North India Tours
Golden Triangle Tour
The Golden Triangle is the classic 6-day introduction to India, connecting Delhi, Agra and Jaipur in one smooth loop that takes in the Taj Mahal, the forts and bazaars of the Mughal capital, and the pink palaces of Rajasthan. It is the single most popular first journey through the country, and after 25 years of running it privately we have refined the pacing so you see the icons without ever feeling rushed.
Tour overview
Roughly 720 kilometres of well-maintained highway join the three cities into a triangle small enough to cover comfortably in under a week, which is exactly why it suits first-time visitors, families and travellers with limited time. You begin in Delhi, where Old and New Delhi tell the story of Mughal and colonial India within a few kilometres of each other; drive south to Agra for the Taj Mahal at its most photogenic; then turn west to Jaipur, the walled "Pink City" of Rajasthan, before returning to Delhi.
Era Tours operates this itinerary as a fully private, chauffeur-driven tour with hand-picked hotels in every category from comfortable 3-star to heritage 5-star palaces. Nothing is shared and nothing is fixed — the day-by-day plan below is our recommended flow, but we tailor the hotels, the pace and the sightseeing to your interests, whether that is Mughal architecture, photography, shopping or food.
The Taj Mahal, unhurried
We time your Taj Mahal visit to avoid the worst of the crowds and, where you wish, add a sunrise viewing — one of the great travel experiences on earth.
Three UNESCO-rich cities
Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and the observatory of Jantar Mantar all sit on the route.
Privately guided
Licensed local guides in each city, a dedicated car and driver throughout, and 24/7 support from our Delhi office.
Day-by-day itinerary
6 daysOn arrival at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport you are met with a traditional welcome and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to recover from your flight. Overnight in Delhi.
A full day exploring the two faces of the capital. Old Delhi centres on the Mughal-era Red Fort and the great Jama Masjid, with a cycle-rickshaw ride through the frenetic lanes of Chandni Chowk. After lunch, imperial New Delhi unfolds — India Gate, the Lutyens-designed government quarter, Humayun's Tomb and the soaring Qutub Minar. Overnight in Delhi.
- Red Fort
- — Shah Jahan's 1638 red-sandstone citadel on the Yamuna.
- Jama Masjid
- — India's largest mosque, completed in 1656 after 13 years.
- Humayun's Tomb
- — The 1570 garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal.
- Qutub Minar
- — 73m 12th-century victory tower and rust-free iron pillar.
After breakfast we drive south on the Yamuna Expressway to Agra, city of the Taj. After checking in you visit the Taj Mahal — the incomparable white-marble mausoleum Shah Jahan raised for Mumtaz Mahal — and the massive red Agra Fort. Overnight in Agra.
- Taj Mahal
- — One of the Seven Wonders of the World; 22 years in the making.
- Agra Fort
- — UNESCO World Heritage fort of Mughal palaces and audience halls.
We continue west to Jaipur, breaking the journey at Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's perfectly preserved 16th-century capital in red sandstone. Arriving in the Pink City by evening, you may attend the aarti at the Birla Temple. Overnight in Jaipur.
- Fatehpur Sikri
- — Founded 1569; the short-lived Mughal capital and birthplace of Akbar's "Nine Jewels".
A full day among the palaces and forts of Rajasthan's capital. You ascend to the hilltop Amber Fort, photograph the honeycomb façade of the Hawa Mahal, pause at the lake-set Jal Mahal, and explore the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory. Time is left for Jaipur's famous bazaars — blue pottery, textiles and gemstones. Overnight in Jaipur.
- Amber Fort
- — Hilltop fort-palace with the mirrored Sheesh Mahal.
- Hawa Mahal
- — The 953-windowed "Palace of Winds".
- City Palace & Jantar Mantar
- — Royal residence and UNESCO-listed 18th-century observatory.
After breakfast we drive back to Delhi in time for your onward flight, or extend your journey with us to Rajasthan, Varanasi or the Himalayas. Tour ends.
This itinerary is a suggested flow and is fully customisable — hotels, pace and sightseeing are tailored to you. Ask us to adjust it →
Places on this tour
What's included
- Accommodation on twin-sharing basis in your chosen hotel category
- Daily breakfast (meal plan as per itinerary)
- Private air-conditioned car with an experienced driver throughout
- All arrival and departure transfers
- Local licensed guides for city sightseeing
- All applicable taxes on the services quoted
Not included
- Monument entry fees and camera/video charges
- Lunches, dinners and drinks unless specified
- Any airfare, visa or travel insurance
- Tips, gratuities and personal expenses
- Single-room supplement for single occupancy
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions
Ideal for: First-time visitors, families and short-on-time travellers.
FAQ
Golden Triangle Tour — your questions answered
Five to six days is ideal for the Golden Triangle. That gives you two nights in Delhi, one in Agra and two in Jaipur — enough to see the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort and Mughal Delhi at a relaxed pace with comfortable driving days between each city.
The best time is October to March, when Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are cool and dry. April to June is very hot, and July to September brings the monsoon; both are quieter and cheaper, but sightseeing is less comfortable.
Era Tours runs the Golden Triangle as a fully private tour. You travel with your own car, driver and local guides, and the itinerary, hotels and pace are tailored to you — it is not a fixed-departure group coach tour.
The three cities form a triangle of roughly 720 km. Delhi to Agra is about 205 km (4–5 hours on the expressway), Agra to Jaipur about 240 km via Fatehpur Sikri (5–6 hours), and Jaipur back to Delhi about 260 km (5–6 hours).
Yes. The Golden Triangle pairs naturally with Ranthambore for tigers, Varanasi for the Ganges, Udaipur and the rest of Rajasthan, or Kerala in the south. Tell us your total number of days and we will design the extension for you.
