The red sandstone palace courtyards of Fatehpur Sikri, near Agra

India

Delhi, Agra and Jaipur

India's classic first trip, often called the Golden Triangle: the capital, the Taj Mahal and the pink city of Jaipur, each a few hours apart.

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These three cities hold some of the greatest buildings of the Mughal emperors and the Rajput kings, and they are close enough to see in a week. It is the most visited route in India, which is why it is worth doing carefully.

Timing is everything here: the Taj Mahal at sunrise, Old Delhi before the heat, Amber Fort when it opens. We plan each day around the light and the crowds, and add a quieter stop on the way.

Written by the TravelZeg team in New Delhi.

In short

Best for: A first trip to India, Mughal architecture, a short stay
Less suited to: Escaping the crowds; the Taj Mahal is busy all year
Best time: October to March. December and January bring foggy mornings that can delay trains and flights.
Ideal length: 5 to 7 nights.

Where to go

Delhi: Two cities in one: the lanes, mosques and markets of Old Delhi, and the tombs and gardens of New Delhi. Humayun's Tomb and the Qutb Minar are the highlights.
Agra: The Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra Fort, and the tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah across the river. Stay a night so you can see the Taj at first light.
Fatehpur Sikri: Akbar's abandoned capital, an hour from Agra, on the road to Jaipur. Most visitors drive past it.
Jaipur: Amber Fort, the City Palace, the Hawa Mahal and the bazaars of the pink city, plus block printing workshops in nearby Bagru and Sanganer.
On the way: Abhaneri's stepwell between Agra and Jaipur, or a night at Ranthambore to look for tigers.

In pictures

Delhi in pictures

Domes and a minaret of the Jama Masjid above the rooftops of Old Delhi — Old Delhi from the Jama Masjid

The red sandstone gate and towers of the Red Fort, with the Indian flag — The Red Fort

Shoppers in a crowded cloth market hung with bright fabrics — A cloth market in Old Delhi

The red sandstone and white marble dome of Humayun's Tomb behind a palm tree — Humayun's Tomb

The fluted sandstone tower of the Qutb Minar beside a domed gateway — The Qutb Minar

The white marble gurdwara and golden dome of Bangla Sahib reflected in its pool — Gurdwara Bangla Sahib

Our view

What we rate, and what we would skip

What we rate

Sunrise at the Taj Mahal

The light is soft, the marble changes colour and the crowds have not arrived.

Old Delhi on foot, early

With a guide who knows the families who run the spice market and the food stalls.

A night in a heritage hotel in Jaipur

Rather than a modern hotel on the bypass.

What we would skip

Visiting the Taj Mahal on a Friday

It is closed to visitors every Friday.

Doing all three cities in three days

Allow at least five nights, six with Ranthambore.

Shopping stops you did not ask for

Our guides do not take commissions from shops.

Practical

Getting there and around

Getting there: Fly to Delhi. Delhi to Agra by fast train (under two hours) or by road; Agra to Jaipur by road, about four to five hours.
Combine with: Rajasthan; Varanasi; Ranthambore; the Himalayan foothills.

Plan the rest

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