Things to see & do in
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 small group holiday, India
India's 3 most popular destinations, Delhi, Agra & Jaipur
From
£540 to £675
8 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle with Ranthambore tour, India
Brilliant experiences including Tigers and Temples
From
£1199 to £1299
11 days
ex flights
North India cultural tour
An adventure to one of the planet's exotic destinations
From
£788 to £925
22 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
The Golden Triangle cycling holiday in India
A fascinating introduction to Northern India
From
£1835 to £2022
11 days
inc UK 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
Rajasthan 15 day tour
A well crafted northern Indian and Rajasthani experience
From
£1749
15 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle & tigers holiday in India
Rajathan's palaces, the Taj Mahal & tigers
From
£800 to £950
9 days
ex flights
India tour, Taj, tigers and Ganges holiday
Experience the essence of northern India
From
£2865
13 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
Golden Triangle express tour, India
A 4-day Express tour of the Taj Mahal, Delhi, and Jaipur.
From
Rupee50000
4 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 tours, India
Discover the evocative northern province of Rajasthan
From
£914 to £1180
15 days
ex flights
Luxury Rajasthan holiday, 14 days
Experience life as a Maharaja in wonderful Rajasthan
From
£4836
14 days
ex flights
Rajasthan tailormade holiday
From palace hotels to luxury tents
From
£1777 to £1900
15 days
ex flights
India holidays to the Golden Triangle, tailormade
An ideal trip for the first-time visitor to India
From
£970
7 days
ex flights
Family holiday to India, sightseeing and safari
Taj Mahal in Agra to the Palace of the Winds in Jaipur
From
£633 to £825
10 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
Golden Triangle and Kerala Tour
Two centre Golden Triangle & Kerala including the backwaters
From
£2280
15 days
ex flights
Rajasthan small group tour, India
Discover Rajasthan in depth
From
£1855 to £1975
16 days
ex flights
Accessible Golden Triangle tour in India
Experience the famous Golden Triangle of India barrier free
From
€2500 to €6000
10 days
ex flights
Vegan holiday in India
Intricately carved temples, splendid palaces, delicious food
From
US $2440
12 days
ex flights
India Moghul highlights holiday
See Moghul art and architecture in Northern India
From
£1773
10 days
inc UK flights
Rajasthan holiday, private departure
Explore the beautiful and vibrant province of Rajasthan!
From
£3250
15 days
ex flights
Rajasthan experience holiday
Explore the mysteries of Rajasthan
From
£1575 to £1835
15 days
ex flights
India highlight tour, North and South
Explore India's cultural diversity
From
£1649
13 days
ex flights
India holiday on a shoestring
Fantastic introduction to exploring Northern India
From
£520 to £539
8 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
Northern India luxury tour
Famed luxury ,outstanding service of the Oberoi hotel group
From
£3900 to £4550
10 days
ex flights
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 with Ranthambore tour, India
Brilliant experiences including Tigers and Temples
From
£1199 to £1299
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
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about India or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
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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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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