India: The Golden Triangle in 8 Days
India
Overview
The Golden Triangle is India's most-travelled route for good reason: Delhi's layered Mughal and colonial history, the Taj Mahal in Agra — best seen at sunrise before the heat and crowds — and Jaipur's pink-washed old city and hilltop forts. All three are linked by a fast, comfortable expressway or train, making it manageable even on a first trip to India.
- Duration
- 8 days
- Pace
- Balanced
- Transport
- Mixed
- Estimated budget (comfortable)
- €750–€1,000
Route
1. Delhi2. Agra3. Jaipur4. Delhi
Highlights
- The Taj Mahal at sunrise
- Amber Fort above Jaipur, reached by jeep or on foot
- Delhi's Red Fort and the chaos of Chandni Chowk
- Jaipur's Hawa Mahal and pink old city
Worth knowing
- Delhi and Agra traffic can eat into sightseeing time — build in buffer
- November–February is smoggy in Delhi; April–June is extremely hot everywhere on this route
- Persistent touts around major monuments — a local guide can help filter the noise
Day by day
Day 1
DelhiMain activities
- Arrive, settle in
- Humayun's Tomb
Overnight: Delhi
Day 2
DelhiMain activities
- Red Fort
- Jama Masjid and Chandni Chowk
Optional additions
- Qutub Minar
Overnight: Delhi
Day 3
Delhi → AgraMain activities
- Expressway or train (~3-4h)
- Agra Fort
~3-4 hours · Yamuna Expressway by car, or the Gatimaan Express trainOvernight: Agra
Day 4
AgraMain activities
- Taj Mahal at sunrise
- Free afternoon
Optional additions
- Fatehpur Sikri day trip
Overnight: Agra
Buy Taj Mahal tickets online ahead — the sunrise slot sells out.
Day 5
Agra → JaipurMain activities
- Drive via Fatehpur Sikri (~5h)
- Settle into Jaipur
~5 hoursOvernight: Jaipur
Day 6
JaipurMain activities
- Amber Fort
- City Palace and Jantar Mantar
Optional additions
- Hawa Mahal photo stop
Overnight: Jaipur
Day 7
JaipurMain activities
- Old city bazaars
- Nahargarh Fort at sunset
Overnight: Jaipur
Day 8
Jaipur → DelhiMain activities
- Drive or train back to Delhi (~5h)
- Departure
~5 hoursOvernight: Delhi
Alternatives
Shorter version · 5 days
Drop Jaipur and do Delhi → Agra → Delhi as a shorter loop.
Longer extension · 12 days
Add Udaipur and Pushkar for a fuller Rajasthan loop after Jaipur.