RATED
OVERRATED
India guide
India is an explosion of colour. The Golden Triangle glistens with culture, Rajasthan has pink and blue cities, and Kerala has lush green Ghat Mountains...
Golden Triangle, India travel guide
India’s Golden Triangle refers to three prestigious points in Northern India: New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, which do indeed form a triangle on the map. Flying into New Delhi, the capital, then to Agra in Uttar Pradesh state, and onto Jaipur in Rajasthan. This is a country that certainly is far from ‘grim up North’: the majesty of Mughal architecture, from the Taj Mahal in Agra and the Red Fort in Delhi, to the palatial prettiness of the Rajput in Jaipur is inimitable.
I was so glad that I tagged a tiger safari onto my golden triangle trip. The architecture is extraordinary, but will probably always be there. The tigers might not be
You can hardly move for UNESCO World Heritage Sites although taking trains, rickshaws and even cycling between them is a great way to move through them. The ultimate Grrrrrreat thing to do, of course, is to see tigers in the wild en route. Because this Golden Triangle isn’t short on karats.
The Golden Triangle is/isn't...
The Golden Triangle is...
a way to see Northern India's wonders if you only have a week.
The Golden Triangle isn't...
just a triangle. Think of it in 3D, and you have more of a prestigious, packed-to-the-brim pyramid.
What we rate & what we don't
UNDERRATED
Our India Golden Triangle Vacations
Golden Triangle with Ranthambore tour, India
Brilliant experiences including Tigers and Temples
From
£1199 to £1299
11 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle small group vacation, India
India's 3 most popular destinations, Delhi, Agra & Jaipur
From
US $688 to US $975
8 days
ex flights
Rajasthan and Taj Mahal tour
Authentic experience of live like Royals of history.
From
£900 to £1650
12 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle 9 day tour in India
Top Quality Golden triangle Trip at an excellent price.
From
£1099 to £1299
9 days
ex flights
India 9 day express tour
Ideal if you're short on time but wish to see the real India
From
£1115
9 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle 7 day tour in India
Classic iconic trip for the India First timer..in style
From
£589 to £2899
7 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle & Kerala vacation, India
Best of Golden Triangle & Kerala, a perfect intro to India
From
£1985
17 days
ex flights
India tour, Taj, tigers and Ganges vacation
Experience the essence of northern India
From
£2505
13 days
ex flights
Luxury Golden Triangle vacation in India
The Golden triangle Staying at the very best hotels in India
From
£1349 to £3399
7 days
inc UK flights
Golden Triangle & tigers in India
Rajathan's palaces, the Taj Mahal & tigers
From
£750 to £900
9 days
ex flights
Rajasthan 15 day tour
A well crafted northern Indian and Rajasthani experience
From
£1749
15 days
ex flights
North India cultural tour
An adventure to one of the planet's exotic destinations
From
US $1012 to US $1435
22 days
ex flights
India vacations, The Golden Triangle, tailormade
An ideal trip for the first-time visitor to India
From
£830
7 days
ex flights
North India cultural tours
Experience the different colours of Indian life
From
£1150 to £2035
17 days
ex flights
India 23 day luxury tour
Take in the very best of what India has to offer in style.
From
£4154
23 days
ex flights
India family vacation, Taj, backwaters & beaches
Highlights trip to India that'll keep all the family happy
From
£2228
14 days
ex flights
Maharajas Express luxury rail vacation in India
The Maharaja Express traveling in style to a new level.
From
£2995 to £3450
5 days
ex flights
North India highlights tour
Journey around north India to experience the former Raj
From
£3038 to £4880
19 days
ex flights
Rajasthan experience vacation
Explore the mysteries of Rajasthan
From
US $1996 to US $2835
15 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle cultural tour, India
Art, architecture, history, museum & cultural
From
US $798
9 days
ex flights
Endangered wildlife tour in India
Endangered wildcat and birding wildlife tour in India
From
£1000 to £1200
13 days
ex flights
Rajasthan tours, India
Discover the evocative northern province of Rajasthan
From
US $1224 to US $1735
15 days
ex flights
Vegan vacation in India
Intricately carved temples, splendid palaces, delicious food
From
US $2440
12 days
ex flights
India Golden Triangle 10 day tour
Introduction to the major sites of India
From
£1172 to £1970
10 days
ex flights
Golden triangle homestay tour in India
Cultural and rural tour of Golden Triangle with Homestays
From
US $850 to US $1100
7 days
ex flights
Rajasthan, off the beaten track tour
Discover the exotic extravagance of Rajasthan.
