Tips for Visiting the Golden Triangle Tour in India

When we discovered that the Taj Mahal is close to New Delhi which was our designated stopover en route to Australia flying Air India, we right away desired to visit it but we had lots of questions:

The length of time should you spend in the Golden Triangle?

We had a 24-hour stopover on the way to Australia during which we invested an afternoon checking out Old Delhi, invested the night in Delhi and left for the airport next morning.

On the return journey, we had a 5-night stopover. We arrived late afternoon, spent the night in Delhi, went to New Delhi in the early morning, then spent two nights in Jaipur and one in Agra (next to the Taj Mahal) visiting the major sites in what is called the Golden Triangle. We invested the last night in Delhi again before heading back to Paris next early morning.

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We couldn't comprehend at first why it would take us 5 1/2 hours to drive 270 km to Jaipur, 6 hours to drive 245 km from Jaipur to Agra and 4 hours to cover the 205 km from Agra to Delhi, however the answer is easy: regardless of the truth that there are freeways, the going is sluggish from Delhi to Jaipur to Agra since you share the roadway with automobiles of every shape and size, both motorized and unmotorized, not to point out the cows, donkeys and pedestrians who roam throughout the roadway whenever there is a town. The stretch from Agra to Delhi is shorter since there is a real freeway with no animals or pedestrians on it.

We discovered that the length of time we had actually picked was perfect. We didn't need to rush all over and we had time to rest at the end of the day. The only thing we didn't do is shop (we're not consumers) however there were a lot of celebrations (and time) to do so had we wanted.

CAUTION: The Taj Mahal Is Not Open On Fridays so you should arrange your check out appropriately, preferably avoiding the weekend there as well. 

Should you go it alone or find a tour operator?

We had been informed by several people that we ought to have a private organized tour. Considering our age (early sixties) and that we do not like travelling in groups, the choice was in between going it alone or discovering a private organized trip. I had actually been to India prior to on my own for professional factors and did not desire the inconvenience of searching for hotels, restaurants and trains and finding our way about in basic. Having seen the traffic in India, I did not even consider employing a vehicle. Our option of a personal trip turned out to be excellent.

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How do you discover a tour operator?

We went onto Trip Advisor and I dispatched demands to the three companies at the top of the list, discussing exactly what I wanted which included French guides for Jean Michel. I got an extremely friendly reply from Swan Tours with a suggested schedule and rate. I changed the travel plan to our needs and schedule and Swan Tours sent us a brand-new proposal. We had a number of exchanges during which my numerous concerns were addressed and our visas were processed. We then moved half the quantity to their account in India. We paid the balance on our arrival.

With Rajindar, our guide, in front of the water palace in Jaipur

We were extremely satisfied with Swan Tours both prior to and throughout the trip. We were assigned a basic coordinator who satisfied us at the airport and took us to our hotel in an automobile with an assigned motorist who was really friendly and whose English, although not excellent, was more than adequate for us to interact.

The guide joined us at the hotel and remained with us for the remainder of the day. The chauffeur would stop just outside the place we were to check out and choose us up later on after getting a call from the guide on his cellphone.

During the go to of the Golden Triangle, a regional organizer met us at each hotel and a new guide would join us when we reached each destination. We had the very same wonderful Himalayan driver, Rajender Negi, from starting to end. He was exceptionally qualified and I was never afraid in the Indian traffic. He was likewise really going to share his vision of India with us and asked lots of questions about France and Australia.

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The guide or the motorist would select our lunch place which was not included in the rate. Neither was the night meal however there was constantly a dining establishment at the hotel. We personally just had fruit during the night time and something from the tiny bar in our space.

The guide took care of buying tickets to the different monoliths and we compensated him. He arranged our elephant and rickshaw flight. He kept the beggars away and typically made our see trouble-free and pleasurable. We were not fully satisfied with the first guide in Delhi so requested a various one on our return. He was far better. We likewise did not like the guide who took us to Fatehpur Sikri so requested for another guide for the Taj Mahal next day. He was changed and the brand-new guide was exceptional. All the guides spoke excellent French and were well-informed. Our guide in Jaipur was exceptional.

I do not think that there would have been a problem with an English-speaking guide however we had specifically requested a French guide and Swan Tours did not have much experience in this field. The reality that we had the ability to phone and ask for another guide which our request was immediately met is an important point in their favour.

The basic planner accompanied us to the airport on both occasions and assisted us with the formalities.

We went with the hotels proposed in the preliminary schedule supplied by Swan Tours but we could have picked a higher classification had we wished to do so (certainly with a rate supplement). The hotel in New Delhi, Justa Residence Greater Kalesh, was not splendid however it was tidy and spacious and the beds were comfortable. The oversights on the very first stopover were treated on the 2nd journey and we were even upgraded to a suite the 3rd time. The breakfast was excellent and the personnel got along. It was just a little "worn". The hotel in Jaipur, Shahpura House, was really gorgeous and we would not have missed it for anything. The Radisson Blue in Agra was well situated, well-appointed and impersonal. The breakfast was impressive.

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Just what should you check out?

 

Jean Michel studied his French guidebook and noted the sights that he believed we need to see. We then compared them with the places on Swan Tours's itinerary and requested a number of additions. This is exactly what we came up with:

Old Delhi:

Jamma Mosque, Chandni Chowk, Raj Ghat, a cycle rickshaw ride through the marketplace and Akshardham Temple (not on the itinerary however we were very pleased by it).

New Delhi:

Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, the Embassy area, federal government buildings, India Gate and Connaught Place.

Jaipur:

Amber Fort and an elephant flight, Shiromani Temple, Palace of the Winds, City Palace, The Observatory and Govind Dev Ji temple.

