India's Golden Triangle packs a lot into a first trip: the Mughal tombs, mosques and food lanes of Delhi, the Taj Mahal and its riverside forts in Agra, and the pink-walled palaces and stone observatory of Jaipur. Agra is about a 4 to 5 hour drive from Delhi, Jaipur is about 4 hours from Agra by road, and trains link all three cities.
This page starts with our ranked picks for a first visit, best first, each with a practical tip on timing, dress or booking. Below them you will find every sight we cover in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, city by city, with opening notes and checked entry fees where we have them, then answers to the questions travelers ask most.
The 17 best things to do in India
Ticket and tour links search Klook in a new tab. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.
- 1Agra
See the Taj Mahal turn pink at sunrise
The Taj Mahal is the white marble tomb that the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built between 1631 and 1648 for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631 giving birth to their 14th child. You pass through a great red sandstone gateway, then follow the reflecting pool and its fountains through the garden to the mausoleum on the bank of the Yamuna. Up close, look for flowers inlaid in semi-precious stones and verses of the Quran in calligraphy; the marble came from Makrana in Rajasthan. Inside, the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan stand within a marble screen, above their actual graves in a lower chamber. The Taj opens 30 minutes before sunrise and is closed on Fridays.
Tip: Be at the gate for the opening, when the marble glows pink and the crowds and heat are lighter, and leave food, tripods and drones at your hotel, since none are allowed inside.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Uttar Pradesh Tourism; Uttar Pradesh TourismForeign visitor: ₹1,100 (about $12) · Main mausoleum add-on: ₹200 (about $2) · Indian visitor: ₹50 (about $1) · Closed Friday; the main mausoleum needs an extra ticketLast verified
- 2Delhi
Walk through Shah Jahan's Red Fort in Delhi
Shah Jahan moved his capital from Agra to Delhi in 1638 and began the Red Fort, or Lal Qila, in 1639; it was finished nine years later, and Mughal emperors lived here for almost 200 years. Red sandstone walls enclose palaces built largely in marble. You enter by the Lahori Gate and walk the vaulted Chhatta Chowk bazaar to the Naubat Khana, the old drum house, whose upper floor holds the Indian War Memorial Museum. Beyond are the Diwan-i-Am, where the throne stood under a marble canopy, and the Diwan-i-Khas, whose marble platform is said to have held the Peacock Throne. A water channel called the Stream of Paradise once ran through the Rang Mahal.
Tip: Use Chandni Chowk metro station and pair the fort with Jama Masjid and the Old Delhi lanes in one morning, since Chandni Chowk station serves all three.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Archaeological Survey of India; Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism (official); Delhi TourismForeign adult, cash ticket: ₹600 (about $6) · Foreign adult, online ticket: ₹550 (about $6) · ₹[fee]; ticket category to confirmLast verified
- 3Jaipur
Climb to the mirrored halls of Amer Fort
Amer Fort, also called Amber Palace, stands about 11 km from central Jaipur and was the seat of the rulers of Amer before the court moved down to the new city. Maharaja Man Singh I commissioned it in 1592 in pale yellow and pink sandstone, and it is now part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You climb through the Suraj Pol gate into Jaleb Chowk, the old parade ground where soldiers displayed the spoils of war, then on to the Diwan-e-Aam, where the ruler met his subjects. Sukh Niwas was cooled by water piped through the walls, and the Sheesh Mahal glitters with thousands of tiny mirrors set into its walls and ceilings. Tunnels connect the fort to Jaigarh Fort on the hill above.
Tip: Go when it opens at 9:00 AM, before the midday heat, and check the evening light show times if you want to come back after dark.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism (official)₹[fee]; ticket category to confirm - 4Delhi
Eat and shop through Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk
Chandni Chowk was laid out in the 17th century as the grand avenue of Shah Jahan's new capital, and his daughter Jahanara Begum is credited with establishing the market in 1650. The name means Moonlight Square, after a pool that once reflected the moon. More than three centuries on, its side lanes are still a working market: Dariba Kalan for silver jewelry and attar perfumes, Kinari Bazaar for trims and tinsel, and Khari Baoli, Delhi's spice market. For food, wander Parathe Wali Gali, the lane of paratha shops, and the streets around Jama Masjid, where cooks serve Mughal breakfast dishes such as nihari. Wear comfortable shoes and allow a long morning on foot.
