No four-day journey anywhere in the world concentrates as many extraordinary monuments as the Golden Triangle tour of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.
In Delhi an iron pillar forged 1,600 years ago stands rust-free next to the Qutub Minar — no metallurgist has fully explained why. In Agra the Taj Mahal contains optical corrections so precise that its minarets are deliberately inclined outward to prevent them falling onto the tomb in an earthquake. In Jaipur an astronomical observatory built in 1730 still tells the time accurately.
This private Golden Triangle tour covers all three cities across four days with expert cultural guides who bring the full story of Mughal, Rajput and Sultanate India to life.
Private car throughout, expert guides in all three cities, entry fees and 3 nights accommodation included.
5 Senses Tours is recognised by the Department of Tourism, a winner of the Outlook Responsible Tourism Award and the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award.
Day 1- Heritage of Delhi Qutub Minar Our first destination is The Qutub Minar, a remarkable structure. Inspired by the Minaret of Jam in present day Afghanistan, Qutub-ud-din Aibak built the Qutub Minar to celebrate his King, Mohammad Ghori’s victory over Prithviraj Chouhan. Qutub-ud-din Aibak was a Viceroy when the construction commenced in 1199. In a remarkable turn of events, during the course of the construction he became the first Emperor of the Slave dynasty. The Qutub Minar was completed by Iltutmish in 1236.
The Iron Pillar is a mysterious phenomenon. Built 1600 years back through forge welding, this 24 feet pillar weights 6 tons and is made of 98% wrought iron. The biggest mystery about this pillar that over a Millenia it has escaped rust. There is only a tiny amount of rust despite the pillar witnessing the ravages of time. The purpose of the pillar is also a mystery with some believing it to be a flag staff for the King, while others say it was a sun dial.
The tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun is build like a Palace rather than a burial tomb! It is one of the best preserved Mughal monuments. This spellbinding mausoleum is the first example of Mughal architecture in India.
India Gate commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I. The memorial bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919.
Rashtrapati Bhavan is the residence of the President of the largest democracy in the world. The Mughal Gardens are situated at the back of the Rashtrapati Bhavan, incorporate both Mughal and English landscaping styles and feature a great variety of flowers.
630AM- Depart for Jaipur by car 1030AM- Amber Fort and Palace Raja Man Singh I is credited with starting the construction of this red sandstone and white marble Palace.. The formidable walls defended its residents from enemy attacks. Maota Lake provides a splendid backdrop. Intricate wall paintings, frescos and the use of precious gems and jewels in these paintings add to its timeless beauty.
Possibly the most serene sight amidst the chaos of Jaipur is the beautiful Jal Mahal Jaipur, the Water Palace. This low-rise symmetrical palace, that once was a shooting lodge for the Maharajah, appears to float in the centre of Sagar Lake. The light sand coloured stone walls of the Jal Mahal Jaipur are at a stark contrast to the deep blue of the waters of the lake.
Built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1798, Hawa Mahal is a five-storey extension in the form of a honeycomb. This unique building has 953 small windows, called jharokas, decorated with intricate lattice work. The entire palace represents the crown of the Hindu God, Lord Krishna. Even though this palace was built during ancient times, it reflects the scientific vision of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in a distinct way. The windows of this palace have been designed in such a way that irrespective of the time or season of the year, cool breeze always persists inside the palace.
The palace was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. As most structures in Jaipur this palace also reflects the fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture. We will get to see gardens, buildings and courtyards, temple and a museum.
1030 AM- An 18th century Astronomical observatory We end our Jaipur tour at the astronomical observatory built by Sawai Jai Singh in 1730. Jantar Mantar is a collection of 19 architectural astronomical instruments. Jai Singh built this observatory to correct the astronomical tables on planetary positions. The highlight of this palace is “Smarat Yantra”, the world’s biggest stone sundial.
11AM- Depart by road to Agra from Jaipur. 2PM- Arrive in Fatehpur Sikhri Fatehpur Sikri the magnificent ancient city near Agra was built by Akbar, the great Mughal Emperor. Akbar was inspired by his ancestor Timur’s Persian Courts and this was reflected in the Persian design principles of Fatehpur Sikri. The Red Sandstone structures also reflect elements from Hindu and Jain styles of Architecture.
The Taj Mahal was built over 22 years from 1631-1653. The great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan had commissioned it for his wife Mumtaz Mahal who passed away while giving birth to their 14th child. The Taj Mahal was a project of mind boggling scale where material and workers came from all corners of India and Asia. Red sandstone came from Fatehpur Sikri, Jasper from Punjab, Jade and Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis Lazuli & Sapphire from Sri Lanka. A labour force of twenty thousand workers also had Sculptors from Bukhara, calligraphers from Syria & Persia and stone cutters from Baluchistan. Drive back from Agra to Delhi.
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
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