Are you looking for the perfect itinerary for the Golden Triangle in India? Look no further! This itinerary will take you to Delhi, Agra (famous for the Taj Mahal) and Jaipur, the pink city, in 4, 5 or 6 days. It also includes everything you need to know in order to plan your trip easily.
India’s Golden Triangle is a famous tourist route that got its name from the triangular shape formed by the three cities when you connect them on a map.
This route will bring you along spectacular forts, architectural marvels and one of the seven wonders of the world – the famous Taj Mahal.
The Golden Triangle is perfect for you if you want to see some of India’s highlights and get a taste of what this country is all about. It includes some of India’s best cultural destinations. This being said, India is a huge country that’s incredibly diverse and you could easily spend a lifetime exploring everything it has to offer.
But without further ado, here’s the 4, 5 or 6-day itinerary for the wonderful Golden Triangle of India, one of Asia’s cheapest destinations.
Itinerary for India’s Golden Triangle in 4, 5 or 6 days
This India Golden Triangle itinerary is pretty straightforward. It’s ordered by day and includes everything you need to know to do this trip independently.
Although this itinerary can be done in 4 days if you’re short on time, I would recommend doing it in 5 or 6 days to get the most out of it.
I’ve included a map and a day-to-day schedule (for 4, 5 and 6 days) a the end of this post. I hope this will make it a little bit easier for you to plan your trip.
Day 1: Delhi
This itinerary starts in Delhi, the capital, which is where most people will begin their journey in India.
Contrary to its reputation – because let’s be honest, Delhi doesn’t have the best reputation out there – this city has a lot to offer! India’s vibrant capital is full of beautiful temples and other buildings, including some of the most famous landmarks in India.
After hearing so many horror stories about this city, I was actually pleasantly surprised when I visited Delhi for the first time! However, I have to admit that it’s not all rainbows and sunshine and that there are plenty of scams here. Don’t keep this from visiting Delhi, however, as there are some truly magnificent things to see here!
But I’m drifting off.
It’s good to start the first day early, especially if you only have 4 or 5 days to spend on this Indian Golden Triangle itinerary. This way, you will be able to cover a fair part of Delhi’s most beautiful and interesting places.
>> Read: 11 Tourist Scams in Delhi to Avoid
Highlights of Delhi:
- Red Fort: This enormous fort was built in the 17th century and it was once the residence of the Mughal Emperors. You will find some beautiful structures and an enormous garden here.
- Humayun’s Tomb: Humayun’s Tomb was the first garden tomb in the Indian subcontinent. It was built in 1570 and, back then, it was grander than any other mausoleum ever built in the Islamic world. This tomb later inspired the construction of the beautiful Taj Mahal.
- Lotus Temple: The Lotus Temple is a unique piece of architecture that was built in 1986. This lotus-shaped temple is a Bahá’í House of Worship. This faith teaches the essential worth of all religions and the unity of all people. It’s the perfect place to escape the chaotic centre of the city for a while.
- Chandni Chowk: Head to this bustling market to get a real feel of Delhi. This is one of the city’s oldest and busiest markets and it’s full of merchants selling anything from spices to saris. You may just find the perfect Indian souvenir here!
Have a look at my itinerary for 1 day in Delhi to find out how to make the most of your stay in the capital. It’s perfect for first-timers and includes the city’s highlights.
>> Read: Is Delhi Safe? A Solo Female Traveller’s Perspective
Day 2: Delhi to Agra & Agra fort
Today, you will have to make your way from Delhi to Agra, which is home to the famous Taj Mahal. I went from one city to another by train but you will find the other ways to travel from Delhi to Agra later in this post.
It takes about 4 hours to travel between these cities. So if you leave in the morning, you will have time left to visit Agra Fort in the afternoon – and no, you don’t want to head straight to the Taj Mahal as the best time to visit it is at sunrise!
Agra Fort
Agra Fort is the city’s second most popular tourist attraction. This gigantic landmark is also called the Red Fort, just like the one in Delhi. It was built by the Mughal emperor Akbar between 1565 and 1573 and served as the residence of the Mughal Dynasty for 65 years until the capital was moved from Agra to Delhi.
You will find some impressive structures inside Agra Fort and it also offers a unique view of the astonishing Taj Mahal.
Book a ticket for the Taj Mahal
If you haven’t already, you will want to book a ticket for the Taj Mahal today. This can easily be done online. This way, you won’t need to worry about queues and buying tickets tomorrow morning.
>> Read next: What to Wear in India: 5 Tips + Outfit Ideas
Day 3: Taj Mahal
On the third day of this itinerary for the Golden Triangle of India, we’re going to wake up super early to head to the Taj Mahal for sunrise. This place is on top of many traveller’s Indian travel bucket lists!
The Taj Mahal opens 30 minutes before sunrise and that’s the perfect time to arrive. What time exactly that is, however, varies according to the season. So it’s good to check with your hotel the day before.
