India’s Golden Triangle – a perfect 7-day roadtrip itinerary 

India offers curious travellers a unique adventure regardless of which part of the very diverse country you choose to travel to.  Having visited here twice, it’s been quite a different experience.  

The first time included Mumbai and then a short flight south to Goa and relaxing at the beach. Nice!  This second visit was to Northern India, specifically to tick off a bucket-list sight – the one and only majestic Taj Mahal in Agra.

I always thought it was such a stunning building with an incredible story. that needed to be seen in person at some point in life. Here’s our Golden Triangle India itinerary to use as basis for your trip and some of the amazing places we visited and people we met.

Northern India

India is enticing and perhaps a little scary at the same time for first time visitors. This Golden Triangle India Itinerary is a great way to see and experience India.

Distances between the 3 cities that make this route up (Delhi, Jaipur, Agra) are not that far.  In fact it is easy to enjoy this trip by car with a good driver/guide. We absolutely don’t recommend visitors drive themselves in India! 

At the time of writing this India has a population of 1,435,054,761!  This represents almost 18% of the world’s total population. So you are going to see lots of people on your travels.

Occasionally, you may feel a little crowded out when you are in congested spaces like local markets in large cities. Not a reason to avoid busy places – more something to be aware of! 

Golden Triangle India Itinerary Route

This is an easy trip to fit into a week and although it is easy to stretch out to 10 days (or longer), here is our guideline to help you with base planning.

Where to Stay in Golden Triangle, India

Imperial Hotel, Delhi

Radisson, Agra

Samode Haveli, Jaipur

What to Know Before Visiting India

With travel, comes some of the necessary, sometimes, boring pre-planning. This is important for countries where you may need a visa, vaccination updates etc. In additional to our main 14 Day Countdown Travel Tips, we have some extra tips for a trip to India.

– Arrange your visa in advance, which you can do virtually. Use the Indian Government e-Visa site for details.

– Although you won’t need mandatory vaccination, do check with your Doctor to make sure, especially if you’re going into more remote areas of the country. Definitely pack some upset stomach medicine!

– Make sure you have your travel insurance in place.

– Currency. The local currency is the Indian Rupee (INR). Foreigners can’t take actual rupees into the country but you can exchange at the airport to have some small notes. 

– Food. Being a vegetarian I loved the food in India! I still salivate over a pineapple and lettuce smoothie in Goa 🙂 Many Indians restrict meat in their diet but it is not banned!  

Also you will see cows roaming around in public places. This is because they are viewed by some as sacred and therefore free to roam around. 

How to Get to India’s Golden Triangle

Getting here by air is easy. There are multiple flights into Dehli International Airport. We flew via British Airways from London which takes around 8 hours. Flights from the USA are plentiful too with all the major carriers offering routes. 

For example United fly from Newark to Delhi. It’s a 15 hour flight so perhaps consider a flying to Europe or Middle East and stop off for a day here to break the journey up a little.  There’s also great flight links from Asia and Australia to Delhi daily.

Transfers from Delhi Airport

Honestly, you won’t regret pre-booking a transfer from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi airport to your hotel.  After a long flight, you won’t want the stress of trying to get a transfer yourself into this massive city.

Our flight arrived after midnight but the hotel staff were very welcoming and nothing was too much trouble.

If you want to try your luck at public transport, there is a decent metro service (orange line) that takes around 30 minutes and is air-conditioned! You will arrive at New Delhi’s main railway station after a couple of stops en route.

Alternatively pre-book a taxi (you can do this when you make your hotel reservation) or simply book Uber. Just make sure you have wifi access to retrieve your booking when you get out of the airport!

How to Travel India’s Golden Triangle

If you are looking for more independent cheap travel to follow our Golden Triangle India Itinerary or India in general, check out the trains. It’s a great cultural experience but be prepared for crowds and a bit of chaos especially if you have luggage. The one exception is the luxury Palace on Wheels train trip which is a whole other adventure.

For train travel around the Golden Triangle, look for the day trains (called The Statabdis) with air conditioning. Check the latest routes, fares on Indian Railway System website. Another way to book independent travel is via the 12GO Asia App.

Highlights of The Golden Triangle

Each of us travels with our own unique interests, curiosity and list of things to see and do.  There’s so much to enjoy here but to help you start planning here are 16 experiences/sights not to miss on our Golden Triangle India Itinerary.

They are listed in the same order as our itinerary.

Delhi is a megcity (with 20 million+ inhabitants) and is comprised of two parts. Old Delhi to the north and New Dehli which is south. It’s possible to go on a tour and see them both in one day (5-6 hours) but we would say split your time so you can spend a couple of days in each.

Old Delhi Highlights

Although English is widely spoken, it’s best to have your hotel arrange a guide to help you get around efficiently.  Don’t miss:

The Red Fort

This impressive structure is a testimony to Mughal architecture with walls that tower to 75 feet (23m high). Built in the 1600s, it’s now a UNESCO heritage site.

