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...
The Golden Triangle map & highlights
India can be overwhelming, but the Golden Triangle is a perfect introduction to its magical menagerie. Don’t be put off by the notion of ‘tick box’ tourism, because it all lives up to expectations. The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, the pink city of Jaipur, palaces, desert forts... the Golden Triangle is like picking out the favourites from an exquisite box of handmade chocolates. You can’t eat them all at once anyway, and there’s a reason why certain ones are always in there. Because they are irresistible. Responsible holiday companies always find ways to take you to the next layer anyway, with local flavours and spices unexpected delights.
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
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
Rajasthan and Taj Mahal tour
Authentic experience of live like Royals of history.
From
£900 to £1650
12 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
Golden Triangle 9 day tour in India
Top Quality Golden triangle Trip at an excellent price.
From
£1099 to £1299
9 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
India tour, Taj, tigers and Ganges holiday
Experience the essence of northern India
From
£2200 to £2500
13 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle & Kerala holiday, India
Best of Golden Triangle & Kerala, a perfect intro to India
From
£1985
17 days
ex flights
Rajasthan holiday, private departure
Explore the beautiful and vibrant province of Rajasthan!
From
£3250
15 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
India tours, tailormade
India is a land sure to live up to expectations on this tailor made tour
From
£990 to £1890
11 days
ex flights
Northern India luxury tour
Famed luxury ,outstanding service of the Oberoi hotel group
From
£3900 to £4550
10 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
Rajasthan, off the beaten track tour
Discover the exotic extravagance of Rajasthan.
From
£1535
15 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
India Moghul highlights holiday
See Moghul art and architecture in Northern India
From
£1395 to £1490
10 days
inc UK flights
India family holiday, Taj, backwaters & beaches
Highlights trip to India that'll keep all the family happy
From
£1898
14 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle cultural tour, India
Art, architecture, history, museum & cultural
From
US $798
9 days
ex flights
Rajasthan 15 day tour
A well crafted northern Indian and Rajasthani experience
From
£1749
15 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
North India cultural tours
Experience the different colours of Indian life
From
£1150 to £2035
17 days
ex flights
Southern India 15 day tour
An exciting mix of the best that South India has to offer.
From
£1355
15 days
ex flights
Maharajas Express luxury rail holiday in India
The Maharaja Express travelling in style to a new level.
From
£2995 to £3450
5 days
ex flights
Rajasthan tailormade holiday
From palace hotels to luxury tents
From
£1777 to £1900
15 days
ex flights
The Golden Triangle holiday in India
Old Delhi, the city of Agra and Jaipur
From
£1295 to £1499
8 days
inc UK flights
1. Agra Fort
2. Delhi
3. Fatehpur Sikri
4. Heritage hotels
5. Jaipur
6. Karauli
7. Rail Journeys
8. Ranthambore National Park
9. Red Fort
10. Shekhawati region
11. Taj Mahal
12. Varanasi
2. Delhi
3. Fatehpur Sikri
4. Heritage hotels
5. Jaipur
6. Karauli
7. Rail Journeys
8. Ranthambore National Park
9. Red Fort
10. Shekhawati region
11. Taj Mahal
12. Varanasi
Agra Fort
1. Agra Fort
This was the emperors’ main residence during the years when Agra was capital city, and like so many of the forts along the Golden Triangle, has a whole city of mosques, palaces and pavilions inside its red sandstone walls. Just 2.5km from the Taj, don’t let the Taj upstage this one; it is a beautiful sight to behold. Also known as Lal Qila, Fort Rouge and Red Fort of Agra, it is not to be confused with the Red Fort in Delhi.
Delhi
2. Delhi
New and Old, it’s the latter, built in the Mughal period, that has the golden touch. Bursting not only with food (Chandni Chowk market is a must) but also no less than three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Humayun's Tomb, the extraordinary Qutub complex with its elegant 12th century 72.5m minaret, and Red Fort. Take your pick from a range of museums too, including the Toilet Museum. No s**t.
Fatehpur Sikri
3. Fatehpur Sikri
This fortified city just outside Agra is sometimes known as a ‘ghost town’, though it isn’t actually spooky at all. It’s just spectacular. Particularly at sunset when the red sandstone lights up with all the grandeur this architectural achievement merits. Once the Mughal capital, from 1571 to 1585, it still has a working mosque, Jama Masjid (one of India’s largest in fact), a bazaar and stunning gardens which are all full of life.
