- Tour code
INDADV01
- Start
Delhi
- End
Delhi
- Min. age
13
- Group size
Max 6-16 travellers
- Trip style
Classic
- Trip pace
Easy
- Language
English
This is India's classic first-time route, known as the Golden Triangle, and it fits a lot into a week. Delhi comes first: the Mughal grandeur of the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, a cycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk, the spice sacks of Khari Baoli, Gandhi's memorial at Raj Ghat and the broad ceremonial avenues of New Delhi around India Gate.
From there you drive to Agra for the red sandstone walls of Agra Fort and an early-morning visit to the Taj Mahal, before the light gets harsh and the crowds build. Then it's on to Jaipur, the Pink City, for two nights among its hilltop forts and palaces, from Amber Fort to the City Palace.
Breakfast is included every day, transfers and road journeys are arranged, and your Soca Islands Host is with the group throughout, which takes much of the stress out of a first visit to India. Outside the planned sightseeing you're free to choose where you eat and how you spend your evenings.
Why This Journey
India can feel overwhelming on a first visit: the traffic, the crowds, the sheer scale of the monuments. This trip gives you the three essential cities in a week, with guides at the key sites and the logistics handled, so you can take in the Taj Mahal at dawn or the mirrored halls of Amber Fort without worrying about how you'll get there.
It suits first-time visitors to India and travelers with limited time who want the country's best-known sights in one short, well-paced loop from Delhi.
Where You'll Stay
Delhi (3 nights in total): The Lalit New Delhi, near Connaught Place. Agra (1 night): Courtyard by Marriott Agra, on Fatehabad Road near the Taj Mahal. Jaipur (2 nights): ITC Rajputana, Jaipur. Proposed accommodation (or similar), subject to confirmation. Rooms are based on two people sharing a double room with two beds.
Getting There
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Fly into and out of Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi; arrival and departure airport transfers are included. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
What you will see and do
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur on one well-paced route
An early-morning visit to the Taj Mahal
Mughal monuments, busy bazaars and forts on the hills
What's included
Accommodations in double rooms
Arrival and departure airport transfers
Group transportation
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
Experienced Soca Islands Host with you throughout the trip
What's excluded
- International flights (travelers arrange their own)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Lunches and dinners
- Optional activities, such as the elephant ride at Amber Fort
- Single room supplement (single rooms on request, subject to availability)
- Extra hotel nights before or after the trip
Group itinerary
Walk out of arrivals at Delhi's airport and look for the Soca Islands sign: a representative will be waiting just past the exit to take you to your hotel. We'll help you through check-in, and then the evening is yours to rest up after the flight.
Today moves from the tangle of Old Delhi to the wide boulevards of the capital. After breakfast you'll see the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, one of India's largest mosques, then climb into a cycle rickshaw to weave through Chandni Chowk. A guided walk takes you into Khari Baoli, billed as Asia's biggest spice market, before a stop at Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi's memorial.
Next the scene changes completely as you drive along Kartavya Path (formerly Rajpath), past Rashtrapati Bhavan, Parliament and the Secretariat, pausing for photos at India Gate. The day closes at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the Sikh temple whose community kitchen serves free meals to thousands of visitors, before you head back to the hotel.
After breakfast the group drives south to Agra. The main stop today is Agra Fort, a walled red sandstone citadel of palaces, audience halls and gardens from which the Mughal emperors once ruled, with views along the river to the Taj Mahal.
Then check in and take it easy; tomorrow starts early.
Set your alarm: you'll reach the Taj Mahal early, before the heat and crowds build. Shah Jahan raised it as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and it is every bit as striking in person as in photos.
Afterward you're back on the road west to Jaipur, Rajasthan's capital, famous for its pink-washed streets, forts and palaces. You'll check in here for two nights.
Please note: the Taj Mahal closes every Friday.
Begin at Amber Fort, where Rajput and Mughal styles meet in courtyards, mirrored halls and terraced gardens. An elephant ride up to the gates is offered as an option.
Later, pause for photos at Hawa Mahal, the honeycomb-fronted Palace of Winds, and at Jal Mahal, which appears to float on Man Sagar Lake. Finish at the City Palace, still home to Jaipur's royal family, before returning to the hotel.