Just wander around through the Hall of Public Audience with its 60 pillars and you will start to get a feel for the scale and grandeur over the centuries.(closed on Mondays) 

Rickshaw Ride through Chandni Chowk Market

Take a Cycle Rickshaw ride through Old Delhi’s famous Chandni Chowk market. Imagine whizzing past every possible imaginable market while your driver is constantly weaving and dodging hand-carts with fresh deliveries 🙂

This is all happening in a passage way that is only a few feet wide!  It’s chaos to the visitor but to those who make a living here it’s a skill or perhaps a fine art, essential to getting business done.  

Descend from your rickshaw to sample some local street foods like Dahi Balla. Foods cooked on the spot are the best option and as you eat, wander a little on foot to watch skilled artisans at work. The aromas from fresh spices awaken your senses at every turn!  (closed on Sundays)

Visit Raj Ghat Memorial

Pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy at Raj Ghat where his funeral took place back in 1948. The black marble block is quite distinctive.

Get here by the metro – the nearest station is Delhi Metro station on the Violet line, around 800 meters away from the entrance.

New Dehli Highlights

Stroll Around India Gate

India Gate is a familiar looking archway in Delhi. (think Arc de Triomphs, Paris)

Today it is a national gathering place for locals to celebrate and to mourn at a national level.  Originally built to honor fallen soldiers, it rises 43 feet tall and burns  4 eternal flames of remembrance.

Families, in particular, love to gather here and enjoy local foods from a variety of stands.

Qutub Minar Tower

The Qutub Minar is a symbolic tower of 73m (240 feet) celebrating a victory way back in 1199.  

Built of red sandstone and marble it is the tallest minaret of its type in the world.

If you like taking a Hop On-Hop Off bus of Delhi to get your bearings, then it’s easy to visit here as it is one of the stops.

Humayun’s Tomb

Humayun’s Tomb is another incredible feat of architecture and history. It was built for Mughal Emperor Humayun in 1500s and was a resting place for several members of this family.

Generally in this part of town it may appear more governmental in parts, but has a huge amount of culture and history to explore and enjoy. 

Dehli’s Lajpat Nagar Market

If you love shopping or are in the hunt for a hand-made suit, then head to Dehli’s Lajpat Nagar market!

It was started originally by refugees from Pakistan and has grown into a multi-national shopping district. Lajpat is the perfect place to buy quality fabric that you can whip up into a new dress when you get home 🙂

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi

Gurdwara Bangla Sahib is my favourite place to visit in Delhi.  

The waters in this Sikh house of worship are believed to have special healing powers and people transport them all over from this spot.  It has a real feeling of togetherness. I loved the kitchens here.  Operating as a charity, volunteers create food daily for thousands of people in need.

The scale is impossible to imagine until you walk through the kitchen with massive pots being stirred, and thousands of flat breads coming to life. I was totally in awe of such kindness and commitment. No shoes allowed and you need to cover your head while visiting.  

For more ideas on sights to see in Delhi, we suggest GetYourGuide Delhi App where you can check out many more ideas. You might see that tour operators offer a day trip from Delhi to Agra, but if you have come all this way, we highly suggest that you stay in Agra for a couple of nights.

Moving on: Delhi to Agra

Agra! Maybe for many of us coming here is the jewel of any Golden Triangle India Itinerary because we visit the incredible Taj Mahal!

The good news is that there is a highway between these two cities making the journey  much faster. But traffic can be heavy so if you are working to a tight timeline, build in a couple of hours, just in case.

Alternatively take a train from New Delhi to Agra. It takes 4-5 hours and there are plenty running daily.

Agra is located on the Yumuna river in the state of Uttar Pradesh.  To be totally honest, it is not the most beautiful city.  In fact, it has had quite an industrial past.  However, today the Taj Mahal is its shining glory, drawing millions to this otherwise less aesthetic city.

But, lift the lid on Agra and you will find much to explore, enjoy and great people to chat with! Also being on the river there is a lot of day-to-day life to watch.

Note: our hotel (Radisson) was within walking distance of the Taj Mahal and was a great location to explore the city. The Taj Mahal is closed to tourists on Fridays! 

Golden Triangle Jewel – Taj Mahal

Visiting the Taj Mahal. If you arrive in Agra in the afternoon, take advantage of heading out in the hour or so before sunset for a glorious view of the Taj Mahal from Metah Bagh (in English Moonlight Gardens). These gardens align perfectly with the Taj Mahal gardens, quite a feat back in the early 1500s.

Then at sunrise the next day, go visit the Taj Mahal. This is apparently the least busy time but our guide still had to queue for our tickets which go on sale an hour before sunrise.  I think it’s definitely worthwhile hiring a guide to help bring the story of this incredible feat to life.

It was fairly busy but not crowded when we entered and we took loads of photos before starting our walking tour. Good idea as later on it was pretty packed. 

