Murtaza Hashwani | the perfect 10 day Golden Triangle India itinerary.
Dec 14th, 2022, 09:06 PM
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Murtaza Hashwani | the perfect 10 day Golden Triangle India itinerary.
Hello Everyone My Name Is Murtaza Hashwani, I Want To Tell A Experiace of 10 Day Trip In India. A rainbow of colours, vibrant cities, delicious food, surprising wildlife, fascinating history and culture: India is everything you’ve ever imagined and more! When I decided to visit India for the first time, I knew that my perfect itinerary would include the Taj Mahal, as well as Rajasthan’s exotic palaces and bazaars.
I opted for a classic Golden Triangle itinerary combining Delhi with Agra and Jaipur. To spice things up a little bit, I added a visit to Ranthambore National Park, a famous tiger reserve between Agra and Jaipur. Our route was ideal for a ten-day trip, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a taste of India in a short amount of time.
I’ve also always wanted to experience a Hindu festival in India, and after some research, I decided to plan our trip around Holi, the Festival of Colours. Holi is celebrated in March, which is a perfect time to visit Rajasthan. It’s the end of the winter months and the beginning of summer (Holi was traditionally celebrated to welcome spring), which brings warm days (up to 33° Celsius) mixed with cool mornings and evenings.
How to travel around India's Golden Triangle
It’s no secret that India can be a little overwhelming. Many first-timers describe “culture shock” after arriving in India, and I was a bit worried that I might find it daunting. This is why we chose to travel by air-conditioned private vehicle with a knowledgeable driver and local guides along the way. Throughout the trip, we stayed in 4-5* accommodation that mixed comfort with authenticity.
Arriving in Delhi
Our first stop was incredible Delhi. Chaotic, crazy, beautiful, mysterious and pulsating Delhi. On arrival, we were immediately drowned in constant beeping and surrounded by a sea of motorbikes and auto-rickshaws. The driving is a little reckless, but the experience is simply fantastic! Stay alert at all times -there’s always something to see out of the corner of your eye.
We stayed in modern New Delhi, which was the perfect gateway to the sights and monuments of the city. The landmarks are very spread out in Delhi, so no matter where you stay, you’ll need to take a short drive or tuk-tuk ride to reach the hotspots.
Exploring Old and New Delhi
We started our trip with a full day guided tour of Old and New Delhi, covering all of the main highlights. First, we headed to India’s largest mosque, Jama Masjid, which is a beautiful Indo-Islamic mosque built by emperor Shah Jahan (who also built the Taj Mahal) in the 17th century.
On Fridays, thousands of Muslims gather and pray in the mosque; it is a beautiful symbol of the Mughal Empire, still used to this day. Women are required to wear a full gown to enter the mosque (provided at the entrance with the tickets), and you’ll need to pay a photography fee of 300 rupees (roughly £3.50) if you wish to take photos inside.
Next, we hopped on a cycle rickshaw for a whirlwind ride through Chandni Chowk bazaar in Old Delhi. What an experience! It was one of the highlights of our trip. The journey took us through the narrow lanes and tiny alleys of Chandni Chowk, the iconic market of Old Delhi. Along the way, we passed everything from fruit and vegetable stallholders to electronics, jewellery and clothing shops. On the road, we weaved between motorbikes, horse-drawn carriages, rickshaws and pedestrians. It was about the senses and sights – a truly exhilarating experience.
After the tour, we had lunch at the Gulati Restaurant in Pandara Market, which is famous amongst the locals. If you’re looking for North Indian cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere, this is the place to be! We had the multiple award-winning Butter Chicken, and it did not disappoint. Accompanied by a cheese naan, boiled rice and pickled onion and mint raita, it was the most delicious lunch I’ve had in a long time!
For the rest of the day, we visited Red Fort, Gandhi’s memorial, Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar. If I had to pick only one of these sights to visit, it would Qutub Minar, an ancient ruin with a red sandstone tower in the centre. A mix of Hindu and Muslim influences, it’s impressive and atmospheric.
Agra
The next stop on our journey was Agra, which took roughly 3.5 hours from Delhi by road. Agra is home to the breath-taking Taj Mahal, the Seventh Wonder of the world. The Taj Mahal is a colossal mausoleum built on the bank of the Yamuna River. We’ve all seen it in photos, but to experience it in real life is on another level. It’s simply spellbinding.
Our first encounter with the Taj Mahal was via Mehtab Bagh, the Moonlight Garden, a park behind the complex with views of the Taj Mahal across the Yamuna River. It’s a very peaceful area and a great place to escape the crowds. The river was low during our visit, but at other times, the reflection of the Taj Mahal in the Yamuna is a sight to treasure.
Sunrise at the Taj Mahal
We were up before daybreak the next day for the main event to catch a beautiful sunrise at the Taj Mahal and avoid the crowds. The dawn was indeed beautiful, but we most definitely didn’t manage to avoid the crowds! We thought we would be amongst only a few people waiting at the entrance before 6am - we were very wrong. EVERYONE wants to visit the Taj Mahal at dawn, so be prepared for long queues and endless photobombs! Don’t worry though; we still managed to get our perfect Taj Mahal photo – you will too.
The Taj Mahal is an awe-inspiring construction, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third and favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The marble building is pristine, the main entrance is carved with Koranic verses, and the walls are inlaid with semi-precious stones. The whole complex is a masterpiece, and while the details are phenomenal, the story makes it even more magical.
The actual tombs are pretty small compared to the whole mausoleum, and they’re the only non-symmetrical items of the complex (Shah Jahan’s tomb was added at a later date). We spent almost three hours wandering through the complex and then headed back to our hotel for breakfast.
