The Golden Triangle
India’s Golden Triangle refers to three prestigious points in Northern India: New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, which conveniently form a neat triangle on the map. It’s a golden one, though, because the highlights, stop-offs and UNESCO World Heritage Sites on this circuit are precious and prized: the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, the pink city of Jaipur, dazzling Delhi, palaces, forts, abandoned cities... Don’t be put off by the notion of ‘tick box’ tourism, either – all the Golden Triangle’s sights are genuine must-sees that are all uniquely moving and memorable – and do embrace this route if you’re new to India. It’s a country that’s vast and overwhelming, but the Golden Triangle eases you in. Rather than the full banquet that is India, the Golden Triangle is a perfect portion, with just the right balance of cultural sustenance, all delivered in a very digestible week.
How can I explore the Golden Triangle
How can I explore the Golden Triangle
Organised small group tours can lead you around the Golden Triangle in a week, travelling between the highlights by road. Purse friendly holidays are available that stay in budget hotels to keep costs down, but without scrimping on all the splendid sights. Or you can opt for a tailor made trip, travelling with a driver in your own private vehicle, and perhaps staying in wonderful heritage properties, too.
Tours tend to begin and end in Delhi, travelling to Agra in Uttar Pradesh and onto Jaipur in Rajasthan. One of the reasons this triangle is golden is because drive times between these highlights and cultural hotbeds are relatively small, for a country the size of India. Delhi to Agra takes about four hours, Agra to Jaipur around five and Jaipur back to Delhi is roughly six hours.
Our India Holidays
Golden Triangle with Ranthambore tour, India
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11 days
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Golden Triangle small group holiday, India
India's 3 most popular destinations, Delhi, Agra & Jaipur
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8 days
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Ideal if you're short on time but wish to see the real India
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Golden Triangle 9 day tour in India
Top Quality Golden triangle Trip at an excellent price.
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Authentic experience of live like Royals of history.
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Golden Triangle 7 day tour in India
Classic iconic trip for the India First timer..in style
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£790 to £1015
22 days
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Rajathan's palaces, the Taj Mahal & tigers
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£750 to £900
9 days
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Southern India 15 day tour
An exciting mix of the best that South India has to offer.
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£1355
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A well crafted northern Indian and Rajasthani experience
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Discover the evocative northern province of Rajasthan
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Best of Golden Triangle & Kerala, a perfect intro to India
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£1985
17 days
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Experience the essence of northern India
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£2200 to £2500
13 days
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Discover the exotic extravagance of Rajasthan.
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£1535
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Family holiday to India, sightseeing and safari
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£755 to £815
10 days
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Luxury Golden Triangle holiday in India
The Golden triangle Staying at the very best hotels in India
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Luxury Rajasthan holiday, 14 days
Experience life as a Maharaja in wonderful Rajasthan
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An ideal trip for the first-time visitor to India
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Golden Triangle cultural tour, India
Art, architecture, history, museum & cultural
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Journey around north India to experience the former Raj
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£3038 to £4880
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Rajasthan tailormade holiday
From palace hotels to luxury tents
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£1777 to £1900
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Explore the beautiful and vibrant province of Rajasthan!
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£990 to £1890
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India tiger safari & Taj Mahal tour
Tiger safari in India's National Parks
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£2633 to £4077
16 days
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Northern India holiday and food tour
Unique wildlife, fascinating Indian culture and spectacular Moghul architecture
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£1999
10 days
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India Golden Triangle 10 day tour
Introduction to the major sites of India
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£1172 to £1970
10 days
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Best of India holiday, private departure
18 day tour highlighting the heart of North and South India
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£3499 to £4799
18 days
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Adventure holiday in Rajasthan
Explore Rajasthan and cycle the country roads to Agra
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£1690
12 days
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Classic Rajasthan holiday in India
Discover India's desert state of Rajasthan in style
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£2449 to £2669
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Allow another week and throw in a domestic flight or two and you can explore further afield, to the Thar Desert for a camel safari, or to the beautiful towns of Jodhpur and Udaipur. Or dip south to Ranthambore National Park, around 180km from Jaipur, where 62 tigers and a host of other exciting wildlife lie in wait.
Highlights
Highlights of India's Golden Triangle
India’s capital New Delhi is the start point for most Golden Triangle trips, and its wonderful Mughal period architecture has the golden touch. The city is bursting not only with food (Chandni Chowk market is a must), but also three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Humayun’s Tomb, the extraordinary Qutub complex with its elegant 12th century minaret, and the Red Fort. Don’t miss the Jama Masjid, either, one of the largest mosques in India.
