Top Golden Triangle holidays

So what’s the best way to visit the Golden Triangle? Well that would be our Golden Triangle & Tigers itinerary. You will soak up the crazy atmosphere of Delhi, visit the pink desert city of Jaipur, go tiger-spotting in Ranthambore and marvel at the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Arriving in the bustling city of Delhi, your two-night stay includes a half day sightseeing where you will see the inspiration behind Humayun’s Tomb - the first grand mausoleum to be built in the 16th Century that mixes Persian and Mughal design and gives an insight into the rich history of this vibrant city. The tour continues through the city taking in India Gate, the Government Buildings and the President’s House.

The second leg of the Golden Triangle tour takes you to the city of Jaipur, otherwise known as the Pink City due to the vibrant terracotta architecture. Experience Jaipur’s grand palaces and elaborate architecture with a full day sightseeing. See the iconic Amber Fort and stroll through the Vedic streets and the vibrant bazaars before heading to the Royal Palace to explore the maze of courtyards, gardens and stunning buildings. Then visit the Jantar Mantar observatory to admire the impressive collection of astronomical instruments - many of which are still used today.

After two nights in Jaipur your driver will take you onto Ranthambore for a more peaceful and quiet stay and the opportunity to spot tigers. Surrounded by grasslands and stunning scenery, your search for this majestic animal will begin. On a morning and evening game drive you will be accompanied by an expert guide to help you explore the park and spot predators prowling the forest. If you’re lucky, you could spot tigers among the ancient ruins that jut out from the spectacular parkland.

Next stop is Agra, the third point of the Golden Triangle and home to arguably India’s most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal. Agra is a city of imposing forts, marble tombs and romantic history – if you are a fan of Mughal architecture this is the place to visit. As part of your itinerary, a half day sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal is included. To make this the trip of a lifetime, why not book a yoga class experience looking over the Taj Mahal– an experience to never forget.

Extend your Golden Triangle holiday to two weeks

Adding extra legs to your journey is a great way to tailor and personalise your Golden Triangle tour and extend it to two weeks. With Meraki, this is easy to do and there is something for everyone.

The best of Northern India – 14 days

Start your India Holiday with a trip to Amritsar’s Golden Temple. This magnificent domed building is an unforgettable sight and has a truly peaceful vibe, despite the whopping 100,000 daily visitors!  Wander around this magnificent place of worship and add our ‘Once in a Lifetime’ experience to delve even deeper into temple culture, with an additional visit for the sacred Palki ceremony.

Swap spiritual awakening for educational enlightenment in the cool, hill-station town of Shimla. This historic summer spot for British colonialists boasts a very different aura and architecture, with grand Victorian buildings set among the lush-green Himalayan foothills. Here, you can explore India’s fascinating colonial history, take the included toy train through the hills, and get out and about on mountain trails.

It’s a long journey between these two contrasting cities but oh so worth it. Spiritual splendour, beautiful landscapes and fascinating history combine on this route – so why not take the opportunity to soak up India’s culture, past and present, before returning to Delhi to begin your Golden Triangle tour.

Classic Rajasthan – 14 days

Between your time in Jaipur and Ranthambore, slot in Jodhpur and Udaipur, cities awash in swathes of blue and white respectively. Instagram posts waiting to happen, these cities are big players on the tourist trail – for reasons that quickly become obvious. From Jodhpur’s imposing 15th-century fort, rising above the city’s distinctive blue-washed houses, to Udaipur’s glistening white palace, these are picture-postcard beautiful places – stunning examples of the country’s faded and not-so-faded grandeur. Udaipur is India’s undisputed city of romance, with a thriving art scene and landscapes that will take your breath away, while Mehrangarh fort offers a stunning backdrop to Jodhpur’s bustling markets below. Truly unmissable.

In both cities, we include a half-day tour of the palaces and forts as part of your stay – so you’re covered for those key monuments. In Jodhpur, spend your free time exploring the Blue City’s narrow alleys on foot or soak up the great views over the city while lunching at a rooftop restaurant. In Udaipur, your creative side can be brought to the fore with a visit to contemporary art studios and those on our ‘Foodie’ experience will enjoy a meal at Bedla House. End your day taking in the sun set over Lake Pichola while sipping a cool drink.

Wildlife & Temples – 14 days

After Agra, making your way to the depths of rural India may seem mad but as you gawp at the ‘sexiest temples in India’ that Khajuraho boasts, you’ll be glad that you made the trip. With architecture dating back more than 1,000 years, the fine rock carvings of this town’s temples really are eye-opening. No place for prudes, the ancient temple carvings are definitely out there – expect sexual scenes that will shock you, let alone your grandma. But erotic imagery aside, these temples are considered to be some of the most well-preserved examples of Indian aesthetics in the country which is why we’ve included a half-day tour in your stay.

Then there’s Bandhavgarh with all its tiger-spotting thrills – witnessing this magnificent striped beast on a game drive in its natural habitat is a life affirming moment like no other.

Mumbai is guaranteed to offer a whole host of other allures. With its myriad sights, sounds and smells, busy is an understatement when it comes to this city – be prepared for an assault on your senses. You’ll be able to get some snaps at the Gateway of India before soaking up the general buzz and glorious din of this infamously crazy city, and guess what, you have an included half-day tour here too!

Classic India – 14 days

A great addition to your Golden Triangle tour is experiencing the colourful chaos of Mumbai and sunning yourself by the sea in Goa. The coastal city of Mumbai is home to 18 million people, and marches to the beat of its own drum – so prepare for some surprises. It can be hard to know where to start, so we’ve included a half-day tour of the city in your stay: all the must-sees, minus the stress. There’s heaps more to the city than you can fit into a morning or afternoon, however. So you might also fancy getting up at the crack of dawn on our ‘Authentic’ experience to see who and what really makes this city tick: the docks; the fruit and veg markets; milkmen; newspaper vendors; and bread boys.

The beaches of Goa, on the other hand, need no introduction: you will have heard plenty about its glorious white-sand beaches, vibrant fishing boats, and delicious seafood curries. Kick back and do whatever you want – be that searching for treasures in the hippie haven of Anjuna market, gazing up at the enormous whitewashed churches of the Portuguese quarter, or sipping a cocktail on the beach. Relax and enjoy!

Meraki makes holiday planning a doddle, with all domestic transfers, a number of base experiences and all accommodation included. Add international flights and the extra experiences that match your interests and select your accommodation based on your style and budget – from our classic hotels to premium properties and boutique hotels to luxurious palaces.