What is the Golden Triangle tour, what can you see on the Delhi-Agra-Jaipur route and how much does it cost to fly to India?
With 34 UNESCO sites among more than 1.2 million square miles of land India has something to offer everyone
THE Golden Triangle is the name given to the route between three of India’s most popular tourist destinations.
Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are cities in a near perfect triangle in the north of the country, and it’s called golden due to the rich historical and religious sights along the way.
What is the Golden Triangle tour?
You can start in any of the three cities and make your way in either direction.
But tourists usually start in Delhi – as this is where most international flights arrive - followed by Agra.
Due to its popularity all three cities are well connected by public transport, and if you’re on a budget you can travel by bus.
Trains also run between the destinations, and offer more sights of the country as they travel through the countryside, but be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
If you can afford to splash out a little more, you can hire a taxi to take you on the entire trip, but it is advised to book through a government-approved company.
All three cities are roughly a four hour drive away from each other, making them easily accessible within a day.
What can you see on the Delhi-Agra-Jaipur route?
The route is popular with tourists are there are numerous breath-taking sights along the way.
New Delhi is the capital of the sub-continent and with a population of 19 million people is a bustling and thriving metropolis.
Combining the ancient world with the modern, inside the city is the district of Old Delhi which is framed against a backdrop of skyscrapers.
In the heart of Old Delhi is the busy Chandni Chowk market and in New Delhi the Paharganj is a buzzing bazaar.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 17th century Red Fort is a must-see four tourists along with two of its prominent entrances, the Lahori Gate and the Delhi Gate.
A monument dating from the era of the British Raj, the India Gate is also a tourist attraction.
Another stop-off is the Qutb Minar complex, which at over 72 metres high is India’s tallest stone tower.
Unsurprisingly the most famous attraction in Agra is the majestic Taj Mahal.
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, it too dates back from the 17th and is a must for anyone visiting the area.
Also in Agra is the Itmad-Ud-Daulah, sometimes referred to as the ‘baby Taj’, and the impressive Agra fort, another UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and is often referred to as the ‘pink city’, as every building in the walled historic centre is the same shade of terracotta pink.
Two key sights within the city is the Observatory and City Palace and the Hawa Mahal.
Nestled in the Aravalli Hills the Amber Fort is worth a visit, and the honey-coloured fortress palace boasts a chamber of mirrors as well as impressive views of the surrounding area.
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How much is a flight to India?
Many companies offer all-inclusive tours of the Golden Triangle, which range from the £400 mark to £2,000.
From London a return flight to Delhi costs around £500, with airlines such as British Airways and Air India offering direct flights taking around eight hours.