India’s Golden Triangle—New Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur—connects imperial avenues, Mughal marvels, and Rajput grandeur in a compact, endlessly fascinating loop. In Delhi, centuries layer gracefully: Sufi shrines and spice markets near modern galleries and gardens. In Agra, the Taj Mahal steals the breath, but sandstone Agra Fort and the delicate “Baby Taj” tell a fuller Mughal story. Jaipur dazzles with amber-hued forts, astronomical wonders, and workshops where block printers and gem cutters still practice heirloom crafts.

Expect a feast for all senses: temple bells at dawn, cardamom and ghee perfuming breakfast, and bazaars glinting with textiles and silver. Street food—from Delhi’s parathas to Jaipur’s kachoris—rivals fine dining, and sunsets over forts feel cinematic. You’ll move mostly by express trains and highway cars; mornings are ideal for transfers, leaving afternoons free for exploration.

Practical notes as of March 2025: apply for an Indian e-visa in advance, carry a scarf for temples, and hydrate generously (Delhi can be hazy in winter; Jaipur is dry). Digital payments (UPI) are common, but keep small cash for markets. The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; plan accordingly. Holi (spring) and Diwali (autumn) bring crowds and color—book early if traveling then.

New Delhi

India’s capital pairs Mughal-era silhouettes with Lutyens’ wide boulevards and a thriving contemporary scene. Wander Old Delhi by rickshaw past spice mountains and jalebi fryers, then exhale in tree-lined New Delhi gardens. From UNESCO giants like Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb to the street art of Lodhi Colony, Delhi rewards curiosity at every turn.

Getting there and around

• International flights: Fly into Indira Gandhi International (DEL). Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Local transport: Use the Delhi Metro (clean, efficient) plus tuk-tuks/ride-hailing for short hops. Early starts help you beat traffic and midday heat.

Where to stay

• Iconic stays: The Leela Palace New Delhi (opulent service, excellent dining), The Imperial, New Delhi (art-deco heritage and colonial-era galleries), ITC Maurya (home to Bukhara, famed for dal).
• Well-priced boutique: Bloomrooms @ New Delhi Railway Station (bright, functional rooms near transport hubs).
• Browse more: VRBO Delhi stays | Hotels.com Delhi listings

Days 1–4: Old Delhi, New Delhi icons, and contemporary culture

• Old Delhi immersion: Climb Jama Masjid’s minaret for city views, then roll by rickshaw through Chandni Chowk. Sample Paranthe Wali Gali’s stuffed parathas, try chole bhature at Sita Ram Diwan Chand, and peek into Khari Baoli—Asia’s largest spice market.
• New Delhi landmarks: Pay respects at India Gate and Rajpath, marvel at Humayun’s Tomb—prototype to the Taj—and the soaring Qutub Minar. Pause in Lodhi Gardens and stroll the Lodhi Art District’s murals.
• Temple & craft stops: Lotus Temple’s Baháʼí architecture is serene; nearby, Dilli Haat showcases handlooms and regional snacks in a curated market setting.
• Dining & drinks:
  • Breakfast/coffee: Indian Coffee House (retro filter coffee in Connaught Place), Blue Tokai roastery cafés, or Saravana Bhavan for crisp dosa and strong kaapi.
  • Lunch: Karim’s near Jama Masjid (kebabs and nihari with a Mughal lineage), Andhra Bhavan canteen (thali with spicy gongura), or Sodabottleopenerwala for Parsi classics like berry pulao.
  • Dinner: Indian Accent (inventive tasting menus—try the blue cheese naan), Bukhara at ITC Maurya (smoky tandoor specials; book ahead), or Dramz near Mehrauli for Qutub Minar views with cocktails.
  • Later: Sidecar in GK II (award-winning cocktails), Perch (wine + coffee bar) for a mellow close.

Book a top-rated city overview: Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options Available

Prefer a guided, multi-day Golden Triangle experience? Consider these well-reviewed options starting in Delhi:

• 3-Day Private Luxury Golden Triangle Tour to Agra and Jaipur From New Delhi
• 4 Day Golden Triangle with Ranthambore Tiger Safari Tour from Delhi

Travel to Agra (morning transfer)

• By train: Gatimaan Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra Cantt takes ~1h 40m. AC Chair Car ~$10–15; Executive Class ~$20–30. Check schedules and book on Trip.com Trains.
• By car: Yamuna Expressway, ~3.5–4.5 hours, ~$65–120 depending on vehicle and tolls.
• Day-trip alternative: Short on time? This award-winning Agra-by-train day tour includes transport and guiding: Taj Mahal Tour from Delhi by Express Train

Agra

Agra’s marble and red sandstone monuments embody Mughal refinement. The Taj Mahal—Shah Jahan’s ode to Mumtaz—is best at sunrise when marble blushes pink. Agra Fort reveals strategic might and family drama, while the petite Itimad-ud-Daulah (“Baby Taj”) glitters with pietra dura detail.

