Golden Triangle With Goa

A full day through New Delhi’s layered grandeur. Begin at Qutub Minar, the soaring 12th-century UNESCO minaret and its rust-defying Iron Pillar. Sweep through the imperial ceremonial axis — Rajpath, India Gate, and Rashtrapati Bhavan. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, the sublime Mughal garden mausoleum that directly inspired the Taj Mahal, and stroll the serene Lodhi Garden. Spend the afternoon at the National Museum with its vast collection spanning 5,000 years of Indian civilisation. End at the serenely beautiful Lotus Temple — a fitting close to two days in India’s magnificent capital.

After breakfast, take the Yamuna Expressway south to Agra. Arrive early afternoon, check in, then head straight to the Taj Mahal for the golden hour — the marble shifts from ivory to amber to deep rose as the sun descends. Spend the evening at the imposing Agra Fort, the Mughal seat of empire overlooking the Yamuna River, with its pavilions, mosques, and the poignant octagonal tower where Shah Jahan spent his last years gazing at the monument he built for love. This is the Agra that no photograph can fully prepare you for.

Rise before dawn for the Taj Mahal at sunrise — the marble glowing gold and blush pink in the first rays, serene and crowd-free. After breakfast, drive toward Jaipur with a leisurely stop at Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s magnificent red sandstone capital abandoned after just 14 years. Explore the towering Buland Darwaza, the five-storey Panch Mahal, and the shrine of Salim Chishti before continuing to the Pink City. Arrive in Jaipur for a welcome Rajasthani dinner.

A full, glorious day in the Pink City. Begin with an elephant ride up to Amber Fort, exploring the dazzling Sheesh Mahal mirror palace and panoramic hilltop ramparts. Then into the city: photograph the breathtaking Hawa Mahal, marvel at the precision of Jantar Mantar (UNESCO), and tour the opulent City Palace still home to the royal family. Browse the gem merchants and block-print weavers of Johari and Bapu bazaars. In the evening, climb Nahargarh Fort for panoramic views of the entire Pink City bathed in the last golden light.

After breakfast, transfer to Jaipur Airport for your flight south to Goa — a transformation that could not be more dramatic. From the pink sandstone forts of Rajasthan to the white-sand beaches and swaying palms of the Konkan coast in under two hours. Land in Goa, check into your beach resort, slip into something lighter, and head to the waterfront for the Mandovi River sunset cruise — drifting past Panaji’s colonial quarter aboard a traditional double-decker boat with live Konkani music, Goan folk dancers, and the river turning gold around you.

Discover the extraordinary depth of Goa beyond its beaches. Begin with the UNESCO World Heritage churches of Old Goa — the magnificent 16th-century Basilica of Bom Jesus (holding the remains of St. Francis Xavier), the colossal Se Cathedral, and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi with its breathtaking gilded interiors. These Baroque masterpieces are among the finest colonial buildings in all of Asia. After lunch, visit a lush working spice plantation in the tropical hinterland — walk among growing cardamom, vanilla, cinnamon, and black pepper, watch traditional spice processing, and enjoy a Goan lunch served on banana leaves in the shade of the plantation.

A glorious, largely free day to do Goa at your own pace. Begin with a morning visit to the 17th-century Fort Aguada, the best-preserved Portuguese fort in Goa, perched at the confluence of the Mandovi River and the Arabian Sea with sweeping coastal views. Then the day is yours — lounge on the golden sands of Calangute or Candolim, explore the flea markets and shacks of Baga and Anjuna, try water sports at the beach, or simply drift between beach cafes with a cold Kingfisher and the freshest prawn curry you have ever tasted. End the evening with a bonfire and seafood dinner on the beach (Premium+).

Spend your final full day exploring the quieter, more serene southern shores of Goa — a world away from the liveliness of the north. Palolem Beach, with its crescent bay and gentle water, is one of India’s most beautiful. Cola Beach is a dramatic hidden gem accessible by a short walk through the jungle. Visit the Shri Mangueshi and Shri Shantadurga Hindu temples — two of Goa’s most magnificent, often missed by visitors. End the trip with a farewell dinner at a legendary Goan seafood restaurant — prawn balchão, fish recheado, and sorpotel with Goan bread, the perfect last supper before heading home tomorrow.

One last morning on the Goan coast. Rise for a sunrise walk along the beach — the Arabian Sea turning pink and gold, fishing boats returning with the catch, and the peaceful quiet before the day begins. Enjoy a leisurely farewell breakfast at the resort before your guide transfers you to Goa International Airport for your onward journey. You leave sunburned, full of fresh seafood, and carrying one of the most beautifully varied India experiences imaginable — from the marble of the Taj to the golden sands of Goa’s eternal coast.