India's Golden Triangle

Name: India's Golden Triangle
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 5 (18 reviews)

18 reviews

Activity

Culture

Overview

On northern India’s great cultural circuit, the standout landmarks are just the beginning of our adventure…

Dive deep into northern India’s great cultural route: the Golden Triangle – Delhi, Agra and Jaipur – on an adventure where the headline acts are just part of the story. The rest is unlocked thanks to the in-depth knowledge of your local tour leader. It’s meeting the vendors at spice-laden market stalls, waving to friendly local people, learning to cook (and eat) traditional Rajasthani cuisine, and staying in a 600-year-old royal residence. Of course, the highlight for many is visiting the Taj Mahal at sunrise, but the lesser-known wonders may linger just as long in the memory.

Key Information

Trip Code: AIX
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: India
Carbon Footprint: 19.1kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All accommodation: 6 Classic nights (hotels)
All breakfasts and one dinner
Immersive itinerary with all transport and listed activities
Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
Arrival and departure transfers

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations.

Highlights

Complete the famed Golden Triangle, visiting Delhi, Agra and Jaipur
Witness the Taj Mahal in the soft light of sunrise – a time when the crowds are thinner
Explore the narrow streets of Old Delhi on a cycle rickshaw adventure
Watch the pink city of Jaipur come to life on a dawn walking tour
Experience the lesser-seen village life outside the hustle of the big cities
Time travel with a stay in the Suroth Mahal, a 600-year-old heritage hotel

Itinerary

First Destination: Delhi
Next Destination: Delhi

Meals included:Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Delhi
Next Destination: Delhi

Begin your adventure in pulsating Delhi. It’s a city split in two, with historic Old Delhi in the north and the nation’s capital, New Delhi, in the south.

At approximately 2pm, join your leader for a tour of Old Delhi, starting outside Jama Masjid, a colossal mosque capable of holding up to 25,000 worshippers. After, we’re taken through the narrow streets of the Old Delhi markets by cycle rickshaw, finishing at Khari Baoli, the largest spice market in India, where we can meet the vendors and walk through the fragrant rows of spices, nuts, herbs and grains.

Around 6pm, we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead over a welcome meeting. Your tour leader then arranges a group dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Want more time in Delhi? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative

Accommodation: Iris Park (or similar)

Meals included:Dinner

Join our tour leader to explore New Delhi this morning. It starts at Humayun’s Tomb, a rather understated name for what is really a precursor to the Taj Mahal, a mausoleum on a palatial scale.

We then drive past fine colonial buildings, including Rashtrapati Bhavan, a 320-acre (130ha) estate built by British architect Edwin Lutyens in 1931, which comprises the official residence of the President of India, Parliament House and India Gate – a memorial to soldiers who died in the First World War.

This afternoon, we head to Agra (approximately four to five hours’ drive). Upon arrival, check into the hotel with the evening free to relax.

Accommodation: The Taj Vilas (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

It’s the moment everyone’s been waiting for! Wake early to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, when the white-marble exterior is illuminated by the soft early light, the crowds are smaller and the birds chatter among themselves. After admiring it from the outside and enjoying a deep dive into this New World Wonder from our tour leader, we head inside, with a chance to explore the beautiful inner chambers and mausoleum.

After we’ve fully soaked in the magnificence of the Taj Mahal, we visit the imposing Agra Fort (also known as the Red Fort). It was built by the third Mughal emperor, Akbar, whose mighty red sandstone walls enclose the white-marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards, and gardens of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan.

In the afternoon, we transfer (approximately three to four hours) to Suroth Mahal, a 600-year-old fort in the city of Hindaun. This former royal residence was once home to the Maharaja Krishna Chandra Pal, though tonight you’ll be the guest of honour!

After checking into the hotel and freshening up, we have a 45-minute round trip by camel cart to a century-old Hindu temple. Back at the hotel, enjoy a short cooking demonstration, in which you’re shown how to make pakora – a skill certain to impress your friends back home.

Accommodation: Suroth Mahal, Heritage Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Start the day with a gentle one-hour walk to a 300-year-old village, where we meet the residents and learn about their daily life. En route, we also visit a local market (haat) and see the community going about their daily tasks, such as creating handicrafts or working in their fields.

In the afternoon, transfer (approximately four to five hours) to Jaipur. Breaking up this journey, we stop at Chand Baori, one of the largest and deepest stepwells in India. With its intricate criss-cross staircase pattern, you’ll feel like you’re part of an Escher artwork.

The evening is free but if you still have some energy, why not join your tour leader for an evening cooking class at a local family home? This optional activity is a great way to interact with the local people, learn some great cooking tips and gorge on sumptuous food.

Accommodation: Hotel 7 Apple (or similar)
Upgrade to a room overlooking the Jal Mahal today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Breakfast

Enjoy a full day exploring Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and one of the most attractive and colourful cities in India.

Rise early, heading out for a dawn walking tour as the pink city begins to wake. Visiting different chowkris (blocks) within the walled city, we can see the local people start their day and watch the rituals that take place in early morning flower and vegetable markets.

