This is the trip for anyone flying into Delhi who wants to see the north properly, once. The driver who meets you at arrivals is the one who drops you back ten days later, and by then he knows how you take your chai.
The first five nights are in Braj at Laladham: Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, Barsana and Gokul, with a dawn boat, a cooking class and the cows. Then Agra for the fort and a sunset across the river, the Taj as it opens, Fatehpur Sikri on the road west, and three nights in Jaipur for the forts, the bazaars and a block printing table.
The last day runs back to Delhi for Humayun's Tomb and the langar at Bangla Sahib before your flight. On a private trip the slow Jaipur day can go to Pushkar instead.
Best for: Visitors flying into Delhi who want Braj, the Taj and Rajasthan in one trip, with the same driver from landing to take-off.
Itinerary, day by day
- A first evening in…Day 1, 7:30 pm
- Banke Bihari TempleDay 3, 7:45 am
- Radha Kund and Shy…Day 4, 9:30 am
- Agra FortDay 6, 10:30 am
- Jal MahalDay 8, 11:15 am
- Gurudwara Bangla S…Day 10, 5:00 pm
Land in Delhi, sleep in Braj
Airport pickup and the road to Mathura
- Pickup at Delhi airport (IGI) On the road
The driver waits at arrivals with your name, tracks the flight and does not mind if it is late.
- The Yamuna Expressway On the road
About three hours on a long, straight road, with a chai stop on the way.
- Late lunch at Laladham Meal
Dal, sabzi and rotis off the tawa. Then sleep; the flight needs it.
- A first evening in Braj Visit
A slow walk round the neighbourhood, the temple bells of Balajipuram, and an early night.
Mathura, the birthplace
Janmabhoomi, Dwarkadhish and a boat at sunset
- Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Darshan
The prison cell shrine where Krishna was born. Phones and bags stay in the car.
- Dwarkadhish Temple Darshan
A haveli temple of swings, colour and singing, busiest in the morning.
- Old Mathura on foot Visit
Holi Gate, the peda shops and the brass bazaar. Taste as you go.
- Lunch and the afternoon rest Meal
Temples close for a few hours, so we do too.
- A boat on the Yamuna Darshan
A wooden boat along the ghats as the sun goes down, then the aarti at Vishram Ghat.
- Dinner and an early night Visit
Tomorrow starts on the river before sunrise.
Vrindavan
Dawn on the river, the old temples and Prem Mandir
- Dawn at Keshi Ghat Darshan
Mist on the water and a short boat ride before the town wakes.
- Banke Bihari Temple Darshan
Darshan comes in glimpses as the curtain opens and closes. The lanes are busy, so stay close.
- Radha Raman Temple Darshan
A small old temple, calm after the crowd.
- Nidhivan Darshan
Twisted tulsi trees and the legend of the Rasa that is said to happen here each night.
- Prasad lunch in Vrindavan Meal
A thali near the temples, then rest.
- ISKCON Krishna Balaram Mandir Darshan
Marble halls and kirtan that rarely stops.
- Prem Mandir Darshan
White marble lit in changing colours, with the leelas carved on its walls.
Govardhan and Barsana
Giriraj ji, the kunds and Radha's hill
- Daan Ghati, Govardhan Darshan
A pranam to Giriraj ji, then a stretch of the parikrama on foot or by e-rickshaw.
- Kusum Sarovar Darshan
Sandstone chhatris over still water.
- Radha Kund and Shyam Kund Darshan
Two kunds side by side, the quiet heart of Govardhan.
- Lunch at Govardhan Meal
Puri, aloo and a long rest in the shade.
- Shri Radha Rani Temple, Barsana Darshan
Up the steps to Radha's temple for the evening darshan, with Braj spread out below.
Gokul, the cows and the kitchen
Gokul, the cows and the Laladham kitchen
- Gokul Darshan
Nand Bhawan and the cradle shrine, where Krishna grew up.
- Raman Reti Darshan
Soft sand where the child played. Seekers sit in it, and some roll.
- Seva at a gaushala Visit
Feed the cows with rotis and jaggery. The calves will find you first.
- Lunch at Laladham Meal
Homecooked food and an unhurried afternoon.
- Cooking class in the Laladham kitchen Visit
Roll rotis, temper a dal and learn the slow kadhi of Braj. Dinner is what you cook.
- Kirtan in the courtyard Visit
Harmonium, kartals and old bhajans to say goodbye to Braj.
On to Agra
Agra Fort, the Baby Taj and sunset across the river
- Mathura to Agra On the road
About an hour and a half down the highway.
