When people think of their first trip to India, the Golden Triangle is often what they dream of. With Delhi’s history and chaos, Jaipur’s opulent forts and palaces, and the jewel in India’s crown, Agra’s Taj Mahal, it is clear to see why it is so popular with tourists.
Five days is just enough time to see most of what the Golden Triangle has to offer, and believe us, once you’ve got the taste of travelling in India, you’ll undoubtedly want to come back for more.
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Delhi
Delhi, India’s capital, is the starting point of the Golden Triangle itinerary. It is rich in history and culture, reflecting India’s past from the Mughals to the British and up to the present day. It’s also quite chaotic and gives a real “jumping in the deep end” experience of being in India for the first time.
Here’s how we recommend spending 2 days in Delhi.
Day 1 – Dive Into Old Delhi
Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk is right in the centre of ‘Old Delhi’, the historical Mughal part of the city. The market road is an overload of all the senses: bright colours of spices, honking horns of tuk-tuks, and the smell of delicious roadside street food.
You can take a rickshaw (a carriage pulled by a man on a bike) to see the main sites, and they’ll also be able to take you to the best market stalls and photo opportunities.
The best recommendation is to spend up to an hour here, taking it all in and acclimatising to India’s beating heart.
Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid (‘Friday Mosque’) is one of Delhi’s most impressive buildings. Dating back to the 1640s, it was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who also commissioned the Taj Mahal.
One of the reasons we loved visiting is that it remains a functioning mosque to this day, and it is a fulfilling experience to see not only the building itself but also the locals going about their daily lives.
Another great thing about the Jama Masjid is that by climbing up the tower, you get panoramic views across Delhi, well, as far as you can see through the thin layer of smog lying over the city in winter.
Red Fort
The Red Fort, with its imposing sandstone walls, was the centre of Mughal rule in India after they shifted the capital from Agra to Delhi.
As you walk around it today, through the beautiful gardens, archways, and bazaars, you can really appreciate the wealth and power of those who lived here.
You can easily spend a few hours here; there’s so much to see, and hiring a guide is a good investment to really understand the history of the place.
Day 2 – Explore the Sights of New Delhi
Humayun’s Tomb
Humayun’s Tomb was our favourite site in all of Delhi. It really showcases Mughal-era Indian architecture at its most beautiful (except for a certain wonder of the world we’ll mention later).
Built as a grand resting place for the Mughal emperor Humayun and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, it is one of the most underrated places to visit in all of India. It’s relatively peaceful, and the surrounding gardens make a good place to relax on a warm Delhi morning.
India Gate
India Gate is a bit like a mini “Arc de Triomphe”, built to commemorate those who lost their lives in World War 1 and the Afghan War.
It is located on Rajpath, the central boulevard of New Delhi running up from India Gate to the President’s House. There are occasionally parades that take place on this street, as we found out when we visited on ‘Republic Day’, meaning we could not get too close to the India Gate, but it still looked great from a distance.
Qutub Minar
The last of our things to do in Delhi, and located a bit further away from the rest of the attractions, towards the south of the city, Qutub Minar is one not to be missed.
Another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Qutub Minar itself, is a minaret, and at 240 feet tall, it is the tallest in India. Unfortunately, you can no longer climb it, but it makes for great photo opportunities, as do the other historical ruins in the grounds surrounding it.
Delhi to Agra
At the end of the second day, it is time to head to Agra.
There are a couple of ways you can do this:
Get a private driver. This is the easiest way to travel from Delhi to Agra. The drive is approximately 4 hours, and you will be dropped directly at your hotel.
You could even keep the exact driver for your entire trip and all of the sites.
Or, take the train. It may not be as easy, but it offers you another unique Indian experience that you’ll remember. It can take between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the train.
Where to Eat in Delhi
Delhi is renowned for its Mughal-style cuisine, which has become synonymous with India worldwide.
Think creamy, rich butter chicken, delicious daal, and mouthwatering Kebabs. The best place to try these is at Gulati’s, a nice sit-down restaurant in a quiet area of New Delhi.
You could also try some of Delhi’s street food. We’d recommend doing this as part of a Delhi food tour as they can direct you to the best places, as well as those that are most friendly for Western stomachs.
Where to Stay in Delhi
Delhi has many hotel options. Many budget travellers head to the Paharganj area, but we would advise against this, as it is loud and chaotic. Instead, stay somewhere near Connaught Place in New Delhi. You’ll be right in the center of everything, and it’s a much nicer neighborhood.
We stayed at Bloomrooms Janpath and would recommend it as a good base for the city.