Tip: Delhi Tourism runs guided Old Delhi food and heritage walks on weekend mornings for groups of six or more, so book ahead if you would like a guide through the lanes.
Sources: Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism (official); Delhi Tourism (official); Delhi TourismPay as you go - 5Delhi
Wander the gardens of Humayun's Tomb
Humayun's Tomb was the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent and the first substantial example of Mughal architecture in India. It was built in 1565, nine years after the emperor's death, by his senior widow, Bega Begum. The mausoleum, with an octagonal plan and a double dome, rises from a platform at the center of a charbagh, a four-part garden cut by water channels, and the Taj Mahal's architects later developed their design from it. More than 100 graves of the Mughal family lie inside the walls, and in 1857 the last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah II, was captured here. Next door, Sunder Nursery is a heritage park with Mughal tombs, water gardens and close to 300 tree species.
Tip: Visit in the soft morning light, then cross to Sunder Nursery, two minutes away, for shade and birdlife; it stays open into the evening.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Delhi Tourism; Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Sunder Nursery₹[fee]; ticket category to confirm - 6Jaipur
Look out through the Hawa Mahal's windows
Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh built the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, in 1799 as an extension of the royal women's quarters, to a design by Lal Chand Ustad. Its pink sandstone facade, crowned with a shape said to echo Krishna's crown, holds 953 small latticed windows, or jharokhas, which let breezes through and let the royal women watch the bustle around Johari Bazaar and the processions below without being seen. Oddly, there is no front entrance: you go in from the back and climb ramps, not stairs, through five storeys. A small museum inside shows Rajasthani miniature paintings, and the upper windows look straight down onto the old city's streets.
Tip: Photograph the full facade from across the street first, then go inside; it opens at 9:00 AM and closes earlier than most Jaipur sights, at 4:30 PM.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India₹[fee] inside; exterior viewed from public street - 7Agra
Trace Mughal history inside Agra Fort
Emperor Akbar began the red sandstone Agra Fort in 1565, and his grandson Shah Jahan turned it into a palace. Its walls rise 21.4 m and run for about 2.5 km. You enter through the Amar Singh Gate, the only way in, since part of the fort is still used by the Indian Army. Inside are the pillared Diwan-i-Am, the white marble Khas Mahal and Nagina Masjid, the Shish Mahal with walls inlaid with tiny mirrors, and the red sandstone Jahangir's Palace. After his son Aurangzeb seized power in 1658, Shah Jahan was held here for eight years, and he died in 1666 in the Musamman Burj. From the pavilion balconies you can look along the river to the Taj Mahal.
Tip: Save it for a Friday, when the Taj Mahal is closed but Agra Fort stays open from sunrise to sunset.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Uttar Pradesh TourismForeign visitor: ₹650 (about $7) · Indian visitor: ₹50 (about $1) · Under 15s free; slightly cheaper on FridaysLast verified
- 8Delhi
Step into the courtyard of Jama Masjid
Shah Jahan began the Jama Masjid in 1644 and completed it in 1650, his last great building and the largest mosque in India. It stands on a raised plinth, with three imposing gateways reached by long flights of steps. The square courtyard, 100 m wide with a tank at its center, holds about 25,000 worshippers. Facing it, the prayer hall has eleven arches under three large domes striped in black and white marble, flanked by two 40 m minarets of red sandstone and white marble. Sit for a while on the courtyard's edge to watch daily life around the mosque, then step out of the gates straight into the lanes of Old Delhi.
