India guide
Like India itself, our India travel guide is bursting with colour and spice.
THINGS TO DO IN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
Heritage is like honeycomb
Think of the Golden Triangle as a piece of Toblerone, solid and sublime, packed with legendary flavours. Cultural heritage is, of course, the honeycomb here, as you travel through periods of princes and palaces, Mughals and Maharajahs, each trying to outdo the other in terms of architecture, fortitude and craftsmanship. Thankfully, many of the great sites are in the safe hands of UNESCO for all to enjoy. Travel through not only great cities but also through time, seeing influences from the Mughal Empire, the Rajput royals and the British Empire. Cultural influences are everywhere, from the Chandni Chowk market in New Delhi to the Johari Bazaar in Jaipur, homestays in rural Rajasthan to heritage hotels overlooking the Taj Mahal.
If your vacation coincides with one of India’s famous festivals then your cultural experience will go off the scale. So will the crowds, but you just have to go with the flow. In fact, that is one of the big secrets of being able to truly immerse yourself in Indian culture in the Golden Triangle: look past the dust and the noise, crowds and cacophonies, and enter the otherworldliness of it all. In a world that is still deeply informed by religion, politics and heritage, you will be buzzing around that honeycomb.
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 $694 to US $1075
8 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
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
North India cultural tour
An adventure to one of the planet's exotic destinations
From
US $825 to US $1280
22 days
ex flights
The Golden Triangle cycling vacation in India
A fascinating introduction to Northern India
From
US $2060 to US $2100
11 days
ex flights
Nothing banal about buildings
Architecture is high on the list for anyone visiting the Golden Triangle. Mughal marvels include the world famous Taj Mahal and Agra Fort in Agra, the Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi and the impressive Buland Darwaza gateway at Fatehpur Sikri. The Mughals certainly liked their masterpieces to mark their presence. In Rajasthan, you enter the regal world of Rajputana architecture, famous for splendid interiors and intricate details. The Amber Palace in Jaipur with its geometric and detailed ethnic influences is one of the finest. The blue and golden interiors of Jaipur’s City Palace are exquisite as are the marble columns and geometric windows of Hawa Mahal Palace.
Colonial architecture has a somewhat different feel to it in the Golden Triangle at sites such as Delhi’s Sansad Bhavan, Connaught Place, India Gate, and Rashtrapati Bhavan. The latter is the President’s residence, but was built for the British Viceroy in 1911, when the capital was moved from then Calcutta to Delhi.
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.
1-866-821-6866
Call toll free
Calling from outside the USA
Indian food
It is such a relief to travel in a country where they don’t look at you strangely because you are vegetarian. And then lay out such feasts, too.![]()
Foodies are in heaven in the Golden Triangle, because not only does food play a vital role in the country’s culture, but it is delicious. It is also varied, with each region boasting so many specialties. The great thing about a Golden Triangle trip is that you cover three very different regions, so you will get to know each of the different influences. See our Indian cooking and food vacations guide for more details.
Tiger tiger shining bright
If you are lucky enough to see a tiger, don’t rush to grab your camera; it is a very emotional moment. So just enjoy it. It will be imprinted on your brain forever.![]()
Indian royalty features highly along the Golden Triangle, but the king of India’s jungle, the tiger, still holds court. Thankfully. There are about 60 in Ranthambore National Park, once a hunting ground for Jaipur’s Maharaja, and a popular addition to Golden Triangle itineraries, just 180km from Jaipur. Further away, but equally stunning, Kanha National Park, has about 100.
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...
Convert the Triangle to 3D and you have a pyramid of prestige, from palaces to places of worship, exquisite artforms and epicurean excellence....Convert the Triangle to 3D and you have a pyramid of prestige, from palaces to places of worship, exquisite artforms and epicurean excellence...
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...
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 capital of Rajasthan, this oasis in the desert state really is the jewel in the crown.
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
