Why a short tour of the Golden Triangle is an ideal intro to India
India has always been somewhere I’ve wanted to visit, however this vast country has felt slightly out of reach and the choice of destinations overwhelming. So when I was given the opportunity of taking a short eight-day tour of The Golden Triangle on a group trip with G Adventures, I couldn’t get on the plane fast enough.
What is the Golden Triangle?
The Golden Triangle route covers three destinations in Northern India – New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, plus a glimpse of the colourful rural life of Rajasthan. Each destination is unique and offers something totally different to the others, from Delhi's bustling markets, to Agra's magnificent Taj Mahal and Jaipur's picturesque pink walls.
First stop, Delhi
In my first taxi ride I got to experience the city’s morning rush hour – an attack on all senses. The constant blowing of horns, cars cutting into lanes and Tuk Tuks speeding past. There was just so much to take in. Out of one window, I spied a chilled out cow in the middle of the road blocking traffic, through another I spotted a crowd of smartly dressed men on motorbikes off to work, next to them a family of four squeezed onto just one bike. It was exactly how I’d pictured the roads of India.
We eventually rolled up to our first stop, The Maidens Hotel, which felt far removed from the chaos. Built in 1903, Maidens is one of the oldest hotels in Delhi and its architecture felt like being transported back to that era. I was guided up to my room, past the lush courtyard, by a woman beautifully turned out in a shimmering red and gold saree. I stayed in a Heritage Room, simple and spacious with traditional décor.
I had time to have a dip in the hotel’s outdoor swimming pool and cool down from the heat before we headed out onto the streets. This time we were on foot and led by former street children on a Salaam Balik “city walk”. The tour starts from New Delhi Railway Station and takes you off the beaten track through the lively narrow alleys of Paharganj. The heat and humidity were something that I’d never experienced before but all the colourful sights and sounds acted as a great distraction. The challenge of trying to swerve the motorbikes also helped. Read more about this great cause and G Adventure’s involvement in community tourism below.
The following day we headed off on our next adventure. The plan was to go on a boat safari along the Chambal River (part of G Adventure’s usual itinerary) but it had rained so heavily in the weeks before our arrival it had flooded so we ended up taking an open Jeep ride instead. A pretty cool alternative if you ask me. This time I really felt in the action of it all, especially with a vehicle full of tourists attracting some enthusiastic waves as well as some curious stares from passers-by. Once we had managed to push through and get out of the city, we were engulfed in nature and that busyness slowed right, right down.
Next stop, Dhaulpur
A little windswept – and by little I mean very – we were greeted at our next stop, Narsingh Bagh in Dhaulpur, with wet towels to cool ourselves down. Narsingh Bagh is one of the accommodations G Adventure’s calls “OMG Stays”. If you want that little bit of luxury sprinkled into your trip, these accommodations are included in The Geluxe Collection itineraries. The nature retreat has twelve unique stone cottages all with stylish interiors. Butterfly wall prints and richly coloured nature inspired fabrics adorn the furniture, very much in keeping with the surroundings.
The hotel’s dining area looks out onto Ramsagar Lake, its stillness reflecting the calmness of the resort – not a ripple in sight. From here you can look out for crocodiles and the 250 bird species that call it home. Whilst taking in the views, I plated up an incredible buffet selection; Paneer Lababdar, Gobhi Adrakil, Aloo Parmal. To be honest, I was unsure what any of them were, but I was certain on their deliciousness (and slightly relieved that the spice levels were low).
On the side I had fresh tomatoes, naan bread and an intriguing looking cone that tasted similar to a poppadom – which I'd never seen at my local Indian before! I now know this to be Masala Papad and it's shaped like a cone so it can easily be filled with food. Clever. Feeling reenergised, we got back onto the road onto our next stop, Agra.
