3-Day Private Tour: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur with 5* Hotel

The headline draw is a fast-moving route through three of north India’s great cities, from Delhi’s monumental avenues to the Taj Mahal at sunrise and Jaipur’s pink-hued palaces. In three days, you cover a lot of ground without having to piece together every transfer yourself.

I like two things in particular: a private car and driver make the long road legs far easier, and a guide in each city can help you make sense of big, complex sites. Past trips have included attentive drivers such as Omkar and Sonju, and Jaipur guide Ashok was especially praised. Names and assignments can vary.

The trade-off is the pace. You’ll spend hours on the road and have limited time at each stop, while entrance fees, lunches and drinks are extra. This works best as a first taste of the Golden Triangle, not a slow, in-depth visit.

• Sunrise at the Taj Mahal: Day two begins with an early visit, subject to weather, and the monument is closed on Fridays.
• Three cities, one private vehicle: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are linked by air-conditioned private transport, with pickup in Delhi, Noida or Gurugram.
• Two hotel nights: Accommodation is included only with the hotel option. Named possibilities include the Trident and other hotels, or a similar property.
• Big-name sights: Expect Agra Fort, Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Jantar Mantar, along with selected Delhi landmarks.
• Craft demonstrations: The program includes marble work, Zardozi embroidery, carpet weaving and gemstone cutting and polishing.
• Know what is extra: Monument admission, lunches, drinks and gratuities are not included.

A three-day route through India’s Golden Triangle