India's Golden Triangle comprises the three most visited cities in the north-west of the country; Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. The designation ‘golden’ is well deserved and reflects the astonishing historical and cultural treasures, which abound within each of the three cities.
The Delhi Sultanate, 1200-1526, became part of the Babur’s Mughal Empire in 1526. He made his base at Agra and the two subsequent Mughal emperors ruled India from there. One of these, Akbar the Great, built a new city, named Fatehpur Sikri, however it had to be abandoned in 1586 when it ran out of water. In the mid seventeenth century, the capital switched to Old Delhi where the remarkable Red Fort was constructed in just eight years. The Mughal Empire disintegrated in the mid eighteenth century and the British took over in 1803.
Prior to Delhi, the capital of the Mughal Empire had been Agra. It was here that Shah Jahan bequeathed his most famous legacy to the city in 1653; the mausoleum of his wife, the Taj Mahal.
Jaipur, the third city of the Golden Triangle, was founded in 1727. It is noted for its predominantly rose coloured buildings. Be amazed by the wealth of World Heritiage Sites India has to offer.
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Key Study Areas
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Location Click here to view map
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History Excursions
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Our best value sample itinerary from £1,450
9 Days to the Golden Triangle
Day 1:
Depart for your overnight flight to Delhi.
Day 2:
Arrive in Delhi in the morning and transfer to your accommodation. In the afternoon enjoy a city tour of the seventeenth century walled city of Old Delhi visiting Chandani Chowk, the main area of the Old City. Visit the historic Red Fort, the Jama Masjid Mosque, India's largest Mosque & Shanti Vana, the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 3:
In the morning take a city tour of New Delhi to include Humayun's Tomb, visit the Qutab Minar, see the ruins of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, see the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, the embassy area, Parliament House, the War Memorial Arch and the Vice Regal Palace, now the official residence of the President of India. Evening at the Son- et- Lumiere Show at the Red Fort. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 4:
Depart from your accommodation for your transfer to Pushkar. Overnight in Pushkar.
Day 5:
In the morning visit the Temple of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe according to Hindu mythology. Continue to Ajmer to visit the Mausoleum of the Sufi Saint Kwalja Moinuddin. Overnight in Pushkar.
Day 6:
Morning at leisure in Pushkar, then transfer to Jaipur and spend the afternoon on an excursion to the Amber Fort to see the Palace of Jai Mahal and the temple of Kali. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 7:
Spend the morning on a city sight seeing tour of Jaipur, to include the 18th Century merchant house of Nawab Sahibki. Visit Jai Singhs Observatory, the Clock Tower, the Jaimahal and City Palace with its adjoining Palace of Harem. Drive past the Palace of Winds its 953 windows used by the ladies to look at the outside world. Continue by road to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri. Visit Jama Masjid, the tomb of Salim Chisti. Overnight in Agra.
Day 8:
City sightseeing tour of Agra in the morning. Visit the world famous Taj Mahal. Visit the fort built by the Moghul Emperors with its palaces, the Pearl Mosque, the halls of public and private audiences and the tomb of Itmad- Ud- Jaulah. In the afternoon transfer back to Delhi. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 9:
Depart Delhi for your return flight arriving back in the UK in the evening of the same day.
