When I was a kid, I dreamt of visiting the Taj Mahal without really knowing what it was. I just knew it was in the same league as the great wall of China (also in my dreams and now fulfilled) and the pyramids (soon).
There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who have seen the Taj Mahal and love it, and those who have not seen the Taj Mahal and love it.
India was on Lonely Planet’s Best In Travel List for 2024. Coincidentally (or not?), this became the year I finally got my travel dreams fulfilled. But India’s a treasure trove of cultural gems and beyond Taj Mahal, you can have the place almost to yourself.
The easiest way to explore some of India’s finest is to travel the Golden Triangle.
What is the Golden Triangle?
The golden triangle is a triangular area in northern India between the capital Delhi and the city of Agra and Jaipur. It’s probably one of the biggest tourist attractions in the world. Why is the Golden Triangle golden? The reason is the amazing and unique cultural attractions like Taj Mahal.
Is it worth to travel to the golden triangle? For a cultural explorer, it is an absolute must! This is one of the best places in the world to explore world-class attractions only a short distance from each other. Which is also why the Golden Triangle made it to the top of my list of 11 Cultural Travel Destinations for 2025.
You can find my complete and extensive guide to a 11-day itinerary of India’s golden triangle here with practical info at the end.
Table of Contents
India's Classic Golden Triangle Itinerary
I love history and old stuff, so my 11-day itinerary around the golden triangle included ALL 8 UNESCO Sites, a side trip to a holy city but also a tiger safari for a break from the cities.
GOLDEN TRIANGLE: JAIPUR
Starting the tour in Jaipur. From Indira Gandhi Airport near Delhi it’s only 280 km, but expect 4,5-6 hours depending on traffic (it took me 6 hours unfortunately after a plane trip that went from 7 hours to 13!).
Jaipur was my first meeting with India. And many things is as expected. Cows on the freeway, large piles of garbage on the road, honking and amazing food. It’s not my first time in Asia, so I happily remembered how to navigate this type of traffic, but my mom panicked the first week. I found the city to be less crowded than expected and with more green areas.
Jaipur is also known as the pink city – the pink being the colour of welcoming. Fun fact: It was painted pink in 1876 because of visit of the prince of Wales. Jaipur was built in 1727 as a new capital instead of Amer. Read more on the sights on the local tourism site.Â
The Pink City
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Jaipur pink city is a UNESCO-listed area. The symbol of Jaipur and cover on Lonely Planet’s guidebook to India is the palace of Winds. It was built in 1799 by the Maharajah to allow the royal women to see life outside palace through one of the more than 900 windows. A pink golden cage. I prefer to see it from the outside.
The pink city plan is a grid planned after Hindu principles and with roads, markets and palaces. It also includes the City Palace in the style of Rajput and Mughal. The royal family still live here despite India is not a monarchy anymore.
Jantar Mantar Observatory
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Jantar Mantar is an astronomical observatory from the 1728. I have to admit I had difficulties imagining what this UNESCO-site actually was. Turns out it’s really fun if you’re into science or like to know what date it is.
We had a guide to show and tell and even though I normally don’t like being told what to see and impatience while I photograph, at this site it was really helpful. The maharajah who was behind the construction took 12 wives to match the zodiacs.
Jaipur Fort
Old Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Jaipur Fort or Palace is one of the most spectacular, I’ve ever seen and that’s saying a lot. Right by the old city of Amer, this impressive16th century palace complex lies on top of a hill and has panoramic views. Don’t miss the meeting hall Sheesh Mahal (mahal is mansion or palace) decorated with glass, mirrors and jewels.Â
Further up the hill lies Jaigarh fort and the two are linked by an underground passage, but I skipped it. It’s part of the serial UNESCO sites of Hills fort of Rajasthan.
Jaipur Tips
I recommend staying at an old haveli when visiting Jaipur or Rajasthan in general. A haveli is a palace from the 19th century. I stayed at the luxurious Alsisar Haveli (affiliated link. You pay the same, but I get a commission to travel for) and it was like being a maharaja. Marsala tea at the roof top, dinner in the garden accompanied by music and a pool for hot days. But expect many western residents.
GOLDEN TRIANGLE DETOUR: PUSHKAR
Pushkar is not part of the golden triangle, but worth a detour. From Jaipur it was a drive for 140 km and took 3 hours on a bad road. This holy city sees many pilgrims bathing by the many staircases (or ghats). It’s also a second home to many westerners finding a new spirituality.The city doesn’t serve meat or alcohol.
One evening, I visited the Brahma Temple. It’s the most important of the few existing. It was an daunting experience to throw my atheistic self into a complete unknown experience, and it was so overwhelming, I didn’t really see the 700 year old structure. But I will never forget it and that’s why most of us travel.