- Agra Fort Visit
Red sandstone walls and white marble palaces. From the Musamman Burj the Taj sits far off down the river.
- Lunch in Agra Meal
Keep it light, or try petha, Agra's own sweet.
- Itmad-ud-Daulah Visit
The small marble tomb people call the Baby Taj, its inlay work older than the Taj itself.
- Sunset at Mehtab Bagh Visit
A garden on the far bank, facing the Taj. The marble goes pink, then grey.
The Taj at sunrise, then Jaipur
Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri and the road west
- The Taj Mahal at sunrise Visit
The gates open around half an hour before sunrise. It is closed on Fridays, which is why this day never falls on one.
- Breakfast and check-out Meal
Back to the hotel to eat and pack.
- Fatehpur Sikri Visit
Akbar's red city on a ridge, about an hour from Agra: Buland Darwaza, the Panch Mahal and the white tomb of Salim Chishti.
- Lunch on the highway Meal
A dhaba stop on the way into Rajasthan.
- On to Jaipur On the road
About four hours to the Pink City, in by early evening.
Jaipur, the forts and the old city
Amer, the stepwell, the City Palace and Hawa Mahal
- Amer Fort Visit
Go early, before the heat and the buses. The Sheesh Mahal, the hall of mirrors, is what people remember.
- Panna Meena ka Kund Visit
A stepwell of criss-crossing steps, a short walk from Amer.
- Jal Mahal Visit
A palace sitting in the middle of Man Sagar lake, a photo stop on the way back to town.
- Lunch: dal baati churma Meal
Jaipur's own meal, if you are hungry enough for it.
- City Palace and Jantar Mantar Visit
The royal palace and, next door, giant stone instruments for reading the sky, built nearly three hundred years ago.
- Hawa Mahal Visit
The pink honeycomb front with its hundreds of small windows, best in the late light.
Jaipur, at an easy pace
Block printing, the bazaars and Nahargarh
- Block printing in Sanganer Visit
Printers stamp cloth by hand with carved wooden blocks. You get to try a block yourself.
- Lunch in the old city Meal
Kachori from a corner shop, or a proper thali.
- Johari and Bapu Bazaar Visit
Textiles, mojari shoes, bangles and lac. Bargain gently; the guide knows what is fair.
- Sunset at Nahargarh Visit
The fort on the ridge above the city, where Jaipur turns gold and then becomes a field of lights.
Back to Delhi
The highway, Humayun's Tomb and the flight home
- Jaipur to Delhi On the road
About five hours on the highway, less if the traffic is kind.
- Lunch in Delhi Meal
Somewhere close to the next stop.
- Humayun's Tomb Visit
The garden tomb that came before the Taj, and quieter than you expect.
- Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Visit
The golden domes, the still tank and the langar kitchen that feeds everyone who walks in.
- Drop at Delhi airport On the road
Or at your Delhi hotel if you fly the next day.
Day 10 ends at Delhi airport around 7:30 pm (flights after 11 pm are easiest)
Included
- AC car or Tempo Traveller with one driver for all 10 days
- Delhi airport pickup and drop
- Local guide in Braj, Agra and Jaipur
- 5 nights at Laladham, 1 in Agra and 3 in Jaipur, twin share
- Breakfast and dinner every day
- Yamuna boat rides, cooking class and gaushala seva in Braj
- Block printing session in Sanganer
- Parking, fuel, tolls and state permits
Not included
- Lunches
- Monument tickets (Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Amer and the rest)
- Flights and trains
- Temple offerings
- Personal shopping
What to carry
- Aadhaar or any photo ID
- Comfortable cotton clothes, covered shoulders and knees for temples
- Slip-on footwear (you leave it outside every temple)
- Water bottle, cap or dupatta for the sun
- Small bag only: big bags are not allowed inside many temples
- Some cash for offerings, boat and prasad
- Passport, if you are visiting from abroad (hotels and monuments ask for it)
- Sunscreen and a hat for the forts
- A shawl from November to February
Places on this route
Questions, answered
What if the Taj day falls on a Friday?
It cannot. Group departures start on a Sunday so the Taj morning is a Saturday. Private trips are planned around Fridays too.
Which hotels do you use in Agra and Jaipur?
Hand-picked hotels, chosen for each group by size and budget. You get the names with your confirmation.
Are monument tickets included?
No. Prices differ for Indian and foreign visitors and change often, so you buy them at the gate or online, and the guide helps.
How do I book this tour?
Open the tour in the app and choose a group date or a private day. You can also write to us on WhatsApp and we will set it up with you.
