India golden triangle on its own. Indian golden triangle. By their behavior and their clothes, it was clear that they were not poor people, and, as it turned out later, they belonged to the first caste. The young man's name was Pihu, and his wife was Anuj.
India is a huge country with a rich history. It is so diverse that every corner of it is interesting and fascinating in its own way. To understand its culture, it is not enough to visit any one region. For tourists who want to explore the country in more detail, there is a tour of the "Golden Triangle". India will show you the amazing world of ancient history and culture, to which no one will remain indifferent. It includes the largest cities in the central part of the country, and can also be supplemented by relaxation on the famous Indian beaches.
How is the journey carried out?
Depending on the route, the tour "Golden Triangle" (India) may differ significantly. Some tour operators offer to visit only the largest cities: Agra, Delhi and Jaipur. Other excursions include visits to all the cities included in the tour. Some even complete the trip with a few days of relaxation on the beaches of Goa or a visit to the famous village of Khajuraho.
As a rule, the tour starts in Delhi, where tourists fly by plane. Then, within a few days, they move by car or bus between the cities that are part of the "Golden Triangle" (India). Tour operators calculate their tours for an average of a week, so not much time is allocated to visit the city. On the road between each settlement, tourists spend an average of about 5 hours. After visiting all the cities, travelers return to Delhi, from where they fly home. If the tour includes a holiday in Goa, then a flight to the state is carried out.
What to take on the road?
A hot, stuffy and humid climate is what tourists who go to the state of India will face. The Golden Triangle involves long trips, so you need to stock up on plenty of water before leaving. You can also bring food with you. Indian food can be of poor quality or too spicy. Insect repellent wouldn't hurt either. Despite the hot daytime weather, it gets cool in the evening, so you should take a light windbreaker or sweater.
Travel price
Depending on the duration of the tour and the quality of the host hotels, the cost of travel can vary significantly. For example, a week-long tour that includes a trip to all the cities of the "Golden Triangle" for two will cost from 650 to 1500 dollars. The higher the price, the better the hotel will be. Food also affects the cost. As a rule, tour operators pay only breakfast, but there are also tours with the All Inclusive option. The cheapest time to go to India is in September and March, but a vacation during the Christmas holidays will cost one and a half times more. When you include an additional holiday in Goa in the tour, the amount can also increase significantly.
Delhi
Delhi City is the starting point of many Golden Triangle tours. It is located in the north of the country and is the second largest. It will amaze tourists with an abundance of ancient architectural monuments from different historical eras. According to general estimates, there are almost 6,000 different attractions in the city and its environs. The streets of Delhi are filled with numerous restaurants and souvenir shops. It is a cosmopolitan city with a population of over 10 million people.
New Delhi is also located here - the district that is the capital of the state of India. "Golden Triangle" includes visits to the capital's attractions. In the old part of the city, you should definitely visit the Jama Masjid mosque - this is the largest Muslim building in the country. You should also look at the panorama of ancient Delhi. Among other attractions worth noting are the Red Fort, the mausoleum of the Mughal king Humayun, Akshardham. Tourists also like to spend part of their sightseeing time strolling through the Chatta Chowk market, which has preserved the atmosphere of ancient India.
Jaipur
Jaipur is popularly called the "pink city" because of the characteristic color of the stone used in the construction. It is quite small in size, especially in comparison with the multi-million dollar Delhi. There are a huge number of palaces of different shapes and sizes. The largest of them are the City Palace and Hawa Mahal - a former harem, on the facade of which there are about 900 windows. Thanks to them, the palace is blown even in the hottest heat. Therefore, the Hawa Mahal is often called the Palace of the Winds.
The city will surprise tourists with a huge number of monkeys that live here everywhere. The Monkey Temple was erected in their honor in Jaipur. Almost 2,000 primates live on its territory. Excursion India ("Golden Triangle" in particular) is not only sightseeing, but also a trip to museums. Most of Jaipur's museums are located in the City Palace. To see them all, you need to spend at least one day. Also, when visiting the city, you should definitely see the Jal Mahal Palace - a unique building located right in the middle of the lake.