Heritage hotels
4. Heritage hotels
Rajasthan, the former princely state, does heritage rather brilliantly; its royal residences and forts now proffering some of the region’s most elegant hotels. You don’t have to be travelling on a five star holiday either, with most trips to the Golden Triangle incorporating at least one night in some of these palaces or historic buildings in Jaipur, Agra or Delhi. It’s all very Marigold.
Jaipur
5. Jaipur
It feels like a magical mix of Hollywood and Bollywood sets. Already a cultural gem, its starry status went through the roof after the success of 'Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’, set among the flower markets, bazaars, Amber Fort and Palace of the Winds, just one of the old city’s palaces. A city that is completely pink, part sandstone, part paint but making a very pretty whole.
Karauli
6. Karauli
A town in Rajasthan which is sometimes added onto a Golden Triangle itinerary, although off the main tourist trail. It is on the pilgrim trail, however, as it was home to Shri Madan Mohanji, an incarnation of Krishna, and has important temples. Stroll around the Old Quarter, market or surrounding hills for a much quieter view of Indian life. There are aso impressive heritage hotels nearby.
Rail Journeys
7. Rail Journeys
The rail network is no longer the overcrammed, people-hanging-out-of-carriages scene that it used to be. Take the Shatabdi Express between Delhi, Agra or Jaipur; Delhi to Agra, for example, takes two hours. Or take an AC sleeper train from Agra to Varanasi and wake up to pilgrims heading to bathe in the Ganges. More luxurious still, the Maharajas’ Express and Palace on Wheels trains are golden links within this glistening triangle.
Ranthambore National Park
8. Ranthambore National Park
The Golden Triangle is culture vulture heaven, but for real vultures and a hit of Attenborough-itis, don’t miss this home to over 60 Bengal tigers, sloth bears, nilgai antelope, sambar deer and jungle cats. One safari is good, but if you can fit in two, to really immerse yourself and take in the fact that this cocoon of conservation may be one of the last places on earth to see tigers, you won’t regret it.
Red Fort
9. Red Fort
Built by the same Mughal Emperor asthe Taj Mahal, this red sandstone structure is impressive in scale as are its gardens, which offer respite from the urban chaos of Delhi outside. An Indian icon, it was where independence was first celebrated and still is, every year. Stroll through majestic colonnades, admire artisan skills and elegant mosques, and visit War Memorial and Archaeological Museums.
Shekhawati region
10. Shekhawati region
Shekhawati is like a movie set in the desert. It is the place where Rajasthan’s rich and famous chose to build magnificent houses, with famously beautiful murals all around the rooms and courtyards. Built between 17th to 19th centuries, they were the homes of Marwari merchants, and while many have now gone to a place of much more faded glamour, others have been restored to their original glory.
Taj Mahal
11. Taj Mahal
Most people can’t fail to fall in love with this white marble mausoleum, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to his late wife. It is one of the finest things to come out of the Mughal architectural period, as is nearby Agra Fort – a marriage of red sandstone and white marble, set majestically on the Yamuna river.
Varanasi
12. Varanasi
You are stretching the triangle’s points by heading south to Varanasi, but you only need to extend your trip by a couple of days to visit this very sacred and vibrant spot. It also stretches you out of the crumbling heritage world into one of living culture, where thousands of Hindu pilgrims immerse themselves in the sacred Ganges River every day. Seeing this at dawn, in particular, is a very special experience.
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.
Golden Triangle journey times
The following times give you a rough idea of the driving and train times between the main attractions within the Golden Triangle.
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....
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.
The most important tip is to go with the flow and let India hit all your senses. It can be a bit overwhelming, but the Golden Triangle is incredible...
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] [Map intro: The Wandering Angel]
[Agra Fort: A.Savin]
[Delhi: Russ Bowling]
[Fatehpur Sikri: Sanyambahga]
[Heritage hotels: Archit Ratan]
[Jaipur : strudelt]
[Karauli: Pratyk321 ]
[Rail journeys: tjabeljan]
[Ranthambore National Park: bjoern]
[Red Fort: Travis]
[Shekhawati region: Saurabh Chatterjee]
[Taj Mahal, Agra: Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble]
[Varanasi: CC BY-SA 2.0]
[Journey times: John Haslam]
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