This Golden Triangle Tour with Ajanta Ellora Caves & Mumbai is for travellers who don’t just want to “see the sights”, but actually understand how India’s great cities and sacred sites fit together. You start in Delhi, feeling the contrast between the tangled lanes of Old Delhi and the wide boulevards and monuments of New Delhi, then move on to Agra for the Taj Mahal, mighty Mughal forts and calm river views. From there, Jaipur adds a very different mood, with Amber Fort on the hill, royal palaces in the old city and markets full of colour, fabric and everyday life. The journey then shifts to Maharashtra, where Ajanta’s quiet canyon and Buddhist cave paintings feel almost timeless, and Ellora’s rock‑cut temples show how different faiths once shared the same landscape. You end in Mumbai on the Arabian Sea, where the Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves and the city’s fast pace give you a modern, urban finale. All along the way, you travel with a private driver, practical domestic flights and local guides in the key places, so logistics stay simple and you can focus on the stories, views and moments that make the trip genuinely memorable.
Tour Highlights
- Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi, spice markets, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar and government district drive‑through.
- Sunrise Taj Mahal visit, Agra Fort, Itimad‑ud‑Daulah and optional Mehtab Bagh sunset viewpoint.
- Fatehpur Sikri Mughal capital (UNESCO) and Chand Baori stepwell at Abhaneri en route to the Pink City.
- Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal façade and time in local markets for crafts and photography.
- Full‑day visit to Ajanta’s rock‑cut caves, murals and sculptures with guided explanation of their history and conservation.
- Exploration of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves, including the Kailasa Temple, plus optional Daulatabad Fort and Bibi Ka Maqbara.
- Boat trip from Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves, then city tour covering Marine Drive, Dhobi Ghat, CST (exterior) and Mani Bhavan.
- Private AC car with driver, domestic flights where needed, local English‑speaking guides, and a paced itinerary mixing must‑see sites with free time.
| Destination | Delhi → Agra → Fatehpur Sikri → Jaipur → Aurangabad → Ajanta Caves → Ellora Caves → Daulatabad → Mumbai → Goa |
| Duration | 11 Days |
| Tour Type | Golden Triangle Tours |
Tour Plan
01Day 1 – Arrival in Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, where a representative meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may choose to rest after the flight or take a gentle orientation walk nearby to get a first feel for India’s capital.
If time allows, you might drive through New Delhi to see the India Gate area, the Parliament buildings, and the Presidential residence from the outside, getting an overview of the city’s modern side. Evening at leisure and overnight in Delhi.
02Day 2 – Old and New Delhi sightseeing
After breakfast, explore the key sights of Old and New Delhi with a local guide. In Old Delhi you typically visit Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques, and take a cycle‑rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk and the Khari Baoli spice market. You also see the exterior of the Red Fort and visit Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
In New Delhi, highlights usually include Humayun’s Tomb, an early Mughal garden‑tomb, and Qutub Minar, the 73‑metre minaret within the Qutub complex. You may also stop at the Lotus Temple (Baha’i House of Worship) and drive through the diplomatic and government districts again in daylight. Overnight in Delhi.
03Day 3 – Delhi to Agra
After breakfast, drive to Agra (around 3.5–4 hours) on a modern highway. On arrival, check in at your hotel and take some rest before starting your Agra sightseeing.
In the afternoon, visit Agra Fort, the imposing riverside citadel that was once the main residence of Mughal emperors, and Itimad‑ud‑Daulah’s Tomb, often called the “Baby Taj” for its delicate inlay work. Around sunset, many travelers enjoy a view of the Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River at Mehtab Bagh, conditions permitting. Overnight in Agra.
04Day 4 – Taj Mahal at sunrise, then Agra to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri
Today you rise early to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, when the light is soft and crowds are thinner. After ample time for exploration and photography, return to the hotel for breakfast.
Later, depart Agra for Jaipur (around 5 hours), stopping first at Fatehpur Sikri, Emperor Akbar’s abandoned red‑sandstone capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You may also pause at Abhaneri to see the Chand Baori stepwell, an impressive example of traditional water architecture, before continuing to Jaipur.