Pushkar Tips
Pushkar Cattle Fair is a giant thing. It’s one of the largest cattle fairs with a looooot of camels. Unfortunately (or maybe not) I arrived a few days before the fair really started. The tents and ferris wheels were going up, but not ready for fun.
After Pushkar, travel back to Jaipur and continue in the golden triangle to Agra. On the way lies Ranthambore about 5,5 hours in total by car.
GOLDEN TRIANGLE BONUS: TIGER SAFARI
By now you might some natural calm and to get away from the crowds and traffic. Make a short (or a bit longer) stop in Ranthambore National Park.
Hunting ground for the maharajas until 1955, some of the local politicians carried on hunting up until 2005(!). Since then number of tigers have risen.
We had an early morning tour and an afternoon drive. We didn’t see anything except a peacock on the first trip, but 10 minutes into the second tour, this beauty appeared on the road before us. What a day. I’ve been to safari before and seen the big five, but the tiger has a special place in my heart. Sightings are very frequent, but as always not guaranteed.
Ranthambore Tip
AGRA
Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur, near Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1571. It was to become the new capital, but after only a decade it became deserted. You take a small golf cart shuttle through the victory gate, which with its 54 meters maybe the tallest in the world. The city is a blend of Islamic and Hindu architecture constructed by mathematic principles – completely unknown and exciting to me.
Hardly any other visitors were there, maybe because it was hot. Don’t miss the outer passageway, Akbar used when visiting one of his many, many wives.
Taj Mahal
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
The most beautiful building on earth? So spectacular the sun and moon cries? It just might be!
Everyone knows about Taj Mahal and there are countless travel articles on this place, so I will not go into details. Taj Mahal is with good reason the most famous site in India and one of the most famous places in the world. The world’s 8th wonder (although I think it should be on the list instead of the Redeemer).
Taj Mahal was built in the 17th century by Shah Jahan as a tribute to his favourite(!) wife Mumtaz Mahal. You can see a small portrait of her in the little visited museum on the grounds. I’ve added a few more images of this stunning monument.
So was it worth it? Actually Taj Mahal wasn’t what affected me most while on this trip. But after coming home I have to pinch myself. I can’t believe, that I’m lucky enough to explore mankind’s greatest masterpieces.
Bonus: Across the river is the so-called Baby Taj, which alongside a tomb in Delhi served as an inspiration to Taj.
Akbar's Tomb
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
As if you hadn’t seen enough tombs, you can finish with the man behind Fatehpur Sikri and the son of Humayan: Akbar himself.
Also built 400 years ago and like the many other sites in the golden triangle made of red sandstone and marble. In the 17th century, a rebellion rose up and they ransacked the mausoleum, stealing valuables and burning Akbar’s bones. Luckily for us, a later viceroy of India, restored the Mausoleum.
Agra Fort
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Agra Fort – or the red fort – is one of the most spectacular forts, I’ve ever seen. And that’s saying a lot. The fort was the main seat for the Mughal emperor’s before the capital moved to Delhi. The 400-year old fort once was home to the famous peacock throne probably with the Koh-i-Noor diamond. The throne was sadly destroyed and the diamond most likely stolen by the British.
Don’t miss the octagonal tower Muthamman Burj, where Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son and from where he could watch Taj Mahal – the mausoleum he built for his wife. You can use the the view for a scenic sunset pic of the pearl.
DELHI
Delhi became the capital in 1911. It was the British who moved the capital here from Kolkata. The smoggy city with more than 30 mio. inhabitors has a bad rep.Â
To my surprise though, I found Delhi surprisingly easy to navigate, a lot more quiet and with more cultural experiences than I expected.
Attractions like the Lotus Temple: The flower is a symbol common to Hinduism, Buddhism, Bhai Temple Jainism and Islam. Visitors of all faiths are free to visit.
Qutb Minar Complex
New Dlehi, Delhi, Inida
Maybe like me you haven’t heard of this place before, but Qutb Minar was one of my top 3 attractions on my trip to India.
This is an old place. You’ll find India’s tallest tower – a 73 meters high minaret – from 1193. Built in Afghan style, which I have never seen before. The mosque here is the oldest in India. Definitely worth a visit and different than the other attractions in the triangle. Clearly a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Humayan's Tomb
New Delhi, Delhi, India
Another day, another mausoleum. Perfect for a dark tourists. Just like Taj Mahal, Humayan’s tomb was built by one spouse to another – only this time the senior wife had it made to honour her husband Humayan (Akbar’s father) and 60 years before the white pearl.