Tip: Visiting hours pause around midday, so come in the morning or mid-afternoon, and if your clothes are short or sleeveless, robes can be hired at the northern gate.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Archaeological Survey of India; Delhi Tourism; Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism (official)₹[fee]; tourist access pauses for worship - 9Delhi
Stand beneath the Qutub Minar
At 72.5 m, the Qutub Minar in red and buff sandstone is the highest tower in India. Qutbu'd-Din Aibak laid its foundation in 1199 for the call to prayer and built the first storey; his successor Iltutmish added three more, each ringed by a balcony on honeycomb brackets. Around it, the complex holds the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the earliest surviving mosque built by the Delhi Sultans, an Iron Pillar with a fourth-century Sanskrit inscription, the carved Alai Darwaza gateway of 1311, and the Alai Minar, a tower meant to be twice as tall that never rose past its first storey. Next door, Mehrauli Archaeological Park spreads about 100 monuments over 200 acres.
Tip: Take the Yellow Line metro to Qutab Minar station, and stay until dusk, when the tower is lit.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Delhi Tourism; Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism (official); Delhi Tourism (official); Delhi TourismForeign adult, cash ticket: ₹600 (about $6) · Foreign adult, online ticket: ₹550 (about $6) · Indian, SAARC or BIMSTEC adult, cash ticket: ₹50 (about $1) · Indian, SAARC or BIMSTEC adult, online ticket: ₹35 (about $1) · ₹[fee]; ticket category to confirmLast verified
- 10Jaipur
Tour the courtyards of Jaipur's City Palace
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II founded the City Palace in the 18th century together with the new city of Jaipur, when the court moved down from Amer, and his successors kept adding to it. It blends Rajasthani and Mughal styles across a chain of courtyards, halls and galleries. Through the Virendra Pol you reach the Mubarak Mahal, a cream reception hall that now holds part of the museum, then the marble Rajendra Pol gate and the Diwan-e-Khas courtyard. Behind them, the seven-storey Chandra Mahal is still the home of Jaipur's royal family. The palace is at its liveliest during festivals such as Teej, Gangaur and Dussehra.
Tip: The last museum tickets are sold at 6:00 PM, and the guided Royal Tour of parts of the Chandra Mahal can only be bought at the ticket counter; the nearest metro stop is Badi Chaupar on the Pink Line.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism (official); Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, City Palace JaipurInternational visitor: ₹1,200 (about $13) · International composite: ₹1,700 (about $18) · Indian visitor: ₹400 (about $4) · Closed Dhulandi. The Textile Gallery is temporarily closed for restoration.Last verified
- 11Jaipur
Read the sky at Jantar Mantar
Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, a keen astronomer, built five observatories across India, and the Jantar Mantar in Jaipur, built between 1728 and 1734, is the largest. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is a courtyard of giant instruments in stone and marble that measure time and track the stars and planets, drawing on ideas from Persian, Central Asian, European and Sanskrit astronomy. The Samrat Yantra is a huge sundial said to tell the time to within 2 seconds, and the small Dhruva Yantra finds the position of the North Star. Walk among the Jai Prakash Yantra and the other instruments, and the scale is the thing you remember.
Tip: Take a guide at the site, since the instruments make far more sense once someone shows you how to read them, and go in the morning, before the heat builds.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India₹[fee]; ticket category to confirm - 12Agra
Spend a day at Fatehpur Sikri
Emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri, the City of Victory, about 37 km from Agra between 1571 and 1585, in honor of the Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti. It was the Mughal capital for only about 10 years before a shortage of water pushed the court away. The red sandstone city blends Islamic and Hindu design: see the Diwan-i-Khas, a single chamber around one richly carved pillar, Jodha Bai's palace, the Panch Mahal and the Jami Masjid of 1571, one of the largest mosques in India. Its great gateway, the Buland Darwaza, stands above a 13 m flight of steps, and the saint's intricate marble tomb still draws thousands of pilgrims.
Tip: Hire a taxi from Agra and allow at least half a day, or stop on the road between Agra and Jaipur, as many visitors do.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official) - 13Agra
Watch the Taj at sunset from Mehtab Bagh
Mehtab Bagh, the Moonlight Garden, lies on the far bank of the Yamuna directly opposite the Taj Mahal and lines up with it. Emperor Babur first laid it out as the last of 11 gardens along the river, a square charbagh about 300 m on each side, and excavations have found a large octagonal tank at its center. Floods in the early 1900s damaged it, and the Archaeological Survey of India restored it by 1994. Today it is the calm way to see the Taj across the water, without the crowds of the main complex, and it stays open on Fridays when the Taj itself is closed.
