The Golden Triangle Tour

Uncover Old and New Delhi with a Savvy Local

Delhi

With a diverse population of around 25 million, Delhi is a hub for Indian politics, delicious food and boasts the country’s largest wholesale markets. The tour starts in Old Delhi visiting Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Later take a cycle rickshaw through the famous Chandni Chowk bazaar before exploring the sights in New Delhi.

Most people use Delhi as a transit to other places but there’s so much the capital has to offer that time spent here is time well spent. With a diverse population of around 25 million, it’s a hub for Indian politics, delicious food and boasts the country’s largest wholesale markets.

First time visitors generally assume that Old Delhi is the oldest part of the city but the oldest part is in fact located in New Delhi and around 1,200 years old. Old Delhi was the walled city out of Delhi’s seven medieval cities. Shahjahanbad, as it was originally called, was founded by the Mughal Emperor in 1648 who, when he moved the Mughal capital from Agra, built landmarks such as the resplendent Red Fort.

The tour starts in Old Delhi visiting Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, and then, on a cycle rickshaw, explore the famous Chandni Chowk bazaar where little has changed over 370 years. Then it’s onto Raj Ghat, a beautiful memorial to Mahatama Gandhi before venturing to New Delhi driving by the government buildings including Parliament and the old Viceroy’s House built by the British.

After a break for lunch, you will visit Humayun’s tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal. The final stop is the UNESCO-credited Qutab Minar especially stunning when illuminated in the evening.

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Discover the Architectural Marvel of Agra Fort

Agra

Learn why Agra Fort is sometimes referred to as a city within a city on this interesting tour of Agra Fort. A Rajput king called Badul Singh constructed the building as a residence with brick in the late 15th century.  Your guide will go into detail as to its history, how it became one of the world’s most beautiful prisons, a fort and a residence.

Learn why Agra Fort is sometimes referred to as a city within a city on this interesting tour of Agra Fort. A Rajput king called Badul Singh constructed the building as a residence with brick in the late 15th century. The guidebooks usually skip the history until the 3rd Mughal Emperor, Akbar, lived there and whose father, Humayun, was crowned at Agra Fort. The 5th ruler, Shah Jahan, was responsible for the exquisite use of marble seen throughout the architecture. An interesting anecdote about Shah Jahan says that every morning at sunrise he was obligated to show himself from his bedroom windows to his people as evidence that he was alive and well.

On this excursion, your guide will go into detail as to its history, how it became one of the world’s most beautiful prisons, a fort and a residence.

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Taj Mahal by Sunrise

Agra

Every day, the Taj Mahal, India’s most famous World Heritage Site, will see on average 15,000 people. Visit at dawn though and you cut those numbers right down resulting in a more peaceful stroll around the magnificent monuments. The early hours really are the best time to visit when you can just sit quietly and listen to the birds as you take in its architectural beauty.

Every day, the Taj Mahal, India’s most famous World Heritage Site, will see on average 15,000 people. Visit at dawn though and you cut those numbers right down resulting in a more peaceful stroll around the magnificent monuments. The early hours really are the best time to visit when you can just sit quietly and listen to the birds as you take in its architectural beauty.

When the sun starts to rise on a clear day, you can see the mausoleum turn from gold yellow to orange to a sparkling mountain white. You can roam the splendid gardens decorated with fountains and inspect the ornamental craftwork without the crowds. As the sun slowly bathes the walls, the stunning pietra dura inlay lights up the whole façade. This only occurs during the hours of dawn and makes the early start well worth it.

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