The Golden Triangle
Of Mughal marble and the Pink City: Old Delhi, the Taj Mahal at sunrise and the palaces of Jaipur.
7 Nights, 8 Days
Duration
3
Destinations
Old Delhi's lanes, the Taj Mahal at sunrise and the rose-pink streets of Jaipur, at The Leela Palace or The Oberoi.
Regions on this journeyUttar PradeshRajasthan
Overview
This 8-day journey traces India's classic Golden Triangle, from the historic lanes of Old Delhi to the marble splendour of the Taj Mahal and the rose-pink streets of Jaipur.
Beginning in Delhi, guests explore the city's contrasts on a guided heritage walk through Chandni Chowk, taking in the spice market of Khari Baoli, the jewellers' lane of Dariba Kalan and the magnificent Jama Masjid, before turning to the grandeur of New Delhi around Rashtrapati Bhavan, India Gate and the 12th-century Qutub Minar.
In Agra, guests visit Agra Fort and the exquisite Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah before rising early for a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the world's most celebrated monuments to love.
The journey concludes in Jaipur with the hilltop Amber Fort, the City Palace and Hawa Mahal, and a hands-on Rajasthani cooking class and dinner in a local home.
Throughout, guests stay at their choice of The Leela Palace or The Oberoi hotels, with a private English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle for the whole journey.
Highlights
- A guided heritage walk and cycle rickshaw ride through Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk and the Khari Baoli spice market
- A sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the world's most celebrated monuments
- The hilltop Amber Fort, approached by jeep
- A hands-on Rajasthani cooking class and dinner in a local Jaipur home
- A choice of five-star hospitality throughout, at The Leela Palace or The Oberoi hotels
- A private English-speaking guide and air-conditioned vehicle for the whole journey
Itinerary
A suggested journey
This is one way to experience the journey, not a fixed itinerary. Your specialist will adjust the pace, order and stops around you before anything is confirmed.
- Delhi
Day 1Arrival in the Capital of Empires
Touch down in Delhi, the city that has been capital to empire after empire. You will be met at the airport and escorted to your hotel for a smooth check-in. The rest of the day is yours: put your feet up, settle in and get ready for the eight memorable days ahead.
- Airport meet and greet with private transfer to your hotel
Day 2Spice, Silver and the Soul of Old Delhi
After breakfast, dive into the wonderful bustle of Old Delhi on a guided heritage walk and cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk (best on any day except Sunday, when many shops are closed). Follow your nose through the spice mountains of Khari Baoli, said to be one of the largest spice markets in Asia, browse the centuries-old jewellers of Dariba Kalan, and admire the sparkle of wedding trimmings in Kinari Bazaar. Round off the morning at the magnificent Jama Masjid, then drive past the Red Fort and Raj Ghat, the peaceful memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
- Heritage walk of Chandni Chowk (Khari Baoli, Dariba Kalan, Kinari Bazaar) with a cycle rickshaw ride
- Jama Masjid, with a drive past the Red Fort and Raj Ghat
Breakfast
Day 3Boulevards of Empire, Towers of Time
Swap yesterday's winding lanes for the wide, stately boulevards of New Delhi. Drive past the presidential Rashtrapati Bhavan and along the ceremonial Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath) to India Gate, then continue to the extraordinary Qutub Minar, a fluted sandstone tower begun in the late 12th century and carved with verses from the Quran. The afternoon is free to relax by the pool or explore at your own pace.
- Rashtrapati Bhavan, Kartavya Path and India Gate (photo stops)
- Qutub Minar
Breakfast
- Agra
Day 4Along the Yamuna to the City of the Mughals
After breakfast, say goodbye to Delhi and settle in for the drive south to Agra, around four hours. After checking in, spend the afternoon at Agra Fort, a mighty red sandstone stronghold rising above the River Yamuna, and at the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, nicknamed the "Baby Taj" for the delicate marble inlay work believed to have inspired the Taj Mahal itself.
- Private drive to Agra (approximately 4 hours)
- Agra Fort
- Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah (the "Baby Taj")
Breakfast
- Jaipur
Day 5Dawn Over the Taj, Dusk in the Pink City
Rise early for one of travel's great moments: watching the sun rise over the Taj Mahal (closed every Friday). Often called a poem in white marble, Emperor Shah Jahan's eternal tribute to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal is every bit as breathtaking as its reputation. Return to the hotel for breakfast, then drive to Jaipur, around five hours, arriving in time to check in and enjoy a first taste of the Pink City.