Arrive in Jaipur by evening and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for a relaxed walk in a nearby bazaar or to rest at the property.
05Day 5 – Jaipur: Amber Fort and the Pink City
After breakfast, drive out to Amber Fort, set on a hillside just outside Jaipur, and explore its courtyards, halls, and views over Maota Lake. You typically ascend by vehicle and return by jeep, with time to appreciate the palace interiors and historic details.
Back in Jaipur, visit landmarks such as the City Palace complex, Jantar Mantar observatory, and the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) façade from the street. Depending on your interests, you may add stops at textile workshops, jewelry artisans, or local markets. Overnight in Jaipur.
06Day 6 – Jaipur to Delhi and flight to Aurangabad (or direct flight, when available)
After breakfast, you have some free time in Jaipur for last‑minute sightseeing or shopping, then begin the drive back to Delhi (around 5 hours) for an evening flight to Aurangabad, subject to flight schedules. In some itineraries, you may fly from Jaipur via Mumbai directly to Aurangabad; your final routing depends on current connections.
On arrival in Aurangabad, transfer to your hotel and rest. Overnight in Aurangabad.
07Day 7 – Aurangabad: Ajanta Caves excursion
Today you visit the Ajanta Caves, located about 100–105 km from Aurangabad (roughly a 2‑hour drive each way). After an early breakfast, drive with your guide to the site, a horseshoe‑shaped gorge housing 29 rock‑cut Buddhist caves decorated with paintings and sculptures dating from around the 2nd century BCE to the 5th–6th century CE.
You spend several hours exploring selected caves, learning about the narratives depicted in the murals and the evolution of Buddhist art and monastic life. In the late afternoon, return to Aurangabad for the evening at leisure and overnight at your hotel.
08Day 8 – Aurangabad: Ellora Caves and Daulatabad
After breakfast, head out to the Ellora Caves, about 30–36 km from Aurangabad (about an hour’s drive). This UNESCO World Heritage Site includes 34 rock‑cut monasteries and temples representing Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions, carved between roughly the 6th and 10th centuries.
Your visit usually focuses on key caves such as the monumental Kailasa Temple (Cave 16), noted for its scale and relief work depicting stories of Shiva and other deities. Many itineraries also include nearby Daulatabad Fort, a medieval hillside citadel offering panoramic views and a sense of Deccan military history.
Later, return to Aurangabad, with optional visits to Bibi Ka Maqbara—often compared to a smaller Taj Mahal—and local markets if time allows. Overnight in Aurangabad.
09Day 9 – Aurangabad to Mumbai
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a short flight to Mumbai. On arrival, you are met and driven to your hotel. Depending on your schedule, you may start an introductory tour or relax after the journey.
If time permits, some programs include a drive past landmarks such as the Marine Drive seafront, Chowpatty Beach, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus from the outside, giving you a first look at the city’s colonial architecture and seaside atmosphere. Overnight in Mumbai.
10Day 10 – Mumbai: Elephanta Caves and city highlights
After breakfast, set out for the Gateway of India, where you board a shared ferry to Elephanta Island on Mumbai Harbour. The crossing takes about an hour each way; at the island, you visit the Elephanta cave temples, a UNESCO‑listed complex of rock‑cut shrines dedicated primarily to Shiva, including the famous three‑headed Maheshmurti relief.
Returning to the mainland, continue with a guided city tour that may include the exterior of the Mumbai High Court and University buildings, a stop at the Dhobi Ghat open‑air laundry, the Prince of Wales Museum (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya), and Mani Bhavan, a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. Evening free and overnight in Mumbai.
11Day 11 – Departure from Mumbai
Depending on your flight time, you may have a few hours in the morning for last‑minute shopping or a relaxed walk along the seafront. Later, transfer to the airport for your onward flight, concluding your Golden Triangle with Ajanta, Ellora, and Mumbai journey.
Tour Location
Delhi → Agra → Fatehpur Sikri → Jaipur → Aurangabad → Ajanta Caves → Ellora Caves → Daulatabad → Mumbai
