Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra are some of the most popular places to visit. The fact that they are close to each other makes them the perfect places for a road trip. These places are so popular together that they are called the Golden Triangle India tour. It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.
The old world charm of colonial Delhi, the Indo-Islamic architecture in Agra, and the Rajput heritage in Jaipur make them the perfect place to visit. Let’s take you around one of the most iconic and popular tourist circuits in India, the Golden Triangle, formed by the historic cities of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. These vibrant cities in the heartland of India offer a glimpse into the country’s diverse culture and Architectural Marvels. We will give you an itinerary plan, a budget, and a detailed guide to this happening tourist circuit.
New Delhi Travel Guide: First Stop of the Golden Triangle
How to reach New Delhi?
The first stop in the Golden Triangle India Trip is New Delhi or Delhi. So get ready to explore the heartland of North India. This journey usually begins in the bustling Lanes of Delhi, as it is the capital city, it’s well connected by Road, Rail, and Airways through all of India. You’ll find flights at prices anywhere upwards of 5,000 rupees. It will get you here in an hour or so from Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, or any other major cities.
Although a good flight saves up on travel duration, it can’t beat the joy of a scenic train ride on Express trains. Various trains connect Delhi with various Indian cities. Tickets cost anywhere between Rs 600 to Rs 4,000 rupees depending on the budget, type of coach and journey duration. Delhi is also accessible by Road, quite well connected by highways, and that’s why it’s the best location to begin this golden triangle journey.
Things to Do in Delhi
Top Historical Places in Delhi
Once you arrive, you will realize Delhi is an incredible blend of old meets new. The city is home to numerous monuments, iconic Forts and ancient structures which lie amidst the skyscrapers and bustling streets. We have the legendary India Gate, which stands as a memorial to the 75,000 soldiers of the Indian army who died between 1914 and 1921 in the First World War.
Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the president of India, is also located in Delhi. The interior is not open to the public. Visitors can admire the building from outside and take a stroll through the adjacent Gardens.
Jantar Manar is an astronomical Observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in the 18th century. It houses several architectural instruments designed for astronomical observations, such as Sun dials, Celestial Globes, and instruments to measure time and track celestial bodies.
The Qutub Minar is one of the tallest brick minarets in the world standing at 73 M. It is surrounded by several other historically significant structures like the mosque. This makes it a remarkable example of indo-islamic architecture dating back to the 16th century.
The Purana Killa is one of the oldest forts in Delhi and a significant historical landmark. Another one is Humayun’s tomb, which was built in the 16th century after the demise of the Mughal emperor Humayun. All of these attractions are best visited early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds and enjoy the peaceful structures.
Delhi also boasts of diverse religious sites, the Serene Lotus Temple and Akshardham Temple, the historic Jama Masjid, and Gurdwara Bangla Sahib are amongst the famous religious sites here. These sites not only serve as places of worship but also offer insights into Delhi’s religious diversity.
Best Street Food & Restaurants in Delhi
Old Delhi also has one of the most popular and oldest neighborhoods of the city. We have the Chandani Chowk, which is famous for ethnic wear and legendary eateries stalls, which are over 60 to 70 years old. Shops here have actually been passed on through generations. Most stuff here is a mixture of pure veg and non veg and can also be found without onion and garlic. The parathas in the paratha gali come in different flavors and varieties. They are deep-fried in oil and ghee, so you can imagine how flaky they must be. They also come with a side of Chutney and some subzi.
Legendary and old place to eat in Chandni chowk is Giani di hatti, this has been here since 1956. It is serving breakfast items like Chole Bhature rajma chawal and lassi, it is actually pretty famous here. Lassi wala is another great place for lassi. They have a huge variety in flavors and the Malai on top of the lassi is simply wow. Another place to grab a sweet bite is the old famous Jalebi Wala, the Jalebi are the thick ones but super delicious. People who are not accustomed to food like this can visit other places such as Khan Market or CP.
Budget and Luxury Hotels in Delhi
Connaught Place is like the business district of New Delhi. This place has huge skyscrapers, the Central Park garden and so many food joints. One of the oldest restaurants in Delhi is here, the embassy. It has been here for probably more than 70 years. This is a good place to enjoy North Indian Cuisine and they have an equal Variety in vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.
If you want a place that has delicious food as well as good Ambiance, then you can visit cafes. One of the most famous cafes is The Big Chill Cafe. A famous chain of Delhi is a place that is buzzing with energy and yet has a vintage charm. They serve ice cream, cakes, desserts, and snacks. This Cafe is informal and casual, but they always have a lot of waiting, so be prepared for that.
