The Golden Triangle

The best time to go to the Golden Triangle is from August to March. During this period, the weather is tolerable with some variability. The winter months of December to February can be brutally cold at night, but can go up to a balmy 18-20 deg C by day. Delhi and Jaipur tend to experience dry but foggy weather.
But this is the busiest time on the Triangle.

The months of October, November and March are excellent - the weather is pleasant with no extremes and warm sunny days. August and September does bring some showers, but its never too difficult to travel unlike India's west coast. This is also a good time, because prices of hotels are lower than in October.

From April to July, its hot - very hot! Expect to spend early mornings or late afternoons outdoors visiting the sights, and then staying indoors for the median daylight hours. A hotel with a nice pool is a worthy luxury to pay for!

By air: New Delhi is connected practically with all the destinations in India and blessed with a huge number of international connections. Do try and avoid taking early morning flights into or out of Delhi in the months of December to February, as the airports are plagued with fog delays and flight cancellations. Jaipur is also connected by air with Mumbai, Delhi and other cities.

A good sunscreen, dark glasses, comfortable walking shoes and wide-brimmed hat for the 'monumental' walks. A digital camera with a large memory card is essential. Bring a good yarn (a book) for those hot afternoons in the summer. In Amber Fort, a nose-clip if the elephant in front of you is reminding you of his last meal! Plenty of cash and lots of patience in Jaipur while shopping. Swish clothes for a meal out in one of Delhi's fancy fine-dines. Bring your spirit of adventure with you, as you navigate by bicycle through the narrow streets on a tour of Old Delhi!

Delhi, Agra and Jaipur's resources are stretched. So as a traveller, you only add to the pressure. Try and choose to stay in small hotels or B&Bs with a small ecological footprint. Or use hotels that have a clearly stated and executed water and energy conservation policy. Buy from fair-price shops owned by local communities and people. Bargain for the joy of building a connection with the shopkeeper, not to extort him. Tip generously for good service! And wear your heart on your sleeve, as you listen to poignant tales of life on the streets of Delhi, with a guided walk from the Salaam Balaak Trust.