India's Golden Triangle: Self-Launched Delhi, Agra & Jaipur

Arrive in Delhi and check into your guesthouse in or near Paharganj or Karol Bagh — both well-connected budget hubs. In the afternoon, make your way by auto-rickshaw or metro to Jama Masjid, one of India's largest mosques. From there, hire a cycle rickshaw (negotiate a fare of around ₹100–200 for the ride) to weave through the chaotic, exhilarating lanes of Old Delhi's markets, finishing at Khari Baoli — Asia's largest spice market. Spend time chatting with vendors amid towers of turmeric, chillies and dried fruit. In the evening, head to a rooftop restaurant in Paharganj or the streets of Chandni Chowk for a cheap and delicious introduction to Delhi street food.

🚌Airport to hotel: Delhi Metro Airport Express to Shivaji Stadium or New Delhi station (~£1.50), then auto-rickshaw. Within Old Delhi: metro to Chawri Bazar or Chandni Chowk station (~£0.30), then cycle rickshaw.

🛏Moustache Hostel Delhi or Hotel Rak International, Paharganj — dorm from ~£6/night, private room from ~£14/night

• →Visit Jama Masjid (entry free for most, camera fee ~₹300)
• →Cycle rickshaw ride through Old Delhi markets (~₹150)
• →Explore Khari Baoli spice market (free)
• →Street food dinner on Chandni Chowk (~£4–6)

Spend the morning exploring New Delhi's grand colonial and Mughal landmarks. Start at Humayun's Tomb — a magnificent precursor to the Taj Mahal — then stroll or take an auto past India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament House. Book ahead on the Delhi–Agra Gatimaan Express (the fastest option, ~1h40m) or the Shatabdi Express (~2h); both depart from Hazrat Nizamuddin station. Alternatively, buses run from ISBT Sarai Kale Khan (~3–4h, from ~£2). Arrive in Agra by early afternoon. Check into your guesthouse near Taj Ganj for easy morning access to the Taj Mahal. The evening is yours — explore Agra's local restaurants and rooftop cafes with Taj Mahal views.

🚌Hazrat Nizamuddin to Agra Cantt by Gatimaan Express (~£5–8). Auto-rickshaw from Agra Cantt to Taj Ganj (~£1–2).

🛏Hotel Kamal or Zostel Agra, Taj Ganj — dorm from ~£5/night, private room from ~£12/night

• →Humayun's Tomb entry (~£2.50 foreign nationals)
• →Walk/drive past India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan & Parliament House (free from road)
• →Train: Gatimaan Express Delhi–Agra (~£5–8 in AC chair car, book on IRCTC.co.in)
• →Check in and rooftop dinner with Taj views (~£4–6)

Set your alarm early. Gates at the Taj Mahal open at sunrise (~6am) and this is the best light and lowest crowd time. Entry for foreign nationals is around ₹1,300 (~£12–13) — book online at asi.payumoney.com to skip queues. Spend at least 90 minutes soaking in the marble masterpiece. Afterwards, walk or take a tuk-tuk to Agra Fort (also known as the Red Fort), a UNESCO World Heritage site with the Pearl Mosque, royal palaces and striking views back toward the Taj Mahal (~₹650/~£6 entry). In the afternoon, take a shared taxi or bus toward Jaipur — breaking the journey at Fatehpur Sikri (a dramatic ruined Mughal city, ~£2 entry) or continuing to Hindaun if you want to experience the heritage vibe of a smaller town en route. Budget travellers can find simple guesthouses in Hindaun for under £10.

🚌Tuk-tuk Taj Ganj to Agra Fort (~£1). Shared taxi Agra to Hindaun or Fatehpur Sikri (~£3–5). Bus from Agra ISBT to Jaipur via Hindaun also available (~£3–6).