A very unique restaurant here is Parikrama, which is the only revolving restaurant in Delhi. They have vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, and they also have desserts. If you want to make it a fancier Affair than this one then you can visit work which is inside Taj Mahal hotel New Delhi. This one gives a gourmet Indian dining experience which are a treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds. A restaurant inside the Taj Mahal hotel is the house of Ming serving cantonese and Sichuan Delicacies. The food here is extremely unique especially because of their Variety in vegetarian and also their desserts are absolutely marvelous. You will be stunned by presentation itself. These restaurants just like the experiences here cost a good amount.
Some famous places for food in Delhi
If you want to have a special dessert but without hurting your pocket then you can visit an old famous place called Narula’s. This is probably the oldest ice cream parlor here they have so many different flavors in ice cream. They serve a variety of Sundays shakes brownies and now even Savory snacks like pizza. A must try here is their hot chocolate fudge with brownie, it is topped with hot chocolate and loads of dry fruits. Another great place for dessert is wengers. This has been here since 1926. They have sandwiches Burgers salads, cakes, brownies , puddings and so much more. This is the waffle which can be topped with maple syrup and butter. It tastes so good just by itself because of its texture and powdered sugar on top.
Rams, which is a local chain and they serve Aloo tikki, Papdi chaat, Raj kachori and even things like masala dosa. For people who miss eating South Indian Cuisine they can head to Sagar ratna, one of the famous chains here. This place has a lot of waiting and really good dosas. If you are a fan of Bengali sweets then you can visit Bangla sweet house.
Where to Stay: Connaught Place and More
Connaught place is a also a great area to stay when you’re in Delhi. Hotels like ginger, lemon tree are good mid-range options for a comfortable stay stay here. These hotels costs anywhere between Rs 3000 to 6,000 per night. Delhi being the capital of India has the best of the hotels and five star chains and this one here is the Taj Mahal Hotel. it’s Grand and luxurious right in the middle of the city, spacious rooms, huge pool, gourmet restaurants every luxurious thing here justifies the price of staying here. One night and 2 days, and this would cost approximately 10 to 15,000 per person in a three or four-star hotel. This includes stay, food, and transport within the city.
Agra Travel Guide: Home of the Taj Mahal
How to Reach Agra from Delhi?
The next stop in Golden Triangle journey is the home of the legendary Taj Mahal. Welcome to Agra. This District lies in the state of Uttar Pradesh and it is directly connected to Delhi via National Highway 19 . It takes about 4 to 5 hours by road. The time can be saved by taking a train to shorten the time to nearly 2 hours and cost about Rs 600 to 700 rupees only. This is the fastest and easiest mode to reach Agra as it’s a shorter distance than the roadway and cheaper than flights.
Taj Mahal Travel Tips & Entry Fees
Here is your Taj Mahal Trip Guide. Your first stop in Agra has to be the legendary Taj Mahal, commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is a symbol of eternal love and an architectural Masterpiece the monument is built entirely of white marble. Its construction took approximately 22 years to complete with thousands of skilled Artisans and Craftsmen working on it. Millions of visitors from around the world come to the Taj every year to Marvel at its beauty making it one of the most visited tourist attractions .
Before you rush a look at this architectural marvel, there are a few things to remember: the best time to visit the monument is right at Sunrise when it is the least crowded and the Sun is bearable. It is best to book tickets online from the website. It costs approximately 45 Rupees to enter the premises and about 200 more to enter the mausoleum.
A lot of things are not allowed inside the premises, so it’s better to carry just your phone and some water when you visit. Once you get in, it’s pretty easy to navigate your way. But if you want to know more about the history and information, you can also hire a guide who takes about 400 to 500 rupees. They might help you with pictures as well. Exploring the Taj Mahal involves a lot of walking, so wear comfortable shoes and carry less weight on you.
Mehtab Bagh
When in Agra you have to get the most of the Taj Mahal and there are various spots within the city which offer a view of this gorgeous Monument. This is a lush green garden in front of the Taj Mehtab garden actually means moonlight garden. This is also the best spot to view the Taj Mahal during a full moon night. This Garden closes by evening, but only on full Moon nights it’s open. Visitors can come here to the Taj viewing point and get a panoramic view of the monument. The entry for this is 15 rupees.