Adventures in Agra
Agra is famous for being the location of the world-famous Taj Mahal. It had always been on my bucket list so I was particularly excited for this part of the itinerary. We arrived just in time for the opening at 5am. Although it means a mega early start, I would recommend this in order to beat the crowds. As we approached, I could see the building through the haziness of the morning light. As the sun started rising and glistening down, it highlighted the building’s intricately cut stone and detailed patterns. You see all the images of Taj Mahal online and in history books and so I wasn’t sure if it was going to live up to expectations, but it did not disappoint.
Often assumed to be a palace, the Taj Mahal is in fact a mausoleum. One of the emperor Shah Jahan’s dying wife’s wishes was for him to create heaven on earth, so in her memory he ordered for the Taj Mahal to be built and for her body to be buried inside. The emperor’s body was later laid next to hers. We were able to actually go inside the iconic building and see the tombs, something I didn’t realise you could do.
Exploring the pink city
Our final stop on the Golden Triangle tour was Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. The area is known as the “Pink City” because of its uniform pink shade that covers the central parts of the walled city.
A must-see there is the Amber Palace Fort which played a significant part into Rajasthan’s rich history. We drove to the top of the hill, a little distance from Jaipur, and approached the huge complex built from pale yellow and pink sandstone and white marble. After taking in the beautiful views of the city down below, we entered the palace. Its scale was mind-blowing and an all-immersive experience. The Palace of Mirrors particularly, and quite literally, caught my eye with its tiny fragments of mirrors creating beautiful designs on the walls and ceilings.
Verdict
Short but sweet, or shall I say spicy, the tour of the Golden Triangle really gave me the taste for the wonders of India. Each point of the Triangle opened up new perspectives and beauty. It was a great way to ease myself into travelling the country. I’m excited to return and discover more gems.
Anything else I should know?
Something that really makes G Adventures trips and itineraries unique is their focus on community tourism. They work closely with Planeterra, a company that helps local communities and organisations through the use of tourism. G Adventure’s founder Bruce Poon Tip’s message is that ‘your holiday time could be a way of having an impact’. To be honest, before this trip it hadn’t really occurred to me to see my getaways from that stance. What further opened my eyes to this and wanting to get more involved in community tourism, was the amount of poverty I saw during my time in India.
At the end of the day, it’s important to go out and enjoy yourself, see the sights, the Taj Mahal etc, but there’s something quite special in recognising your privilege and trying to use it for positive change. In turn, you get to have more enriching experiences. Here are some of the incredible projects that I got the chance to be involved with during my trip:
Women with Wheels
Women with Wheels is a taxi service providing transport for women, by women. The programme employs only female drivers supporting them by providing driving lessons and training. Through this the company pushes gender boundaries and empowers women to have a career of their own. The service works across New Delhi and Jaipur.
Salaam Baalak “City Walk”
A unique way of exploring is joining a “City Walk” run by Salaam Baalak Trust. The walks are led by former street children and you get the chance to hear their stories of resilience while you stroll. Being a tour guide offers them a chance to grow their confidence, learn English and improve their communication skills. The funds raised are used to provide scholarships and job placements for children, as well as resources for the shelters.
Sheroes Hangout
A café run by acid attack survivors. As well as challenging stigmas and societal perceptions, Sheroes Hangout helps the women gain financial support and regain confidence. Over 30 survivors manage and look after three cafés in India, where you can get involved in activities hosted by them, such as learning how to henna or make jewellery. You also get to hear their individual stories.
DO IT!
The eight-day Golden Triangle round trip from Delhi with G Adventures is priced from £749pp excluding international flights.
Three more bucket list breaks...
Discover the ultimate Indian Ocean island escape: Four Seasons Mauritius
Try an epic off-grid yoga retreat in Mongolia
Visit Colorado for an American Wild West adventure
Cut through the noise and get practical, expert advice, home workouts, easy nutrition and more direct to your inbox. Sign up to the WOMEN'S HEALTH NEWSLETTER
You Might Also Like