This wonder of the world was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who passed away in 1631. It’s a spectacular piece of architecture that’s almost completely symmetrical!
The only exception is Shah Jahan’s cenotaph (empty grave). It can be found next to his wife’s cenotaph inside the mausoleum. It’s widely believed that this is not where the emperor’s cenotaph was meant to be.
Make sure to read my tips for visiting the Taj Mahal before your visit. There are quite some things to know in order to make the most of it… and to be allowed inside in the first place.
Other things to do in Agra
Here are some other things to do in Agra if you would like to spend more time here. I have to admit that Agra is not my favourite city in India, though. I thought the merchants were more aggressive here compared to any other place in India (which kind of says a lot).
- Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah: Often called the “baby Taj Mahal”, this was the first mausoleum in India that was made entirely of marble. It was built at the demand of Nur Jahan, the wife of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, in memory of her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg. The latter’s title was Itmad-ud-Daulah, hence the name of the Baby Taj.
- Metabh Bagh: This park will offer you a different view of the Taj Mahal. It’s located across the river on the backside of this wonder of the world. Note that you do have to pay a fee in order to enter this park.
- I won’t include Agra Fort here (well, technically I just did), as I mentioned it on day 2 of this Golden Triangle itinerary.
Agra to Jaipur
After spending the day (or half a day) in Agra, it’s time to head to Jaipur, the so-called pink city of India. Here, you will find some of Rajasthan’s most important historical landmarks. It takes about 4 hours to get from Agra to Jaipur.
I headed there by train, but there are other ways to get there too (you will find these later in this post). Don’t forget to book your tickets in advance if you’re taking the train, though (but more about this later too).
Day 4 (and 5, optional): Jaipur
Contrary to Delhi and Agra, which are in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Jaipur is in Rajasthan, a state that’s famous for its forts and palaces. This city is also called the “pink city” due to its pink (actually it’s more salmon orange) coloured buildings.
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and it’s a nice introduction to the state. It boasts an interesting culture and it’s home to some astonishing, salmon-orange landmarks.
Highlights of Jaipur
- Hawa Mahal: This building has one of the most beautiful facades I’ve ever seen and it’s a place you absolutely cannot miss on a visit to Jaipur! The Hawa Mahal was constructed in 1799 by Kachhwaha ruler Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Its purpose was to provide royal women with a view of everyday life through the 953 windows. These women could not appear in public, after all.
- Amer Fort: The enormous Amer Fort was completed in 1599 and it’s one of the most famous forts in the state of Rajasthan. You will see some pretty amazing architecture here, including the stunning Sheesh Mahal, and you will also have a chance to learn more about the interesting history of this state.
- City Palace: Jaipur’s City Palace is another piece of beautiful architecture that cannot be missed during a visit to the pink city. It was built in 1727 when Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II moved the capital from Amer to Jaipur.
- Patrika Gate: If you’re into photography, you will LOVE Patrika Gate. This colourful gate serves as an entrance to Jawahar Circle Garden and it’s incredibly photogenic. Surprisingly, this is also one of Jaipur’s newest attractions. It was only built a couple of years ago, in 2016, but it’s already one of the city’s highlights.
Have a look at my 2-day itinerary for Jaipur to find out how to spend 2 days in the pink city. You will find the other highlights of Jaipur in this post too, along with some useful information.
Back to Delhi
If you only have 4 days to spend on the Golden Triangle Route, then it’s time to head back to Delhi this evening.
However, if you have 5 or 6 days, you can spend another day in Jaipur and head back to Delhi in the evening of day 5.
It’s good to know that there are plenty of other great things to do in Jaipur. You could visit other forts, for example, or pay a visit to the Monkey Temple, which is a major Hindu pilgrimage site.
>> Read next: How to AVOID Getting Sick in India: 10 Tips You Need
Day 6: Delhi (optional)
If you have 6 days to spend on this Indian Golden Triangle itinerary, you can either spend another day visiting Delhi or do a day trip from Delhi.
There are a ton of things to discover in Delhi but there are also plenty of nice day trips that you can make from this city.
Some of the best day trips from Delhi are Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, which is great for bird lovers, Vrindavan, the holy city where Krishna spent his childhood according to the legend and Nuh, which is famous for its ancient fort ruins.
If you decide to spend one more day in Delhi, you could head to Qutub Minar, one of the tallest minarets in the world, Akshardham, a beautiful Hindu Temple or the National Gandhi Museum, where you can learn more about Gandhi. But the possibilities are endless!
Golden Triangle of India itinerary and map
You will find a map and a day-by-day itinerary (for 4, 5 and 6 days) for India’s Golden Triangle below. I hope this will help you plan your trip.
4-days and 5 nights Golden Triangle itinerary
Although it is possible to do the Golden Triangle in 4 days, I would recommend doing it in at least 5 days.
