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
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£480 to £660
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Golden Triangle with Ranthambore tour, India
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Rajasthan and Taj Mahal tour
Authentic experience of live like Royals of history.
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Golden Triangle 9 day tour in India
Top Quality Golden triangle Trip at an excellent price.
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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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£589 to £2899
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Golden Triangle & tigers holiday in India
Rajathan's palaces, the Taj Mahal & tigers
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£750 to £900
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Rajasthan 15 day tour
A well crafted northern Indian and Rajasthani experience
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£1749
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North India cultural tour
An adventure to one of the planet's exotic destinations
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£756 to £950
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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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£1565
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Experience the essence of northern India
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£2505
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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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£1349 to £3399
7 days
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An ideal trip for the first-time visitor to India
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£830
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Rajasthan tours, India
Discover the evocative northern province of Rajasthan
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£963 to £1175
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Family holiday to India, sightseeing and safari
Taj Mahal in Agra to the Palace of the Winds in Jaipur
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Luxury Rajasthan holiday, 14 days
Experience life as a Maharaja in wonderful Rajasthan
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£4836
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Golden Triangle & Kerala holiday, India
Best of Golden Triangle & Kerala, a perfect intro to India
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£1985
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Discover the exotic extravagance of Rajasthan.
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£1788
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Northern India luxury tour
Famed luxury ,outstanding service of the Oberoi hotel group
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£3900 to £4550
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Discover Delhi, Agra and Jaipur
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£560 to £575
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Rajasthan experience holiday
Explore the mysteries of Rajasthan
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£1264 to £1880
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Classic Rajasthan holiday in India
Discover India's desert state of Rajasthan in style
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£2549
16 days
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Adventure holiday in Rajasthan
Explore Rajasthan and cycle the country roads to Agra
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The Golden Triangle holiday in India
Old Delhi, the city of Agra and Jaipur
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£1265 to £1570
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North India cultural tours
Experience the different colours of Indian life
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£1150 to £2035
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Maharajas Express luxury rail holiday in India
The Maharaja Express travelling in style to a new level.
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£2995 to £3450
5 days
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Rajasthan tailormade holiday
From palace hotels to luxury tents
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£1777 to £1900
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India tiger safari & Taj Mahal tour
Tiger safari in India's National Parks
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£2633 to £4077
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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 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
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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