The Admin/Initial Planning – Hire your Private Driver

If you’ve read some of my itineraries, you’ll know I love a “self-drive” holiday. However, this is India! Please hire a private driver for the Golden Triangle tour (Delhi–Agra–Jaipur). It is a common and convenient choice for travellers in India. It’s also a very affordable option. Just pre-book before your trip.

🚫 Not included: Monument entry fees, local guides (can be arranged separately), meals, or hotel stays (can be requested in a package).

NB: If you have not booked your private driver prior to your trip, most luxury hotels can arrange reliable private drivers or partner with trusted agencies.

Tips:

• Always confirm if the driver will be the same for all 5 days (continuity is nice)
• Tip drivers at the end of the tour – 10-20% of tour is usual if you’re satisfied
• Make sure the company offers 24/7 support during the trip in case of issues
• Confirm the driver has WhatsApp for easy communication

What is the Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle refers to a tourist circuit that connects Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. These three cities are known for their historical and cultural significance. 

Udaipur (the City of Lakes) and Jodhpur are popular destinations in Rajasthan and are often included in longer tours that incorporate the Golden Triangle, however, they are not an official part of the core triangle itself.  There are many travel companies who offer tours that combine the Golden Triangle with Udaipur, Jodhpur and other parts of Rajasthan.

Build Your Very Own Golden Triangle Tour

When you book your own Golden Triangle tour, your tour operator will include all the significant sights. They are the experts and they will ensure you have the best experience. However, as its your private tour, you can switch and change it as you wish. Some sights, you might wish to just drive by and others you might want to stay longer.

As with the accommodation choice, you dictate what you would like to do. The tour operators will work with you to give you the experience that you wish. Below, is an itinerary that I followed and included sights that interested me. Hopefully, it will be helpful for your planning.

Delhi – Your Starting Point

Day 1: Arrival and Exploration in Delhi

Arrange for your private driver to pick you up from the airport upon arrival and take you to your chosen hotel.

Hotel recommendations include:

• The Imperial New Delhi
• The Oberoi
• The Leela Palace

When you’ve recovered from any jet lag you may have, arrange for your driver to pick you up and start your tour of Delhi. The tour agency you have chosen to take you on your wonderful adventure will have sent you your itinerary for this.

Just be sure they include a visit to:

• Visit Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masid (biggest mosque in India), Qutub Minar, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Lotus Temple and India Gate.
• Take a must-do rickshaw ride around Old Delhi and the spice market
• Drive past the Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhavan (President’s residence).

Day 2: Delhi to Agra (Approx. 3.5 hrs drive)

Morning:

In the morning, you’ll be picked up by your driver to begin your Golden Triangle tour. It’ll be quite a straightforward drive along the Yamuna Expressway to Agra. That said, there’s nothing really straightforward about driving in India but luckily for you, you’ll have a local at the steering wheel!

Check into your chosen hotel. I can recommend:

• The Oberoi Amarvilas – stay here for a view of the Taj Mahal from your balcony
• ITC Muhal – a luxury hotel with Mughal-style architecture

Afternoon:

• Visit Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Explore the Mehtab Bagh for a sunset view of the Taj across the river.

Day 3: Taj Mahal & Drive to Jaipur (Approx. 4.5-5 hrs)

Early Morning:

Now for the pièce de résistance, a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. At this time, you’ll encounter less crowds and it really is magical. You will love wandering around this majestic monument and learning about its fascinating history, a true statement to eternal love.

Following your early morning visit to the Taj Mahal, return to your hotel for breakfast.

Midday:

Depart for Jaipur. En route, stop at Fatehpur Sikri (an abandoned Mughal city and UNESCO site).

Late Afternoon:

Arrive in Jaipur , the pink city, and check-in to your chosen accommodation. Hotel recommendations here include:

• The Taj Rambagh Palace – a former royal palace turned luxurious heritage hotel
• The Oberoi Rajvilas – opulent resort with traditional Rajasthani decor

You can relax at your hotel for the remainder of the day and enjoy your grand, Indian accommodation. If you feel like wandering out you could go and explore Johari Bazaar for jewellry and textiles.

Day 4: Jaipur Sightseeing

Morning:

Following a leisurely breakfast, my suggestion would be to:

• Visit Amber Fort, with optional elephant or jeep ride to the top
• Photo stop at Jal Mahal (Water Palace).

Afternoon:

• Explore the City Palace, Jantar Mantar (observatory), and Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds)

You will soon learn that there are a lots of palaces and temples in India so you may wish to be selective with your sightseeing.

Evening:

Why not have a traditional Rajasthani dinner at 1135 AD (inside Amber Fort) or Suvarna Mahal at Rambagh Palace.

Day 5: Return to Delhi & Departure (Approx. 5 hrs drive)

Morning:

After your breakfast its time to check-out and head back to Delhi. If you get time, Galti Ji Temple (Monkey Temple) is an interesting stop if you don’t mind monkeys!

Another interesting stop as you leave Jaipur and head back to Delhi is the Chand Baori Stepwell. This is one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India. It was built in the 9th century and designed to store water and provide a cool retreat during the intense heat of Rajasthan.

It has 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry, descending 13 stories to a depth of about 30 meters (100 feet). The architecture is a stunning mix of functionality and geometric beauty.

Late Afternoon

Return to Delhi and reflect on your memorable Golden Triangle experience.