Fatehpur Sikri
Tour "Golden Triangle" (India) is designed not only to visit the major cities of the country, but also includes small settlements with a rich cultural heritage. One of them is the small city of Fatehpur Sikri, which was once the capital of the Empire. Now about 30 thousand people live here, and Fatehpur Sikri itself has become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This settlement has the glory of a ghost town.
Unlike the "pink" city, Fatehpur Sikri was built up with red sandstone. The architecture of the settlement combines the influences of Hinduism, Islam and Jainism. The main attraction of the city is the Bulat-Darvaza Gate, an example of ancient Mughal architecture. They are also one of the largest in the world. It is worth seeing the Ankh Michauli building, which is the former treasury, as well as the drum house of Naubat-Khan.
Agra
Agra is one of the most magnificent cities that India is famous for. The "Golden Triangle" was named after the 3 largest settlements around which the tour was built. In addition to Delhi and Jaipur, one of the peaks is Agra. One of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal, is located here. The mausoleum, built in honor of the beloved wife of the padishah Shah Jahan, impresses with its grandeur. The beautiful building, made of snow-white marble, delights tourists with its exquisite beauty. When planning a tour, you should pay attention to the fact that services are held in the mausoleum on Fridays and it is closed to the public.
In addition to the Taj Mahal, Agra has many other attractions. Be sure to visit the Red Fort - a fortress that was once the residence of Indian rulers. The tomb of Akbar the Great is an equally impressive building, in which one of the most significant Muslim rulers of the state of India found his rest. The tour "Golden Triangle" also includes a visit to the tomb of Itemad-ud-Dauly, which is often called the "small Taj". Another architectural wonder of Agra is the Pearl Mosque with snow-white domes.
Mathura
Mathura is located 50 kilometers north of Agra. In ancient times, it stood at the crossroads of major trade routes, so it was a significant economic center of the country. According to ancient legends, Krishna was born here, so Mathura is considered a sacred Indian city. At the place of his birth, about 5 thousand years ago, a magnificent temple was erected. Of course, it was rebuilt many times, and the current Krishna Janmabhumi is hardly comparable to the original structure. At 250 meters from the temple there is a small shrine marking the exact birthplace of Krishna.
There are also other sacred places associated with the life of the ancient deity. Another attraction is the site of Vishram Ghat, marking the site of Krishna's murder of the local greedy ruler. Tourists are also invited to visit the local Archaeological Museum, which contains many ancient finds, as well as a Buddha statue built in the 5th century.
Vrindavan
Vrindavan is a holy city also associated with the life of Krishna. It is located near Mathura and is one of the many pilgrimage centers for which India is so famous. The "Golden Triangle", unfortunately, does not always include a visit to this city. And completely in vain, because in terms of the number of attractions it is not inferior to other major cities of the tour. The temple complex of Prem Mandir will amaze tourists with its magnificence. This Hindu sanctuary was built only in 2012, and specialists from all over the world took part in its construction.
Vrindavan is called the "city of the temple" for a reason. They are here at every turn. It is estimated that there are about 5,000 religious buildings on its territory. The oldest surviving temple of Madanamohana dates back to the 16th century. Tourists should also visit the Banke Bihari Temple and Geshi Khad. The latter is located on the banks of the Yamuna River, and every evening at sunset there is a ceremony to worship Krishna.
Extra vacation in Goa
India is famous not only for its architectural monuments. Tour "Golden Triangle + Goa" also includes a few days that tourists will spend on the beaches of this famous resort. The combination of sightseeing and beach holidays makes this tour especially popular.
There are no such striking sights in Goa as in the ancient cities of the country. However, there are many places that tourists should definitely visit here. For example, Paradise Beach is a beautiful piece of nature with clear water and virgin jungle. Chapora Fort is a ruined building on the coast. From here you have a magnificent view of the sea. You should also definitely visit the legendary local clubs and restaurants. They offer unique seafood dishes. For travelers, there are also excursions to cultural monuments, for example, to the Dudhsagar waterfall or to plantations of rare spices that India is famous for. "Golden Triangle + Goa" will allow you to have a great rest after many days of trips to the cities of the country.
