Delhi divides into Old and New. Old Delhi delivers narrow lanes, Mughal forts, and sensory overload. New Delhi brings wide avenues, government buildings, and breathing room.
Red Fort and Jama Masjid dominate Old Delhi. Both Mughal-era. Both impressive. Chandni Chowk market sprawls between them—food, jewelry, chaos.
New Delhi centers on India Gate, a war memorial. Nearby: Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple. All worth seeing. All less crowded than Old Delhi.
Delhi metro makes navigation easy. ₹10-60 depending on distance. Clean. Air-conditioned. Essential.
Delhi is intense. Give yourself at least 2-3 days. You'll need recovery time.
The Taj Mahal sits in Agra, 3.5 hours from Delhi by train. Built 1631-1648 by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. White marble. Intricate inlay work. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Go at sunrise. The marble glows pink. Fewer crowds. Better photos. Entry around ₹1,050 for foreigners (includes other sites). Closed Fridays.
Agra Fort sits 2.5km away. Red sandstone fortress. Less famous. Equally impressive. Shah Jahan was imprisoned here by his son. He could see the Taj Mahal from his window.
Agra itself is industrial and dusty. Don't expect charm. Come for the monuments. Leave the same day or stay one night maximum.
Delhi-Agra train tickets: around ₹750-2,000 depending on class. Book via IRCTC app.
Rajasthan = desert state. Pink City (Jaipur), Blue City (Jodhpur), Golden City (Jaisalmer). Each city color-coded by architecture.
Jaipur delivers Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Part of Golden Triangle with Delhi and Agra. Easily accessible.
Jodhpur brings Mehrangarh Fort—one of India's largest. Walls 120ft high. Views over the blue-painted old town. Better than Jaipur's forts.
Jaisalmer offers Thar Desert camel safaris. Overnight camping. Star-filled skies. Sand dunes. Touristy but memorable. Around ₹2,000-5,000 for multi-day trips.
Udaipur (Lake City) adds romance—palaces on Lake Pichola, boat rides, rooftop restaurants. Less desert, more water. Good counterbalance.