Golden Triangle & Rajasthan

Destination 01

Delhi

9 places

Mughal tombs, a medieval minaret and the food lanes of Old Delhi. Stay 2–3 nights.

• Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim · GFDL 1.2

  Humayun's Tomb

  16th-century Mughal garden tomb that set the template for the Taj Mahal, set in restored charbagh gardens.

  Tip Go late afternoon when the sandstone glows and crowds thin.

  SeeNizamuddin$1.5 hrLate afternoon
• Photo: RAGINI KIRAN · Google

  Qutub Minar

  A 73 m brick victory tower from the early 1200s, surrounded by ruined mosques and an iron pillar.

  Tip Combine with nearby Mehrauli Archaeological Park.

  SeeMehrauli$75 minMorning
• Photo: Bikashrd · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Jama Masjid

  India's largest mosque, built by Shah Jahan, with a courtyard that holds 25,000 and minaret views over Old Delhi.

  Tip Closed to visitors during prayer times; robes are lent at the gate.

  SeeOld DelhiFree60 minMorning
• Photo: PerSona77 · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Red Fort

  Shah Jahan's walled palace complex of red sandstone, with audience halls, museums and marble pavilions.

  Tip Closed Mondays.

  SeeOld Delhi$1.5 hrMorning
• Photo: Kaku Kaku · Google

  Gurudwara Bangla Sahib

  Gold-domed Sikh temple with a sacred tank and a free community kitchen serving thousands daily.

  Tip Cover your head; scarves are provided free.

  SeeConnaught PlaceFree45 minEvening
• Photo: Hmbrt · Google

  Lodhi Garden

  Shady city park dotted with 15th-century tombs, popular with walkers and joggers.

  OutdoorsLodhi ColonyFree60 minEarly morning
• Photo: Fazeel Usmani · Google

  Karim's

  Old Delhi institution since 1913 known for mutton korma, kebabs and nihari near Jama Masjid.

  Tip The original lane branch beats the newer outlets.

  EatOld Delhi$60 minLunch
• Photo: VISHAL DHUPER · Google

  Indian Accent

  Modern Indian tasting menus at The Lodhi hotel, often ranked among Asia's best restaurants.

  Tip Book weeks ahead.

  EatLodhi Road$$$$2.5 hrDinner
• Photo: Shaifali Jain · Google

  Perch Wine & Coffee Bar

  Relaxed Khan Market spot for coffee by day and wine and cocktails by night.

  DrinkKhan Market$$60 minEvening

Destination 02

Agra

9 places

The Taj Mahal and the Mughal forts around it. Stay 1–2 nights.

• Photo: Yann; edited by Jim Carter · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Taj Mahal

  Shah Jahan's white marble mausoleum on the Yamuna, inlaid with semi-precious stone.

  Tip Enter at sunrise from the East Gate; closed Fridays.

  SeeTaj Ganj$$2.5 hrSunrise
• Photo: A.Savin · FAL

  Agra Fort

  Red sandstone fortress-palace where Shah Jahan spent his last years looking toward the Taj.

  See$2 hrMorning
• Photo: Indian Explorer,Aryan Singh · Google

  Tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah

  The 'Baby Taj', a small marble tomb with fine pietra dura that predates the Taj Mahal.

  Tip Far quieter than the Taj.

  See$45 minAfternoon
• Photo: g.kaustav · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Mehtab Bagh

  Riverside Mughal garden directly across the Yamuna from the Taj, framed for sunset views.

  Tip Best sunset view of the Taj without the crowds.

  Outdoors$45 minSunset
• Photo: Marcin Białek · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Fatehpur Sikri

  Akbar's abandoned 16th-century capital, with palaces and the vast Jama Masjid, 37 km from Agra.

  Tip Hire an official guide at the gate and ignore touts.

  See$3 hrMorning
• Photo: NALINDA TIKIRI BANDARA · Google

  Pinch of Spice

  Reliable North Indian restaurant for butter chicken, dal makhani and tandoori breads.

  EatFatehabad Road$$75 minDinner
• Photo: ITC Mughal, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Agra · Google

  Peshawri at ITC Mughal

  Northwest Frontier cooking with clay-oven kebabs and slow-cooked dal bukhara in a hotel setting.

  Tip Eat with your hands; bibs are part of the experience.

  EatTaj Ganj$$$1.5 hrDinner
• Photo: PANCHHI PETHA · Google

  Panchhi Petha

  Agra's best-known maker of petha, a translucent ash-gourd sweet in dozens of flavors.

  Tip Buy from the original Hari Parbat shop; many fakes use the name.

