India's Golden Triangle

Experience Overview

Discover the Golden Triangle – a classic route linking Delhi, Agra and Jaipur – on a pulsating tour that takes in world-famous landmarks, energetic cities and a culinary scene to rival any. This trip is an ideal introduction if you're a first-time visitor or tight on time yet keen to immerse yourself in the best of northern India. You will, of course, visit the major landmarks, including a sunrise trip to the Taj Mahal, and the bustle of the must-see cities, but that's well-balanced with time in the countryside, where you'll see rural life steeped in traditional, simple living.
Profile
— Accommodation: 6 Classic nights (hotels) — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Travel by air-conditioned private bus — Special festival departures for Holi and Diwali
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 6 Classic nights (hotels) — Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Travel by air-conditioned private bus — Special festival departures for Holi and Diwali
Trip For You
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.   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. However, you should 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. 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. Please note, 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: Holi and Diwali 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. Holi celebrations typically involve people throwing coloured powders and water at each other and smearing powder on each other’s faces. This tends to be done in local communities and families, so it is not always possible to be involved (though you may see the colourful results of this boisterous festival on the streets). During Holi, local monuments and markets will close, so departures in 2023 and 2024 over Holi will have a slight adjustment to the itinerary. In Jaipur, sightseeing will be limited, so where necessary we will included a cultural day to see local musicians and dancers perform; there may also be an opportunity to join in: playing with colours, dancing, and enjoying food and drinks. You can also purchase locally the traditional white kurta outfit to look the part and avoid getting your own clothes covered in the coloured powders. During Diwali, the festival of lights to mark the start of the Hindu New Year, people may light up their houses and shops and sometimes celebrate on the streets with fireworks. Lasting up to five days, it is difficult for us to predict what will be going on in the areas we visit. Where something is happening, we will endeavour to see how we can witness the festivities.
Group Description
Our Indian team of leaders have proved very popular with their incredible knowledge, passion and hospitality adding greatly to the experience. There is no better way to experience Indian culture than letting an Indian guide show you around their country.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts are included in this trip. 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. You should 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.
Transportation
We use private air-conditioned minibus for our journey.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Bloom Hotel Karol Bagh, 17A/32, Gurudwara Road, Near Pusa Road, Metro Pillar No: 98-99, Opposite Jessaram Hospital, WEA, Karol Bagh, New Delhi, 110005 Phone: +91 11 4641 3759 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 in the evening with your leader. Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 35 minutes’ drive from the airport. Exodus provides free arrival transfers to the start hotel from the airport for all customers. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Catching your return flight Exodus provides free departure transfers for all customers 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.
Weather Information
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.
Spending Money
Many sites now charge a small fee for video cameras and you should allow another 665 rupees (approximately US$9) for these, no charge for taking photos only. Also allow at least 570 rupees (approximately US$8) per day for personal expenditures such as stamps, postcards and soft drinks. There are endless shopping opportunities throughout this tour and we suggest you take money for souvenirs; even the most shop-shy travellers often succumb to the tempting selection of handicrafts available. Entrance fee for Jama Masjid (Day 2): 300 rupees (approximately US$4) During your trip, it is likely your local guides will take you to emporiums and handicraft workshops. Guides will often assume that visitors will want to go shopping, it is very much part of the culture, but if you do not wish to go, please make this clear to your guide and Exodus leader at the time. Many people find this a great opportunity to buy local handicrafts, silk, jewellery and carpets but it might not be for everyone and you're welcome to enjoy some free instead of shopping. Optional excursions This is a jam packed itinerary but there are some optional activities available as outlined below. Delhi: — Day 6 - Qutab Minar 3hr tour: approximately 2,500-6,500 rupees (US$30-US$78) per person (depending on the group size) Qutab Minar is a soaring, 73m-high towers of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom. The tower has five distinct storeys and, at the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. A Seven metre-high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque; it is said that if you can encircle it with your hands while standing with your back to it your wish will be fulfilled. Price includes transportation, local guide, tipping, and monument entrance. — Morning Old Delhi city walk with Salaam Baalak Trust: approximately 3,500-5,500 rupees (US$42-US$53) per person (depending on the group size) Led by ex-street kids of Delhi, this insightful walk starts from Jama Masjid and takes you through the narrow alleys in the heart of the old city. Price includes transportation, local guide and tipping. Entrance to Jama Masjid monument is not included. Tour is subject to availability at time of request. Please note, this city tour is only available for pre-arrival or post-departure extensions to the trip as time does not permit within the main itinerary.
Tipping
Tipping is a part of Indian culture and usually expected. It can often be an awkward affair, especially when in an unfamiliar country where you are not sure when or how much to tip. As such, your tour leader will offer to arrange and look after a group tipping kitty, which will be used to tip hotel staff, sightseeing guides, bus drivers and other support staff used throughout your trip. Your leader will suggest how much to contribute, depending on group size, but it is usually in the region of 2,000 rupees (approximately US$26) per person based on the maximum group size of 16 passengers. For smaller groups, the leader may ask to collect more than the suggested amount relative to the group size, this is to assist with covering the standard tipping expectations for things like the local guides, drivers, and hotel staff (which, are generally fixed amounts no matter the group size). For departures that travel during Holi Festival (25 March 2024 & 14 March 2025) your Leader will look to arrange some activities for you to enjoy and join in with the festivities. There will be a small supplement between 600 - 1600 rupees (approximately US$7-20) per person which is usually deducted from the Kitty. Price depends upon the location and festival inclusions for Holi celebration. At any time during the trip, your leader will be happy to show you an account of how the kitty is being distributed. Please note, for smaller groups the leader may have to collect more than the above amount. Tipping of leaders is not included in the kitty and is at your own discretion. If you wish to show your appreciation a tip of around 475 rupees (USD$6) per person per day would be appreciated.

Highlights