7 days India: Golden Triangle + Mumbai

Trip map

Click each numbered marker to see the corresponding day.

Day by day

1. 1

   Day 1

   Arrival Delhi

   Direct Paris-Delhi (DEL) flight 8h Air France/Air India (€350-900 low season, €800-1400 high season December-February). E-Visa MANDATORY for French ($10-25 depending on duration, online application indianvisaonline.gov.in 72h before departure, valid 30 or 365 days depending on category). Biometric passport 6 months + 2 blank pages. Land Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) (16 km from New Delhi centre). Time difference +4h30 winter, +3h30 summer (IST UTC+5:30, unique zone). WARNING night arrival recommended to avoid heat + day sensory shocks. Transfer: official prepaid taxi exit kiosk INR 400-700 (~€4-8), Uber/Ola INR 300-500, Aerocity metro less recommended with luggage. Settle hotel: The Imperial New Delhi (Art Deco heritage 1931, INR 12000-25000), Lodhi (boutique 5* INR 10000-20000), ITC Maurya (contemporary luxury INR 8000-18000), mid-range Connaught Place INR 3000-6000. Evening first dinner: Indian Accent (gourmet top 50 Asia World, INR 4500-7500/person tasting menu) or Karim's (Old Delhi, biryani and kebabs since 1913, INR 300-800 — institution).

   Tips

   • · E-Visa MANDATORY: $10-25 indianvisaonline.gov.in
   • · Paris-Delhi flight: 8h direct Air France/Air India
   • · IST time diff +4h30 winter / +3h30 summer (unique zone)
   • · Karim's Old Delhi: since 1913, biryani institution INR 300-800
   Delhi →
2. 2

   Day 2

   Old Delhi + New Delhi

   Morning Old Delhi: Red Fort UNESCO 1648 (Lal Qila, Moghul imperial complex Shah Jahan, INR 600 foreigners, 2h visit), Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi main artery since 1650, mad market of 200000 people/day, perfect for tuk-tuk-rickshaw tour INR 200-400), Jama Masjid (1656, India's largest mosque, INR 350 + INR 100 photo), Spice Bazaar Khari Baoli (largest spice market in Asia). Lunch Karim's or Paranthe Wali Galli (parathas fried street since 1875). Afternoon New Delhi: Qutub Minar UNESCO 1199 (72m Islamic victory minaret, world's tallest brick minaret, INR 600 foreigners), India Gate (1931 Edwin Lutyens memorial, 90000 fallen WWI soldiers), Rashtrapati Bhavan (presidential residence, exterior view), Lodhi Garden (90 ha gardens 15-16th c. Moghul tombs). Dinner Bukhara (ITC Maurya, legendary northwest Indian cuisine, INR 3000-5000/person).

   Tips

   • · Red Fort UNESCO: INR 600 foreigners, 2h visit
   • · Old Delhi tuk-tuk rickshaw: INR 200-400/hour
   • · Qutub Minar UNESCO: 72m, world's tallest brick
   • · Bukhara ITC Maurya: legendary northwest cuisine INR 3000-5000
   Delhi →
3. 3

   Day 3

   Delhi → Agra drive + Taj Mahal

   Morning early departure Delhi → Agra. Options: Gatimaan Express train (1h45 comfortable, Shatabdi Class, INR 750-1500, depart 6-8am Hazrat Nizamuddin) OR private car+driver (3h30 via Yamuna Expressway, INR 4500-7000 return day, more flexible) OR flight not recommended (low value short distance). Arrive Agra. Settle hotel: Oberoi Amarvilas (signature luxury 5* with Taj view from room, INR 35000-70000/night, one of the world's most beautiful hotels), ITC Mughal (INR 8000-15000), Trident (mid INR 5000-10000), Howard Plaza (mid INR 3000-6000). Afternoon Taj Mahal — absolute icon of Indian travel. Entry INR 1300 foreigners (INR 200 token shoe-covers + water bottle + audio memory-card), book 24h before via official site tajmahal.gov.in. Taj Mahal: commissioned by emperor Shah Jahan 1632, finalised 1653, dedicated to his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died in childbirth 1631, 22000 artisans + ivories/turquoises/lapis-lazuli inlaid on Makrana marble, UNESCO 1983. 4 unmissable views: south red gate entry (iconic global view aligned gardens fountains), summit marble platform (cenotaph interior), east face sunrise (pale gold → cream white), west face sunset (warm gold → red). SUNRISE 6am recommended, crowds x4 between 10am-4pm. Dinner hotel or Esphahan (Oberoi gourmet, INR 4000-6000).

