The Golden Triangle: India's Greatest Three-City Journey

The Golden Triangle is not just a travel itinerary — it is an initiation into the soul of India. In six days, you move through three thousand years of history: the Mughal splendour of Delhi, the eternal white marble of the Taj Mahal in Agra, and the painted palaces of Jaipur, the Pink City.

Delhi: Where Three Empires Left Their Mark

India's capital is overwhelming and exhilarating in equal measure. Start at Qutb Minar — a 72-metre sandstone tower that has stood since 1193 AD. Then Old Delhi for a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, the spice market that has supplied India's kitchens for four centuries. Humayun's Tomb, built in 1570, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the direct architectural ancestor of the Taj Mahal.

Agra: The Taj Mahal at Sunrise

Nothing in your photographs, no matter how many you have seen, prepares you for the Taj Mahal in reality. Arrive at the east gate at opening time to see the marble glow amber-pink before the crowds arrive. The symmetry is perfect. Agra Fort, a 2.5 km red sandstone citadel, completes the day — from its towers, Shah Jahan spent his final years gazing across the river at the tomb he built for his wife.

Jaipur: The Pink City's Forts and Bazaars

Jaipur rewards slow exploration. Amber Fort, perched on a hillside above a lake, is the most spectacular fort in Rajasthan. The City Palace is still partly inhabited by the royal family. Jantar Mantar — the 18th-century astronomical observatory — is a UNESCO site that predicted solar and lunar eclipses with remarkable accuracy. End in the bazaars: Johari Bazaar for jewellery, Bapu Bazaar for textiles, and the famous block-printing workshops outside the old city.

Best Time to Visit

October to March is ideal — clear skies, temperatures between 10°C and 28°C, and festival season. Avoid May–June when Rajasthan temperatures exceed 45°C.