Tip: Come in the late afternoon and stay for sunset, when the marble turns golden; the Taj View Point beside the garden stays open into the night for moonlit views.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Uttar Pradesh TourismForeign visitor: ₹300 (about $3) · Indian visitor: ₹25 (about $1) · Under 15s freeLast verified
- 14Agra
Admire the marble inlay of the Baby Taj
Empress Nur Jahan built this tomb on the bank of the Yamuna between 1623 and 1628 for her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg, who held the title Itimad-ud-Daulah. He was also the grandfather of Mumtaz Mahal. It was the first Mughal building made entirely of marble, marking the shift from red sandstone to white marble, which is why it is often called the Baby Taj and seen as a forerunner of the Taj Mahal. Its walls are inlaid with yellow, black and white marble. It is much smaller than the Taj, so you can study the stonework up close at your own pace.
Tip: Pair it with Chini Ka Rauza, a tomb known for its blue glazed tiles, about 1 km away.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism (official)Foreign visitor: ₹310 (about $3) · Indian visitor: ₹30 (about $1) · Under 15s free; slightly cheaper on FridaysLast verified
- 16Jaipur
See the Albert Hall Museum lit up at night
The Albert Hall Museum stands in Ram Niwas Garden, a sandstone and marble building designed by the British engineer Samuel Swinton Jacob, who mixed Indian, Islamic and Gothic styles. Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, laid its foundation stone in 1876, and it opened to the public in 1887. Stone elephants guard the entrance, and 16 galleries hold some 20,000 objects, from miniature paintings, textiles and jewelry to arms, armor and coins, along with a rare Persian garden carpet and an Egyptian mummy. Every evening the whole building is lit with colored lights, which makes it Jaipur's best after-dark landmark.
Tip: It reopens in the evening, from 7:00 to 9:30 PM, so you can see the galleries by day and come back after dinner for the lit facade.
Search tickets and tours on KlookSources: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India₹[fee]; ticket category to confirm - 17Delhi
Walk among the tombs of Lodhi Gardens
Lodhi Gardens, once Lady Willingdon Park, is a large public park in central Delhi scattered with tombs, mosques and bridges from the Sayyid and Lodi periods. The tombs of Muhammad Shah and Sikandar Lodi are fine examples of octagonal tombs, while the Shish Gumbad and Bara Gumbad are square tombs with imposing domes whose facades look two storeys tall. Entry is free, and it is a favorite morning walk for people from the surrounding South Delhi neighborhoods, which makes it one of the best places to see the city at an easy pace. Khan Market, with cafes, bookshops and boutiques, is about 2 km away, as is Safdarjung's Tomb.
Tip: Come early in the morning to walk with the local regulars, then head to Khan Market for breakfast or lunch.
Search tours on KlookSources: Delhi Tourism; Delhi Tourism (official)Free to visit
Every sight, city by city
Agra Fort
Red-sandstone walls enclose public palace courtyards and halls overlooking the Yamuna and the distant Taj Mahal.Entry: Under 15s free; slightly cheaper on FridaysSearch tickets and tours on KlookAkbar's Tomb at Sikandra
A red-sandstone and marble tomb complex with an expansive garden on the western edge of Agra.Entry: Under 15s free; slightly cheaper on FridaysSearch tickets and tours on KlookKinari Bazaar
Old Agra market lanes reward a slow walk among shops selling fabrics and everyday goods.Entry: Public market; purchases extraMehtab Bagh
A riverside garden across from the Taj Mahal, useful for a different view before sunset.Entry: Under 15s freeSearch tickets and tours on KlookSadar Bazaar food area
A market and food district where you can choose a seated lunch around the busy lanes.Entry: Pay as you goTaj Ganj dinner area
The hotel district near the Taj offers dinner choices around its lanes and adjoining Fatehabad Road.Entry: Pay as you go; district pin, choose an open venueTaj Mahal
The white-marble mausoleum sits within a formal riverside garden, with separate ticket rules for interior access.Entry: Closed Friday; the main mausoleum needs an extra ticket. Closed FridaysSearch tickets and tours on KlookTomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah
A smaller marble tomb beside the Yamuna, with intricate stone decoration and a surrounding garden.Entry: Under 15s free; slightly cheaper on FridaysSearch tickets and tours on KlookChandni Chowk food lanes
Old Delhi lanes offer a choice of small eateries for a proper midday meal.Entry: Pay as you goConnaught Place dining district
Central arcades and surrounding streets provide restaurant choices after a day in Old Delhi.Entry: Pay as you goDilli Haat INA craft market
Rotating craft stalls and regional food counters share an enclosed market beside the INA transport hub.Entry: Market admission; food and purchases extraDilli Haat INA food stalls