   Tips

   • · Gatimaan Express train: 1h45, INR 750-1500, Delhi-Agra direct
   • · Taj Mahal: INR 1300 foreigners, BOOK 24h ahead
   • · Sunrise Taj: 6am, crowds x4 after 10am
   • · Oberoi Amarvilas: INR 35000-70000, signature Taj view
   Taj Mahal →
4. 4

   Day 4

   Agra Fort + Agra → Jaipur drive

   Morning Agra Fort UNESCO 1983 (Lal Qila Agra, Moghul Akbar 1565, imperial residence until 1638 then Shah Jahan imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb in this fort until his death 1666 — obliged Taj Mahal view from afar from his cell, tragic romance). Entry INR 600 foreigners, 2h visit: Diwan-i-Am public audience, Diwan-i-Khas private, gardens, white mosque. Afternoon Agra → Jaipur drive (4h30, 240 km via Yamuna Expressway then NH48). Fatehpur Sikri UNESCO stop (1h, ephemeral Akbar capital 1571-1585 abandoned for lack of water, INR 600 — one of the best preserved Moghul cities). Arrive Jaipur (3.1M inhabitants, Rajasthan capital, founded 1727 by maharaja Jai Singh II). Settle: Rambagh Palace (Taj signature 5*, former royal palace, INR 25000-50000), Samode Haveli (heritage INR 8000-15000), ITC Rajputana (INR 8000-15000), Pearl Palace (boutique mid INR 1500-3500). Dinner 1135 AD (Amber Fort, Rajasthani gastronomy palace view, INR 2500-5000/person) OR traditional thali LMB Laxmi Mishtan Bhandar (since 1727, vegetarian INR 300-700).

   Tips

   • · Agra Fort UNESCO: INR 600, 2h visit, Shah Jahan prison
   • · Agra-Jaipur drive: 4h30, 240 km, Fatehpur Sikri stop
   • · Fatehpur Sikri UNESCO: Akbar capital 1571-1585, INR 600
   • · Jaipur Rambagh Palace: Taj signature, INR 25000-50000
   Jaipur →
5. 5

   Day 5

   Jaipur: Amber Fort + Hawa Mahal + City Palace

   Morning 8am early departure for Amber Fort (11 km north Jaipur, on 152m hill, founded 1592 Rajput maharaja, Rajput-Moghul blend palace). Entry INR 500 foreigners + INR 200 jeep shuttle ascent (alternative jeep from parking) — FORBIDDEN since 2020 elephant back ascent for animal welfare. Amber Fort: Ganesh Pol Hindu gate, Sheesh Mahal Mirror Palace (interior in billion inlaid mirrors), Diwan-i-Khas. Photographer's paradise. Afternoon Jaipur centre: City Palace + museum (INR 700 complete entry, 2h, official maharaja residence Rajput royal family, Hawa Mahal ring Palace of Winds 1799 pink lattice facade 953 windows). Jantar Mantar UNESCO 2010 (Jai Singh II 1734 astronomical observatory, INR 200, 1h, world's largest stone sundial 27m). Bazaars market: Johari (jewellers, gems, jaspers, emeralds Jaipur world gem capital), Bapu (textiles), Tripolia (object jewellery). Dinner 1135 AD or Suvarna Mahal (Rambagh Palace, signature INR 4000-7000).