This is a place to reflect about the power of love and legacy.  It’s a bit of a twisted story actually.  Emperor Shah Jahan decided to build this in honor of his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died giving birth to their 14th baby!

However, some, including his son, felt this to be an overly extravagant use of money.  When the tomb was finished, the Shah fell sick.  His son then imprisoned him for 8 years until his death. A family saga indeed!

Agra to Jaipur – Golden Triangle

This drive is again on decent roads but is a longer journey, taking around 5-6 hours to cover the 220 km. It’s worth stopping a couple of times en route so plan this with a driver in advance. We enjoyed:

-Fatehpur Skri (40km) from Agra very close to the Rajasthan state border. Despite being built as the Mughal empire capital, much of this city is now in ruins. In fact. it was only a city for 14 years because of a lack of water. Stop to see the Panch Mahal if you have time (a 5 level royal pavilion).

Make a wish at Chad Baori Well

Make a stop at the step well called Chad Baori in Abaneri. It’s a little closer to Jaipur and will need a little detour off the main route, but it’s totally worth it!

It was originally designed to collect rainwater and it is one of the country’s biggest and deepest step wells. Very simple but very effective!

Final Stop – Jaipur – ‘The Pink City’

See Hawa Mahal Day & Night

Don’t miss Jaipur on your Golden Triangle India Itinerary.  It’s a place you will never forget! it’s known as the pink city because walls were painted in this colour ahead of a royal visit! Most of the original wall is gone as the city has grown and modernized.

Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of the Winds is simply beautiful and especially worth seeing in the evening time when lighting changes the whole mood as the city quietens from the day-time bustle.

Spend a morning at Jantar Mantar

A real surprise was also a morning visit discovering the 19 astronomical instruments at Jantar Mantar.

This hands-on open air observatory dates back to 1728 and is a fantastic insight into early thinking in this field. You can easily spend a morning here.

Go early before it gets too busy and hot!

Tour the City Palace

The City Palace is like a piece of jewelry with its richness in colour, decor and design. I especially loved the ornate doors with such detail, wondering who created such intricate designs and hoped they were recognized for their talent!

Also try your hand at the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing. It was fun to watch the experts at work and then have a turn creating my own unique print. And of course, one of these hand printed items is the perfect souvenir!

There are many textile shops around so if you missed out in Delhi, you can browse to your heart’s content here!

Monkeys are everywhere in Jaipur and are cheeky, quick thieves around the market place.  Their speed at crossing think wires is remarkable. 

Explore Amber Fort Palace

Take a tour to the former state capital city Amber and to the magnificent Amber Fort. It’s a maze of walkways and passages with multiple rooms and balconies to admire views from.  

The fort sits on the Aravalli hills and a large lake is located just by it which creates reflections of the fort that are stunning!

As you approach the fort and park you may be approached and invited to take an elephant ride. Try to resist this because today there is a lot of effort going into returning elephants to their natural habitat and lives.

Hit the Bazaars of Old Jaipur

Go Shopping (again!) It’s no surprise to learn that Jaipur is known as the craft hub of India.

There are literally hundreds of craftspeople at work as you walk through this older part of Jaipur. Silver, precious stones, painting, sewing – it’s all going on right on the street or in small shops that spill onto the pavements.

Jaipur has great street food to sample too including pakoras, samosas and lots of candies.  Delicious!

Then, turn the corner and you’re in a world of flowers, literally decorating the street for miles.  Bright reds, orange and yellow! These markets are very local, are extremely busy and a wee bit smelly so be prepared but don’t miss out on seeing real life!

Sneak in a Cooking Class

We wanted to do a Cooking Class in India and were advised Jaipur was the best place.   We cooked with the family learning about how they lived as a multi-generational family in their 2 -story home with a beautiful courtyard. 

Being vegetarian, the food was fantastic and who knew how much could be done with 5 simple ingredients: garlic, tomatoes, eggplant (aubergine), turmeric and cumin!  Having prepared the food, we then sat down together as an ‘extended’ family and enjoyed dinner. It was a memorable night in Jaipur!

If you enjoy markets why not also check out our Affordable Vietnam and Bali Itinerary and read more about Hanoi’s amazing open air markets.

Complete Your Golden Triangle Route in Delhi

The return road trip from Jaipur to Delhi is around 260km. Its a fairly easy drive of 2-3 hours.

If you can squeeze in another couple of days, take yourselves to Ranthambore Park before you head back to Delhi. Its about 160km from Jaipur.

Wrap Up

India is an incredible destination! It is worth the little extra effort to create a trip of a life-time to this part of the world. It may help to use a local travel agent to help you check out different parts of the country and itineraries to suit your budget and available time. But it is absolutely possible to create a trip on your own! 

We feel combining the Golden Triangle with a trip to Goa is a good combination of city and beach time.

Alternatively, if you have time maybe combine this with a trip to Sri Lanka and The Maldives where you can relax on beautiful beaches after all your touring around!