India guide
India is an explosion of colour. The Golden Triangle glistens with culture, Rajasthan has pink and blue cities, and Kerala has lush green Ghat Mountains...
Golden Triangle travel advice
What not to miss
What not to miss
Steph Millington from our supplier, Intrepid:
“In Delhi, don’t miss a visit into the small narrow backstreets of Chandni Chowk and also see the magnificent Jama Masjid, Delhi’s oldest mosque. In Jaipur, the Palace of the Winds and the Amber Fort are unforgettable and in Agra, well it has to be the one and only Taj Mahal.”
Shanane Davis, from our supplier, True Luxury Tours:
“Do not miss Fatehpur Sikri nearby because architecturally it is a perfect mix of European, Jain, Rajput and Islamic influences. And although Agra is quite a difficult city, and not a very good representation of India, its buildings are definitely worth honouring.”
Our India Golden Triangle Holidays
Golden Triangle with Ranthambore tour, India
Brilliant experiences including Tigers and Temples
From
£1149
11 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle small group holiday, India
India's 3 most popular destinations, Delhi, Agra & Jaipur
From
£570 to £675
8 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle 7 day tour in India
Classic iconic trip for the India First timer..in style
From
£589 to £2899
7 days
ex flights
Rajasthan and Taj Mahal tour
Authentic experience of live like Royals of history.
From
£900 to £1650
12 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle 9 day tour in India
Top Quality Golden triangle Trip at an excellent price.
From
£1099 to £1299
9 days
ex flights
India 9 day express tour
Ideal if you're short on time but wish to see the real India
From
£945
9 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle & Kerala holiday, India
Best of Golden Triangle & Kerala, a perfect intro to India
From
£1985
17 days
ex flights
India tour, Taj, tigers and Ganges holiday
Experience the essence of northern India
From
£2200 to £2500
13 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle & tigers holiday in India
Rajathan's palaces, the Taj Mahal & tigers
From
£750 to £900
9 days
ex flights
Luxury Golden Triangle holiday in India
The Golden triangle Staying at the very best hotels in India
From
£1349 to £3399
7 days
inc UK flights
North India highlights tour
Journey around north India to experience the former Raj
From
£3038 to £4880
19 days
ex flights
North India cultural tours
Experience the different colours of Indian life
From
£1150 to £2035
17 days
ex flights
India Moghul highlights holiday
See Moghul art and architecture in Northern India
From
£1395 to £1490
10 days
inc UK flights
Golden Triangle express tour, India
A 4-day grand tour of the Taj Mahal and surrounding areas
From
Rupee50000
4 days
ex flights
India 23 day luxury tour
Take in the very best of what India has to offer in style.
From
£4154
23 days
ex flights
India holiday for solo travellers
Discover Delhi, Agra and Jaipur
From
£550 to £575
8 days
ex flights
Rajasthan experience holiday
Explore the mysteries of Rajasthan
From
£1584 to £1885
15 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle cultural tour, India
Art, architecture, history, museum & cultural
From
US $798
9 days
ex flights
Best of India holiday, private departure
18 day tour highlighting the heart of North and South India
From
£3499 to £4799
18 days
ex flights
India holidays to the Golden Triangle, tailormade
An ideal trip for the first-time visitor to India
From
£1350
7 days
ex flights
Family holiday to India, sightseeing and safari
Taj Mahal in Agra to the Palace of the Winds in Jaipur
From
£646 to £830
10 days
ex flights
Northern India luxury tour
Famed luxury ,outstanding service of the Oberoi hotel group
From
£3900 to £4550
10 days
ex flights
North India cultural tour
An adventure to one of the planet's exotic destinations
From
£782 to £945
22 days
ex flights
Golden triangle homestay tour in India
Cultural and rural tour of Golden Triangle with Homestays
From
£650 to £850
7 days
ex flights
Rajasthan tailormade holiday
From palace hotels to luxury tents
From
£1777 to £1900
15 days
ex flights
Rajasthan 15 day tour
A well crafted northern Indian and Rajasthani experience
From
£1749
15 days
ex flights
Transport tips
Transport tips
Steph Millington from Intrepid, our leading supplier of holidays in India’s Golden Triangle:
“Try out Delhi’s new, modern Metro, an iconic cycle rickshaw or even a hot air balloon ride over the pink city of Jaipur. Importantly, go with an open mind and be prepared to encounter hustle, bustle, excitement, noise and unusual smells!”
