The Golden Triangle is one of India’s most well-known tourist destinations, and with good cause. The road connects important tourist locations like as Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. Driving each leg of the journey takes around 4-6 hours, and train takes somewhat less time. Huge forts, majestic palaces, busy bazaars, and more may be found on the Golden Triangle path. Everyone I asked who had visited the Golden Triangle raved about it, and I have to agree — it is a must-see! So, to entice you to visit India, here is my fast tour to the Golden Triangle!
STOP 1 ON THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE: DELHI
Delhi offers excellent flight connections from the UK and appears to be the cheapest airport to fly into, so depending on your origin, it is probably the best place to begin. It’s easy to imagine how busy it is with a population of almost 19 million people. Uber is an excellent mode of transportation for getting to all of the city’s tourist attractions. However, the driving and traffic, especially in the city centers, is some of the worst I’ve ever seen, and some Ubers don’t have seatbelts.
When planning your next trip, keep in mind that trains must be booked far ahead of time. A railway ticket costs around 450 INR on average. Request assistance from the receptionist or host at your lodging with the rail reservation, as it might be tricky. Otherwise, you can request that your hotel arrange a driver for you, but this would be significantly more expensive, costing roughly 7,000 INR to get from Delhi to Agra.
STOP 2 ON THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE: AGRA
The Taj Mahal is located in Agra. One of the world’s marvels, and I can attest that it is just as stunning in person! There isn’t much else to do in Agra, so spending 1-2 days there to view the Taj Mahal at sunrise and sunset is great.
The Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum embellished with calligraphy, semi-precious stones, and inlay work. It was built in remembrance of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz Mahal, over a period of 20 years, beginning in 1632. Shah Jahan also constructed the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid, among other structures.
STOP 3 ON THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE: JAIPUR
Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink Metropolis because of its stunning pink architecture, is a bustling city similar to Delhi, with a population of over 3 million people and a distance of 167 miles.
The Amer Fort and Palace are located in the village of Amer, just outside of Jaipur’s city center, and are readily accessible by cab or Uber. If the elephant ride to the summit appeals to you, be aware that the elephants are made to work by carrying visitors and are shackled with painful spikes. I strongly advise you to research why you should never ride an elephant. This substantial animal maltreatment is not worth it; there is always the alternative of taking a jeep or going for a leisurely stroll. You could get lucky as I did and come across the sweetest pups on the way up.
In the walled Old City, the Hawa Mahal is located near Badi Chaupar. Before you go to the Hawa Mahal, you may go shopping at one of the various bazaars. From any of the rooftop cafés across the street, you can get the greatest views. The steps leading to the Wind Café or the Tattoo Cafe may be seen if you look closely. You must travel behind the building to enter the Hawa Mahal; this is equally worth seeing.
RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK – AN ADDITIONAL STOP
Between Agra and Jaipur, in the Sawai Madhopur region of southeast Rajasthan, I also took a brief detour at Ranthambore National Park. Ranthambore is accessible by train, with Sawai Madhopur being the closest station. Even though the park isn’t exactly part of the Golden Triangle Tour, I couldn’t pass up the chance to view a wild Bengal tiger!
Gypsy and Canter are the two safari operators, with Canter seating 20 passengers and being the little less expensive choice. Gypsy, on the other hand, feels more at ease when there are less people on the trip. You may book ahead of time on TripAdvisor or have it done for you when you arrive by your accommodation’s reception or host. They were always willing to assist me.
The Golden Triangle is an incredible experience, and I highly recommend going if you get the opportunity!
