India Golden Triangle 6 Days

Tour Overview

Experience the magic of India on this 6-day Golden Triangle tour, from the vibrant capital of Delhi with its stunning historic monuments and bustling markets, to the city of Agra with the iconic Taj Mahal (one of the Seven Wonders of the World), to the beautiful Pink City of Jaipur with its stunning palaces, forts, and vibrant bazaars. The Golden Triangle is the classic India tour, covering the three most famous and beautiful cities in northern India, with their stunning Mughal and Rajput architecture, their rich history and culture, their vibrant markets, their delicious cuisine, and their warm and welcoming people.

Itinerary Highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi

Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi, India). Transfer to your hotel. Explore Delhi, the vibrant capital of India, a fascinating mix of ancient history and modernity, with its stunning historic monuments, its bustling markets, its vibrant food scene, and its unique culture. Visit the iconic India Gate (a stunning war memorial arch in the heart of Delhi, with its beautiful surrounding gardens and the Amar Jawan Jyoti (the eternal flame of the immortal soldier)), the Rashtrapati Bhavan (the official residence of the President of India, a stunning colonial-era building with its beautiful gardens and architecture), the Parliament House, and the various government buildings along the beautiful Rajpath (now known as Kartavya Path). Visit the famous Qutub Minar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the tallest brick minaret in the world, at 73 meters tall, built in the 12th century, with its stunning architecture, its beautiful surrounding monuments including the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque (the first mosque built in India), the Iron Pillar (a famous iron pillar that has not rusted in over 1,600 years), and the various other monuments). Visit the Humayun’s Tomb (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a beautiful Mughal tomb built in the 16th century, the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent, with its stunning architecture, its beautiful gardens, and its influence on the later Taj Mahal). Visit the Lotus Temple (a beautiful Bahá’í House of Worship, shaped like a lotus flower, with its stunning architecture and its peaceful atmosphere). Visit the Akshardham Temple (a stunning Hindu temple complex, one of the largest Hindu temples in the world, with its stunning architecture, its beautiful gardens, and its cultural exhibits). Evening welcome dinner with Indian cuisine including butter chicken, naan, biryani, tandoori chicken, dal makhani, and the various other delicious Indian dishes. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi – Old Delhi, Markets & Food

Morning explore Old Delhi (the historic walled city of Delhi, founded by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, with its narrow streets, its bustling markets, its beautiful mosques, and its vibrant atmosphere). Visit the iconic Red Fort (Lal Qila, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a stunning Mughal fort built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, the former residence of the Mughal emperors, with its stunning architecture, its beautiful palaces, its museums, and its beautiful gardens). Visit the Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century, with its stunning architecture, its beautiful courtyard that can hold up to 25,000 worshippers, and its stunning views of Old Delhi from the minarets). Visit the bustling Chandni Chowk (one of the oldest and most famous markets in Old Delhi, a bustling and vibrant market with its narrow streets, its countless shops selling everything from spices and textiles to jewelry and electronics, its delicious street food, and its vibrant atmosphere). Take a rickshaw ride through the narrow streets of Chandni Chowk, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, and try the famous street food of Old Delhi (including the famous parathas at Paranthe Wali Gali, the famous jalebis, the famous chaat, and the various other delicious street foods). Visit the famous spice market (Khari Baoli, the largest spice market in Asia, with its countless shops selling every kind of spice imaginable, with its vibrant colors and aromas, a truly sensory experience). After lunch, visit New Delhi (the modern capital designed by the British architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker in the early 20th century, with its beautiful tree-lined avenues, its government buildings, its embassies, and its beautiful parks). Visit the various museums including the National Museum (the largest museum in India, with its excellent collection of Indian art and artifacts from ancient times to the present). Visit the famous Connaught Place (a beautiful circular shopping and business district in the heart of New Delhi, with its colonial-era architecture, its shops, restaurants, and cafes). Evening dinner with Indian cuisine, and enjoy a cultural performance (such as a classical Indian dance or music performance). Overnight in Delhi.