Where to stay

• Views of the Taj: The Oberoi Amarvilas (private terraces and a short buggy ride to the Taj’s gate).
• Great value: Courtyard by Marriott Agra, Hotel Taj Resorts, or Hotel Sidhartha (walkable to the Taj’s western gate).
• Browse more: VRBO Agra stays | Hotels.com Agra listings

Days 5–7: Taj sunrise, Mughal masterpieces, and a sunset garden

• Taj Mahal at sunrise: Arrive 30–45 minutes before opening; the light is soft, crowds thinner. Closed Fridays. Afterward, watch artisans demonstrate marble inlay—skills passed down since the Taj’s construction.
• Agra Fort & Baby Taj: Explore the fort’s Jahangiri Mahal and Musamman Burj (where Shah Jahan was once confined). Then visit Itimad-ud-Daulah for filigreed marble and riverbank calm.
• Mehtab Bagh at sunset: Cross the Yamuna to frame the Taj with gardens and the evening glow—ideal for photographers.
• Fatehpur Sikri (half-day): The red-sandstone former capital (UNESCO) sits ~1.5 hours away; admire the Buland Darwaza, Diwan-i-Khas, and Akbar’s harem complex.
• Eats & treats:
  • Breakfast/coffee: Sheroes Hangout (social initiative café with hearty parathas), or a quick masala chai at a street stall near Taj East Gate.
  • Lunch: Pinch of Spice (consistent Mughlai favorites), Joney’s Place (old-school thali and lassis near the South Gate).
  • Dinner: Esphahan at Amarvilas (refined Indian, live santoor), or Peshawri-style grills at a local tandoor spot; finish with petha sweets from Panchhi for a classic Agra souvenir.

Travel to Jaipur (morning transfer)

• By car: 4–5 hours via NH21, ~$95–150 depending on car class and stops (consider a detour to Chand Baori stepwell in Abhaneri).
• By train: 4–5.5 hours; fares ~$6–15 in AC classes. Check options on Trip.com Trains.

Jaipur

“The Pink City” parades pastel facades, astronomical ingenuity, and hilltop forts with elephant-path switchbacks. Amber Fort’s mirrored halls shimmer; Jantar Mantar’s instruments still take the sky’s measure. Markets brim with block-printed cotton, blue pottery, and kundan jewelry.

Where to stay

• Royal addresses: Rambagh Palace (a former royal residence with storied lawns), Trident Jaipur (lakeside near Amber), ITC Rajputana.
• City-center value: Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre, or backpacker-social at Zostel Jaipur.
• Browse more: VRBO Jaipur stays | Hotels.com Jaipur listings

Days 8–12: Forts, stepwells, artisans, and the flavors of Rajasthan

• Amber (Amer) Fort: Arrive early for the Sheesh Mahal’s sparkling mosaics; take the tunnel or jeep up (skip animal rides). Nearby, Panna Meena ka Kund is a photogenic 16th-century stepwell.
• City Palace & Jantar Mantar: City Palace displays textiles and arms of the Kachwaha rulers; Jantar Mantar’s sundials remain startlingly precise. Snap Hawa Mahal’s honeycomb facade from across the street—Wind View and rooftop cafés frame it well.
• Crafts & shopping: Visit Anokhi Museum for block printing in Amber; pick up quilts and cottons at Anokhi or Fabindia. Johari Bazaar (jewelry) and Bapu Bazaar (textiles) are best in late afternoon.
• Side trips: Nahargarh Fort for sunset over the city; consider a half-day to Chand Baori (one of India’s deepest stepwells) en route to or from Agra.
• Eat like a local:
  • Breakfast/coffee: Tapri Central (chaat with masala chai and city views), Curious Life Coffee Roasters (single-origin pours), or Anokhi Café (salads, quiches, carrot cake).
  • Lunch: Laxmi Misthan Bhandar (LMB) for Rajasthani thali and ghevar sweets; Rawat Mishthan Bhandar for pyaaz kachori and mirchi vada; Sahu Chai Wala for an old-town tea break.
  • Dinner: Spice Court for laal maas (fiery mutton curry), 1135 AD inside Amber for regal ambience, or Peacock Rooftop at Hotel Pearl Palace for relaxed grills and curries. For drinks, Bar Palladio’s blue interiors are iconic; Steam at Rambagh serves pizzas from a restored train car.

Departing Jaipur or returning to Delhi

• To Delhi by air: 55–70 minutes; ~$35–95 one-way. Compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• To Delhi by train: 4–5 hours; AC Chair Car ~$8–20. Check schedules on Trip.com Trains.

12-Day Flow at a Glance

• Days 1–4 (New Delhi): Old Delhi bazaar walk, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Lodhi Art, India Gate; optional private city tour.
• Days 5–7 (Agra): Taj Mahal sunrise, Agra Fort, Baby Taj, Mehtab Bagh sunset, Fatehpur Sikri.
• Days 8–12 (Jaipur): Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, markets and artisans, Nahargarh sunset, optional day trip to Chand Baori.

Optional: One-day Taj experience from Delhi if you decided to base in the capital and skip an overnight in Agra: Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train - TOP RATED

Across twelve days you’ll taste India’s layered history, from Sufi shrines and Mughal marble to Rajput battlements and craft ateliers. With sunrise Taj views, spice-laced meals, and fort-top sunsets, this Golden Triangle itinerary balances headline sights with authentic, local flavor.