Agra
Agra, a city rich in history, is most famous nowadays for being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. The town itself isn’t the most beautiful place in the world or even in India, but it has incredible architecture and culinary delights you could wish to experience.
Day 3 – See One of the Seven Wonders
Taj Mahal
The highlight of any Golden Triangle itinerary is undoubtedly the Taj Mahal. One of the most beautiful and romantic buildings in the world, it truly lives up to its lofty expectations.
Get up just before sunrise to get the best view of the Taj, almost glistening in the morning sun. One of the reasons to stay a second night in Agra is to give you a second chance to see the Taj Mahal at its best, if it is foggy or cloudy on your first morning.
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned it to house the Tomb of his beloved wife. Made of the finest marble, which has been recently cleaned to restore its vibrancy, it is almost perfectly symmetrical and is stunning from every angle. Plenty of photo opportunities!
Agra Fort
Often overlooked due to the importance of the Taj, Agra Fort is well worth a visit.
The precursor to Delhi’s Red Fort, it features a combination of red sandstone and white marble, almost a blend of the two main sites you’ve seen so far.
This is where Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son, and in his quarters, there is a window that offers one of the best views of the Taj Mahal in all of Agra.
There are numerous historical sites and photo opportunities, so a tour guide is definitely worth it.
Agra to Jaipur
Similar to the previous trip, you have the option of traveling with a private driver or by train.
On this occasion, we recommend hiring a driver, as you’ll be able to stop at a couple of famous places along the way: the abandoned Indian capital of Fatehpur Sikri and the Chand Baori stepwell.
Where to Eat in Agra
There are plenty of nice eateries in Agra; however, it seems a waste to come to the city and not have a nice dinner with views of the Taj Mahal.
Hotel Saniya Palace may not seem like much from the outside, but it boasts a lovely rooftop terrace with stunning views and serves up incredible curries, such as mattar paneer, at great value prices.
Where to Stay in Agra
Why not experience staying with an Indian family and enjoy a comforting home-cooked dinner included?
That’s what we did at Aman Homestay, just a short walk or drive from the main Taj Mahal gate. The rooms were clean and the hospitality was second to none.
Jaipur
Jaipur is known as the “pink city” due to its many painted historical buildings in the city center. This painting was created in 1876 to commemorate the arrival of Prince Albert.
It is the capital of Rajasthan, “the land of kings”, one of India’s most popular states among travelers due to its numerous tourist attractions, palaces, and forts, as well as its blend of Hindu Rajput and Mughal influences.
Compared to Delhi and Agra, it is often overlooked as part of a Golden Triangle itinerary, but it is our favourite as it is cleaner, slower-paced, and with just as much to do.
Day 4 – Explore Jaipur’s Trio of Forts
Jaigarh Fort
Jaigarh Fort is in itself the least impressive of Jaipur’s three forts. It is the oldest and was built more as a defensive structure than a lavish palace.
However, it does offer the best sunrise view in all of India. From atop the ancient walls, you can see over the famous Amber Palace, the pink city itself, and the backdrop of the Aravali hills, all in the warm orange glow of the rising sun.
Amber Palace
Step down off the walls, and within minutes, you’ll arrive at Amber Palace (Amer Fort).
Built in the 1500s, it was once the royal residence of the Rajput rulers, before they moved the capital to Jaipur some 300 years later. It is one of, if not the most impressive, examples of the blend of Mughal and Rajput style and architecture.
Definitely one place you need to visit, bringing a camera is recommended, as it features grand courtyards and throne rooms. Consider hiring a guide to learn about one of India’s great dynasties and their way of life.
Nahargarh Fort
To complete the trio of forts is the Nahargarh Fort, and after starting the day with the best location in Jaipur for sunrise, it seems fitting to end it at the best location for sunset.
Located closer to the city, high up on the Aravalli Hills, you get a sense of the scale of Jaipur, even though it is somehow considered small by Indian standards. As the sunsets, the pink and orange buildings glow and then fade, and you get a real sense of the evening buzz as thousands of lights switch on, illuminating the many roads.
Much like Jaigarh earlier, there isn’t much to see inside the fort itself; however, there is a brilliant restaurant called Padao, which has excellent views and delicious food.
Day 5 – Jaipur’s Pink City and Monkey Temple
Jaipur City Palace
The city palace in Jaipur is the most elegant and luxurious of all the palaces in India, including the much more widely known Mysore Palace.