  ShopHari Parbat$20 min
• Photo: Sheroes Hangout Cafe · Google

  Sheroes Hangout

  Café run by acid-attack survivors, serving tea, coffee and snacks on a pay-what-you-wish basis.

  DrinkFatehabad Road$45 minAfternoon

Destination 03

Jaipur

9 places

Hill forts, the Pink City bazaars and royal palaces. Stay 2–3 nights.

• Photo: Jakub Hałun · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Amber Fort

  Hilltop palace-fort of courtyards, mirrored halls and ramparts above Maota Lake.

  Tip Arrive at opening to beat tour buses; walk up instead of riding elephants.

  SeeAmer$2.5 hrMorning
• Photo: Chainwit. · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Hawa Mahal

  Five-story pink honeycomb facade with 953 windows, built so royal women could watch street life.

  Tip See the facade from a café rooftop across the road.

  SeePink City$45 minEarly morning
• Photo: Jakub Hałun · CC BY-SA 4.0

  City Palace, Jaipur

  Royal residence with museums of textiles and arms, plus the painted Peacock Gate.

  SeePink City$$2 hrMorning
• Photo: Knowledge Seeker · Public domain

  Jantar Mantar

  18th-century astronomical observatory with a giant stone sundial, a UNESCO site.

  Tip An audio guide makes the instruments make sense.

  SeePink City$60 minMidday
• Photo: Sanyam Bahga · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Nahargarh Fort

  Ridge-top fort on the Aravalli hills with sweeping views over Jaipur.

  Tip Stay for sunset.

  See$1.5 hrSunset
• Photo: saurabh yadav · Google

  Johari Bazaar

  Old-city market lane for jewelry, gems, block-printed textiles and bangles.

  Tip Bargain, and buy gems only with certification.

  ShopPink City$$1.5 hrLate afternoon
• Photo: pranjal pagaria · Google

  Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar (LMB)

  Vegetarian restaurant and sweet shop since 1954, known for Rajasthani thalis and ghewar.

  EatPink City$$60 minLunch
• Photo: Suvarna Mahal · Google

  Suvarna Mahal

  Royal Indian dining in the gilded former ballroom of Rambagh Palace.

  Tip Smart dress expected; reserve ahead.

  EatRambagh$$$$2 hrDinner
• Photo: Bar Palladio Jaipur · Google

  Bar Palladio

  Peacock-blue Italian-style bar and garden at the Narain Niwas Palace hotel.

  DrinkNarain Singh Road$$$75 minEvening

Destination 04

Udaipur

9 places

Palaces and lakes in the Aravalli hills. Stay 2–3 nights.

• Photo: Yash Narang · Google

  City Palace, Udaipur

  Rajasthan's largest palace complex, rising over Lake Pichola with courtyards, mosaics and museums.

  SeeOld City$$2.5 hrMorning
• Photo: Neel K Gangrade · Google

  Lake Pichola boat ride

  Boat trip past the Lake Palace and ghats to Jag Mandir island.

  Tip Take the sunset departure from the City Palace jetty.

  DoOld City$$60 minSunset
• Photo: Ingo Mehling · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Jagdish Temple

  Carved 17th-century Hindu temple to Vishnu in the heart of the old city.

  SeeOld CityFree30 minMorning
• Photo: ashish v from bangalore, india · CC BY-SA 2.0

  Bagore Ki Haveli

  Lakeside mansion museum with a nightly Dharohar show of Rajasthani folk dance.

  Tip Arrive early for the 7 pm show to get a seat.

  SeeGangaur Ghat$1.5 hrEvening
• Photo: Chirag Patel · Google

  Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace

  Hilltop palace above the city with long views over lakes and hills.

  Tip Go for sunset.

  See$1.5 hrSunset
• Photo: Jstplace · Public domain

  Saheliyon-ki-Bari

  18th-century garden of fountains, lotus pools and marble elephants built for royal ladies.

  Outdoors$45 minMorning
• Photo: Sarthak Vashisht · Google

  Ambrai

  Lakeside terrace at Amet Haveli facing the City Palace, serving North Indian and Rajasthani dishes.

  Tip Book a waterside table for dinner.

  EatHanuman Ghat$$$1.5 hrDinner
• Photo: Kiran Parmar · Google

  Natraj Dining Hall

  Long-running local spot for unlimited Gujarati-Rajasthani vegetarian thalis.

  EatBapu Bazaar$45 minLunch
• Photo: Ria Halder · Google

  Upre by 1559 AD

  Rooftop restaurant and bar on Lake Pichola with views of the City Palace.

  DrinkHanuman Ghat$$$75 minSunset