The Golden Triangle
Delhi's Mughal and colonial layers, a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, and royal Jaipur's Amber Fort, City Palace and Hawa Mahal.
Heritage14 Nights / 15 Days
India
The Highlights of India Tour
The Golden Triangle & BeyondOctober to March, for pleasant weather across regionsPrivate car & driver • Domestic flights • Heritage hotels
Journey overview
Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Mumbai and Kerala — culture, heritage, spirituality, wildlife and backwaters.
- Sunrise at the Taj Mahal in Agra
- Amber Fort and the Pink City of Jaipur
- Tiger safari at Ranthambore National Park
- Ganges aarti and sunrise boat ride in Varanasi
- UNESCO temples of Khajuraho and Orchha
- Overnight houseboat on the Kerala backwaters
Signature experiences
Taj MahalJaipur PalacesRanthambore SafariVaranasi Ganga AartiKhajuraho TemplesKerala Houseboat
Route overview
Delhi
Historical Capital
2 NightsAgra
Taj Mahal & Mughal Marvels
1 NightJaipur
Royal Rajasthan
2 NightsRanthambore
Wildlife Safari
2 NightsVaranasi
Spiritual & Sacred Ganges
2 NightsKhajuraho
Temples & Ancient Art
1 NightOrchha / Jhansi
Heritage Town & Forts
1 NightMumbai
Financial Hub & Colonial Legacy
1 NightKerala
Cochin & Backwaters
2 NightsDay by day
The full itinerary
- Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Transfer to hotel and rest
- Optional: evening walk or rickshaw ride through Connaught Place / India Gate
- Old Delhi: Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk rickshaw ride, Red Fort
- New Delhi: Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, India Gate
- Drive past the Rashtrapati Bhavan
- Drive to Agra via the Yamuna Expressway (approx. 3.5 hrs)
- Visit Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh for sunset views of the Taj
- Optional local marble inlay workshop
- Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal
- En-route stop at Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO site
- Continue to Jaipur and check in
- Amber Fort with an elephant or jeep ride up
- City Palace, Jantar Mantar Observatory, Hawa Mahal
- Evening: explore local bazaars or attend a cultural dance show
- Drive to Ranthambore National Park (approx. 3.5 hrs)
- Afternoon relax and naturalist briefing
- Optional short heritage walk
- Early morning jungle safari to spot tigers and leopards
- Relax at the resort or optional village walk
- Evening safari or nature walk
- Return to Jaipur and fly to Varanasi
- Evening: witness the Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Early morning boat ride on the Ganges
- Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Sarnath (Buddhist site) and the ghats
- Explore silk-weaving workshops
- Short flight to Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage site
- Explore the Western Group of Temples, famous for intricate sculpture
- Optional cultural dance show in the evening
- Drive to Orchha to visit its forts, temples, cenotaphs and riverside ghats
- Continue to Jhansi and board a train or evening flight to Mumbai
- Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Marine Drive
- Visit Elephanta Caves by boat
- Walk around Colaba and Kala Ghoda art district
- Morning flight to Cochin
- Visit Fort Kochi, Chinese fishing nets, Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue and St. Francis Church
- Optional Kathakali dance performance
- Transfer to Alleppey
- Overnight stay on a traditional houseboat
- Cruise through lush Kerala canals, rice paddies and villages
- Disembark after breakfast
- Transfer to Cochin airport (COK) for your onward flight
Experience highlights
Ranthambore Safari
Early morning and evening jungle safaris in one of India's finest tiger reserves, plus the UNESCO-listed Ranthambore Fort.
Sacred Varanasi
The Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat, a dawn boat ride on the Ganges, Kashi Vishwanath Temple and Sarnath.
Kerala Backwaters
Fort Kochi's Chinese fishing nets and heritage quarter, then an overnight houseboat cruise through Alleppey's palm-fringed canals.
What's included
- 14 nights across heritage hotels, safari resorts and a houseboat
- Private car with driver: Delhi → Agra → Jaipur → Ranthambore
- Flights: Jaipur → Varanasi → Khajuraho → Mumbai → Cochin
- Train option Jhansi → Mumbai
- All monument entry fees and expert local guides
- Ranthambore jeep safari and Alleppey houseboat full board
Where you'll stay
Delhi
Heritage & capital
Agra
Taj Mahal & Mughal legacy
Jaipur
Royal Rajasthan
Ranthambore
Wildlife safari
Varanasi
Spiritual & sacred Ganges
Khajuraho
Temples & ancient art
Orchha / Jhansi
Heritage forts
Mumbai
Financial hub & colonial legacy
Kerala (Cochin & Alleppey)
Nature & culture
Good to know
- What to pack: light cotton clothing, modest attire for temples, comfortable walking shoes, sunscreen, a scarf or shawl, and a Type C/D universal adaptor
- Can be upgraded to full luxury with Taj, Oberoi or Leela heritage palaces
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