Regional food stalls provide dinner within the same market complex, before its evening closing time.Entry: Food extra; market admission requiredGurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib
An active Sikh place of worship on Chandni Chowk, visited with shoes removed and head covered.Entry: Follow visitor instructions; donations optionalSearch tickets and tours on KlookHauz Khas historic complex
Medieval buildings overlook the reservoir beside the shops and dining lanes of Hauz Khas Village.Entry: ₹[fee]; ticket category to confirmSearch tickets and tours on KlookHauz Khas Village lunch area
The commercial lanes beside the historic complex offer a convenient area to choose lunch.Entry: Pay as you goHumayun's Tomb
A monumental Mughal tomb and geometric garden complex with several smaller structures around the main building.Entry: ₹[fee]; ticket category to confirmSearch tickets and tours on KlookIndia Gate
A major war memorial surrounded by open public space, subject to event and security restrictions.Entry: Free public grounds; security restrictions can applySearch tours on KlookJama Masjid
A working mosque with a broad courtyard beside the lanes and food stalls of Old Delhi.Entry: ₹[fee]; tourist access pauses for worshipSearch tickets and tours on KlookKhan Market lunch district
A compact market district with places to pause for lunch between garden and monument visits.Entry: Pay as you goKhari Baoli
Busy wholesale spice-market lanes where carts, shops and everyday trading share limited street space.Entry: Public market; purchases extraLodhi Gardens
Public garden paths connect medieval tombs, lawns and shaded areas in central New Delhi.Entry: Free to visitSearch tours on KlookLotus Temple
The Bahai House of Worship welcomes visitors for quiet reflection inside its petal-shaped building.Entry: Free to visit; closed Monday. Closed MondaysSearch tours on KlookPandara Market dining area
A small restaurant cluster near India Gate for an evening meal after central Delhi sightseeing.Entry: Pay as you goQutub Minar complex
The tall minaret anchors an archaeological complex with mosque remains, carved stonework and open courtyards.Entry: ₹[fee]; ticket category to confirmSearch tickets and tours on KlookRed Fort
Mughal fort complex with palace courtyards, audience halls and substantial open grounds to explore.Entry: ₹[fee]; ticket category to confirmSearch tickets and tours on KlookSafdarjung's Tomb
A smaller enclosed garden tomb with a monumental gateway and views along its central axis.Entry: ₹[fee]; ticket category to confirmSearch tickets and tours on KlookSunder Nursery
Restored monuments, gardens and tree collections create a spacious outdoor stop beside the Humayun tomb complex.Entry: Park ticket; food extraSearch tickets and tours on KlookAlbert Hall Museum
Decorative arts and historical collections fill a distinctive museum building in the Ram Niwas Garden area.Entry: ₹[fee]; ticket category to confirmSearch tickets and tours on KlookAmer Palace
Hilltop palace courtyards and decorated halls overlook Maota Lake on the northern edge of Jaipur.Entry: ₹[fee]; ticket category to confirmSearch tickets and tours on KlookAmer town lunch area
The settlement below the palace provides a practical lunch area before returning toward central Jaipur.Entry: Pay as you go; choose an open restaurant with your driverBapu Bazaar
Old-city shopping streets provide an afternoon browse among textile, footwear and souvenir stalls.Entry: Public market; purchases extraCity Palace Jaipur
Museum collections and courtyards occupy part of a royal palace complex with several ticket categories.Entry: Closed Dhulandi. The Textile Gallery is temporarily closed for restoration.Search tickets and tours on KlookHawa Mahal
The palace facade overlooks the old city; its interior requires a separate daytime visit.Entry: ₹[fee] inside; exterior viewed from public streetSearch tickets and tours on KlookJal Mahal lakeshore near the bus stop
The Amer Road lakeshore offers views toward Jal Mahal, without entering the palace in the lake.Entry: Public shore view only; pin marks the nearby bus stopSearch tickets and tours on KlookJantar Mantar Jaipur
Large astronomical instruments occupy an open-air observatory beside Jaipur City Palace and the old-city streets.Entry: ₹[fee]; ticket category to confirmSearch tickets and tours on KlookJohari Bazaar lunch district
A central old-city market district with established food stops near the jewelry and textile shops.Entry: Pay as you goMasala Chowk food court
An outdoor food court near Albert Hall brings several Jaipur street-food counters into one seating area.Entry: Pay as you go; entry ₹[fee]Panna Meena ka Kund
Geometric flights of steps form a historic water structure in Amer, best viewed from permitted public edges.Entry: ₹[fee]; follow barriers and staff directionsSearch tickets and tours on KlookQuestions travelers ask
What are the best things to do in India for a first trip?
