Travel dates: 5 Sep 2019 – 13 Sep 2019
Although people have very mixed feelings about India as a destination, visiting myself had been a priority for some time. I wanted to make up my own mind but I just never quiet found the time to get there.
When I was offered a Golden Triangle whirlwind educational trip via one of my suppliers I jumped at it. Although these trips are super fast paced they cram a lot in in a short time so they’re a perfect introduction to a destination, helping me sell it with confidence and usually gives just enough of a taste to know if it is somewhere I’d like to explore more of when I get the time. For me, that was a BIG FAT YES! I loved every minute of my time in India and can not wait to get back and see more of this truly diverse country!.
We arrived in to Delhi at the crack of dawn and after clearing customs we were transferred to our hotel for a day of leisure before embarking on our tour.
Delhi is the soul of India, as busy as you’d expect it to be and an absolute melting pot of cultures. Like so many cities it encapsulates two very different worlds, the “old’ and the “new” giving a feel of both ancient and modern India, This city of contrasts is a treasure trove for tourists.
Day two started with a visit to Raj Ghat, the final resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of this nation. Situated on the banks of the river Yamuna the memorial has 2 museums dedicated to Gandhi and the life of this noble soul and philosopher
We continued on to Old Delhi with a crazy rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, the the oldest market place in Delhi. This was a real feast for the senses, Spices, vegetables, fabric, flowers, you name it, they sell it here! The origin of Chandni Chowk dates back to the Mughal era in Indian history. Today this market is considered to be one of the busiest markets in the world.
We then visited Jama Mosque, flanked by Red fort on one side and old city Chandni Chowk on another side it is the largest mosque in India & a place of pilgrimage for both Indians and Muslims the world over. Built by Shah Jahan in 17th century, Jama Masjid is one of the most crowded destinations in Delhi for pilgrims and tourists.
We explored Bangala sahib Sikh temple, an ancient place of worship & to bring great Karma they feed, on average 25,000 people per day & lastly Humayun’s tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage site, a beautiful example of Mughal architecture & considered a precursor to the Taj Mahal.
We somehow also managed to squeeze in 3 hotel sight inspections and have a delicious lunch & dinner!
The following day we left Delhi early and drove towards Agra. Famed with one of the Seven Wonders of the World – Taj Mahal, historical monuments and architectural grandeur, Agra thrives as one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. The city is known for its superb inlay work on marble by craftsmen supposedly with a lineage dating back to the Mughals and other famous handicrafts include carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather goods.
After arriving at our hotel and doing a site inspection we had the afternoon at leisure where we made our selves comfortable by the pool. It was quiet surreal seeing the Taj in the distance knowing that we would be up close and personal at sunrise the following morning. After a relaxing afternoon we were treated to a special showing of ‘Mohabbat the Taj” a live production of the love story behind the making of the Taj Mahal & a true Bollywood spectacular.
Words can’t explain the feeling of awe & wonder I felt at seeing the Taj Mahal that morning. A truly majestic masterpiece that tells a beautiful story of the love & devotion the Emperor had for his queen. The history is remarkable & architecture is impressive beyond comprehension for not only the era it was built in (1632-1648AD) but even more so now. We spent hours wandering the grounds and taking in the grandeur from every angle. This was a magical morning, one that I am so grateful for, shall never forget and was a huge tick off my bucket list.
Later the same day we visited Agra Fort, not nearly as opulent & magical as The Taj Mahal but just as impressive & well worth visiting when in Agra. Built 1565 – 1573 this historical site sits on almost 100 acres & was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal dynasty. It’s a maze of buildings, some quiet plain & others richly decorated that forms a city within a city.
The following day we headed towards Jaipur with stopping along the way for a tour Fatehpur Sikri.
Sikri is a sprawling complex of palaces, mosques, temples, and other structures. It is a stunning amalgamation of the Persian and Indian styles of building. We arrived in to Jaipur late and had an amazing night learning to cook traditional Indian food with decedents of Rajasthan Royalty in their beautiful home which is now a boutique hotel, a truly unique experience which has been a highlight of our trip.
And on our last day we managed to visit Amber Fort, The Historic Stepwell – Panna Meena Ka Kund, City Palace, Observatory and Hawa Mahal.
Amber Fort boasts of an artistic grandeur and structural expertise. It is a reminiscent of the bravery and courage of the mighty Rajputs, who had played a remarkable role in the history of medieval India.
City Palace is one of the major landmarks in Jaipur. The beautiful palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during his reign. Among the various forts and palaces of Jaipur, City Palace stands apart, with its outstanding art and architecture. So much history in one place!!
Observatory is an astronomical observation site built in the early 18th century. It was built by Maharaja Jai Sigh II in 1724, whose passion for science, engineering, and astronomy prompted him to construct this complex of fourteen scientific instruments. It’s been over 200 years since they were first constructed, these fourteen structures can still accurately measure time; predict eclipses, and track stars and planets in their orbits. Truly Astounding!
Hawa Mahal is perhaps the most well-known architectural landmark of Jaipur. An imposing structure in the city’s signature pink colour, Hawa Mahal is a unique palace as it does not have any rooms or halls. It is a five-storeyed structure embellished with numerous little windows and balconies. It was designed as a viewing gallery for the women of the royal household, the windows and balconies of this palace feature
delicate latticework that is astonishing in detail and it’s level of craftsmanship.
Incredible India did not disappoint! I’ve sold India as a destination for many years & it’s been high on my list to visit for a long time. People are quick to say it’s a destination you either love or hate but to be honest I’m yet to visit a country that I’ve not fallen just a little bit in love with & this was no different, I always travel with an open mind, accept & appreciate different ways of life & try to embrace new cultures. India was everything I expected, but also so much more. Yes, it was hot, humid, smelly, noisy & completely chaotic but the amazing history, beautiful people, phenomenal architecture & delicious food absolutely won me over. I loved my whirlwind week with a fab group of agents & very much look forward to going back to explore more of what India has to offer.
wanderlust mum 