India’s Golden Triangle
Explore Mughal architecture, the Taj Mahal and Rajasthan’s royal landmarks, with guided visits and time to notice each city’s character.
Mughal heritage · Himalayan culture · Sacred cities
Discover the Golden Triangle, step into Tibetan culture in Dharamshala, visit Amritsar’s Golden Temple and experience life along the Ganges in Varanasi.
One private journey through the contrasting landscapes, architecture and living traditions of North India.
11 nights / 12 days · Minimum 2 guests · Tailored quotation
Beyond the Golden Triangle
This 12-day India itinerary connects Delhi, Agra and Jaipur with the Dhauladhar foothills, Punjab and the Ganges. It is designed for travellers who want a varied cultural journey, rather than a stay in one region.
Expect sightseeing, several substantial travel days and regular walking. Private transfers and local guides help organise the journey, while the final route is matched to transport availability and your preferred pace.
Compare our Golden Triangle tour or the 10-day Golden Triangle and Himalayan Escape if you prefer fewer destinations.
The experiences that shape the journey
Explore Mughal architecture, the Taj Mahal and Rajasthan’s royal landmarks, with guided visits and time to notice each city’s character.
Discover Tibetan cultural sites and hill-town streets beneath the Dhauladhar range. This section is sightseeing, not a high-altitude trek.
Explore Dharamshala →Visit the Golden Temple, witness Ganga Aarti and take the planned sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, subject to local conditions.
Day by day
The following route is the basis for your private tour. Visits and transport timings are confirmed for your dates, with optional activities identified in your written quotation.
Meet our representative at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Allow time to settle in and rest after your journey; any additional sightseeing depends on your arrival time.
Overnight: Delhi
Explore the capital with a local guide. Your confirmed plan may include Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, the Red Fort area, Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar, alongside a drive through New Delhi. The day is paced around traffic and opening arrangements.
Overnight: Delhi
Drive to Agra and check in before visiting Agra Fort. If time and conditions allow, enjoy a viewpoint overlooking the Taj Mahal and Yamuna River.
Overnight: Agra
Begin with an early Taj Mahal visit, then return for breakfast. Continue towards Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri. Monument visits are scheduled around opening days, with time allowed for the road journey.
Overnight: Jaipur
Explore Amber Fort, City Palace and Jantar Mantar, with a stop to admire Hawa Mahal. Time permitting, browse the Pink City’s markets before returning to your hotel.
Overnight: Jaipur
Leave Rajasthan for the Himalayan foothills. The practical combination of flights, trains and road transfers is confirmed for your dates and may connect through Delhi. This is a travel day, not a full sightseeing day.
Overnight: Dharamshala
Visit the Tsuglagkhang complex and explore McLeodganj’s Tibetan cultural surroundings. Depending on time and your interests, include Bhagsunag, the waterfall walk, Naddi or St. John in the Wilderness.
Overnight: Dharamshala
Travel by road from the hills into Punjab. Check into your Amritsar hotel and keep the evening flexible after the transfer.
Overnight: Amritsar
Visit the Golden Temple and Jallianwala Bagh. An Attari–Wagah border ceremony excursion can be discussed as an optional visit, subject to the arrangements and conditions for your dates.
Overnight: Amritsar
Transfer to the airport for your journey to Varanasi, possibly via a connecting flight. After arrival and your hotel transfer, attend Ganga Aarti if the flight schedule allows.
Overnight: Varanasi
Take the planned sunrise boat ride, subject to river and operating conditions. Explore the ghats and old lanes with your guide. A Sarnath visit can be arranged if included in your confirmed sightseeing plan.
Overnight: Varanasi
Transfer to Varanasi Airport for the planned flight to Delhi. Allow a suitable buffer before an international connection; an additional Delhi night can be discussed if your flight timings require it.
Departure: Tour ends
Jaipur–Dharamshala and Amritsar–Varanasi may require connecting services. Day 12 also involves domestic and onward travel. Our team will review workable connections and discuss any necessary changes before confirmation.
Clear package details
Your final quotation is the definitive list of services, hotel choices, transport arrangements and costs. Flights, guides and entrance tickets are not automatically included unless specified.
Price on request. Share your dates, group size and hotel preference for an itemised proposal.
Practical planning
October–March is the main planning window for this route. The cities are generally more comfortable for sightseeing than in the hotter months, but Dharamshala can be considerably colder in winter.
April–June brings heat to the plains. Monsoon conditions can affect roads, mountain connections and river activities. Discuss the trade-offs for your dates rather than expecting the same experience in every season.
Bring comfortable walking shoes, layers for Dharamshala and modest clothing for religious sites. Follow local guidance on footwear, head coverings and photography. Ask permission before photographing people and respect private ceremonies.
This is a busy, multi-city journey with two nights in most destinations. It suits travellers who enjoy variety and are comfortable with transfers, sightseeing walks and some early starts.
Tell us about mobility needs, children’s ages, dietary preferences and room requirements. Extra nights or fewer destinations may make the trip more comfortable for your group.
Read our refund policy and confirm supplier-specific cancellation terms before booking.
Local people, thoughtful planning
Our Dharamshala-based team brings local Himalayan knowledge to a wider North India journey. We help coordinate hotels, transfers and sightseeing, with the details agreed before you travel.
Extend your stay in McLeodganj, choose a different hotel category or discuss a gentler route. Our team can explain the practical options for your dates.
Browse more India tours →
Before you travel
The route visits Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Dharamshala, McLeodganj, Amritsar and Varanasi, returning to Delhi. It combines the Golden Triangle with Himalayan and spiritual destinations.
The itinerary is designed for private travel, with a minimum of two guests. Hotel preferences, sightseeing pace and extensions can be discussed before booking.
They are included only where explicitly listed in your final quotation. Ask for a clear breakdown of flights or trains, baggage allowances, monument tickets and guides before confirming.
No demanding trek is part of the standard itinerary. Expect regular walking, steps and uneven surfaces at monuments, hill-town attractions and river ghats. Tell us about mobility needs in advance.
The published options are 3- and 4-star hotels, with other categories available on request. Your quotation confirms hotel names, room arrangements and any supplements.
The sunrise boat ride is a listed inclusion, but river conditions and local operating restrictions may prevent it. Discuss the arrangements and alternatives with our team before booking.
The route can be adapted for families, but it is a busy multi-city itinerary. Share children’s ages, room needs and preferred pace so we can recommend practical adjustments.
Yes. Extra nights, hotel upgrades and changes to sightseeing can be quoted. Adding time in Delhi before departure can also reduce the pressure of a same-day flight connection.
Make the route your own
Tell us when you want to travel, who is coming and what matters most to you. We will help shape a practical itinerary and a clear quotation.