For a first trip, the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur covers the classics. In Delhi, walk the Red Fort, Jama Masjid and the Chandni Chowk lanes, then Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar. In Agra, see the Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh, with a half-day trip to Fatehpur Sikri. In Jaipur, climb to Amer Fort, then see the Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Jantar Mantar in the old city.
Sources: Delhi Tourism (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official)How many days do you need for Delhi, Agra and Jaipur?
Delhi Tourism's own Golden Triangle tour covers all three cities in three days, which is a rush. A week gives a better pace: two or three days in Delhi, two in Agra including the half day Fatehpur Sikri needs, and two in Jaipur. Allow for the road legs too: about 4 to 5 hours from Delhi to Agra and about 4 from Agra to Jaipur, so a transfer takes much of a morning.
Sources: Delhi Tourism (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Agra district governmentWhen is the best time for sightseeing in India's Golden Triangle?
October to March is the most comfortable season, and it is the period that both Delhi's and Agra's tourism offices recommend: days are pleasant and gardens are in flower. Summer is very hot on the northern plains; in Jaipur, average highs reach about 44°C in June. Whatever the month, start early: the Taj Mahal opens 30 minutes before sunrise, when the light is soft and the heat and crowds are lower.
Sources: Delhi Tourism (official); Uttar Pradesh Tourism; Ministry of Tourism, Government of IndiaWhich attractions in India should you book ahead?
Buy Taj Mahal day tickets online through the Archaeological Survey of India to skip the ticket windows at the gates. Night viewing of the Taj runs only on the full moon night and two nights either side, for 400 people in eight batches of 50, so plan your Agra dates around it and buy those tickets in advance. In Jaipur, the City Palace Royal Tour is sold only at the counter, and Delhi Tourism's guided walks need a group booking.
Sources: Uttar Pradesh Tourism; Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, City Palace Jaipur; Delhi TourismHow do you get around Delhi, Agra and Jaipur?
In Delhi, the Metro reaches most sights: Chandni Chowk station for the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, Qutab Minar station for the Qutub complex, and Rajiv Chowk for Connaught Place. A tourist card gives unlimited rides for one or three days. Between cities, trains such as the Gatimaan and Shatabdi run from Delhi to Agra, and Jaipur has direct trains to Delhi. By car, allow about 4 to 5 hours from Delhi to Agra.
Sources: Delhi Tourism; Delhi Tourism (official); Taj Mahal, Department of Tourism, Government of Uttar Pradesh (official); Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism (official); Agra district governmentWhat should you wear and know when visiting temples, mosques and monuments in India?
Dress modestly at places of worship. At gurdwaras such as Bangla Sahib, cover your head and shoulders; at Jama Masjid, robes can be hired at the northern gate. At the Taj Mahal, food, tripods and drones are not allowed, photography is banned inside the mausoleum, and visitors are asked to keep quiet inside. If you want a guide at a monument, hire an approved one who shows an identity card.
Sources: Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism (official); Delhi Tourism; Uttar Pradesh Tourism