🛏Simple guesthouse in Hindaun (~£8–12/night) OR continue to Jaipur and stay there

• →Taj Mahal at sunrise (entry ~£12–13, book online)
• →Agra Fort entry (~£6)
• →Optional: Fatehpur Sikri stop (~£2 entry)
• →Camel cart ride to local temple if staying in Hindaun (~£2–3)

Start the morning with a gentle walk around the outskirts of your guesthouse town — early mornings are the best time to see rural Rajasthan going about its business: artisans at work, livestock being herded, markets opening. Hire a local auto or a shared jeep to Abhaneri village, home to Chand Baori — one of the deepest and most spectacular stepwells in India, with an intricate criss-cross staircase that seems to go on forever. Entry is free. From Abhaneri, catch a bus or shared taxi onward to Jaipur (~1.5–2h). Check into your Jaipur guesthouse and, in the evening, consider joining a local cooking class through Airbnb Experiences or a guesthouse-recommended family — great value at ~£10–15 per person for hands-on Rajasthani cooking.

🚌Auto or shared jeep to Abhaneri (~£2–4). Bus or shared taxi Abhaneri to Jaipur (~£2–3).

🛏Moustache Hostel Jaipur or Hotel Arya Niwas — dorm from ~£6/night, private room from ~£15/night

• →Morning village walk (free)
• →Chand Baori stepwell at Abhaneri (free entry)
• →Optional evening cooking class with a local family (~£10–15 via Airbnb Experiences or guesthouse)

Rise before sunrise and walk through the walled old city. The chowkris (neighbourhood blocks) come alive early with flower sellers, chai wallahs and temple-goers performing morning aarti — a moving, sensory experience that costs nothing. Explore the vegetable and flower markets on foot. Return for breakfast, then head out mid-morning. Take an auto or local bus up to Amer Fort (~£7 entry for foreigners) — explore the breathtaking Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) and the vast palace complex. Back in town, visit Jantar Mantar observatory (~£2.50 entry) and walk past Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds, ~£0.80 entry for the interior or admire it free from the street). Spend the late afternoon browsing the walled city markets — dhurries, block-printed cloth, semi-precious stones and leather goods.

🚌Auto-rickshaw around Jaipur city (~£1–2 per ride). Local city bus to Amer Fort (~£0.30) or auto (~£2–3 each way).

🛏Moustache Hostel Jaipur or Hotel Arya Niwas (same as Day 4)

• →Dawn walking tour of Jaipur's walled old city & morning aarti (free)
• →Amer Fort entry (~£7)
• →Jantar Mantar observatory entry (~£2.50)
• →Hawa Mahal exterior/interior (~£0.80)
• →Walled city market browsing (free)

After breakfast, head to Jaipur railway station for the return to Delhi. The Shatabdi Express (Jaipur–Delhi) is the quickest option (~4.5h in AC chair car, ~£6–10 — book on IRCTC.co.in in advance). Trains run multiple times daily. Alternatively, luxury Volvo buses operated by RSRTC or private operators depart throughout the morning (~5h, ~£4–6). Arrive in Delhi by mid-afternoon. Check into your Delhi guesthouse. Spend the evening gathering any other independent travellers you've met along the way for a farewell meal in Paharganj or Connaught Place — a fitting end to the Golden Triangle.

🚌Jaipur to Delhi by Shatabdi Express from Jaipur Junction (~4.5h, ~£6–10). Metro or auto from New Delhi station to your guesthouse (~£1–2).

🛏Moustache Hostel Delhi or Hotel Rak International, Paharganj — from ~£6 dorm / ~£14 private

• →Train Jaipur to Delhi Shatabdi/Intercity (~£6–10 AC chair car, book on IRCTC)
• →Farewell dinner in Connaught Place or Paharganj (~£5–8)

Your self-launched Golden Triangle adventure wraps up today. If your flight is in the evening, use the morning to revisit anything you missed — Qutb Minar (a stunning 12th-century minaret, ~£2.50 entry), Lodi Garden (free, beautiful colonial-era tombs in a park setting), or the National Museum (~£1). Delhi's metro connects you easily to all three. Head to the airport via the Airport Express metro from New Delhi station (~£1.50, 20 minutes) well ahead of your flight.

🚌Metro Airport Express from New Delhi or Shivaji Stadium to IGI Airport Terminal 3 (~£1.50, ~20 minutes).

🛏Check out — or book an extra night if your flight is late (~£6–14)

• →Optional: Qutb Minar (~£2.50 entry)
• →Optional: Lodi Garden (free)
• →Optional: National Museum (~£1 entry)
• →Airport Express metro to IGI Airport (~£1.50)