   Tips

   • · Amber Fort: INR 500 + INR 200 jeep shuttle (no elephant)
   • · Hawa Mahal: pink 953 windows facade, iconic photo
   • · Jantar Mantar UNESCO 2010: Jai Singh II 1734 observatory
   • · Jaipur bazaars: Johari (jewellery), Bapu (textiles), Tripolia
   Jaipur →
6. 6

   Day 6

   Jaipur → Mumbai flight + Gateway of India

   Morning IndiGo/Air India/Vistara Jaipur → Mumbai (BOM) flight (1h45, INR 4000-9000 return). Arrive Mumbai/Bombay, India's economic capital, 20M inhabitants agglomeration. 0h time difference. Prepaid taxi airport-Colaba transfer: INR 600-900 (~€7-11), 45-90 min depending on traffic. Settle hotel Colaba/South Mumbai: Taj Mahal Palace (1903 signature facing Gateway of India, INR 20000-40000, 2008 attacks to note), Oberoi Mumbai (Marine Drive, INR 15000-30000), ITC Maratha (INR 8000-15000), Sea Palace mid (INR 4000-8000). Afternoon Gateway of India (1924 basalt arch 26m facing Arabian Sea, free, crowds + photos with domestic tourists, pigeons and street vendors), Colaba Causeway (shopping street boutiques + historic restos Leopold Cafe + Cafe Mondegar). Boat-shuttle cruise Elephanta Caves UNESCO 1987 (10 km off mainland, 1h ferry from Gateway INR 200 return, 5-7th century Hindu sculptures including Trimurti 6m 3-faced Shiva statue — absolute masterpiece). Evening Marine Drive (3 km seafront Queen's Necklace, 'Queen's Necklace' evening lighting, Art Deco UNESCO 2018 buildings Marine Lines-Nariman Point). Dinner Trishna (south-Indian Mangalore + seafood cuisine, INR 1500-3500/person, top 50 Asia 50 Best).

   Tips

   • · Jaipur-Mumbai flight: 1h45, INR 4000-9000 return IndiGo/Air India
   • · Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai: 1903 signature, INR 20000-40000
   • · Elephanta Caves UNESCO: 1h ferry, 5-7th c. sculptures
   • · Marine Drive: UNESCO Art Deco 2018, signature evening lighting
   Mumbai →
7. 7

   Day 7

   Bollywood + Paris return

   Free morning Mumbai: Dhobi Ghat (open-air laundry ghat 7000 launderers since 1890, panoramic view from Mahalaxmi station bridge, emblematic photo), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus UNESCO 2004 (CSMT, former Victoria Terminus, 1888 Victorian Gothic style station — India's most beautiful station), Crawford Market (1869 colonial market fruits + spices). Optional Bollywood Film City Goregaon: guide tour INR 1300-2500, 3h, filming sets visit + choreographed dance + lunch included — India of cinema (1500 films/year, more than Hollywood). Brunch Cafe Madras (Matunga institution, dosa + filter coffee INR 200-400) or Britannia & Co Parsi restaurant 1923 (INR 1500-3000). Return car BOM airport. 4h airport margin (international). Mumbai → Paris CDG flight direct 9h Air France/Air India OR via Doha-Bangkok-Delhi (variations). -4h30 winter / -3h30 summer time difference back to France. End of Indian trip. Souvenirs: Banaras/Varanasi silks (saris INR 3000-15000, scarves INR 1500-5000), Crawford market spices (cardamom INR 500/100g, saffron INR 1500-3000/g, curry mix), Rajasthan crafts (block-print textiles, miniature paintings, silver jewellery), Darjeeling tea (first flush INR 2000-5000/250g).

   Tips

   • · Dhobi Ghat: 7000 launderers, emblematic photo from bridge
   • · CSMT UNESCO 2004: 1888 Victorian Gothic station
   • · Bollywood Film City: INR 1300-2500, 3h tour
   • · Direct Mumbai-Paris flight: 9h Air France/Air India
   Mumbai →

Frequently asked questions