Tiger watching tips
Tiger watching tips
Paul Goldstein , top tiger safari guide and expert at one of our leading suppliers, Exodus:
“Much like mountain gorillas, you have to be aware that this is a desperately endangered species, so please try and look beyond your camera. I have led countless tiger safaris in India, but probably only have half a dozen really good photos. So, particularly when you see your first one, put the camera away because, firstly, you might not see another one and also, it is a deeply emotive moment. The photo will probably be rubbish anyway as you will be sobbing or shaking, as you should be. “
Packing tips
Steph Millington:
“Take a scarf (or buy one there). It’s a useful garment to cover up with because the heat can be searing, even when least expected, and if you’re visiting religious sites it’s appropriate to go with covered shoulders, so a scarf can come in very handy.”
Packing tips
Packing tips
Shanane Davis, Director of our supplier, True Luxury Tours:
“Most travellers come in winter and the difference in temperature between morning and evening can be a lot. So pack a sweater and socks. Also a rain poncho, as umbrellas aren’t practical here with the wind.”
Food tips
Food recommendations
Shanane Davis, Director of our supplier, True Luxury Tours:
“Do seek out Mughlai cuisine, which can be found in Old Delhi. It is a fusion of local with Persian cuisine and it is exceptional: complicated recipes with lots of different ingredients and very subtle spices. This is very different from what people expect of Indian cuisine which is more spicy and comes from Gujarat or Punjab. But these cuisines, that were in the different courts over time, are very sophisticated and very different. And most travellers don’t realise that it is available.”
Our top India Golden Triangle Holiday
Golden Triangle with Ranthambore tour, India
Brilliant experiences including Tigers and Temples
From
£1149
11 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about India Golden Triangle or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
Shopping tips
Shopping tips
Golden Triangle travel advice from Shanane Davis, from our supplier, True Luxury Tours:
“There are two worlds for shopping in India. Most people just see the low quality handicrafts made for tourists. But there are also the places where Indians like to shop, which sell things handmade in India but very high quality – perfumes, handmade silks and delicate decorative arts such as the traditional and indigenous lacquer work. For high quality, genuine handicrafts in New Delhi, go to the state emporium called Baba Kharak Singh Marg in Connaught Place.”
Andrew Appleyard from our supplier, Exodus:
“If you want to buy jewellery, head to Jaipur. But for gems, you really need to be with a reputable operator to make sure you are going somewhere where you will get a government certification, and that the operator or guide knows how to get recourse if you find out you have ended up with something that isn’t right. We are lucky that we use guides that have been around for a very long time and really know the good, responsible places to go.”
Delhi tips
Delhi tips
Kate Zhukova, from our supplier Rickshaw Travel, shares her thoughts on India’s capital city:
“Delhi can be quite overwhelming and the best survival advice that I can offer is to just go with the flow. Don't be scared. There are some beautiful places to explore that are really cool with vibrant food districts where there are loads of cafés and restaurants as well as plenty of street food stalls by the side of the road. Delhi has an excellent metro system and I'd definitely recommend taking a tuk tuk or rickshaw instead of a taxi or private car to get around the city.”
Health & safety in the Golden Triangle
HEALTH
SAFETY
Tips from our travellers
At Responsible Travel, we think the best people to advise our travellers are often... other travellers. They always return from our tours with packing tips, weather reports, ideas about what to do - and opinions about what not to.
We have selected some of the most useful Golden Triangle travel advice that our guests have provided over the years to help you make the very most of your holiday.
Remember to change your rupees back before customs on the way home as it is illegal to take currency out of the country. 
