7-day itinerary
7-Day Golden Triangle
Delhi, Agra & Jaipur
The Golden Triangle is India's most iconic cultural circuit, weaving together Mughal grandeur, Rajput opulence, and the electric pulse of ancient bazaars into one unforgettable journey. From the red sandstone mosques of Old Delhi to the marble perfection of the Taj Mahal and the rose-pink palaces of Jaipur, every day rewrites your idea of beauty.
Morning: Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport, check into your hotel in Paharganj or Karol Bagh, then fuel up with a masala chai and aloo paratha at a local dhaba before heading to the 17th-century Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque.
Afternoon: Plunge into the sensory chaos of Chandni Chowk, weaving past silver merchants, street food stalls and flower sellers, then visit the Sisganj Gurdwara to witness the Sikh langar community kitchen in full swing.
Evening: Take a cycle-rickshaw back through the old lanes at dusk and dine on butter chicken and roomali roti at the legendary Karim's restaurant, just steps from Jama Masjid.
Morning: Arrive early at Humayun's Tomb when crowds are thin to appreciate its perfectly proportioned Persian garden layout, which directly inspired the Taj Mahal, then walk to the adjacent Isa Khan's octagonal tomb complex.
Afternoon: Stroll along Rajpath to India Gate, then explore the magnificent Qutb Minar complex and its 73-metre victory minaret built in 1193, the tallest brick minaret in the world.
Evening: Browse the boutique craft shops of Khan Market for quality Indian handicrafts, then watch the professionally staged sound-and-light show at Red Fort narrating 300 years of Mughal history.
Morning: Board the 6:00 Gatimaan Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin station, arriving in Agra in under two hours, then check in and head directly to Agra Fort to explore Shah Jahan's marble apartments where he was imprisoned with a view of the Taj.
Afternoon: Cross the Yamuna to Mehtab Bagh, the Mughal pleasure garden directly opposite the Taj Mahal, for a serene late-afternoon view of the monument reflected in the river — far fewer tourists than the main entrance.
Evening: Wander the lively Sadar Bazaar for marble inlay souvenirs and leather goods, then eat at Pinch of Spice restaurant for excellent Mughlai cuisine including dal bukhara and seekh kebabs.
Morning: Enter the Taj Mahal compound at 6:00 for the magical sunrise when golden light warms the white marble and mist hovers over the reflecting pool, spending at least 90 minutes to absorb both the main mausoleum and Mumtaz Mahal's jewelled cenotaph.
Afternoon: Drive 40 km west to Fatehpur Sikri, the perfectly preserved ghost capital Akbar built and then abandoned after only 14 years, exploring the Diwan-i-Khas and the ornate tomb of Sufi saint Salim Chishti.
Evening: Return to Agra for a rooftop dinner at Saniya Palace Hotel restaurant, where Mughal-era recipes are served with a direct unobstructed view of the illuminated Taj Mahal glowing amber in the night.
Morning: Depart Agra by hired car on the NH21 through Rajasthan's dusty scrubland, stopping at the 16th-century Abhaneri stepwell (Chand Baori) — 3,500 stone steps descending 20 metres in geometric perfection and virtually tourist-free.
Afternoon: Arrive in Jaipur and drive directly to Amber Fort on the city's northern edge, climbing to the hilltop citadel and marvelling at the Hall of Mirrors (Sheesh Mahal) whose single candle once lit the entire chamber.
Evening: Check into your hotel in the Pink City's old quarter, then stroll through the illuminated Johari Bazaar buying Rajasthani lac bangles and visit the floodlit Hawa Mahal façade at night when it glows like a coral honeycomb.
Morning: Visit the City Palace museum at opening time to see the two colossal silver urns — each holding 900 litres of Ganges water — that Maharaja Madho Singh II carried to England in 1902, then explore the private Chandra Mahal tower.
Afternoon: Walk to Jantar Mantar, the 18th-century astronomical observatory whose 19 masonry instruments can still measure solar time to within two seconds accuracy, then spend two hours in the textile district watching block-print artisans at their craft.
Evening: Attend a classical Kathak dance performance at Chokhi Dhani cultural village or Ravindra Rang Manch theatre, followed by a traditional Rajasthani thali dinner of dal baati churma served on a silver plate.
Morning: Devote your final morning to Jaipur's speciality markets — blue pottery at Kripal Kumbh workshop in Bani Park, gemstones along MI Road, and hand-stitched quilts (razais) in the old city's Tripolia Bazaar.
Afternoon: Visit the tranquil Sisodia Rani Garden, a lesser-known terraced Mughal garden with painted pavilions depicting Krishna legends, then explore the hilltop Nahargarh Fort for the best panoramic view over the entire Pink City.
Evening: Enjoy a farewell sundowner at Bar Palladio inside a blue Indo-Italian palace, then transfer to Jaipur International Airport for your flight home or onward connection via Delhi.
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