Visiting a small temple, we witness a morning aarti, a moving Hindu ceremony accompanied by singing, ringing bells and incense. We can also interact with different artisan communities, while also sampling local food and drink.

Returning to the hotel for breakfast and time to refresh, we head out again mid-morning. First, we visit the hilltop Amer Fort, which was built by Kachwaha dynasty ruler Man Singh and acted as the seat of the dynasty before the capital was shifted to Jaipur. A highlight is the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), which is adorned with more than a million pieces of hand-cut mirror and glass, intricately arranged to reflect light throughout the space.

Later, we visit one of the most intriguing sites in India, Jantar Mantar (Jaipur Observatory), an assembly of immense marble-and-brass astronomical instruments in a pleasant garden.

We also see the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), a five-storey landmark built of pink sandstone, which allowed the women of the royal household to observe street festivities without being noticed.

Finally, we can end the day exploring the local market within the walled city – admiring the local dhurries (woven rugs), carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones and leatherwear.

Accommodation: Hotel 7 Apple (or similar)
Upgrade to a room overlooking the Jal Mahal today – speak to your sales representative for more details

Meals included:Breakfast

Return to Delhi after breakfast, aiming to arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon. Typically, the group gathers for a final meal this evening, a chance to relax and recount the whirlwind week and memories created with new-found friends.

Accommodation: Iris Park (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

The adventure ends in Delhi today. Begin your return journey home or, if you’d like a bit more time to explore this magnificent city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

You can combine this trip with our Highlights of Kerala adventure, allowing you to see a completely different side to India.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, deposit-only payments, and full ATOL protection available.

Call us on 0203 733 5948

Your Group, Your Adventure

Want to choose your travel companions? Gather your family and friends and let us create a Private Adventure just for you.

View Details

Accommodation

City hotels and a one-time royal palace

We aim to secure Indian-owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.

Upgrade to a room overlooking the Jal Mahal on Day 4 and 5 of this itinerary – speak to your sales representative for more details

For most of this trip, we use modern city hotels. A highlight for many, however, will be the Suroth Mahal, a 600-year-old palace once home to the Maharaja Krishna Chandra Pal.

It’s your chance to feel like a Rajasthani royal for the night – the friendly staff will certainly treat you like a VIP, putting on short cooking demonstrations and local dance or wrestling performances, just to make your experience extra special.

You stay in one of 20 air-conditioned rooms, each of which is uniquely decorated, though true to the local style with hand-painted ceilings and walls detailed with colourful Rajasthani motifs.

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we pair solo passengers together in a room. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. Speak to your sales representative to book.

Worth knowing

It’s common for hotels in India to have limited times in the day for hot water use to save energy. If you find your shower is cold, please let your tour leader or reception know so they can make sure the water heater is on.

Essential Information

Trip Expert

Kristen Whitla

Travel Copywriter

Introducing Kristen Trading Ireland’s drizzle for dry heat, Kristen spent years working as a writer and English teacher in Seville, Budapest and Hong Kong.

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.

Itinerary: This trip covers the highlights of northern India in a short time, which means the itinerary is generally fast paced. There is a lot to see, but everything is scheduled so it doesn’t feel too rushed. Prepare for some long days and early starts. The times stated in the Trip Notes are driving times and do not include photo, tea, comfort or lunch breaks. Journeys can sometimes take longer due to local traffic or road damage.

Visiting India: India can be challenging – the heat and bustle of some cities can be a little overwhelming. That said, there are peaceful spots, and you will undoubtedly return with memories to last a lifetime.

Monuments: The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the conservation of many monuments in India, including the Taj Mahal, and very occasionally this may mean that work is taking place at sites visited on this trip. The ASI’s schedule is never published, so it is not possible to warn you when work will be taking place.

Festivals: Some departures coincide with Holi and Diwali. These can be local celebrations within communities and families and are not necessarily marked to the same extent throughout the country. We will seek opportunities to see the festivities; however, we cannot guarantee what will be happening in the local area during the trip.

Key information

Start hotel: Iris Park, A 1/23&24, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi 110029
Phone:+91 96254 98991
Recommended arrival time: We recommend you arrive today on or before 1pm (local time) ready for the afternoon tour departing from your hotel. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm this evening with your leader.
Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately 30 minutes’ drive from the airport. We provide free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for everyone. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.

Catching your return flight

We provide free departure transfers for everyone to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) from the end hotel.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the free transfers will be provided to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city or independently booked accommodation may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

India

To avoid possible problems at immigration, make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India.

Travellers from the UK, US, CA and EU normally need a visa to enter India. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/india
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/india
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/India.html

Travellers eligible for an e-visa, which includes those from the UK, US, CA and EU, can apply at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.

For more information on applying for your Indian Visa, including details required for your start hotel and local reference contacts, please click on this link: Indian Visa Information.

