If you are planning to visit Delhi for a few days, it makes sense to include a few locations nearby in your tour itinerary. The National Capital surely does not need an introduction. Delhi is the political seat of India, but that is not the only feature that attracts people from across India and the globe in general. The place is also witness to numerous historical occurrences, that have kept the whole world in awe till date. To start with, Delhi forms one corner of the Golden Triangle. Some of the noteworthy places in Delhi are India Gate, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, and Jantar Mantar, to name a few.
The other corners are Jaipur and Agra. Agra is another city, that is synonymous with the Taj Mahal. It is located near the river Yamuna. You will be enthralled by its Mughal era buildings. In the third corner of the Golden Triangle, Jaipur is associated with royalty. It was also the first planned city in India. You will be amazed to see the attractive heritage hotels, well-manicured gardens, and forts. You can cover these places in a week’s time, without rushing. Not only Indians, but tourists from abroad, make it a point to visit the Golden Triangle atleast once in their lives.
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Background of the Golden Triangle
The three cities, Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, form a part of the Golden Triangle. These cities are connected to one another via a network of roads and rail tracks. Moreover, the distance between the cities is approximately 125-150 miles. All these cities have a strong historical background that comprises the royals of India and also the Englishmen, who ruled India at one point before India’s independence. You will find Delhi divided into two parts – New Delhi and Old Delhi. The new part of Delhi is relatively more modern than the old one. Additionally, Delhi has a connection to the epic Mahabharata. You must see the Purana Quila, which supposedly can establish links with Indraprastha. The Archaeological Survey of India conducts routine excavations in the region and has unearthed many dynasties. They have been connected to the place since long back. Moreover, they are the Mauryan empire, Mughal empire, and many more.
Jaipur is in the state of Rajasthan and has a treasure trove of stories from the Rajput era. The city has huge reserves of cultural and architectural heritage. Every temple, palace, and fort that you will see there, has some evidence of Rajputana rule. A few of the places, worth mentioning are Amer Fort, Jaigarh Fort, and City Palace. Likewise, Agra is a place which is soaked with the remnants of the Mahabharata again, and the Mughal dynasty. The Agra Fort is one of the strongest pieces of evidence, that suggest Mughal rule. So, you should ensure to visit these three places if you have a historical bent of mind.
Popular Tourist Attractions
The Golden Triangle is a storehouse of emotions, at least for a few Indians. Many international tourists visit the Golden Triangle, to unearth the immense possibilities that the place has, as a tourism destination. It also acts as the entry point for international tourists. The Indira Gandhi International Airport is an airport that possibly has all the connecting flights to the top countries across the globe. Thus, you will find people starting with Delhi, and then moving on to Agra and Jaipur. To be exact, the distance between New Delhi and Agra is 233 km, Agra and Jaipur is 237 km, and that between Jaipur and Delhi is 273 km. So, you will find people flying into Delhi, then travelling to Agra by car, and then to Jaipur by flight or car again. The ease of travel within this circuit makes it all the more popular with tourists from all walks of life and nationalities. Some of the top tourist destinations in the Golden Triangle are listed below.
- Jama Masjid
- Humayun’s Tomb
- Lotus Temple
- The Parliament House
- Akshardham Temple
- Lodhi Garden
- Qutub Minar
- Taj Mahal
- Agra Fort
- Fatehpur Sikri
- Mehtab Bagh
- Itimad Ud Daulah Tomb
- Hawa Mahal
- Amber Fort
- Jantar Mantar.
- Jal Mahal
- Chand Baori
- Birla Temple
- Monkey temple
The most amazing part of this tour is that you will be covering three states in a week.
Activities That You Can Indulge in The Golden Triangle
Old Delhi Tour – Old Delhi is a charming place that will take you inside a time warp. You can walk through the old lanes or check the Jama Masjid and buy some gifts and souvenirs from the old markets strewn across the place. Additionally, you can taste numerous ‘parathas’ at the famous Parathey Wali Gali.
Sufi Experience – You can indulge yourself in Sufi Music at Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi. This will help you to escape the chaotic world around the modern part of Delhi. You should also make it a point to see the tomb of the Sufi Saint Nizamuddin Auliya.
Hot Air Ballooning – You should also make it a point to engage in hot air ballooning in Jaipur city, also called the Pink City. Explore the undulating landscapes and myriad forts from a height. Other than the forts, you will also be able to get a bird’s eye view of the palaces and rivers below.
Jeep Safaris – You can also enjoy jeep safaris in the deserts in Jaipur city. The drive will take you through some of the rustic villages where you can interact with the locals. Camping is another experience associated with such safaris.
Experience Block Printing – If you are tired of some of the adrenaline pumping activities, slow down and observe the artisans’ creating artworks on fabrics with blocks. Checking out the blue pottery ceramic artworks are also a part of this tour.
Gorge on Local Delicacies in Agra – Agra is one of the famous cities in India, which is famous for its sweets. You can also go to Rambabu Paratha Bhandar and eat their popular flatbreads. ‘Petha’ is another famous sweet dish associated with the city, which you can gorge on. Moreover, you can also try out chats in the city.
How To Spend a Few Days in the Golden Triangle?
You will find a lot of things to do in the Golden Triangle. After you land in Delhi, you can pay your reverence at the India Gate War Memorial. The Amar Jawan Jyoti or Eternal Flame is also located there. You can also enjoy the beautiful sunset there. These are things you can do in the morning. Later on, after you have a hearty breakfast, you can head to the Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhavan. You should not miss out on the street food in Delhi, which is also famous as the Food Capital of Asia.
Get captivated by the temples and forts in Jaipur. You can engage in many activities, in the Pink City. Walk across the regal courtyards and gardens, and soak in the nature. You can also visit the ‘Sheesh Mahal’ in the evening and attend the Light and Sound Show. Head to Johari Bazaar, if you want to buy some traditional jewellery. A visit to Chokhi Dhani in the outskirts of the city, will see you witness the Rajasthani heritage. In Agra, you can take a few pictures with your loved ones in front of Taj Mahal and also walk through the mystic corridors of the Fatehpur Sikri.
How to Reach the Golden Triangle?
You can fly to Delhi, from any part of India. Globally, Delhi is well-connected by flights to major countries. You can also enter the Golden Triangle through the airport at Jaipur. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Airport in Agra, also offers domestic connections.
You can also travel from any state in India, to Delhi by train. Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express are the major trains that connects the rest of India to the Golden Triangle.
You can also travel by road, to reach either Delhi, Agra, or Jaipur from any city in India. The national highways throughout the country offer numerous opportunities for road travel.
Places to Stay
There is no dearth of places to stay in the Golden Triangle. You can stay in lodges, guest houses, and hotels ranging from 2-star to 7-star in the region. If you are in Jaipur, you can stay in heritage hotels. Some of the top hotels in Delhi are the Imperial, Leela, and The Oberoi.
The Oberoi Amarvilas and ITC Mughal are quite famous places for you to stay in Agra. Once you reach Jaipur, you can out up at Rambagh Palace or Rajvilas. There are resorts as well, in the region, that are located amidst nature and forests.