The Golden Triangle in four days — Delhi, Agra, Jaipur

Four days isn't a lot of time for the Golden Triangle, but it's enough if the route is well-planned. Day one in Delhi covers Qutub Minar, the Lotus Temple, Rajpath and the diplomatic enclave around India Gate, and the parliamentary buildings if your timings line up. Day two starts before dawn for the Yamuna Expressway and a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal — the only way to see it without crowds. Agra Fort and the Baby Taj fill the afternoon. Day three is the long drive south to Jaipur, broken at Fatehpur Sikri. Day four runs Amer Fort, Jal Mahal, the Palace of Winds, the Maharaja's City Palace, and Jantar Mantar before an evening drop-off at Delhi or the Jaipur airport. A private air-conditioned vehicle and a multilingual guide stay with you the full four days; hotel category is your call.