In the evening, we went to Mohabbat The Taj Show, which recreates the love story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal with beautiful dancers and musical pieces. The show is performed in Hindi (with audio translation), and it’s a great thing to do in Agra. I would highly recommend it. Also, while you’re in Agra, don’t miss Agra Fort and, if you have any extra time, visit Fatehpur Sikri.
I opted for a classic Golden Triangle itinerary combining Delhi with Agra and Jaipur. To spice things up a little bit, I added a visit to Ranthambore National Park, a famous tiger reserve between Agra and Jaipur. Our route was ideal for a ten-day trip, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a taste of India in a short amount of time.
I’ve also always wanted to experience a Hindu festival in India, and after some research, I decided to plan our trip around Holi, the Festival of Colours. Holi is celebrated in March, which is a perfect time to visit Rajasthan. It’s the end of the winter months and the beginning of summer (Holi was traditionally celebrated to welcome spring), which brings warm days (up to 33° Celsius) mixed with cool mornings and evenings.
How to travel around India's Golden Triangle
It’s no secret that India can be a little overwhelming. Many first-timers describe “culture shock” after arriving in India, and I was a bit worried that I might find it daunting. This is why we chose to travel by air-conditioned private vehicle with a knowledgeable driver and local guides along the way. Throughout the trip, we stayed in 4-5* accommodation that mixed comfort with authenticity.
Arriving in Delhi
Our first stop was incredible Delhi. Chaotic, crazy, beautiful, mysterious and pulsating Delhi. On arrival, we were immediately drowned in constant beeping and surrounded by a sea of motorbikes and auto-rickshaws. The driving is a little reckless, but the experience is simply fantastic! Stay alert at all times -there’s always something to see out of the corner of your eye.
We stayed in modern New Delhi, which was the perfect gateway to the sights and monuments of the city. The landmarks are very spread out in Delhi, so no matter where you stay, you’ll need to take a short drive or tuk-tuk ride to reach the hotspots.
Exploring Old and New Delhi
We started our trip with a full day guided tour of Old and New Delhi, covering all of the main highlights. First, we headed to India’s largest mosque, Jama Masjid, which is a beautiful Indo-Islamic mosque built by emperor Shah Jahan (who also built the Taj Mahal) in the 17th century.
On Fridays, thousands of Muslims gather and pray in the mosque; it is a beautiful symbol of the Mughal Empire, still used to this day. Women are required to wear a full gown to enter the mosque (provided at the entrance with the tickets), and you’ll need to pay a photography fee of 300 rupees (roughly £3.50) if you wish to take photos inside.
Next, we hopped on a cycle rickshaw for a whirlwind ride through Chandni Chowk bazaar in Old Delhi. What an experience! It was one of the highlights of our trip. The journey took us through the narrow lanes and tiny alleys of Chandni Chowk, the iconic market of Old Delhi. Along the way, we passed everything from fruit and vegetable stallholders to electronics, jewellery and clothing shops. On the road, we weaved between motorbikes, horse-drawn carriages, rickshaws and pedestrians. It was about the senses and sights – a truly exhilarating experience.
After the tour, we had lunch at the Gulati Restaurant in Pandara Market, which is famous amongst the locals. If you’re looking for North Indian cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere, this is the place to be! We had the multiple award-winning Butter Chicken, and it did not disappoint. Accompanied by a cheese naan, boiled rice and pickled onion and mint raita, it was the most delicious lunch I’ve had in a long time!
For the rest of the day, we visited Red Fort, Gandhi’s memorial, Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar. If I had to pick only one of these sights to visit, it would Qutub Minar, an ancient ruin with a red sandstone tower in the centre. A mix of Hindu and Muslim influences, it’s impressive and atmospheric.
Agra
The next stop on our journey was Agra, which took roughly 3.5 hours from Delhi by road. Agra is home to the breath-taking Taj Mahal, the Seventh Wonder of the world. The Taj Mahal is a colossal mausoleum built on the bank of the Yamuna River. We’ve all seen it in photos, but to experience it in real life is on another level. It’s simply spellbinding.
Our first encounter with the Taj Mahal was via Mehtab Bagh, the Moonlight Garden, a park behind the complex with views of the Taj Mahal across the Yamuna River. It’s a very peaceful area and a great place to escape the crowds. The river was low during our visit, but at other times, the reflection of the Taj Mahal in the Yamuna is a sight to treasure.
Sunrise at the Taj Mahal
We were up before daybreak the next day for the main event to catch a beautiful sunrise at the Taj Mahal and avoid the crowds. The dawn was indeed beautiful, but we most definitely didn’t manage to avoid the crowds! We thought we would be amongst only a few people waiting at the entrance before 6am - we were very wrong. EVERYONE wants to visit the Taj Mahal at dawn, so be prepared for long queues and endless photobombs! Don’t worry though; we still managed to get our perfect Taj Mahal photo – you will too.
The Taj Mahal is an awe-inspiring construction, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third and favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The marble building is pristine, the main entrance is carved with Koranic verses, and the walls are inlaid with semi-precious stones. The whole complex is a masterpiece, and while the details are phenomenal, the story makes it even more magical.
The actual tombs are pretty small compared to the whole mausoleum, and they’re the only non-symmetrical items of the complex (Shah Jahan’s tomb was added at a later date). We spent almost three hours wandering through the complex and then headed back to our hotel for breakfast.
In the evening, we went to Mohabbat The Taj Show, which recreates the love story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal with beautiful dancers and musical pieces. The show is performed in Hindi (with audio translation), and it’s a great thing to do in Agra. I would highly recommend it. Also, while you’re in Agra, don’t miss Agra Fort and, if you have any extra time, visit Fatehpur Sikri.
