India - Golden Triangle (Agra, Jaipur, Delhi) | January 2026
India:
How we did the Golden Triangle in 5 days:
Tuesday night: Land in Delhi
Drive to Agra (arrived 2am)
Wednesday: Taj Mahal at sunrise
Drive to Jaipur at 11am (arrived at 4pm)
Thursday: Tour Jaipur then drive to Delhi at 7pm (arrived 12am)
Friday: Tour Delhi
Shabbos: Chabad Main Bazaar
Sunday am: Fly home (ok we missed our flight, so we flew Monday am)
Agra
Airports:
We flew in and out of Delhi airport and hired a driver to the other cities.
Weather:
It's quite foggy from the pollution. The mornings were a little chilly, (i.e. needed a jacket/sweater) but it warmed up as the day went on.
Transportation:
We landed in Delhi, met our Delhi guide, Arun at the airport, and had his "brother" (read: cousin) drive us to Agra. You can take the metro from the airport, it's much cheaper, however we couldn't figure out how to get tickets.
Accommodations:
The Crown Hotel - It's a few minute drive from Agra, 24 hour check in, nice interior design...but we skipped the showers, if you know what I mean:)
Kosher Food:
No Kosher food or Chabad in Agra.
Activities:
Taj Mahal - An absolutely beautiful, white marble mausoleum. We went at sunrise when it was less crowded and got beautiful pictures, highly highly recommend. Our tour guide, Rafsik, took amazing photos for us, and there are photographers on ground who charge 100 rupees/photo (around $1). We got 50 pictures for 3500 rupees or so, plus the ones from our tour guide. Definitely recommend getting a guide so you can appreciate what you are looking at. Book your guide here. Note: The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
Jaipur
Transportation:
Our driver, Arjun, took us to Jaipur, it's around 4 hours.
Arjun: +91 88604 62068
Accommodations:
Ramada by Wyndham - Nicer hotel than our Agra one... in other words, we used the shower lol
Kosher Food:
Chabad in Jaipur: Reach out to them via Whatsapp. +91 86579 70770
It's not a big Chabad house, we went to the couple for a hot dinner after 2 days of granola bars and chocolate.
Activities:
Elejungle - We rode elephants, climbed up their trunks, and fed them. There is also an option to paint and bathe them. They also have those foot fish massages on site, I think it's a scam though.
Monkey Temple - As religious Jews, we didn't enter the temple however we walked around that area during sunset. Beautiful views of Jaipur with monkeys scampering around. Felt otherworldly.
Albert Hall Museum - We didn't actually visit the museum, although it sounds pretty cool - there's an actual Egyptian mummy there. It's lit up at night and a nice photo op.
Jaipur Day Tour - We hired Baba through Get Your Guide. He took us around in his "Indian Helicopter" (aka his tuk-tuk) to the following sites:
Hawa Mahal - Show-stopping pink palace, it's best to go to the Tattoo Cafe across the street for the best photo.
Jantar Mantar - An assembly of massive stone-built astronomical instruments, designed to be used with the naked eye. We didn't have a guide so it was hard to appreciate what we were looking at. We did eavesdrop on a different tour group where the guide explained how they measured the zodiac and rising sun signs.
City Palace - The current 28 year old king of Jaipur and his family live in the palace. Definitely get a guide at the ticket counter. We got beautiful pictures and really enjoyed the tour. You see the blue room, single hair paintings, and more.
Isarlat - a historic, seven-story tower in Jaipur's old city, built in 1749 by Maharaja Ishwari Singh to commemorate his victory over rivals, offering panoramic views of the "Pink City" from its balconies. It's a ramp going up the tower, not stairs, which makes it very easy to climb.
Royal Gaitor - Majestic, intricately carved stone monuments. The cremation of every Kachhwaha king was done here. We got our hennas done right outside the crematory and then walked up the stairs nearby to see beautiful views.
Pink City Heritage Textile & Carpets - We were given a tour of handcrafted cashmere and silk rugs, pashminas, custom suits, etc. They can make suits within 24 hours for very reasonable prices.
Amber Fort - Magnificent palace/fortress. Definitely get a guide by the ticket counter. Visit the mirror palace, see ancient air conditioning, shower/sauna, diwan-e-aam, and more. Not at all overrated, definitely go.
Delhi
Transportation:
You can use Uber, local tuk-tuks, etc. We used Arun +91 93585 55633 to take us around all day.
Accommodations:
The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa - Beautiful 5 star hotel, around 15 minute walk from Chabad.
Chabad Main Bazaar has a hotel on the second floor. Whatsapp them to book a room +91 88607 70722
Apple Villa - Very cheap, right next to Chabad, but the price says it all. We skipped the showers....
Kosher Food:
There are two Chabad houses - Main Bazaar and South Delhi. The Main Bazaar is located in... you guessed it, the Main Bazaar, and attracts tourists/backpackers. The South Delhi Chabad house is more for locals.
Main Bazaar Chabad House: +91 88607 70722
Activities:
You can walk around the Main Bazaar on your own. Try coconut milk, sugar cane juice, etc.
Arun took us around in his tuk-tuk to the following places: (He charged us 4000 rupees/person but I think we were majorly ripped off, as Baba from Jaipur charged us 1100 for the day, total.)
Agrasen Ki Baoli - Historical stepwell, the guards don't let tour guides speak there - it's meant to be a quiet place.
India Gate - Big gate, aka photo op
Humayun's Tomb - A complex of three tombs, pretty architecture, cool photos.
Red Fort - Historic Mughal fort located in Old Delhi
Connaught Place - Busy market place selling trinkets, clothing, etc.