Truly one of the most exciting trip I have been looking forward to doing in years. The Golden Triangle (Delhi - Agra - Jaipur) is one of the most travelled route in India and it is ideal for first timers. From the ever modernising Delhi, the wonder of Taj Mahal in Agra, to the historic colours of Jaipur, the trip is filled with the vibrate history of the young and old India.
As this trip comprises of 3 cities, it will be easiest if I do this post in chronological order so you get a sense of the amount of time we spent travelling.
Travel and Tips
If you are about authentic travels by all means you are free to use their relatively easy to use public transport system between and inside the cities. However on this occasion we have decided to hire a private driver and a car for the entire journey. We have opted for the highest standard for the car and the cost of this was around HK$4,100 which includes driver and tour guides for major sites.
Here are also additional tips that you may find useful during your trip.
Have some US$ on you in case you need to exchange some money.
Chung King Mansion is the place to exchange Rupees if you want to do it in HK.
Have a lot of 100 Rupee on your as they will come handle in tipping people. We tipped about 1000 rupees per day for our driver.
Currently India is not issuing Tourist Visa for Chinese or HK passport holders. However a Business Visa is possible with a Invitation Letter from an Indian company.
E-Visa is required for most other passports and it is about US$25 and it takes 2-3 days to process online.
Communicate with your tour guide as some of them WILL lead you to some overpriced tourist shops. Work with your service provider to ensure your expectations are met
The travels can be long in the car so keep yourself entertained. I brought an Ipad mount for the car and I went through around 12 hrs of shows.
Toilets are relatively clean.
Hand Sanitiser is advised.
India has a lot of lip service but lack substance in execution, so be firm with what you want when communicating with the service providers.
Do your own research on opening times as many of tours do not advise you in advance.
Beware of their national holidays such as Republic Day (26/1) as many attractions are shut.
Cash is often required for most attraction entries.
Arrival
Old Dehli
Most Hong Kong flights to Delhi arrive in the evening so you only really have time to check in to the hotel on the day of arrival. Traffic in Delhi could be hectic so we have decided to stay in Old Delhi for the first night and leave New Delhi for the end of the trip.
Accommodation: Haveli Dharampura
Haveli Dharampura is a UNESCO Awarded Heritage Haveli in Old Delhi. It has 2 buildings (main and Golden Haveli) 50m apart from each other. It is beautiful renovated building and its location is perfect as we are doing the sights in old town the next morning. I would recommend staying in the main building since it is closer to breakfast and the complex seems more spacious as a whole. However for the price point I wish the amenities were better quality, and note in Old Delhi there are not many decent options at the first place.
Day 1
Old Delhi - Agra (Taj Mahal)
9:00am
Old Delhi Tour: As it is our first day in the heart of an unfamiliar territory, we feel the best way is to have someone to take us around the first morning (3-4hrs) with a Rickshaw ride. You can find plenty of options on many of the tour apps. We started our tour at 9:00am as we want to leave enough time to head to Agra via 2 other sites later.
Jama Masjid
Red Fort: There is no need to go in really since you will be visiting many forts during the trip.
Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib
Chandni Chowk Market
1:00pm
Lunch: Lakhori
This is the restaurant in our hotel courtyard serving modern Indian cuisine. It is a perfect stop before we start heading to Agra.
2:00pm
Departure for Agra: It takes about 5 hrs to get to Agra including 1-2 stops keep yourself entertained in the car!
Raj Ghat: Mahatma Gandhi was cremated here but it was closed due to Republic Day.
Akshardham: Over 11,000 artisans worked on this lavishly decorated Hindu temple complex inaugurated in 2005.
7:00pm
Accommodation: Courtyard Agra by Marriott
Pretty decent hotel in Agra but we wanted to be reasonable here since our other hotels are expensive.
8:00pm
Dinner: Anise
We wanted to rest up for a big day tomorrow we opted for dinner at the in-house restaurant. It is a beautiful outdoor space.
Day 2
Agra
6:30am
Taj Mahal
One of our highlights of the trip naturally for it being one of the 7 wonders of the world. I believe the gate opens at 7:00 so we were one of the earlier people to arrive. Agra in winter mornings are often covered in fog and a bit of pollution but worry not, it often clears up within an hour or two. We spent about 2-3 hrs at the complex. As you enter the complex don't get distracted at the entrance and the immediate view. There is a better picture spot in the middle of the complex so head there early if weather is good. We got back to the hotel at 10:30am for breakfast.
11:30am
Agra Tour: We set off for the day to see the rest of Agra.
Agra Fort
Richly decorated semi-circular red sandstone fort complex with double ramparts & monuments.
Itmad-ud-Daula
Mughal style white marble mausoleum, inlaid with semi-precious stones & nicknamed the 'Baby Taj'.
Tomb of Akbar
Opulent 17th-century Mughal mausoleum built from marble & red sandstone with landscaped gardens.