One last breakfast in Jaipur, then the drive back to Delhi as the Rajasthan countryside rolls past the window. Once you've checked into your hotel, the rest of the day is free: shop, rest, or head out for one more look at the city.
Enjoy breakfast, pack up, and your transfer will take you to the airport for your flight home. Thanks for traveling with Soca Islands; we hope India stays with you for a long time.
Accommodations
Here's a glimpse of the hotels we selected for this adventure.
The Lalit New Delhi
A large hotel on Barakhamba Avenue at the edge of Connaught Place, convenient for both New Delhi and the road to Old Delhi.
It has a pool, spa and several restaurants.
Courtyard by Marriott Agra
A modern hotel on Fatehabad Road in the Taj Ganj area, with views toward the Taj Mahal from some rooms.
It has a pool, restaurants and a fitness center.
ITC Rajputana, Jaipur
A hotel built in the style of a Rajput haveli, with arches, courtyards and jharokha windows, on Palace Road in central Jaipur. The old Pink City, the City Palace and Hawa Mahal are a short drive away.
It has a pool, spa and several restaurants, and a large room inventory that suits groups.
Rooms
- Included
Shared double
Shared with the person you book with, or a fellow traveller of the same sex.
- Extra cost
Single room
A room to yourself, subject to availability.
You choose your room when you book.
Tour FAQS
Fly into and out of Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
Proposed accommodation (or similar), subject to confirmation: The Lalit New Delhi in Delhi (Days 1, 2 and 6), Courtyard by Marriott Agra in Agra (1 night) and ITC Rajputana, Jaipur in Jaipur (2 nights).
International Flights Not Included. International airfare to and from the destination is not included in the package price. Travelers are responsible for arranging their own flights and ensuring their arrival and departure align with the trip itinerary. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
Yes. Arrival and departure airport transfers at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) are included; a Soca Islands representative meets you just outside arrivals. Please share your confirmed flight details with Soca Islands so we can coordinate applicable arrival and departure arrangements.
Breakfast is included every morning; lunches and dinners are at your own cost, which leaves you free to try Delhi's street food or Jaipur's restaurants.
Extra nights can be requested, subject to hotel availability; contact our Customer Experience team for a quote.
There are no scheduled activities on the final day, so feel free to book your departure at your own convenience.
We recommend arriving before 3 pm on Day 1 to make it in time for the welcome event. But don’t worry no matter when you land, we’ll have an airport transfer ready for you.
Please Refer to your government’s travel advice or consult your local consulate. Remember, passport and visa requirements can change, so make sure to stay updated.
Excluding alcohol, we suggest budgeting around USD $40.00 per day for extras.
While we’re not medical professionals, we want to help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure. Here are some tips:
- Consult with a healthcare professional: Schedule an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure to get any necessary vaccines or medications.
- Up-to-date medical advice:
- US residents: Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
- UK residents: Visit the NHS Fit For Travel website.
- Australian residents: Refer to the Smart Traveler Health website.
3. Government travel advice:
- US residents: Consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
- UK residents: Check the FCDO Travel Advice.
- Australian residents: Visit the Smart Traveler website.
4. Medication tips: If you take prescription medication, bring enough to last the entire trip, plus a few extra days in case of delays. Carry a copy of your prescription in case you need to visit a clinic abroad.
We hope this helps you prepare for a safe and enjoyable adventure.
Please keep in mind that our itinerary, activities, and hotels might change. These adjustments could happen with little notice due to factors like availability, weather conditions, seasonal shifts, or other circumstances beyond our control. Rest assured, we always aim to minimise any impact on your experience. Occasionally, we may tweak the itinerary to try out fresh ideas and keep the adventure exciting.
We believe solo travelers shouldn’t have to pay extra to explore the world. That’s why our group trips are designed around shared accommodation and do not include a single supplement. Solo travelers joining our group trips are paired in twin or multi-share rooms with another traveler of the same sex for the duration of the trip.
Some of our Independent trips are structured differently. For these itineraries, solo travelers will need to book at the single occupancy rate.
Tips are not included in the cost of this tour. Remember, tipping is entirely at your discretion and based on what you feel comfortable with.
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