The Golden Triangle is India’s most famous and popular route – so good that even the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge traversed two corners of it on their recent tour. The perfect introduction to the colour and chaos of a magnificent country, there is no better journey to immerse yourself in the variety of people, culture and landscapes of India’s north…
Delhi, India’s boisterous capital, is also the gateway to the country. A city of incredible contrasts and high energy, Delhi may at first seem overwhelming, but at its heart it is a friendly and cosmopolitan place with a wealth of treasures to discovery. Old Delhi gives you a glimpse of the capital in days gone by, with herds of cows roaming the streets and the call to prayer echoing through bustling bazaars and alleyways. At the centre of this labyrinthine area are two colossal landmarks that are definite must-visits: the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. The Mughal-built Red Fort is thought to be the masterpiece of Mughal architecture, a cool and calm complex of marble and sandstone palaces and pavilions. Jama Masjid is India’s largest mosque and a magnificent construction of sandstone and marble, crowned with huge white domes. There is no better place to find a sense of calm and to do a spot of people watching!
From the bedlam of Old Delhi, entering into the British-built New Delhi is like arriving in a new place entirely. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1929, this area is all about open space and breathtaking grandeur. Follow the Rajpath from India Gate up to what was then, and still is now, India’s seat of power, the Rashtrapati Bhavan. These are just our must-see Delhi sights but there are plenty more – this is the kind of city that you could spend weeks exploring and still be finding new things!
After your Delhi discovery is done, it’s time to move on to the next corner of the triangle, Agra. You can reach Agra by train or by road – it’s even possibly to do it as a day trip from Delhi, but if you can spend a night and not rush, you should. Now, we can’t lie, thanks to a huge number of touts and vendors Agra can be a grating city to explore but the sights, including the Taj Mahal, more than make up for it. The Taj Mahal is an incredible building that needs little introduction. Its near perfect symmetry and white marble façade give every viewing an ethereal quality, but this is particularly enhanced in the early morning, when the building’s mood changes with the blooming colours of the sunrise. This isn’t the only reason to visit early – there tends to be a lot less people around at this time too. For those with a particular interest in architecture, make sure you visit the Tomb of Akbar the Great and the Baby Taj to see the progression in the Mughal style. Agra’s other incredible sight is its fort, the 16th century imperial city of the Mughal Empire. Within the huge walls you can explore intricate and exquisite palaces, audience halls and mosques.
The final point on the Golden Triangle takes you into the state of Rajasthan; again easily done by train or by road. Rajasthan means ‘Land of the Kings’ – once you’ve laid eyes on the gorgeous forts and palaces dotted throughout this desert state, it’s easy to see why! It is Jaipur that is the city on the Golden Triangle route, an atmospheric place of sumptuous architecture and frenetic street life. The Amber Palace, just outside of the city, is one of the six forts that make up the UNESCO World Heritage listing of the ‘Hill Forts of Rajasthan’ and is one of India’s most well-known, it’s opulent courtyards, stained glass and carvings some of the prime examples of Rajput architecture. The old town is known as the ‘Pink City’ because of the colour of its buildings – in this area you’ll find some of Jaipur’s other top sights – the Hawa Mahal ‘Palace of the Winds’, the City Palace and Jantar Mantar, a fascinating collection of weird and wonderful astrological instruments. Jaipur, and Rajasthan as a whole, is the place to indulge yourself and look into staying at a heritage hotel – we’re talking old palaces and havelis that give you a truly opulent experience, but not always at an extravagant price. You’ll also find that, generally, the service is send to none.
With your Golden Triangle adventure complete, you can either return to Delhi and fly home, or extend your trip farther – perhaps head farther into Rajasthan, travel over to the ancient city of Varanasi or fly down to the south to soak up the relaxed ambiance of Kerala. Whichever you choose, you time venturing around the Golden Triangle will long remain in magical memories.
At Asia Inspirations we offer you the opportunity to build your own itinerary – click here for more information on the destinations of the Golden Triangle and India as a whole. The Asia Inspirations tailormade team are India experts, why not give them a call to discuss your ideas on 0800 988 8202. Alternatively, if you’d like to travel the Golden Triangle in a group, visit our sister site Wendy Wu Tours, for group touring options.