Khajuraho village
Another additional stop may be the village of Khajuraho. This settlement was created for tourists and includes about 20 temples. The oldest of them were built in the 9th-11th centuries. Once this city was the ancient capital of the state, which was ruled by the Chandela dynasty. After the 13th century, it fell, and people left Khajuraho, which was overgrown with jungle. It was rediscovered only in the 19th century, when the British, who ruled India, did not accidentally stumble upon it.
The "Golden Triangle", which will appeal to any tourist, will surprise you with the most ancient temples of the country. The city is unesco. The most popular attractions are temples, on the walls of which scenes from the famous Kama Sutra are embodied. Another standout object is the Kandarya-Mahadeva temple. This is the largest and most decorated complex, around which 84 miniature spiers were erected. Visiting this place with children is not recommended, because on each of the surviving temples you can see numerous figures depicting erotic compositions.
Indian Golden Triangle + GOA
Day 00: Departure from Moscow
Departure from Moscow to Delhi
Day 01: Arrival in Delhi
Arrival at New Delhi airport. After clearing customs, immigration and baggage collection, you will be met by our representative at the exit of the airport arrivals hall, after which you will be transferred to the hotel. Registration at the hotel.
In the morning you will go on a sightseeing tour of Delhi. You will visit Old Delhi first. The tour will begin with a visit to the Raj Ghat & Shanti Wana, a modest memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; visiting the Red Fort - part of the world heritage, Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in Asia, which can accommodate more than 25,000 worshipers at the same time. Built by the will of Shah Jahan from magnificent red sandstone with a white marble mosque, according to legend, by 5000 builders in the period from 1644 to 1656. Wide red sandstone stairs lead us to the mosque from the east, north and south.
After lunch, a sightseeing tour of New Delhi, which is a British heritage. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughal Empire.
The division into the old city and New Delhi also determines the division in lifestyles. The walled old town is more conservative, where you can observe the traditional way of life in all its facets, colors and charm. In contrast, New Delhi is trying to live by the standards of the 21st century.
Tour of Imperial Delhi includes a trip to Qutub Minar; elegantly carved across her height of 234 feet. Nearby stands an iron Pillar that has withstood all the horrors of time and has not rusted for 1500 years. After visiting Humayun's Tomb. The mausoleum, built of red sandstone and adorned with black and white marble mosaics, is one of the city's most remarkable structures. The project of the tomb belongs to the famous Persian architect of that time Mirza Ghiyas, who for the first time in India supplemented the tomb with a clearly planned park-garden. Subsequently, gardens became an indispensable attribute of all monuments of Mongolian architecture. In the architect's plan, the Persian influence is strongly felt. Humayun's tomb is the first example of mature Mongolian architecture. Standing on a raised platform, the mausoleum is crowned with a massive dome, the height of which reaches 38 meters. The verandas on both sides of the building are decorated with twelve-meter pointed arches with deep lattice windows. Under the cenotaph, inside the building, are the graves of Humayun and Haji Begam. After the tour return to the hotel in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: Delhi - Agra (Distance 203 km / 5 hours)
Departure to Agra. Upon arrival in Agra, check-in at the hotel.
Visit Sikandra, the Tomb of Akbar, the greatest Mughal emperor, made of sandstone and marble, located in a peaceful garden, four kilometers northeast of Agra. The construction was started by Akbar himself and was completed by his son Jahangir in 1613. The southern gate, the most impressive part of the complex, is made of red sandstone inlaid with an abstract mosaic pattern of white marble. The tomb has four sarcophagi - three of red sandstone, the fourth - of marble. In accordance with the philosophical views of a single, unifying religion, which Akbar shared, his tomb is a mixture of motifs and styles of various religions.
Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03: Agra
After breakfast, tour of Agra. You will visit the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays).
The Taj Mahal justifies everything that is said about it and even more. Its construction lasted 22 years and was carried out by 20,000 people, white marble was mined over 200 miles and delivered to the construction site by an army of 1,000 elephants. Built by the Mongol emperor Shah Jahan as a token of love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal in the mid-17th century, the Taj Mahal is rightfully one of the wonders of the world. The Taj Mahal is amazingly beautiful from all sides thanks to the finest marble inlay, which amazes to the core. You will have enough time for sightseeing and you will be fascinated by this masterpiece of architecture.