New Digital Arrival Card

Travellers from the UK, US, EU and Canada must also complete a Digital Arrival Card. This can be filled online up to 72 hours before arrival via the official Indian visa website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/. This is separate from the Indian e-visa process and this remains the same. Physical cards will remain at the arrival airport until 1 April 2026, at which point the Digital Arrival Card will be made mandatory.

India is famous for its food and there is ample opportunity to try various curries, including the familiar tandoori, biriyani and rogan josh. If you are a vegetarian, India is a great destination. There are wonderful desserts and excellent beers, soft drinks and Indian specialities such as lassi, a refreshing yoghurt drink.

Allow at least 1,400-2,400 Indian rupees (US$20-US$35) per day for lunch and dinner. You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants, most of the time, you will spend more than the suggested amount. In most towns we visit, there is a good selection of restaurants and a choice between Indian and Western food. Please note, service in restaurants can be quite slow. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large!) bottle of beer is approximately 285 rupees (approximately US$4).

Mineral water is widely available, but drinking water is provided in a large container in the bus to reduce our use of plastic, so please bring your own refillable water bottle.

During October/November and from February to April, the days are normally warm or hot and nights cool or mild. Humidity is very low and little or no rain falls.

It gets very cold in the early mornings and evenings in December, January and into February and warm clothes are essential. During this time, nightly temperatures in Delhi can be very cold and only a little above freezing. Come prepared for both cold and hot temperatures during the winter period.

In July, August and September, expect hot (or very hot) days and warm nights. Rain is also possible at any time from the end of June until September and can be very heavy. However, it moderates the temperatures.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

You’ll also find Thriving Nature, Thriving People moments across our trips. These experiences are often a highlight of your adventure, while also benefiting the natural world or local communities.

On this trip, we:

Optionally join an evening cooking class at a local family home, interacting with residents while learning traditional techniques and recipes.

Reviews

Add new review

Tracy Meakin

Added November 2025

India - Golden Triangle

Fast paced, great itinerary, fabulous sites and much more. We throughly enjoyed the trip, lots of variety of sites and activities.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Taj Mahal was pretty special, Delhi was amazing, and the camel cart ride great fun.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jitan was a great facilitator and leader. From our first meeting he was friendly but professional. He tried to meet everyone’s needs and to ensure everyone had the best trip - he succeeded.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some long bus travel.

Kristen Whitla

Added May 2025

A real glimpse into everyday India

I honestly can’t recommend this trip enough. From start to finish, it was full of unforgettable moments and thoughtful touches. We travelled through Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, and everything was so well organised - it was the perfect introduction to India. One of my favourite memories was being greeted with...

Most Inspirational Moment

One of the most inspiring moments of the trip was seeing the Taj Mahal at sunrise. I’d braced myself for big crowds, but it was surprisingly calm and quiet. The early light gave the marble this soft, warm glow, and there was plenty of space to just take it all in. The temperatures were already warming up but still pleasant, and the whole place felt really peaceful — not what I expected at all. I’d seen so many photos before going, but nothing really prepares you for being there in person. It was one of those rare travel moments that felt completely unhurried.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader, Mayank, was exceptional — knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely passionate about sharing India’s history and culture. The itinerary was perfectly paced: the chaos of Old Delhi, the serenity of the Taj Mahal at sunrise, the grandeur of the Amber Fort in Jaipur. Each place had a story, and Mayank brought it all to life. Even on the bus journeys, he chatted about history, religion, politics and the local way of life to give us further insight into the country's fascinating culture.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're thinking about doing this trip—do it! A couple of tips from someone who's just come back: pack light and bring comfy shoes because you’re on the go quite a bit, and some streets and markets are pretty uneven. Oh, and carry a bit of hand sanitiser and maybe a few snacks for the longer bus rides. Dark coloured temple socks were also a big help when walking around the temples barefoot in the heat. My favourite mosquito repellent is "Incognito", it really works in keeping the bites at bay. Other than that - come with an open mind and try everything!

Sarah Hibbert

Added August 2024

A great week in India

Just got back from India, and a few things really stood out: seeing the Taj Mahal up close was just incredible. I also ate so much delicious Indian food—each meal was a highlight on its own. And our local leader, Ajay, was fantastic; his sense of humor and all the...

LUCINDA DEACON

"Culture Taj Mahal Group experience "

Thoughts on Group Leader

Could not have been any better

Read all reviews

India's Golden Triangle

Activity Level

Comfort Level

Activity

Overview

On northern India’s great cultural circuit, the standout landmarks are just the beginning of our adventure…

Key Information

What's Included

Don't Forget To

Highlights

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, deposit-only payments, and full ATOL protection available.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Accommodation

City hotels and a one-time royal palace

Essential Information

Trip Expert

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

India

Reviews

India - Golden Triangle

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

A real glimpse into everyday India

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

A great week in India

Full on tour of main sights in the north

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Suggestions

India's Golden Triangle

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

India's Golden Triangle

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

India's Golden Triangle

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

India's Golden Triangle

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

India's Golden Triangle

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

India's Golden Triangle

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

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