Northern India: Delhi, Agra & Jaipur — 8 Days
The Golden Triangle by road: Taj Mahal sunrise, Mughal forts, and heritage stays across three historic cities
This eight-day itinerary traces the three cities that anchor Northern India's most travelled cultural route: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. The trip opens in New Delhi, where British-era government buildings and Mughal monuments sit within a modern capital. From there, a four-hour drive leads to Agra, home to the Taj Mahal — a seventeenth-century marble mausoleum built by Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz. The route then moves west through the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri, now preserved as an example of Akbar's imperial court, and includes a night in Kalakho, a rural village with a family-run heritage hotel. The final stop is Jaipur, the Pink City, painted terracotta in 1853 to mark a royal visit. Accommodation ranges from standard hotel rooms to heritage properties; meals include seven breakfasts, one lunch, and one dinner, with vegetarian options throughout. The itinerary is guided throughout in English by a local guide.
Highlights
- Sunrise over the Taj Mahal in Agra — the white marble dome of Shah Jahan's seventeenth-century mausoleum
- Fatehpur Sikri — a Mughal city, preserved with its original palace complexes, mosques, and courtyards intact
- Amber Fort in Jaipur — a hilltop fortress with the Chamber of Mirrors and views across the surrounding plains
- Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal) in Jaipur — the five-storey terracotta facade built in 1760
- Chand Baori stepwell — a geometric well structure built over 1,000 years ago with hundreds of slanted steps
- Jantar Mantar in Jaipur — an astronomical observation site built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the eighteenth century
- Family-run heritage hotel stay in Kalakho village — a rural base with organic gardens and period furnishings
- Old Delhi by rickshaw — the lanes of Chandni Chowk bazaar, the Red Fort, and Sheesh Ganj Sikh Temple
Day by day
1Arrival in New Delhi: Sheesh Ganj Temple and Old Delhi by RickshawChandni Chowk bazaar · Red Fort · Sheesh Ganj Sikh Temple
The trip begins in New Delhi, India's capital, a city with monuments and temples alongside modern buildings. For those arriving by early afternoon, the tour leader will meet you in the hotel reception at 2pm for a welcome meeting, followed by an exploration of the city's older quarters.
The group ventures into the winding lanes of Chandni Chowk bazaar by rickshaw, passing stalls selling household wares and souvenirs. This is Old Delhi—a functioning market that has operated for centuries. From here, the group views the Red Fort, a symbol of Mughal power, and visits the Sheesh Ganj Sikh Temple in the old city.
To join today's activities, plan to arrive at the hotel by 2pm. If arranging your own transport from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)—approximately 45 minutes from the hotel—allow at least one hour to clear the airport and 45 minutes for the journey itself. Your flight should land by approximately 12:15pm. If you arrive later, the tour leader will meet you upon arrival. Airport transfers can be arranged upon request.
2New Delhi: Monuments and Government QuarterLok Sabha (Parliament) · India Gate · Qutub Minar · Humayun's Tomb · New Delhi to Agra
This morning covers New Delhi's colonial quarter, built in the 1930s as the seat of British imperial administration. The tour includes the Lok Sabha (Parliament), India Gate, and the Rajpath buildings. Two additional sites are visited: the Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb, set in peaceful gardens away from Delhi's chaotic roads. A four-hour drive to Agra follows in the afternoon.
3Agra: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Fort & Baby TajTaj Mahal · Agra Fort · Itimad-ud-Daulah · Mehtab Bagh · local house
An early morning departure allows for arrival at the Taj Mahal before dawn. Built in the seventeenth century, the white marble mausoleum was commissioned by Shah Jahan as a funerary monument to his wife Mumtaz Mahal; the Mughal emperor was laid to rest beside her beneath the dome. Later in the morning, the itinerary moves to Agra Fort, the seat of Mughal power on the east bank of the Yamuna River. The Itimad-ud-Daulah, often called the Baby Taj, follows—a smaller marble structure built on the opposite bank. Both buildings date from the period when Agra served as the capital of the Mughal Empire in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Lunch includes regional dishes. The day concludes at Mehtab Bagh, a park on the west bank of the Yamuna offering a view of the Taj Mahal across the water. An optional cookery class at a local house precedes dinner.
4Fatehpur Sikri & Chand Baori Stepwell to KalakhoFatehpur Sikri · Chand Baori stepwell · Kalakho
The morning is spent at Fatehpur Sikri, a walled city founded by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned 16 years later. The site preserves structures from the sixteenth century, including the five-storey Panch Mahal (likely a pleasure pavilion), the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) with its carved lotus-shaped pillar, and a courtyard with a pachisi board, a game similar to chess. After exploring the site, the route continues to Chand Baori stepwell, built over 1,000 years ago as a water storage structure—its hundreds of symmetrical slanted steps form an architectural feature. The afternoon drive leads to Kalakho, a small rural village, where the night is spent in a family-run heritage hotel set within organic gardens managed by the host family.
5Kalakho to Jaipur: Organic Gardens & City ArrivalKalakho to Jaipur · the host family's organic gardens · Jantar Mantar · City Palace
The morning offers a guided walk through the host family's organic gardens, where the family explains seasonal produce and regional dishes that can be prepared from available materials. Guests may alternatively rest in their rooms. After breakfast, a two-hour drive leads to Jaipur, known as the Pink City after terracotta colour was applied in 1853 to mark the visit of Prince Albert. On arrival, the itinerary includes Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observation site built in the eighteenth century by Maharaja Jai Singh, followed by the City Palace—a structure still partially inhabited by the royal family—which houses a collection of textiles and costumes.
6Jaipur: Palace of the Winds & Amber FortPalace of the Winds · Amber Fort · Jal Mahal · Jaipur's bazaars · Raj Mandir cinema
The Palace of the Winds—a five-storey facade—is the first stop, followed by a drive to Amber Fort, an impressive hilltop fortress. The fort contains the Chamber of Mirrors and offers views across the surrounding plains. On the return route to the hotel, the itinerary passes Jal Mahal, a water palace set in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. The afternoon is free; Jaipur's bazaars stock marble statues, antique textiles, traditional wooden print blocks, and local musical instruments. The Raj Mandir cinema—an art deco-style venue—shows Bollywood films.
7Return to DelhiDelhi
After breakfast, the journey returns to Delhi. The six- to seven-hour drive includes stops along the way. The group arrives in the evening and may enjoy dinner featuring local cuisine.
8Delhi DepartureIndira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
Your tour concludes at the hotel in Delhi. With no activities scheduled, you are free to depart at your convenience. If your flight departs later in the day, luggage storage is available at the hotel. Airport transfers to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) can be arranged upon request.
Where you go
- 1Red Fort
- 2Taj Mahal
- 3Agra Fort
- 4Itimad-Ud-Daulah
- 5Fatehpur Sikri
- 6Chand Baori stepwell
- 7Jantar Mantar
- 8City Palace
- 9Amber Fort
- 10Delhi
Included
- What's Included
- Accommodation
- Comfortable
- Meals
- Breakfasts: 7, Lunches: 1, Dinners: 1
- Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.
- Vegetarian options available
- Local Guide
- Guided
- This adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.
- Wifi
- Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.