Day 3: Delhi to Agra & Taj Mahal

Morning take the Shatabdi Express (a fast and comfortable train) from Delhi to Agra (approximately 2 hours), or drive (approximately 3-4 hours via the Yamuna Expressway). Upon arrival in Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal, a beautiful city on the banks of the Yamuna River, famous for its stunning Mughal architecture, its rich history, and its beautiful marble inlay work. Visit the iconic Taj Mahal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, a stunning white marble mausoleum built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth in 1631. The Taj Mahal is widely considered the most beautiful building in the world, with its stunning white marble that changes color throughout the day (pink in the morning, white in the afternoon, and golden in the moonlight), its beautiful inlay work with semi-precious stones, its beautiful gardens, its reflecting pool, and its stunning architecture. The Taj Mahal is a masterpiece of Mughal architecture and is a must-visit for anyone traveling to India). Visit the Taj Mahal, explore the beautiful gardens, the main mausoleum, the mosques, and the various other buildings, and enjoy the stunning views of this iconic monument. Visit the nearby Agra Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a stunning Mughal fort built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century, the former residence of the Mughal emperors, with its stunning architecture, its beautiful palaces (including the Khas Mahal, the Jahangiri Mahal, and the Musamman Burj where Emperor Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb and spent his last years looking at the Taj Mahal), its beautiful gardens, and its stunning views of the Taj Mahal from the fort). Visit the Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb (the Baby Taj, a beautiful Mughal tomb built in the 17th century, the first Mughal building to be made entirely of white marble, with its beautiful inlay work and its beautiful gardens, often considered a draft for the Taj Mahal). Visit the Mehtab Bagh (the Moonlight Garden, a beautiful garden across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal, with its stunning views of the Taj Mahal, especially at sunset). Evening watch the beautiful sunset over the Taj Mahal (from Mehtab Bagh or from across the river). Dinner with Agra cuisine (including the famous Agra petha (a sweet made from pumpkin), the famous Mughlai cuisine, and the various other delicious dishes). Overnight in Agra.

Day 4: Agra to Jaipur (via Fatehpur Sikri)

Morning drive from Agra to Jaipur (approximately 4-5 hours), with a stop at Fatehpur Sikri (approximately 40 minutes from Agra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a stunning abandoned Mughal city built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century, the capital of the Mughal Empire for a brief period before being abandoned due to a lack of water. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the best-preserved examples of Mughal architecture in India, with its stunning red sandstone buildings, its beautiful palaces, its mosques, its courtyards, and its fascinating history). Visit Fatehpur Sikri: explore the stunning Buland Darwaza (the highest gateway in the world, a stunning 54-meter-tall gateway built by Emperor Akbar to commemorate his victory over Gujarat), the Jama Masjid (the beautiful mosque at Fatehpur Sikri), the Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti (a beautiful white marble tomb of the famous Sufi saint, with its beautiful inlay work and its beautiful lattice screens), the Diwan-i-Aam (the Hall of Public Audience), the Diwan-i-Khas (the Hall of Private Audience, with its famous central pillar), the Panch Mahal (a beautiful five-story pavilion), the various palaces including the Jodha Bai Palace (the palace of Akbar’s Hindu wife), the Birbal’s House (the palace of Akbar’s famous minister Birbal), and the various other buildings and courtyards. After exploring Fatehpur Sikri, continue to Jaipur (approximately 3-4 hours), the beautiful Pink City of Rajasthan, the capital of the state of Rajasthan, famous for its stunning pink sandstone architecture, its beautiful palaces and forts, its vibrant bazaars, its rich Rajput history and culture, and its warm and welcoming people. Upon arrival in Jaipur, check into your hotel. Explore Jaipur: visit the famous Hawa Mahal (the Palace of Winds, a stunning pink sandstone palace with its 953 small windows (jharokhas), designed to allow the royal women to observe the street life without being seen, one of the most iconic landmarks of Jaipur). Visit the nearby City Palace (a beautiful palace complex in the heart of Jaipur, the former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, with its stunning architecture, its beautiful courtyards, its museums, its beautiful gardens, and the famous Chandra Mahal (the seven-story palace with its beautiful architecture and its stunning views of the city). Visit the Jantar Mantar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a stunning astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in the 18th century, with its giant stone astronomical instruments, the largest of their kind in the world, a masterpiece of ancient Indian astronomy). Visit the bustling bazaars of Jaipur (including the famous Johari Bazaar (jewelry market), the Bapu Bazaar (textile market), the Tripolia Bazaar, and the various other markets, with their beautiful textiles, jewelry, handicrafts, spices, and various other goods). Evening dinner with Rajasthani cuisine (including the famous dal baati churma (a traditional Rajasthani dish), gatte ki sabzi, laal maas (spicy mutton curry), and the various other delicious Rajasthani dishes). Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 5: Jaipur – Amber Fort & Excursions

