2 min summary Best time to visit Map & highlights Things to do Delhi Agra Jaipur Tips Responsible tourism All our India guides

Things to do in the Golden Triangle

Culture vultures feast to their hearts’ content when it comes to activities on Golden Triangle holidays. From visiting architectural greats to shopping at artisan stalls, and of course eating magnificent food throughout. The Golden Triangle also offers myriad cultural experiences, with the desert state of Rajasthan boasting very different history and highlights to that of Delhi and Agra.

Home\Asia\India\Golden Triangle in India

THINGS TO DO IN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE

Heritage is like honeycomb

Think of the Golden Triangle as a piece of Toblerone, solid and sublime, packed with legendary flavours. Cultural heritage is, of course, the honeycomb here, as you travel through periods of princes and palaces, Mughals and Maharajahs, each trying to outdo the other in terms of architecture, fortitude and craftsmanship. Thankfully, many of the great sites are in the safe hands of UNESCO for all to enjoy. Travel through not only great cities but also through time, seeing influences from the Mughal Empire, the Rajput royals and the British Empire. Cultural influences are everywhere, from the Chandni Chowk market in New Delhi to the Johari Bazaar in Jaipur, homestays in rural Rajasthan to heritage hotels overlooking the Taj Mahal.

If your holiday coincides with one of India’s famous festivals then your cultural experience will go off the scale. So will the crowds, but you just have to go with the flow. In fact, that is one of the big secrets of being able to truly immerse yourself in Indian culture in the Golden Triangle: look past the dust and the noise, crowds and cacophonies, and enter the otherworldliness of it all. In a world that is still deeply informed by religion, politics and heritage, you will be buzzing around that honeycomb.

See all our India Golden Triangle Holidays

Give us a call

Nothing banal about buildings

Architecture is high on the list for anyone visiting the Golden Triangle. Mughal marvels include the world famous Taj Mahal and Agra Fort in Agra, the Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi and the impressive Buland Darwaza gateway at Fatehpur Sikri. The Mughals certainly liked their masterpieces to mark their presence. In Rajasthan, you enter the regal world of Rajputana architecture, famous for splendid interiors and intricate details. The Amber Palace in Jaipur with its geometric and detailed ethnic influences is one of the finest. The blue and golden interiors of Jaipur’s City Palace are exquisite as are the marble columns and geometric windows of Hawa Mahal Palace.

Colonial architecture has a somewhat different feel to it in the Golden Triangle at sites such as Delhi’s Sansad Bhavan, Connaught Place, India Gate, and Rashtrapati Bhavan. The latter is the President’s residence, but was built for the British Viceroy in 1911, when the capital was moved from then Calcutta to Delhi.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about India Golden Triangle or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Call us until 6pm

Calling from outside the UK

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Call us until 6pm

Calling from outside the UK

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Indian food

It is such a relief to travel in a country where they don’t look at you strangely because you are vegetarian. And then lay out such feasts, too.

Foodies are in heaven in the Golden Triangle, because not only does food play a vital role in the country’s culture, but it is delicious. It is also varied, with each region boasting so many specialties. The great thing about a Golden Triangle trip is that you cover three very different regions, so you will get to know each of the different influences. See our Indian cooking and food holidays guide for more details.

Indian food

Tiger tiger shining bright

If you are lucky enough to see a tiger, don’t rush to grab your camera; it is a very emotional moment. So just enjoy it. It will be imprinted on your brain forever.

Indian royalty features highly along the Golden Triangle, but the king of India’s jungle, the tiger, still holds court. Thankfully. There are about 60 in Ranthambore National Park, once a hunting ground for Jaipur’s Maharaja, and a popular addition to Golden Triangle itineraries, just 180km from Jaipur. Further away, but equally stunning, Kanha National Park, has about 100.