From
£1788
15 days
ex flights
Golden Triangle express tour, India
A 4-day grand tour of the Taj Mahal and surrounding areas
From
Rupee 50000
4 days
ex flights
Luxury Rajasthan vacation, 14 days
Experience life as a Maharaja in wonderful Rajasthan
From
£4836
14 days
ex flights
Northern India luxury tour
Famed luxury ,outstanding service of the Oberoi hotel group
From
£3900 to £4550
10 days
ex flights
Food, shopping & people
Eating & drinking in the Golden Triangle
Delhi is the place to eat fantastic street food, otherwise known as chaat. One of Delhi’s signature dishes is nihari, a spicy meat broth served with tandoori rotis or khameeri rotis.
Get to know your thali, which are a bit like Indian tapas. All small bowls of deliciousness
In Rajasthan, the main staple is dal baati chura, lentil dal served with bread, or baati.
The famous butter chicken recipe originated in Delhi restaurant by accident, when the chef tossed in the wrong sauce. It’s everywhere now at restaurants or roadside dhabas.
People & language
Hindi is the main language in Northern India and the Golden Triangle region, although English is taught in most schools, and is widely spoken or understood. But people travel to work in the north from all over India, a country with 21 other official languages. Rajasthani is spoken by older people in Rajasthan.
‘Namaste’ is the common Hindi greeting for hello; however ‘Ram, ram’ is often used in Rajasthan instead.
Dhanyavad (Hindi) = thank you, although it is not used commonly, because kindness is seen as a given. And indeed it is given, over and over.
In Delhi, the lassis are mostly Punjabi, because half of the population is from Punjab. A bit like a frappe, it is made with whey and curd mixed into cow butter, and lots of ice.
Our top India Golden Triangle Vacation
Golden Triangle with Ranthambore tour, India
Brilliant experiences including Tigers and Temples
From
£1199 to £1299
11 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
This trip can be tailor made throughout the year to suit your requirements
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about India Golden Triangle or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
Gifts & shopping
In Rajasthan, check out splendid textiles designed by hand using wooden blocks.
For high quality handicrafts, state emporium Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Delhi is a must.
Hand lacquered products from bowls to bangles originate in India. The lac insects that secrete the main ingredient are indigenous to India.
Check out Rajasthan’s famous blue pottery, with Persian origins.
Seek out mojri leather slippers in Jaipur. For something a bit different, kites are big in Jaipur.
Shop ‘til you drop in India. But remember, if you want to donate things like medications and toiletries on your travels, you can also buy them locally. Win win.
What does it cost?
Tourist pass to cultural sites of Jaipur: £5
Autorickshaw around Jaipur for a day: £4-£5
Tourist day pass on Delhi Metro: £2.20
Train Delhi-Agra: £10 or £20 1st class
Bottle of beer: £1-£2
More about India Golden Triangle
In terms of temperature and rainfall, the best time to visit the Golden Triangle is from Oct to mid-April. See our month by month guide for more details...
It goes without saying that there are three highlights in the Golden Triangle. Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. But there are so many other treats en route...
From architectural greats to shopping at artisan stalls, and magnificent food throughout, he Golden Triangle offers myriad cultural experiences...
The ancient capital under Mughal rule, the city has nothing much to offer, but the great sites of Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal are what people come here for.
The most important tip is to go with the flow and let India hit all your senses. It can be a bit overwhelming, but the Golden Triangle is incredible...
From pollution to poverty, respecting cultural traditions to respecting animals, there are many responsible tourism issues to keep in mind...
More relevant guides
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Rawpixel.com] [Is/isn't: Joseph Bautista]
[Off the beaten track: VD]
[Delhi: Aman Tyagi]
[Shekhawati: Kandukuru Nagarjun]
[Art & artisans: Jeff Blum]
[Small group tours: Cambodia4kids.org Beth Kanter]
[Taj Mahal: Koushik Chowdavarapu]
[Jaipur: Mitchell Ng Liang an]
[Agra Fort: A.Savin ]
[Elephant riding: Piyush Kumar]
[Getting hung up on poverty: LASZLO ILYES]
[Tiger frenzy: JULIAN MASON]
[Exploitation of children: Surya Teja]
[Eating & drinking: shankar s.]
[People & language: Nhi Dang]
[Quote 1: Luisen Rodrigo]
[Gifts & shopping: Eric2753 ]
[How much does it cost - thandai drink: Kshitij Garg]
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