Exploring India's Golden Triangle
The Golden triangle takes in Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, three cities steeped in history and incredible architecture. British history is woven amongst Indian colour and culture.
Our five-night trip started in Delhi where we were met on arrival by our private guide and driver and taken to the fabulous Shangri-la hotel. I can highly recommend staying here. The views from the club lounge are amazing and watching the traffic on the roundabout below is an experience in itself!
Having a driver and guide allowed us to set the pace to suit us and allowed us the flexibility to tailor our days and itineraries to suit us and would thoroughly recommend considering this option, but there are also some excellent small group tours that may suit you better.
The following day our whistle stop tour of Delhi started with a visit to Jama Masjid mosque capable of holding 25000 devotees. We then hopped into a bicycle tuk-tuk for a hair-raising tour of the back streets of the old town. Each street had a different speciality, with rows of shops selling ribbons and trims, whilst others sold herbs and spice. We also visited a memorial to Mahatma Ghandi which was peaceful and thought provoking. We then drove through India Gate, the war memorial for the Indian soldiers who fought in WW1 and other example of how our British lives are so interlinked with this vibrant country.
The following day we were picked up for our trip to Jaipur and a trip to the Amer Fort which was built in 1592 and is surrounded by 14km of walls (which we didn’t walk as it was 45 degrees!) When Raja Man Singh has had enough of this fort, he moved into the city of Jaipur and built a new palace parts of which are still in use by the current family. The most crazy and amazing part of the day was to the Jantar Mantar observatory which has the most accurate sundial in the world. It can tell the time accurately to within 2 seconds: I really couldn’t comprehend how skilled the people had been to build this observatory. Jaipur also offered some shopping opportunities at a cooperative which produced block printed textiles and silky-smooth rugs.
Day four we broke up the drive from Jaipur to Agra stopping off at Fatehpur Sikri which was built by Emperor Akbar as a thank you to the holy man who helped him (and his wife) conceive a son. It really was a spectacular building so typical of the splendour of the Mughal Empire at the height of its power.
The next morning was an early start, as we really wanted to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise when it is at its most mystical - and at it quietest and coolest! As a 'bucket list' item, I had high expectations and can honestly say these were exceeded!
I don’t think that I’ve ever quoted Bill Clinton before, but here goes “`There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who have seen the Taj Mahal and love it, and those who have not seen the Taj and love it.”
Whether India features on your own bucket list or is just somewhere you think you would like to explore, I would love to help!