Pushkar

Famous as a spiritual Hindu expedition website and among the most ancient towns in India, Pushkar is certainly one location you must not miss. While away the hours roaming through the street-long fair; listen to the pilgrims chant in the ghats on the banks of holy Pushkar Lake; and explore the Brahma Temple, where Brahma is believed to have actually appeared and dropped a lotus flower. These websites are necessary to comprehending the devotion and significance of Pushkar in the heart of Hindus.

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Udaipur

Understood as the 'city of lakes and palaces', Udaipur is a gorgeous stop to take on your India trip. The City Palace is like no other location on earth. The architecture is charming and the 11 palaces inside are all various, but equally as sensational as each other. Typically described as the 'Venice of the East', the lake city of Udaipur also has a strong performing arts scene.

Jodhpur

The 'blue city', with its imposing Mehrangarh Fort, is a photographer's paradise. Together With Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada (the royal household burial places) and the Umaid Bhawan Palace are the must-see areas in this city. The old city is a cluster of brilliant blue structures that stretch around the base of the 16th-century city wall. A visit to Jodhpur will take you back in time to medieval India with the odor of incense, lively sari's and ancient structures at every turn.

Sand Dunes of Jaisalmer

Reminiscent of the Sahara Desert, the Sam Sand Dunes are an enchanting addition to any India tour. Found on the edge of the Thar Desert beyond Jaisalmer, the dunes radiate romantic charm and stunning shapes. The very best time to check out these dunes is either sunset or daybreak. A camel or jeep safari in the dunes is an extraordinary experience. You will find yourself transferred to the by-gone era of Maharajahs. Jaisalmer is also house to another of India's enforcing forts, however this one is a 'living fort' that is still really much in use today.

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In Between Jaipur and Agra:

Fatehpur Sikri consisting of the mosque

Agra:

The Moonlight Garden (which is closed in the evening!), the Taj Mahal at dawn, Agra Fort and the Baby Taj (not on the initial itinerary however worth a check out).

The intense and dynamic colours!

Lovely sari's and turbans contrast with the landscape and buildings. The streets are lined with marigold flower markets and spice stalls. You will go by many sadhu (holy guys) in their saffron bathrobes. Some cities are a swathe of colour, such as the above pointed out Jodhpur or the 'pink city' of Jaipur. India is a rainbow of delight and among the most colourful put on earth.

Genuine Indian Cuisine

The genuine Indian food you will sample takes flavour and fragrance to the next level. Your palate will remain in overdrive! The active ingredients differ from region to region. Your meals will be loaded with flavour. It is easy to see why India is the spice capital of the world.

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Do you require a visa? Can you do request it on-line?

For some unknown factor, you require to get an Indian visa prior to you go to India even for a one-night stopover and you can only use throughout the month preceding your see. You likewise need a square passport photo. Each country has a site that you have to use through. You can't use straight to the consulate. We discovered the entire visa experience quite demanding since I have two passports and we were entering India twice at an interval of less than 45 days. In the end, everything worked out however we had to go to Paris to put in our applications.

I suggest you read my post and apply online right away after the one-month period starts. The details on the site is not always current.

What clothing do you need?

I was stressed over the modesty concern. In truth, there are no requirements for Hindu temples or for the Taj Mahal apart from normal decency. However, at the Jamma Mosque in New Delhi both males and females of European origin are obliged to wear a wrap-around skirt or a sort of hairdresser's cape and remove their shoes. At the Taj Mahal, the ticket consists of "overshoes". At the Fatehpur Sikri mosque, women need to wear long skirts. The best service is to take a light wrap-around skirt in your bag and use it if necessary.

What weather can you expect?

Our very first visit was mid-February. It was warm in Delhi however not overwhelming and cooler in the early morning. Our 2nd see was mid-March. We were extremely hot in the middle of the day especially in Jaipur and Agra. I just needed a long-sleeved shirt for our 6.30 am visit to the Taj Mahal. A hat is a must.

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What medication should you take?

We asked our doctor for diarrhea tablets and antibiotics prior to we left. We did not take probiotics either before or throughout our journey. We always consumed bottled water and cleaned our teeth with boiled water (all the hotels had electric containers). We were strict vegetarians throughout our stay as we had been informed that we were most likely to obtain sick from consuming meat and chicken in specific. We constantly had curds or plain yoghurt at the end of the meal, which I had actually learnt how to do on my previous trip to India. We only drank tea with water we had boiled ourselves. We didn't have any digestion problems whatsoever.

Pinch of Spice, a common Indian restaurant for tourists

Although we would have liked more "genuine" dining establishments, we chose to accept the ones proposed by our guides and driver rather than run the threat of being sick. The tourist dining establishments serve Indian food that is normally not too hot and is particularly gotten ready for Europeans. It is really fairly priced (around 1200 rupees-16 euro-for the two people, consisting of water) and the toilets are usually tidy. You should constantly have your own tissues though.

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Just how much will the journey expense?

We paid an overall of 82,800 rupees for two individuals (1130 euro at the currency exchange rate in February 2016), broken down into 13 000 rupees for the first remain in Delhi and 69,800 rupees for the Golden Triangle. It consisted of accommodation on a double occupancy basis, a buffet breakfast, the rickshaw trip in Delhi and the elephant trip in Jaipur, all journeys in an air-conditioned vehicle, mineral water during the day, regional guides and supper in an Indian house on the last night which we chose to forego due to the distance we would have had to travel.

Tipping is a way of living in India and we were really happy that Swan Tours gave us standards on what does it cost? To tip the planners, drivers, guides, bellboys, and so on. It made it a lot easier.

I hope these tips will help you to organize you visit to India. You'll discover more information in the posts listed below and I'll more than happy to answer any concerns in the comments section.

For more information on Golden triangle tour packages contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in India.