- Lisa Phillips
“We were really cautioned against using any form of elephant transport, because of the conditions that they are allegedly kept in. The tour leader was very geared up towards that.” – Anne Steyn
“The most memorable part? Indian train travel. Sumptuous hotels. Beautiful new Delhi. But end of May in India is probably too hot.” – Lydia Walton
“Take plenty of mossie spray and if you get a dodgy tum don't take Immodium - seek medical advice immediately to get the appropriate antibiotic.” – Debbie Gilliland
“Being exposed to a completely different world that seems to follow a completely different logic than what I'm used to…Be prepared for the cold in January and make sure to have warm, functional clothes and a sleeping bag.” – Judith Brockmann
“A mixture of cities and wildlife is good.” – Stephen Pick
“The most memorable part? Indian train travel. Sumptuous hotels. Beautiful new Delhi. But end of May in India is probably too hot.” – Lydia Walton
“Take plenty of mossie spray and if you get a dodgy tum don't take Immodium - seek medical advice immediately to get the appropriate antibiotic.” – Debbie Gilliland
“Being exposed to a completely different world that seems to follow a completely different logic than what I'm used to…Be prepared for the cold in January and make sure to have warm, functional clothes and a sleeping bag.” – Judith Brockmann
“A mixture of cities and wildlife is good.” – Stephen Pick
Ladies remember that bodies need to be covered a little bit more than maybe you're used to in the warm weather at home.
- Lesley Craven
“Plan your holiday to include several 2 or 3 day stops in a tranquil location to relax and absorb your impressions.” - Moyra Williams, on a tailor made holiday to the Golden Triangle
“The guide took all the hassle out of it. He gave us guidelines on costs, he showed us the best value for money places to eat in the location and doing activities as a group meant not only was it sociable, but we got good deals. We travelled at the end of the monsoon season so sometimes it was very wet and overcast, but the plus was that there were fewer tourists. You can opt out of activities so there was nothing I didn't enjoy.” – Hazel Durbridge
“I really enjoyed the overnight train rides to and from Varanassi. It was great to take part in something that it so inherent to Indian life, we met some great people on the train and it was an excellent way to see the countryside.” – Jerrine Barnett
"Ladies remember that bodies need to be covered a little bit more than maybe you're used to in the warm weather at home. We were surprised by how many women don't realise this. If the Indians think you're showing too much flesh at some sights you will be given shawls to cover your shoulders. Always travel with a sarong so you can cover up as the communal shawls have been well used!" - Lesley Craven
“The guide took all the hassle out of it. He gave us guidelines on costs, he showed us the best value for money places to eat in the location and doing activities as a group meant not only was it sociable, but we got good deals. We travelled at the end of the monsoon season so sometimes it was very wet and overcast, but the plus was that there were fewer tourists. You can opt out of activities so there was nothing I didn't enjoy.” – Hazel Durbridge
“I really enjoyed the overnight train rides to and from Varanassi. It was great to take part in something that it so inherent to Indian life, we met some great people on the train and it was an excellent way to see the countryside.” – Jerrine Barnett
"Ladies remember that bodies need to be covered a little bit more than maybe you're used to in the warm weather at home. We were surprised by how many women don't realise this. If the Indians think you're showing too much flesh at some sights you will be given shawls to cover your shoulders. Always travel with a sarong so you can cover up as the communal shawls have been well used!" - Lesley Craven
More about India Golden Triangle
In terms of temperature and rainfall, the best time to visit the Golden Triangle is from Oct to mid-April. See our month by month guide for more details...
Convert the Triangle to 3D and you have a pyramid of prestige, from palaces to places of worship, exquisite artforms and epicurean excellence....
It goes without saying that there are three highlights in the Golden Triangle. Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. But there are so many other treats en route...
From architectural greats to shopping at artisan stalls, and magnificent food throughout, he Golden Triangle offers myriad cultural experiences...
The ancient capital under Mughal rule, the city has nothing much to offer, but the great sites of Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal are what people come here for.
From pollution to poverty, respecting cultural traditions to respecting animals, there are many responsible tourism issues to keep in mind...
More relevant guides
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: Rawpixel.com] [Not to miss - Jama Masjid: Navaneeth Kishor]
[Not to miss - Fatehpur Sikri: Sanyam Bahga ]
[Transport tips: Y'amal]
[Tiger watching tips: JULIAN MASON]
[Packing tips - Steph Millington: Abhisek Sarda]
[Food recommendations: Abigail Becker]
[Shopping tips: Tom Thai]
[Shopping tips - jewellery crafting: Paul Arps]
[Delhi tips: Raghu Nayyar]
[Health & safety - locals at Taj Mahal: Martin Adams]
[Reviews intro: Mitchell Ng Liang an]
[Review 1 - Lisa Philips - rupees: Miran Rijavec]
[Review 2 - Lesley Craven: Owen Young]
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