It was built shortly after Jaipur became the capital of the Rajput empire, and it remains the home of the royal family to this day. It often hosts major gatherings and world leaders. In the week before we visited, Prime Minister Modi hosted French President Macron, and the decorations were still up for us to see.
Another brilliant place for photography, we recommend purchasing the all-access ticket (3500 INR, approximately £30), as it allows you to see more of the royal rooms, full of beautiful colors and exquisite gold and painted glass.
Hawa Mahal
The “picture postcard” of Jaipur, the Hawa Mahal or “wind palace”, is iconic.
Built in the 18th century, it was initially built to allow the wealthy women of the city to view the parades on the street below, at a time when women in the region were not meant to be seen in public.
Although going inside and learning about its history is certainly worth it. The best way to see the beautiful façade is to grab a chai in one of the rooftop cafes opposite, which offers the best view. Our favourite is Wind View Cafe, try to catch a table right at the front and take it all in.
Galti Ji – Monkey Temple
The Galti Ji temple is probably the most unique place you’ll visit in the Golden Triangle.
It is a Hindu pilgrimage site, and its quiet location, removed from the busy city, lends it a genuine spiritual ambiance. That is, until the resident monkeys make an appearance. There are more than 200 living in and around the grounds, and they are fascinating to observe. They are believed to embody the Hindu monkey god Hanuman and are well protected and looked after.
It makes a nice change of pace from all the busy cities and tourist sites so far, so enjoy a few relaxing hours, visiting the various shrines, temples, and natural springs, as well as watching cheeky monkeys go about their day.
Jaipur Back to Delhi
Assuming you are heading back to Delhi to catch an international flight, you have the same two options, both of which take around 5 hours, so you can choose whichever you are more comfortable with.
What to Eat in Jaipur
Jaipur is renowned for its traditional Rajasthani cuisine, which is predominantly vegetarian.
For the best experience, try a Rajasthani thali. A thali is a selection of small dishes of one cuisine, allowing you to try many different items in one meal.
Our recommendation for where to try a Rajasthani thali is Govindam Retreat, located near the City Palace and Hawa Mahal. They do a thali with 11 different dishes that complement each other wonderfully.
Where to Stay in Jaipur
Jaipur is home to many accommodation options known as “havelis”, a kind of traditional mansion.
We stayed in one called Umaid Bhawan, which has a fantastic ambience, and the rooms are full of character; it even has a swimming pool.
Golden Triangle Travel Tips
Best Time to Travel the Golden Triangle
The best time to take the Golden Triangle tour is during India’s winter, from November to February. During this time, the weather is cooler, often around 25°C in northern India, and also dry, as it is outside the monsoon season.
What to Wear in Northern India
The cities of the Golden Triangle — Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur — tend to be a little more conservative than other destinations in India. For female travelers, there is a comprehensive guide on how to dress in India to avoid offending or causing an incident.
We advise against wearing shorts or skirts and recommend bringing something to cover your shoulders, as you won’t be able to enter temples and mosques otherwise.
How Much to Budget for 5 Days
India can often be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be.
For the places we’ve recommended above, the cost would be approximately 6,000 INR per night for a room, 1,000 INR for each meal with a drink, between 500 and 3,500 INR for entrance to tourist sites, and 2,000 INR for travel between cities.
In total, a budget of 60,000 INR (approximately £500) for two people should be sufficient for the 5 days.
Where to Extend Your India Trip After the Golden Triangle
There are several options to extend your India trip, but some are easier to arrange than others.
Tiger Spotting in Ranthambore
The easiest and potentially most exciting way to extend your travels would be to visit Ranthambore National Park, considered the best place in India to spot tigers in the wild. Luckily, it is located just a few hours from Jaipur, making it a perfect option. When we visited, we were able to spot two tigers, one in each of the two safaris we attempted.
See More of Rajasthan
Rajasthan is the state most people travel to on their first visit to India, and with its fantastic diversity, it is easy to see why.
You could travel down to the lake city of Udaipur, known as the “Venice of the East”, an incredibly romantic place, where the James Bond film Octopussy was filmed.
Alternatively, you could head up to the desert city of Jaisalmer. It has a striking castle that grows out of the desert like a giant sandcastle. There is even the opportunity to ride camels into the desert and stay the night camping under the stars.
A comprehensive 7-day Rajasthan itinerary is what you really need for the ultimate experience.
Conclusion
Overall, the Golden Triangle is the ideal travel destination for first-time visitors to India for a reason. Whether you cover it in 5 days or at a slower pace, it will surely leave you wanting to come back for more. Its history, beauty, and culture are so obvious and are ready for you to experience too.