- Taj Mahal at sunrise (closed every Friday)
- Private drive to Jaipur (approximately 5 hours)
Breakfast
Day 6Forts, Palaces and the Stars of Jaipur
This morning, head for the hilltop Amber Fort, a honey-coloured citadel overlooking Maota Lake, arriving by jeep. In the afternoon, explore the City Palace, a striking blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture, and the Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century astronomical observatory, before driving past the beautifully restored Jal Mahal, a palace that appears to float on its lake. Round off the day with free time in the colourful Bapu Bazaar.
- Amber Fort, with a jeep ride on the approach
- City Palace and Jantar Mantar
- Drive past Jal Mahal
- Free time at Bapu BazaarNot guided
Breakfast
Day 7Winds, Worship and a Rajasthani Feast
Continue exploring Jaipur with a stop at the honeycombed Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, whose latticed windows once let royal women watch street life unseen. Later, visit the white marble Birla Temple to witness the Aarti, a moving ritual of light and devotion. This evening is the highlight of the stay: a hands-on Rajasthani cooking class in a local home. Your host, Geetanjali Singh, leads a stroll through the fragrant food, spice and vegetable markets of the Pink City before you roll up your sleeves to cook, and then enjoy, a delicious home-cooked feast with soft drinks.
- Hawa Mahal (photo stop)
- Birla Temple Aarti
- Rajasthani cooking class and dinner with Geetanjali Singh, with soft drinks
Breakfast and dinner (cooking class)
Day 8A Fond Farewell to the Pink City
All good things must come to an end. After breakfast, transfer to Jaipur airport in good time for your onward flight, taking home memories of forts and palaces, sunrise over the Taj Mahal, together with the tastes and the colours of Rajasthan.
- Airport transfer
Breakfast
Accommodation
Where you'll stay
The hotels we recommend for this journey are shown below for The Oberoi, the standard you have chosen. Your specialist will confirm the most suitable options and availability when your journey is planned.
Delhi
3 nights
Or The Leela Palace, New DelhiThe Leela Palace
Agra
1 night
Jaipur
3 nights
Or The Leela Palace, JaipurThe Leela Palace
Breakfast is included at every hotel. Hotels are as listed or similar, subject to availability.
The detail
What the price covers
Included
- 7 nights' accommodation at the hotels listed, or similar, on a twin sharing basis
- Breakfast daily, plus dinner at the Jaipur cooking class
- Airport transfers with staff assistance
- Private, air-conditioned transport for all transfers and sightseeing
- A private English-speaking guide for the whole tour
- Monument entrance fees for all sightseeing named in the itinerary
- A cycle rickshaw ride in Old Delhi
- Amber Fort jeep ride
- Two bottles of packaged water per person per day during drives and sightseeing
- All currently applicable taxes (5% GST at the time of writing, subject to change)
Not included
- International and domestic flights (domestic fares available on request)
- Travel insurance and visa services
- Personal expenses such as drinks, telephone calls and laundry
- Tips and porter charges
- Any additional costs arising from flight delays or cancellations, weather, political closures or technical faults
When to travel
October to March, when temperatures across Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are at their most comfortable for sightseeing. April to June is extremely hot, and July to September brings the monsoon rains. The tour is not offered between 20 December 2026 and 5 January 2027, and the Taj Mahal is closed every Friday, irrespective of season.
7 Nights, 8 DaysPrivate
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur
The Oberoi hotels
Ready to start planning?
Tell us what draws you to this journey, and we'll take it from there.
More in Journeys
Royal Rajasthan and the Golden Triangle
The Golden Triangle carried deep into Rajasthan: Jaipur, the Blue City of Jodhpur and the lake palaces of Udaipur.
Discover more
Rajasthan: On the Trail of the Tiger and the Leopard
The Taj Mahal and Rajasthan's hill forts, with a tiger safari in Ranthambore and a leopard safari in Jawai.
Discover more
Gujarat: Of Carved Wells and Roaring Forests
Stepwells, Sabarmati Ashram, royal Vadodara and the Asiatic lions of Sasan Gir: the state many of our families call home.
Discover more