Delhi

Delhi is where most Golden Triangle journeys begin, and it earns its place as more than a transit stop. The city layers Mughal-era monuments, colonial-era New Delhi, and a fast-moving modern capital into a single, walkable introduction to India.

Old Delhi's dense lanes around Chandni Chowk sit a short drive from the wide boulevards of Lutyens' Delhi, and both are worth a proper visit — the contrast is part of what makes the city interesting, not an inconvenience to plan around.

Highlights

• Humayun's Tomb, a precursor to the Taj Mahal's design
• Jama Masjid and the lanes of Old Delhi
• India Gate and the colonial-era government quarter
• Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage minaret

Best Time to Visit

October to March, when daytime temperatures are comfortable for sightseeing.

Getting There

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport is the main international gateway for most Golden Triangle trips; most itineraries begin and often end here.