Golden Triangle India
Seven days through India's classic route — Delhi's monuments, the Taj Mahal at Agra, and the pink-sandstone forts and palaces of Jaipur — with your transfers, hotels and guided sightseeing handled from arrival to departure.
India's most iconic route, done the right way
The Golden Triangle is the classic first journey into India — three cities, three centuries of history, and some of the most recognisable monuments on Earth, all within a few hours' drive of each other. This seven-day route uses Delhi as your entry point and threads a comfortable line south through Agra and on to Jaipur, without the guesswork of arranging transfers, entry tickets and guides yourself.
You'll walk through the Mughal-era Red Fort and the winding lanes of Old Delhi's bazaars, stand before the Taj Mahal — Shah Jahan's white-marble tribute to his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and one of the world's most photographed buildings — and climb the hilltop ramparts of Amber Fort before losing an afternoon in Jaipur's pink-sandstone old city. Along the way sits Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's abandoned red-sandstone capital, frozen exactly as he left it four centuries ago.
Airport transfers, centrally located accommodation, daily breakfast and guided sightseeing are arranged for you. Prefer it fully private, extended by a night, or paired with a Rajasthan extension? Every element here can be tailored — this itinerary is the starting point, not the ceiling.
What you'll actually see
The Taj Mahal, Agra
Shah Jahan's white-marble mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, built between 1632 and 1653 on the banks of the Yamuna River — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most recognised buildings on Earth.
Delhi's Mughal & colonial landmarks
The Red Fort, seat of the Mughal emperors for two centuries; the towering 12th-century Qutub Minar; and the wide, colonial-era avenues around India Gate — three very different chapters of the capital's history.
Jaipur's forts & the Pink City
Amber Fort's mirrored halls above Maota Lake, the honeycomb facade of Hawa Mahal, and the City Palace at the heart of Jaipur's rose-pink old town — Rajasthan's royal capital in a single day.
Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned capital
Emperor Akbar's red-sandstone city, built as his capital in 1571 and deserted just 14 years later over water shortages — remarkably intact, and unlike anywhere else on the route.
Your 7-day itinerary
A well-worn, well-paced route — with breakfast daily and all listed transfers included.
You're met at Indira Gandhi International Airport and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Settle in, then ease into the city at your own pace after the journey. An early night sets you up well for the sightseeing ahead.
A guided day through both faces of the capital: Old Delhi's Red Fort and the winding lanes and bazaars around Chandni Chowk in the morning, then the wide colonial-era avenues of New Delhi — India Gate, the government quarter, and the towering Qutub Minar — in the afternoon.
A road transfer south to Agra (around four hours). In the afternoon, a guided visit to Agra Fort — the red-sandstone Mughal fortress-palace where Shah Jahan later lived under house arrest, gazing at the Taj Mahal he'd built across the river.
An early visit to the Taj Mahal, best seen in the soft light of morning before the crowds and heat build. Then a transfer toward Jaipur, stopping en route at Fatehpur Sikri — Emperor Akbar's abandoned red-sandstone capital — before continuing on to Jaipur for the night.
A full day through Rajasthan's royal capital: the hilltop Amber Fort above Maota Lake, with its mirrored Sheesh Mahal, followed by the honeycomb facade of Hawa Mahal and the City Palace in Jaipur's rose-pink old town. There's time for the bazaars of Johari and Bapu markets before the day winds down.
A morning at leisure or optional sightseeing — Jantar Mantar's astronomical instruments or the Jal Mahal lake palace are worth the extra hour — before the road transfer back to Delhi in the afternoon. A final evening free to revisit a favourite spot or do some last shopping.
Enjoy a final breakfast before transferring to the airport for your onward journey — or, if you'd like to extend, we can add nights in Delhi or link this trip to Varanasi, Udaipur or a wider Rajasthan circuit.
Indicative itinerary. The exact order of activities, sightseeing and transfer times is confirmed at the time of booking and may adapt to flight schedules, opening hours, monument closures and local conditions. The Taj Mahal is closed to visitors on Fridays.
What's included — and what's not
Clear from the start, so there are no surprises when you travel.
Included
- Accommodation for 6 nights
- Daily breakfast
- Airport transfers (arrival & departure)
- Intercity transfers where applicable
- Sightseeing as listed in the itinerary
- Selected entrance fees
- Local assistance throughout
Not included
- International flights (unless stated)
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Optional activities & hotel upgrades
- Tips & gratuities
Before you go
Best time to visit
The cooler months from around October to March are the classic window for the Golden Triangle — pleasant days and clear views of the Taj Mahal. Summers (April–June) are very hot; we'll advise on timing for your dates when you enquire.
Currency
The Indian Rupee (INR / ₹). Cards are accepted in hotels and larger shops; carry cash for markets, small vendors, monument entry queues and tips.
Visas & documents
Most nationalities need a visa or e-Visa for India, applied for in advance — this is not a visa-on-arrival or visa-free destination for most travellers. Requirements vary by passport, so please confirm and apply well ahead of your trip; we're happy to point you in the right direction.
Dress code
Forts, palaces and religious sites are generally relaxed, but modest, shoulders-and-knees-covered clothing is respectful and comfortable for the amount of walking involved. Head coverings may be requested at some sites.
The road transfers
Delhi–Agra and Agra–Jaipur are multi-hour road journeys on busy Indian highways. They're a genuine part of the experience — roadside dhabas, passing villages — but pace yourself and expect the drives to take a full morning or afternoon.
Private or shared
This route can run as a private, just-for-you journey with your own car and guide, or as part of a small group. Tell us your preference and we'll price it accordingly.
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, in one route
%2C%20Delhi%2C%20India%20(2017).jpg?width=800)
Good to have answered
Is the US$799 price per person? What does it cover?
Yes — that's a starting price, per person, for the 7-day itinerary based on twin-share accommodation. It covers your hotels, daily breakfast, airport and listed road transfers, the sightseeing in the itinerary, selected entrance fees and local assistance. The final figure depends on your travel dates, hotel choice, group size and whether you'd like it private, so we confirm an exact quote when you enquire.
Is the Taj Mahal open every day?
The Taj Mahal is closed to visitors on Fridays. Our standard itinerary times the visit to avoid this, but if your dates fall awkwardly we'll adjust the schedule so you don't miss it.
Do I need a visa for India?
Most travellers need a visa or e-Visa for India, arranged in advance of your trip — this isn't a visa-free destination for most nationalities. Requirements and processing times vary by passport, so please check well before you travel; we can point you to the right official source.
Are international flights included?
No — international flights aren't included unless we've specifically stated so in your quote. We can advise on convenient arrival times into Delhi and arrange your airport transfers to match your flights.
How much travelling by road is involved?
The Golden Triangle is a road-trip itinerary — Delhi to Agra is around four hours, and Agra to Jaipur (via Fatehpur Sikri) is a similar stretch. It's a genuine part of the route's character, with private, air-conditioned transport throughout, but it's worth knowing before you book.
Can this itinerary be customised or extended?
Absolutely — this is a template, not a fixed package. Run it fully private, add nights in any city, upgrade the hotels, or extend into a wider Rajasthan circuit or on to Varanasi. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll shape it around you.
How do I book or get a quote?
Send us an enquiry with your rough dates and traveller numbers and we'll come back with a tailored quote and next steps. There's no obligation, and no payment needed to get a proposal.
Let's plan your Golden Triangle journey
Tell us your dates and who's travelling. We'll send back a tailored itinerary and a clear, all-in quote — with the flexibility to make it exactly the trip you want.