Riverside Taj Mahal
At the end of the day the tour guide can also take you to the other side of the river to look at the back of Taj Mahal. We went back to the hotel for a bit of rest after.
Dinner: Molecule Agra
A very unassuming chic restaurant near our hotel recommended by our tour guide.
Day 3
Agra - Jaipur
9:00am
We started early as we have 2 places to see before we get into Jaipur and the drive is long.
Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri is a small city in northern India, just west of Agra, founded by a 16th-century Mughal emperor. Red sandstone buildings cluster at its center. Buland Darwaza gate is the entrance to Jama Masjid mosque. Nearby is the marble Tomb of Salim Chishti. Diwan-E-Khas hall has a carved central pillar. Jodha Bais Palace is a mix of Hindu and Mughal styles, next to the 5-story Panch Mahal that overlooks the site.
Note: You may wish to give a donation of 1000, 2000 or 3000 Rupees to purchase some fabric which will be blessed and distributed to the poor at this site.
Chand Baori, Abhaneri
The water of this massive, ornate stepwell from the 8th & 9th centuries was reached by 3,500 steps. One of the oldest and larges in the world.
4:00pm
Accommodation: Fairmont Jaipur
This is the splash out on our hotels. It is a beautiful venue and it has a complimentary high tea every afternoon and yoga at 7:00am. Free steam room and sauna facilities by the gym and it is next to their sister hotel the Raffles, which makes it easy to pop over for a drink or so. Apparently you are not allowed to bring portable speakers to the hotel but kick up a big fuss and they will let you in.
7:00pm
Writer's Bar @ The Raffles
There are not a lot of options for drinks at the Fairmont so I went over next door to try some of their signature cocktails.
8:00pm
Zarin
As we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in the hotel we chose to eat at the Pan-Asian restaurant in the Fairmont. The food was decent enough to quench my asian thirst.
Day 4
Jaipur
10:00am
Amber Fort
Structure known as both Amer and Amber, with Hindu & Muslim elements & offering elephant rides.
Jal Mahal (Water Palace)
In the middle of Man Sagar Lake sits this grand palace made of red sandstone, most of it submerged. You can't go in so it's really just picture moment.
Jantar Mantar - Jaipur
18th-century park & heritage site with fixed instruments for making astronomical observations.
The City Palace
Opulent 18th-century palace of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, now a museum & royal residence. There are 2 price categories. Get the expensive one. This is where your 100 bills come handle for tipping people for picture moments.
Albert Hall Museum
It is a modern museum so if you want to you can go take some pictures outside. I don't think is needed though.
Hawa Mahal
Palace built in the form of a high wall to screen royal ladies as they watched street festivities. There is a cafe across the road which you can go get a coffee to have a full frontal view of this place. Minimum spend around 200-400 rupees I think. We went back to the hotel to rest after this.
7:30pm
Dinner/Drinks: Shikaar Bagh & Bar Palladio
Definitely where the posh people hang out in Jaipur. Both venues are in the complex of Hotel Narain Niwas Palace. Reservation is recommended if they even let you reserve at the first place. It feels like a place where you need to know people. If you cannot visit in the evening, Bar Palladio is open for lunch Sundays only.
Day 5
Jaipur - Delhi
11:00am
We had a late start as we wanted to utilise the facilities on our last day at the Fairmont.
4:00pm
Red Fort
As the area was closed off on the first day we decided to come here for some photos before checking in.
5:00pm
Accommodation: Shangri-La Eros New Delhi
The gym and pool was under renovation during our stay but they were able to give us a free upgrade and late check out till 6:00pm, so we could shower before our flight the next day. It was a bit dated inside and the air-con was quite loud, however for 1 night it was fine.
6:00pm
Connaught Place
Connaught Place is a frenetic business and financial hub easily walkable from the hotel, centered on a ring of colonnaded Georgian-style buildings with global chain stores, vintage cinemas, bars and Indian restaurants. Stalls at Janpath Market sell saris, embroidered bags and trinkets.
7:30pm
Dinner: Punjab Grill
Really the only place I ate that was not inside a hotel. It was perfectly fine and it was delicious.
Day 6
New Delhi
A relatively easy start at 10:00am.
Humayun’s Tomb
Opulent red-sandstone tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in 1572 & surrounded by formal gardens.
Qutab Minar
The Qutb Minar, also spelled Qutub Minar and Qutab Minar, is a minaret and victory tower comprising the Qutb complex, which lies at the site of Delhi's oldest fortified city, Lal Kot, founded by the Tomar Rajputs. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mehrauli area of South Delhi, India.
India Gate & President House
Imposing triumphal arch commemorating the Indian soldiers killed in the First World War.
3:30pm
Lunch: 1991 @ The Imperial New Delhi
A beautiful colonial hotel next to where we were staying.
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