Let me admit it straight away, the wanderlust in me is never satiated. I may be rooted in front of my desktop the whole day, but my mind always wanders off to the destinations on my bucket list. And, I never miss a chance to take my body to those places my mind has already been. Long weekends or holidays or a much-needed break, I am always prepared to hit the road at the drop of a hat. So, last month, I decided to take off for a few days, leaving deadlines and boardrooms behind. The idea was to tick off a few destinations from my ever-growing list, and I chose a route that’s always popular among travelers from across the country – the Golden Triangle Tour, covering Delhi-Agra-Jaipur!
After a few days of planning and researching, I opted for a 5-day tour of the Golden Triangle circuit. If you ask me what’s so special about the Golden Triangle route, I would say ‘everything’, and this is in no way an overstatement. Not only does it allow you to travel through three different states, it also gives you a glimpse of some of the best heritage places in the country including Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Amber Fort, and the enigmatic Taj Mahal, to begin with. The vibrant cultural milieu and the colorful crowd lend an added dimension to this tour.
DAY 1 of 5-Day Golden Triangle Tour
Image Credit : Google
My starting point was the capital city of Delhi. After checking into one of the budget hotels in Delhi, I ventured out to explore the city’s cultural heritage. My itinerary for Day 1 comprised of the following attractions:
Qutub Minar
Qutub Minar has always fascinated me ever since I first I read about it in my school books. This five-story tower of 73 meters height is the tallest brick minaret in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An imposing monument of Indo-Islamic style, it dates back to the 11th-century. The complex of this historic tower houses the Iron Pillar and several other monuments and tombs.
- Timings: 07:00 am to 05:00 pm
- Entry Fee:
Indian citizens – ₹30 per person
Free for children of up to 15 years of age
DAY 2 of 5-Day Golden Triangle Tour
Image Credit : Google
The second day of my tour began on a high note as I checked out of my hotel and traveled towards Old Delhi to explore some of its architectural jewels and the fabled Chandni Chowk market area.
Jama Masjid
I spent the early hours of my day at the famous Jama Masjid, and let me tell you it was totally worth it. With a huge courtyard that can accommodate more than 25000 people, Jama Masjid stands as one of the largest mosques in India. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan at a cost of one million rupees way back in the 17th century.
- Timings: 7:00 am to 12:00 pm and 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm
- Entry Fee: Free entry
DAY 3 of 5-Day Golden Triangle Tour
Image Credit : Google
On the third morning, I was excited beyond words as I left my hotel room. There I was, about to fulfill a long cherished dream of seeing the marvelous Taj in all its glory! My sightseeing plan for the day was something like this:
Taj Mahal
The priceless jewel of India’s architectural heritage, Taj Mahal left me wonderstruck. The ethereally beautiful white marble monument was built by Shah Jahan as a memorial for his dear wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Persian princess. A universally admired magnum opus, Taj Mahal is truly the finest example of Mughal craftsmanship in India. But, more than anything else, it’s an ode to everlasting love!
- Timings: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes before sunset; closed on Fridays
- Entry Fee:
Indian Citizens – ₹ 40 per person
Free entry for children of up to 15 years of age - Book Hotels – Budget hotels in Agra
DAY 4 of 5-Day Golden Triangle Tour
Image Credit : Google
After a relaxing night at one of the lovely hotels in Jaipur, I was eager and ready to soak in the beauty of the Pink City. My itinerary for Day 4 was an interesting mix. Here’s a quick overview of my sightseeing itinerary in Jaipur.
City Palace
City Palace is a stunning monument that reflects the merger of Rajput and Mughal architectural style. Impressive structures within the palace, like Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Maharani Palace, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Govind Dev Ji Temple, etc. all reflect the beauty and grandeur of this palace.
- Location: Jaleb Chowk
- Visit Timing: 09:30 am to 05:00 pm
- Entry Fee:
- Indian Citizens – ₹ 35 per person
- Foreign Nationals – ₹ 150 per person
- Children – ₹ 25 per person
DAY 5 of 5-Day Golden Triangle Tour
Image Credit : Google
It was the last day of my Golden Triangle tour and I had to head back to Delhi to complete the triangle, as they call it. But I wasn’t ready to leave Jaipur without exploring one of its most distinctive landmarks, the Hawa Mahal.
Amber Fort
The majestic Amber Fort sits atop a hill and remains a testimony to Rajput grandeur and opulence. The fort comprises of an impressive palace complex and there are six main sections of the palace, each having its own courtyard and entry gate. Inside the fort, there are several vendors who sell puppets and other quintessential Rajasthani artifacts. I couldn’t resist buying a pair of colorful puppets which adorn my bedroom walls as I write this!
- Location: Devisinghpura
- Timings: 09:30 am to 04:30 pm; every day
- Entry Fee:
Indian Citizens – ₹ 10 per person
Foreign Nationals – ₹ 50 per person
Read also : Best Places to Explore On a One-Day Trip from Kolkata
Read also : Goa’s Markets: 5 Must-Visit Places for Shopping in Goa