Self-Launched Golden Triangle: Delhi, Agra & Jaipur in 5 Days

Start early to beat the heat and the crowds. Take the Delhi Metro (Blue/Yellow line) to Chawri Bazaar or Jama Masjid station, then walk into the Mughal heart of the city. Climb the minaret of Jama Masjid for rooftop views (£1.50 entry, modest dress required — cover shoulders and legs). Dive into Chandni Chowk on foot and by cycle rickshaw (agree £1-2 before you set off), grazing on parathas in Paranthe Wali Gali and jalebi near Dariba Kalan. Afternoon: hop in an Ola/Uber (£2-3) south to Humayun's Tomb (£5) and Qutub Minar (£5), then drive past India Gate and the colonial government buildings around Rajpath. Evening: wander Connaught Place or Hauz Khas Village for dinner. Note that monuments are closed on some weekdays — Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb are open daily, but check Red Fort closures (Mondays) if you want to add it.

🚌Delhi Metro (£0.20-0.50 per ride), cycle rickshaw (£1-2), Ola/Uber across town (£2-4)

🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse in Paharganj or Karol Bagh (£12-18)

• →Jama Masjid minaret climb
• →Chandni Chowk street-food walk and cycle rickshaw ride
• →Humayun's Tomb
• →Qutub Minar
• →India Gate and Rajpath drive-past

Book a morning Gatimaan Express or Vande Bharat service from Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi) to Agra Cantt — about 1h40, £6-10 in AC chair car; book on IRCTC or via 12Go/ConfirmTkt a few days ahead. Drop bags at your Taj Ganj guesthouse, then spend the afternoon in Agra Fort (£5), walking the Mughal ramparts and Musamman Burj with its view out to the Taj. Late afternoon is far quieter than midday. Catch sunset from Mehtab Bagh (£3) across the Yamuna for the classic postcard view of the Taj, then eat dinner on a rooftop in Taj Ganj. Tonight, buy your Taj Mahal ticket in advance online (ASI e-ticket, £11) and confirm the gate opens at sunrise — the East Gate is usually least crowded.

🚌Delhi–Agra train (£6-10), auto-rickshaw within Agra (£0.50-1.50), Ola/Uber (£1-3)

🛏Guesthouse or hostel in Taj Ganj with rooftop Taj views (£10-16)

• →Delhi to Agra by express train
• →Agra Fort
• →Mehtab Bagh sunset viewpoint over the Taj

Be at the Taj gate by 5:45am for opening — sunrise light on the marble is worth the alarm, and crowds are thinnest in the first hour. Budget 2-3 hours inside. Optional: hire an ASI-approved local guide at the gate (£8-12) for the history, or just use an audio guide app. Back for breakfast and checkout, then take a taxi or shared jeep to Fatehpur Sikri (£15-20 return by taxi, or £3-5 by shared transport from Agra's Idgah bus stand) — the abandoned red-sandstone Mughal capital is 40km out and needs 2 hours. Late afternoon, catch a train or AC bus to Jaipur: the 12036/22988 services run in about 3-4 hours (£4-7), or an AC Volvo bus is around £5-8. Arrive Jaipur, check into a haveli-style hostel in the old city, and eat dinner near Hawa Mahal.

🚌Taxi or shared jeep to Fatehpur Sikri (£3-20 depending on sharing), Agra–Jaipur train or AC bus (£4-8), local auto-rickshaw (£0.50-1.50)

🛏Haveli hostel or budget guesthouse in Jaipur's old city / Bani Park (£12-18)

• →Taj Mahal at sunrise
• →Fatehpur Sikri
• →Optional Taj Mahal local guide
• →Agra to Jaipur by rail or coach

Take a local bus or auto from Hawa Mahal to Amber Fort (£1-2) and be there for the 8am opening. Climb on foot or take a jeep up (£3) — skip the elephant rides, which are widely criticised for animal welfare; the fort's Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) is the highlight either way. Entry £5.5, plus £4-5 for an optional government-licensed guide. On the way back, stop at Jal Mahal for photos and Panna Meena ka Kund stepwell. Afternoon: City Palace (£9), Jantar Mantar (£2.5) and the Hawa Mahal facade from the street or the cafe opposite (£1). Finish with a bazaar wander through Johari and Bapu markets, a lassi at Lassiwala, and dinner at a rooftop restaurant facing Nahargarh. Optional sunset detour up to Nahargarh Fort (£2.5) for the best city view.

🚌Local bus or auto to Amber (£1-2), auto-rickshaws around the old city (£0.50-1.50)

🛏Haveli hostel or budget guesthouse in Jaipur (£12-18)

• →Amber Fort and Sheesh Mahal
• →Panna Meena ka Kund stepwell
• →City Palace
• →Jantar Mantar
• →Hawa Mahal
• →Bazaar walk and optional Nahargarh Fort sunset

Keep the morning loose: a rooftop breakfast, a last wander through the old city gates, or a cheap cookery or block-printing workshop if you have time (from £10 via GetYourGuide or your hostel). Then take the train back to Delhi — the double-decker or superfast services run 4.5-5 hours (£4-7), or a direct AC bus is £6-9. Alternatively, fly Jaipur–Delhi on a low-cost carrier (from £25-35) if you're connecting to an international flight. Arrive at your Delhi hotel or head straight to the airport (Airport Express Line from New Delhi station, £1.50). If you have a late flight, dump bags at a Delhi hostel and grab a final meal in Hauz Khas.

🚌Jaipur–Delhi train (£4-7) or AC bus (£6-9); Delhi Airport Express (£1.50)

🛏Not included — onward travel day (or a £10-15 dorm in Delhi if you have a late flight)

• →Free morning in Jaipur's old city
• →Optional block-printing or cookery workshop
• →Return train to Delhi