Agra in Uttar Pradesh is home to the world famous Taj Mahal, the white marble mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to his beloved late wife. It is one of the finest things to come out of the Mughal architectural period, together with the nearby Agra Fort, although be aware that until April 2018 the main dome of the Taj Mahal will be undergoing mud pack therapy to restore its original colour and will be covered in scaffolding.
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and nicknamed the pink city, thanks to the sandstone and paint that blush across its buildings, temples and monuments. Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds, is one of the city’s standout architectural wonders, but remember to tear yourself away and travel to the gorgeous Amber Fort, too, just 11km away. Already a cultural gem, Jaipur’s starry status went through the roof after the success of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, set among its flower markets and bazaars.
Not far from Agra, en route to Jaipur, lies the World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri. It was built as the fortified capital of the Mughal Empire, but abandoned in 1585. It’s still something of a ghost town, although its mosque, the Jama Masjid, built by the Shah Jahan in 1685, is still used and its bazaar and stunning gardens are all full of life. See it at sunset when its red sandstone architecture glows gorgeously.
Our top India Holiday
Golden Triangle small group holiday, India
India's 3 most popular destinations, Delhi, Agra & Jaipur
From
£558 to £675
8 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2018: 8 Nov, 12 Nov, 15 Nov, 18 Nov, 20 Nov, 25 Nov, 26 Nov, 27 Nov, 29 Nov, 4 Dec, 6 Dec, 10 Dec, 13 Dec, 18 Dec, 20 Dec, 21 Dec, 24 Dec, 25 Dec, 27 Dec, 30 Dec
2019: 1 Jan, 3 Jan, 7 Jan, 10 Jan, 21 Jan, 24 Jan, 31 Jan, 4 Feb, 5 Feb, 7 Feb, 8 Feb, 11 Feb, 14 Feb, 18 Feb, 19 Feb, 21 Feb, 25 Feb, 26 Feb, 28 Feb, 4 Mar, 5 Mar, 7 Mar, 11 Mar, 12 Mar, 14 Mar, 15 Mar, 18 Mar, 19 Mar, 21 Mar, 23 Mar, 25 Mar, 26 Mar, 28 Mar ...
2018: 8 Nov, 12 Nov, 15 Nov, 18 Nov, 20 Nov, 25 Nov, 26 Nov, 27 Nov, 29 Nov, 4 Dec, 6 Dec, 10 Dec, 13 Dec, 18 Dec, 20 Dec, 21 Dec, 24 Dec, 25 Dec, 27 Dec, 30 Dec
2019: 1 Jan, 3 Jan, 7 Jan, 10 Jan, 21 Jan, 24 Jan, 31 Jan, 4 Feb, 5 Feb, 7 Feb, 8 Feb, 11 Feb, 14 Feb, 18 Feb, 19 Feb, 21 Feb, 25 Feb, 26 Feb, 28 Feb, 4 Mar, 5 Mar, 7 Mar, 11 Mar, 12 Mar, 14 Mar, 15 Mar, 18 Mar, 19 Mar, 21 Mar, 23 Mar, 25 Mar, 26 Mar, 28 Mar ...
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about India or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
The beautiful Ranthambore National Park is a short detour off the Golden Triangle, but worth going out of your way for, since Bengal tigers, sloth bears, nilgai antelope, sambar deer and jungle cats make this place home. If time allows, fit in two safaris, to really immerse yourself in this unique centre of conservation. Once a hunting ground for Jaipur’s Maharaja, it’s one of the last places on earth to see tigers.
Best time to go
Best time to go to the Golden Triangle
The best time to visit the Golden Triangle is October to mid April, when you can expect temperatures of 22°C – 32°C.There is lots of walking and exploring involved while you’re here, which is no fun in extreme heat, so avoid May and June which can hit 45°C. The influence of the Himalayas means Delhi can experience freezing spells in January and February, while the monsoon, even if only in short bursts, can lead to floods from July to September. October and November are festival time, with Diwali always a delight, as is March, when Holi brings the famous colour throwing fests.
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Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: Uzi Yachin] [Top box - Jaipur: bjoern]
[Travelling by road - Red Fort: Travis Wise]
[Delhi: Juan Antonio Segal]
[Thar Desert: Abigail Becker]
[Humayun's Tomb: Jon Connell]
[Taj Mahal: Paul Asman and Jill Lenoble]
[Jaipur - Hawa Mahal: Ziaur Rahman ]
[Fatehpur Sikri: Ankur P]
[Ranthambore National Park: Wildnest Travel & Photography]
[Holi festival: J.S. Jaimohan]
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