Morning visit the iconic Amber Fort (Amer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a stunning Rajput fort and palace built in the 16th century by Maharaja Man Singh I, located on a hill overlooking the beautiful Maota Lake, with its stunning architecture, its beautiful palaces, its courtyards, its gardens, its beautiful mirror work, and its stunning views of the surrounding area. The Amber Fort is one of the most beautiful forts in India and is a must-visit). Ride an elephant up to the fort (a unique and fun experience, riding on the back of an elephant up the hill to the fort), or take a jeep. Explore the fort: visit the Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), the Sheesh Mahal (the Mirror Palace, a stunning palace with its walls and ceilings covered in thousands of tiny mirrors, which create a stunning effect when lit up), the Sukh Niwas (the Hall of Pleasure), the Zenana (the women’s quarters), the various other palaces and courtyards, and the beautiful gardens. Visit the nearby Jaigarh Fort (a beautiful fort on the hill above Amber Fort, famous for its giant cannon (the Jaivana, the largest wheeled cannon in the world), its beautiful architecture, and its stunning views of the surrounding area). Visit the Nahargarh Fort (a beautiful fort on the ridge overlooking Jaipur, with its stunning architecture, its beautiful palaces, and its stunning panoramic views of Jaipur, especially beautiful at sunset). After lunch, visit the nearby Galtaji Temple (the Monkey Temple, a beautiful Hindu temple complex in the hills, with its beautiful natural water tanks, its temples, and its hundreds of monkeys, a unique and fun experience). Visit the nearby Sisodia Rani Garden (a beautiful garden built by Maharaja Jai Singh II for his queen, with its beautiful fountains, pavilions, and beautiful murals). Visit the nearby Albert Hall Museum (the oldest museum in Rajasthan, a beautiful building with its excellent collection of art and artifacts). Evening enjoy a traditional Rajasthani cultural show and dinner (with traditional Rajasthani music and dance, including the famous Ghoomar dance, and a traditional Rajasthani thali dinner). Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 6: Jaipur to Delhi & Departure

Morning do some last-minute shopping in Jaipur, buying beautiful Rajasthani textiles, jewelry, handicrafts, miniature paintings, blue pottery, and various other souvenirs. Visit the various bazaars and shops. After breakfast, take the Shatabdi Express (a fast and comfortable train) from Jaipur to Delhi (approximately 2.5-3 hours), or drive (approximately 4-5 hours). Upon arrival in Delhi, depending on your flight schedule, do some last-minute shopping or visit the various attractions. Visit the famous markets of Delhi for final souvenirs. Afterward, transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport for your departure flight. Concluding your 6-day India Golden Triangle tour of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.

What’s Included

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Driver
• Fuel Cost, Parking Fee, Toll Fee
• Accommodation in selected hotels
• Daily breakfast

What’s Not Included

• Entrance fees to attractions
• Tour Guide
• Meal (lunch and dinner)
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses