Golden Triangle Tour of India: Delhi, Agra (Including Taj Mahal) & Jaipur (08 Days Tour)

Entering the Capital

Delhi is a city with seemingly endless energy that comes from the streets of the old and new areas of the city. The streets are awash with color from the sandstone ruins, the marble temples, flowing saris, and brightly painted rickshaws. Your private transfer meets you at the airport and has you settled comfortably in your hotel in no time.

The remainder of the day is at your leisure to relax along the rooftop that overlooks the old city or to step outside and enjoy your first experience within the capital of India. The aroma of grilled kebabs lingers in the air as street vendors fan charcoal grills, bringing a luscious touch of smoke to the succulent aroma.

The tomb of Nizamuddin Dargah brings in devout Sufis from across the world and adds a unique hymn to the new Nizamuddin West neighborhood where, on Thursdays, the harmonious songs of devoted followers fill the streets at sunset. The Crafts Museum brings a calm and graceful display of the coveted designs and handicrafts of the city and is where artisans display traditional weaving, pottery, and embroidery. The scent of French press coffee sifts through the courtyard while the rooms demonstrate the variety of artistry that the local craftspeople have created.

From traditional clay animals to fabulously embroidered blankets you will delight in the wares that give you a sense of the people’s creativity, bring you inspiration, and offer a taste of the collected history that has brought Delhi forward with richness. 

What’s Included: transfer, accommodation

A Collection of Grandeur

Your day once again begins with breakfast; the scent of traditional spices rise from the creamy masala chai that often accompanies the meal. After your delightful tastes are satisfied your private transfer meets you at your hotel ready to whisk you away to the city of Agra, home to the world-renowned Taj Mahal. As you venture away from Delhi you will come to Itimad-ud-Daulah, a site that quantifies history and artistry as the first mausoleum in the entire country to be constructed out of pure marble and which overlooks the Yamuna River.

Although the complex was constructed using the traditional red sandstone, this architecture brought a new era of building to the Mughal Empire in the 17th century. The delicate features are shown in the intricately carved lattice screens.

The entire structure sits atop a red portico. The walls are decorated with geometric shapes that bring color to the cool pearl sides. In the afternoon you will come to the treasured Taj Mahal, constructed in the 17th century for the third wife of Shah Jahan, and which continues to be one of the most iconic images of India today.

The angular marble dome captures the sunlight at various times of day while also standing atop the immaculate pearl hued minarets. The interior walls reach 82 feet high with a false dome decorated with a sun pattern.  Floral patterns are inlaid with gems and delicate lattice designs bring a depth of intricacy within the powerful statement.

You notice the numerous flowerbeds while strolling once again through the garden, numbering 16 in all, and all the while, the soothing sound of trickling water adds to the early night’s ambiance. In the evening you will return to your hotel ready for the luxuries of sleep.

What’s Included: breakfast, tour, transfer, accommodation.

The Surroundings of Jaipur

You find the morning energy of Jaipur mesmerizing. Outside of the ancient walls the modern city is brimming with daily life. After breakfast you will venture in and around the old city to experience the times that brought Jaipur’s particularly famous hues and unique traditions to the world. The Amer Fort was once a jewel atop the mountainside of Jaipur and overlooked the city as a protectorate, and as its capital, until the 18th century.

Four practically separate layers on the hillside create the site with Maota Lake in the forefront. You find the winding pathways that lead up to the entrance gate.

In the first courtyard you find an inspiring stairway that takes you to the Ganesh Gate, which is also the entrance to the private palaces of the Maharajas. The latticed arched windows that run along the upper levels, where the women once observed the courtyard, now give a delicate touch to the intricate designs of the main façade.

Gilded and vibrant frescoes cover the entire gate with impressive floral designs and patterns. The doorway is adorned with an image of Ganesh. Meander through the various gates and hallways that illustrate the distinguished history of the royal family through the art, magnitude, and symmetry of the entire space. Within the old walls of the city you will come to Jantar Mantar, the observatory of the royal court constructed in the 18th century.

Fourteen geometric devices are strewn throughout the courtyard meant to measure time, predict eclipses, track the stars, and more. The Sarmat Yantra is the largest instrument standing around 90 feet tall and acting as a sundial. Every step you take is another step into the ingenuity of the people who tried to master space and time.

In the evening you will have the exclusive experience of joining a local family for a home-cooked meal, indulging in the local culture like never before.

What’s Included: breakfast, dinner, tour, accommodation.

Away from the Sandstone and Marble

The morning comes to the streets of Delhi with the familiar rush of the city. The colors start to flow once more, from the saris to the rickshaws, the food to the sky. Indulge in your final breakfast in India and the sweet and spiced flavor of chai along the eclectic sounds of the old walls. Your private transfer will collect you from your hotel and take you to the airport.

Soon you will soar away from the gilded tapestries and glinting precious stones but India will never be far from your memory.

What’s Included: breakfast.