and charming heritage hotel in central Jaipur – a haveli, or mansion, originally built for a wealthy noble family. Excellent value for money.
Official star rating:
Khem Villas
Sherpur, Rajasthan, India
Superb understated ‘jungle camp’ and eco-lodge close to the rugged hills of Ranthambore, with an excellent conservation ethos.
Official star rating:
Kipling Lodge
Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, India
A good value lodge with comfortable ‘cottages’ in a quiet garden surrounded by tranquil farmland, ideally situated for tiger-spotting safaris in nearby Ranthambore National Park.
Official star rating:
When to go
The main tourist season runs from October to March, though September and April are also fine – clear skies with warm to hot days.
May and June bring extreme heat and are worth avoiding while the July and August monsoon cools things slightly but brings more humidity.
Peak season is Christmas and New Year as well as the Indian festival of Diwali in late autumn. Mid-December to early February can deliver surprisingly cool nights and Delhi is prone to fog.
Getting there and away
Although technically you could start in any of the three cities, Delhi is the main international gateway, and the departure point for most tours including the Maharajas Express. It’s easiest to start there.
See our separate guides to Delhi, Jaipur and Agra for destination-specific travel advice.
Getting around
Delhi’s new metro has revolutionised public transport there, though buses, autorickshaws and taxis remain popular in Delhi, and are essential in Agra and Jaipur. Unless using pre-paid booths at the railway station you’ll need to be firm about getting a metered fare for taxis and autorickshaws.
A private car with a driver – usually arranged through a travel agency – is the most relaxed, convenient and flexible way of touring the Golden Triangle. Trains are another characterful means of transport, with fairly reliable services to/from Agra and Jaipur.
Health & Safety
India generally remains an extremely safe and crime-free country for tourists. At worst lone female travellers may receive unwanted and unwarranted attention from younger men. Road accidents are common though rarely involve tourist vehicles.
Always drink bottled water or soft drinks (and drink plenty in the heat) and, except in good restaurants, treat salads, ice cubes and ice cream with caution. Follow medical advice on vaccinations and malarial prophylactics.
Other guides relevant to this destination
Agra
Uttar Pradesh, India
Home to the iconic Taj Mahal, the relentlessly congested and clamourous city of Agra and its hinterland host an array of superb Mughal architecture, along with vigorous bazaars.
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Delhi
India
India’s intense sight- and monument-filled capital is a compelling blend of the modern Raj-influenced New Delhi, and the sights, sounds and smells of Old Delhi’s heaving and exotic lanes and bazaars.
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Jaipur
Rajasthan, India
Rajasthan’s state capital is a compelling blend of huge hillside forts, extravagant palaces, bustling bazaars, memorable heritage hotels and almost comically thronged streets.
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