Delhi, Agra and Jaipur in one loop, the classic first taste of India. What to see, how long to take, and how to make it comfortable.
If you've never been to India, the Golden Triangle is where most people start, and for good reason. Three cities, one manageable loop, and a run of sights that happens to include one of the wonders of the world.
The three corners
Delhi pairs Mughal grandeur, the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Humayun's Tomb, with the wide avenues of New Delhi. Agra is, of course, the Taj Mahal, best caught at first light, along with the mighty Agra Fort. Jaipur, the pink city, brings the Amber Fort, the City Palace and the Hawa Mahal. Fatehpur Sikri, the perfectly preserved 'ghost city', usually slots in between Agra and Jaipur.
How long, and how to do it well
Six days is the comfortable sweet spot, enough to see each city without a dawn-to-dusk scramble. A private air-conditioned car and a good local guide change the whole experience; the distances are real and the traffic has a life of its own. Dress modestly for temples and mosques, carry water, and leave an afternoon free for the bazaars.
Our six-day Golden Triangle does exactly this, and the longer versions add Amritsar or Kashmir if you'd like a bit more time.