Must-Visit Attractions in Agra
Agra Fort
Actually Agra has a lot more than just the Taj Mahal. it has the Agra fort here stands as a testament to the Grandeur of the Mughal Empire. This is a huge fort and you might need help navigating through it only 20 or 30% of the fort is open to the public. It can take you about 2 to 3 hours to explore every corner there are so many significant structures. You can also see the Taj Mahal from one side of the fort. The ticket costs approximately 35 rupees per person. There are also a few attractions a bit far away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Fatehpur Sikri
You can visit Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage site located about 40 km from Agra. This place served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585. This ancient city has a Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, and Jhal Mahal. Agra is all about the ancient masterpieces the fusion of Hindu and Persian architecture and mesmerizing Landscapes. You can’t return from here without shopping best places to buy handicrafts, suits, it’s all here. One thing you can’t leave Agra without is petha, you’ll notice many shops here appearing to be namesakes of this one. But I am sharing the original one this is panchi petha, the original shop that sells a huge variety of Pethas.
Best Food & Local Specialties in Agra
I don’t think there’s a better seat than this to spend a winter night in Agra. Even the kebabs here are served sizzling on the grill even though most of the food is mostly non-vegetarian. This place has ample vegetarian options as well veg gilotti kebab paneer kakat veg Biryani and gulab jamun thandai are some of the best dishes. This restaurant is inside the Courtyard by Marriott has a few more impressive food places. This is the Momo Cafe and all of the buffets are hosted here but the highlight of the place is their silver Thali.
Recommended Hotels in Agra for All Budgets
The hotel lies in the luxury range, but there are also mid-range properties like Holiday Inn, Lemon Tree, Fairfield by Marriott, and Taj, which can actually give you a great view of the Taj Mahal. The cost of living in these hotels is 7,000 onwards. In order to explore all of Agra, including the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri, one needs about one night and 2 days. This would approximately cost R 15,000 more or less, depending on the place you choose and the hotel you stay in.
Jaipur Travel Guide: Exploring the Pink City
The next spot in Golden Triangle India Trip is Jaipur. Jaipur is one of the best places to Visit in Rajasthan. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan, which is also called the pink City and the land of Rajputs. This place has a mix of History, architecture, culture and food which makes it a captivating City for every traveler on the Delhi Agra Jaipur tour.
Top Tourist Attractions in Jaipur
Hawa Mahal
Here’s everything you can explore in the Pink City, like the Palace of Winds or Hawa Mahal. This five-story structure looks like a crown adorning Lord Krishna. This was created so that the women could observe the city and festivities while maintaining their privacy. The palace has 953 small jokas or windows which help ventilate the entire Palace, hence the name hava mahal. This place gives a view of the city from every floor, and you can just walk up to the top and enjoy the marvelous sights. The entry fee is approximately rupees 50 for Indians. It is pretty easy to navigate your way through the palace, but you can also hire a guide to know the history in detail.
City Palace
The Hawa Mahal is connected to the City Palace of Jaipur. This used to be the residence of the Jaipur royalty, and some of the parts are still used by the royal family. This place was built in the 17th century when Savai Singh decided to shift his capital from Amber or Amer to Jaipur. There are different types of guided tours available here. You can take either the regular tour, which costs about 300 rupees per person, or the limited-access tour. Then, there is one that costs approximately 3,000 rupees, but this one takes you to some reserve sections and also has museums.
Jantar Mantar
There is Jantar Mantar, which is an open-air astronomical Observatory. It was built in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai J Singh because of his fascination with the Sky bodies and celestial objects. There are 19 instruments with specific purposes and the sundial here is the largest in all of India. This costs 50 rupees per person and takes about an hour or more to explore.
Albert Hall Museum
Another must visit in Jaipur is the Albert Hall Museum. This place has a vast collection of artifacts, ancient sculptures, manuscripts, decorative Arts textiles and weapons. The entry fee for the museum is about rupees 50 for Indian citizens.
Patrika Gate
This is the Patrika gate, it’s a very famous photo spot in Jaipur. Colorful walls jokas and art representing the history of Jaipur are all here you can click as many pictures as you want here. This is absolutely free in the night it looks even prettier with lights.
Amber Fort
Amber Fort a majestic Fortress located in a town called Amer is 11 km away from Jaipur. This used to be the capital of Jaipur. The construction of the fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh 1 and over the centuries the rulers of the kachwaha Dynasty made significant additions and modifications to the Fort. The fort’s imposing walls bastions and watch stars are built of red sandstone and marble adorned with intricate carvings and mirror work.
The rest of time you can easily spend exploring kachoris or Jaipur and jooti which are sandals. You can also buy authentic Rajasthani wear.
Golden Triangle India Trip, which is also the Delhi Agra Jaipur Tour is one of the best places you can visit in India. It is also nearby and cost effective. It’s is filled with flavours and an amazing bazar where you can shop authentic goods from various places and souvenirs that will remind you of this tour.