Day 1: Delhi
Day 2: Delhi to Agra & Agra Fort
Day 3: Taj Mahal
Day 4: Jaipur & back to Delhi
5 days and 6 nights Golden Triangle itinerary
Day 1: Delhi
Day 2: Delhi to Agra & Agra Fort
Day 3: Taj Mahal
Day 4: Jaipur
Day 5: Jaipur & back to Delhi
6 days and 7 nights Golden Triangle itinerary
Day 1: Delhi
Day 2: Delhi to Agra & Agra Fort
Day 3: Taj Mahal
Day 4: Jaipur
Day 5: Jaipur & back to Delhi
Day 6: Delhi
Best time to visit the Golden Triangle in India
The best time to visit India’s Golden Triangle is between the months of October and March. This is in the Winter when the weather is at its best and it won’t be too hot.
April to June are the Summer months, which will be blistering hot. I was in India in April and decided to escape to the mountains because of the torrid heat. So if you can’t handle the heat quite well (I really underestimated Indian summers) then this is not the best time to go here.
I visited the Golden Triangle during the monsoon, which is from July to October. Although it was still quite hot, it didn’t rain too much.
How to get around
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are three very well-connected cities that are easy to reach. They’re all a 4 to 5-hour journey from one another, so you won’t have to spend too much time on the road (especially not in Indian terms).
How to get from Delhi to Agra, Agra to Jaipur and Jaipur to Delhi
The easiest ways to get from one city to another are the following:
- Train: Taking the train is an easy and cheap option to get around India. Note that you will have to book trains in advance, though, as they tend to fill up quickly. It’s good to know that there are different classes in Indian trains, some have AC and others don’t. Keep this in mind while booking your train.
- Bus: Another option is to take the bus, but this is a less popular one that takes a bit longer. However, if there are no train tickets left, it’s good to know that taking the bus is also an option.
- Private car: A third option is to either hire a car with a driver or rent a car and drive yourself. This is a flexible way to get around but it is more expensive too.
- Tour: If you don’t want to organize things yourself, you could opt for this 6-day Golden Triangle tour that includes Udaipur, the so-called city of lakes.
Tip: Make sure to book your train tickets in advance if you’re getting around by train, as trains tend to fill up quickly in this part of the country. This can easily be done online. 12GoAsia is the only website I could find where you can book tickets with a foreign credit card and it didn’t disappoint!
How to get around in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur
Once you’re in a city, you can easily get around by one of the following options:
- Auto-rickshaw: The easiest way to get around cities is by taking an auto-rickshaw. You can find these nearly everywhere but if you don’t want to haggle, it’s better to book via the Ola app. This app works like Uber and this way, you will get a fair price immediately. Rickshaw drivers are notorious for charging foreigners 10 times the local price, after all.
- Bus: If you want to get around the city using public transportation, you can take the bus. This a very cheap way to get around and there are many public buses in all three of these cities (although I would recommend taking the metro instead of the bus in Delhi).
- Metro: This one is only for Delhi, note that there’s no metro system in Agra and Jaipur. The metro in Delhi, on the other hand, is wonderful (I’m a big fan)! It has AC, it’s cheap and it’s the fastest way to get from one place to another as there’s a lot of traffic in Delhi.
Golden Triangle Itinerary in India: FAQs
Is the Golden Triangle in India worth seeing?
Yes, India’s Golden Triangle is definitely worth seeing! It includes some of India’s most famous landmarks like the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Hawa Mahal in Jaipur and the Red Fort in Delhi.
How long does it take to do the Golden Triangle in India?
You will need at least 4 days to complete the Golden Triangle. This being said, I recommend doing it in at least 5 days to get the most out of your experience.
How do you plan a Golden Triangle trip?
You can either follow this guide and do the trip independently (it’s easy!) or book a Golden Triangle Tour. The latter is perfect for you if you don’t want to organize things yourself.
Golden Triangle itinerary in India: Final thoughts
India’s Golden Triangle is a route that includes some of the country’s most spectacular landmarks. This itinerary is perfect for first-timers who want to get a taste of what this country is all about.
Another thing that’s nice about this route is that the distances aren’t too big (because India, you are a HUGE country). But even by covering short distances, you will get to see many incredible forts, beautiful palaces and one of the seven wonders of the world.
During my visit to the Golden Triangle, my jaw literally dropped a couple of times. Not only is the architecture stunning, but the culture is fascinating too, which makes for an unforgettable trip!
If you have more time in India, I would recommend heading to Rajasthan next. This state is full of amazing forts and palaces, and it has a fascinating culture as well. Check out my itinerary for 7 or 14 days in Rajasthan here.
Read more about India:
– The Cost of Travel in India: How Much Does it Cost?
– Solo Travel in India: A Complete Guide
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