If it’s not hot and humid – as it was when I visited in November – the garden is lovely for a stroll. Since this place was an architectural inspiration for Taj Mahal, you might think it’s busy, but no: almost no visitors. Did I mention, it’s a UNESCO site? (#8 on the trip)
Red Fort
New Dehli, Dehli, India
The red fort in Delhi is not as spectacular as Agra Fort. And not a World Heritage Site. It is none the less an impressive monument and clearly very special for the locals. I visited at sunset, when the walls of the fort started glowing. The grassy areas were full of locals and couples enjoying the cooler temperatures after a hot day.
By now you probably need some marsala tea or a beer. So let’s move on to the practical questions.
PRACTICAL INFO
- How much time to visit the golden triangle? I spent 11 days including 2 days of flight, but I met another guy doing the tour in 5 days. If you exclude Pushkar and the safari you can cram a lot into 2 days in each place.Â
- Can you go on your own? I was travelling with my 70-year old mom as on most of my travels. She hadn’t been to Asia before and was a bit nervous, but I don’t like group tours. We compromised and had a company (state Express) to plan the trip for us. It costs more, but gives a hotline in case of anything goes wrong. It worked very well for us being alone, but not on our own.
- How to get around? You can circle (!) the golden triangle by bus, train or car. I prefer trains but for this trip, my mom and I had a private driver for the entire trip. It worked very well for us and if you’re lucky, you get some insider tips from th driver.
- When is the best time to visit? You can read anywhere that October to March is the best time. I went in November and it was 40 degrees, very humid and the smog completed destroyed my sunset pictures of Taj Mahal. I arrived on the final day of Diwali – expect fireworks and colourful saris, but also closed attractions.
- What to eat? I recommend Thali – a taste-it-all and breadrolls dish. Saag Aloo is the most wonderfull dish with spices and potatoes. I also had Palak Paneer numerous times – a spinach dish with a white cheese. Try both Naan, roti and paratha bread.
- Is is really that cheap? Make sure to have plenty of rupees and lots of small bills for tips and toilet visit. expect to pay a lot for entrance fees. We spent all in all around 2300 euro including driver, 5 star hotel and some souvenirs and about a 1000 cups of marsala tea. it can almost only be done cheaper.
- Is India safe? we didn’t experience any scams or safety issues, but of course be clever as you are everywhere
- Delhi belli? Is luckily becoming a thing o the past. I avoided any misfortune on strictly vegetarian diet, no ice cubes, a bottle of hand sanitizer and acid for the stomach. But my mom was less careful and still didn’t get sick.
- Buying souvenirs? Block-printed fabrics and gemstones. Emeralds are found locally. I also bought marsala tea and a bangle.
As a rule when travelling I always start with the most important location first, so there’s room for error, transportation mishaps and more. It’s a good rule I didn’t follow on this trip. If I had to do it again I would do the itinerary the other way around.
If you have more time and don’t mind flying domestic, I would include Varanasi.
I hope you’ve been inspired to explore more of the world’s history. Find more recommendations on World Heritage Sites here or go through the full list of places on UNESCO.
Have you been to Taj Mahal?
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A perfect trip for anyone who wants to see India’s true colors.
Thank you for writing. It definitely is.
I met so many lovely people and saw such amazing places.
Booked a Golden Triangle package last week—excited for the royal Jaipur vibes!
Thank you for sharing. That sounds exciting. It’s golden for a reason. I hope you have the best trip and enjoy Jaipur. Safe travels!
Such a wonderful itinerary — Golden Triangle Tour Packages are a perfect mix of sightseeing and cultural experiences.
A magical blend of Mughal elegance and Rajput grandeur!
Your tour plan is so detailed – makes me want to book right away!
Thanks for this inspring itinerary. Where did you book the private driver and do you have some specs about it. We prefer doing it by train also but for the detours a car with driver might be giving us more flexibility….
Hello,
thanks for your comment – and for reading.
We booked most of the trip trough a Danish company which just used an Indian company So will just book directly with a local company next time. The company we used was State Express. The driver was new, but very friendly and drove extremely carefully. They where in general very attentive – to the point where we felt like we needed to convince them we could do stuff on our own. Train is always fun and is some places probably even faster due to the infamous traffic, but we definitely saved time and hassle having a driver for detours. What I also like with a private driver is getting to know a local a bit more and to be able to stop along the way for unexpected sights.
I hope this helps.
Safe travels.
India’s Golden Triangle tour (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur)is a magical journey offering iconic sights like the ethereal Taj Mahal in Agra, majestic forts of Jaipur, and the bustling contrasts of New Delhi, showcasing India’s rich heritage