Planning a Two-Week Golden Triangle and Rajasthan Circuit
To see the Golden Triangle properly without rushing, pair Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur with a loop through Pushkar and Udaipur. This 14-day pace allows for travel days between cities while ensuring you see the main sites before burnout sets in.
- Budget
- 100-150 dollars per day
- Duration
- 14 days
- Best Time
- November to February
- Visa Required
- Yes, e-Visa for most nationalities.
Step by step
Book your arrival and departure airports
Fly into Delhi (DEL) and out of Udaipur (UDR) or back to Delhi. If flying back to Delhi, book an internal IndiGo flight to save 12 hours of driving time.
Hire a private driver for the circuit
Don't rely on trains for the entire route; they are often delayed. Hire a private car and driver for the duration of the trip (roughly $45–$60 USD per day) to handle the transit between cities.
Prioritize early morning starts
Schedule all monument visits for 6:00 AM or 7:00 AM. You will beat the tour buses, the heat, and the midday crowds, which is essential for sites like the Taj Mahal.
Questions people ask
Is it safe to drink the tap water?
No. Only drink bottled water with a sealed cap, and use it for brushing your teeth as well.
Should I tip?
Yes. A general rule is 10% for restaurant service and 500-1000 INR per day for your private driver.
- Notes
- Expect to spend $40 on high-quality food, $50 on a private driver/car, and $40-60 on decent mid-range boutique accommodation.
- Daily Spend
- 100-150 dollars
Packing
- Lightweight, breathable cotton or linen clothing (modesty is key).
- A universal power adapter (Type C/D/M).
- Hand sanitizer and high-quality wet wipes (for transit).
- A scarf or light shawl to cover shoulders in temples.
- Imodium and basic first aid (traveler's tummy kits).
Itinerary
- 1 — Explore Khan Market for dinner. — Arrive in Delhi, check into your hotel in South Delhi. — Visit Humayun’s Tomb. — Use the Uber app for all local transport.
- 2 — Rest; prepare for the drive to Agra. — Old Delhi walking tour (Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk). — Visit Qutub Minar. — Old Delhi is overwhelming; hire a local guide here.
- 3 — Sunset view of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh. — Drive to Agra (4 hours). — Check-in and visit Agra Fort. — Stick to bottled water only.
- 4 — Arrive in Jaipur, check into a haveli. — Sunrise at the Taj Mahal. — Drive to Jaipur (5 hours) via Fatehpur Sikri. — Fatehpur Sikri is a mandatory stop on the drive.
- 5 — Shopping in Johari Bazaar. — Amber Fort. — City Palace and Jantar Mantar. — Wear comfortable shoes; Amber Fort involves a lot of walking.
- 6 — Dinner at a local rooftop restaurant. — Hawa Mahal (exterior). — Nahargarh Fort for the city view. — Expect to pay roughly $5 entry fees at major sites.
- 7 — Sunset at the Savitri Mata Temple. — Drive to Pushkar (3 hours). — Walk the Pushkar Lake ghats. — Pushkar is a holy town; dress modestly.
- 8 — Evening Aarti ceremony. — Explore the local markets. — Leisure time. — No meat or alcohol permitted in town.
- 9 — Boat ride on the lake. — Drive to Udaipur (6 hours). — Check in, walk along Lake Pichola. — Break up the drive with a lunch stop in Chittorgarh.
- 10 — Cultural show at Bagore Ki Haveli. — City Palace. — Jagdish Temple. — Tickets for the show sell out; buy them at 4 PM.
- 11 — Dinner overlooking the lake. — Saheliyon-ki-Bari gardens. — Shopping for miniature paintings. — Udaipur is generally more relaxed than the Golden Triangle.
- 12 — Relax. — Day trip to Ranakpur Jain Temple. — Return to Udaipur. — The Ranakpur temple architecture is incredible; do not skip.
- 13 — Farewell dinner. — Leisure time or cooking class. — Explore the narrow alleys of the Old City. — Final shopping for spices and textiles.
- 14 — Depart. — Fly from Udaipur to Delhi. — Transfer for your international flight home. — Allow 4 hours for international connection.
For the planning: more 2-week trips, how to plan a two-week trip from scratch and how to pack for two weeks in a carry-on.