Next drive to Agra Fort - an outstanding example of Mongolian architecture. Agra Fort is the stronghold of the Mughal dynasty in the eyes of subsequent generations. It was the stronghold of the Mughal power and administration and owes its modern appearance to Akbar, who erected walls, gates and the first buildings on the eastern bank of the Yamuna River. Shah Jahan added impressive living quarters and a mosque, while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit his Hall of Public Audience and the Royal Pavilion. Free time. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04: Agra - Jaipur
After breakfast, you will head to Jaipur, visiting Fatehpur Sikri on the way. Fatehpur Sikri is a red sandstone desert city built by the Mughal emperor Akbar as a capital and residence in the 16th century. Soon, immediately after the completion of the construction, as soon as the walls dried up, the city was abandoned, and at the present time it has remained exactly the same as it was more than 300 years ago. The city has living quarters and mosques, this city was larger than London at the time of its creation. Now it is an amazing place for walking and exploring the beautifully preserved buildings.
Upon arrival at the hotel in Jaipur, check-in. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05: Jaipur
After breakfast at the hotel, you are sent to the vicinity of Jaipur, to the ancient capital of Amber to get acquainted with the legendary Amber Fort. An elephant (an alternative is a jeep) will help you overcome the climb to the fortress. On the way to Amber you will stop and visit the Palace of the Winds, also known as the Hawa Mahal. The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of the Winds was built for royal ladies to discreetly watch the royal processions. After lunch, tour of Jaipur with a visit to the City Palace, Jantar Mantar or the Astronomical Observatory. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06: Jaipur - GOA
After breakfast transfer to Jaipur airport for flight to GOA (Transit flight via Mumbai)
Day 07- 12: Vacation in GOA
Breakfast, Rest
Day 13: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport, departure from the country.
They didn’t dare to go savages - they chose Om tour. Of the two proposed flight models from Domodedovo to Delhi - Aeroflot (direct flight) and Qatar Airways - they chose Qatar, which provide for a transfer in Doha. Approximately 4.5 hours flight to Doha, an hour to stretch your legs for duty free (the best I've seen) and about 5 hours to Delhi. it takes a little longer than with Aeroflot, but it is cheaper and, I think, more comfortable. Departing from Moscow -17 already in Doha felt the breath of the south.
Acquaintance with India began after the departure from Qatar. Most of the Indians flew, a company from Denmark, the ubiquitous Germans and, oddly enough, we did not hear Russian speech. On the plane, we practically fraternized with a Sikh neighbor, because together we filled out customs papers, and although our knowledge of English was approximately at the same level, we completely understood each other. Arrived in Delhi around 3 am. The first thing that alerted me was that the locals, even on the plane, began to pull on everything warm that they had. The international airport is phenomenal in scope, everything is beautiful. Customs cleared quickly. At the airport, they changed only 100 bucks for the first expenses (the exchange rate was not profitable - at that time 41 rupees per dollar minus some kind of tax, although even in stores they later changed it at 43-44, and in Goa even at 45). And then we shake ourselves out into the street ... well ... so fresh ... 15 degrees Celsius, December after all, winter. Meeting English-speaking guide in a warm suit and sweater, and here we are in T-shirts. In general, we are used to it, we have summers like this, but the Indians get cold. As it turned out later from a conversation on the fingers in Delhi, a large difference in night and day temperatures - during the day is about +25, and at night it drops to +6, everything is explained by the proximity of the Himalayas, they are also responsible for the almost constant fog. When we said that it was -17 in Moscow, the guide cringed even more. As it turned out, there were no more people who wanted to go according to the program, and we got a tour by car - individual. The meeting guide dropped us off at a hotel with the loud name Perfect (I don’t think there are any stars at all, so we didn’t come to live there), and in Russia I saw worse, the linen and towels are clean, there is some kind of tricky system with water in terms of time, in general, we didn’t bother much, especially at 5 in the morning, since at 10 we started the tour program. We even went for breakfast in the morning. Continental breakfasts are popular in most Indian hotels - scrambled eggs, tea-coffee, tortillas, buns, butter-jam, there was some other local stew (they didn’t risk it, even the smell started to burn inside). The Russian-speaking guide Ravindra arrived, provided to us for the tourist program. In Russian, he did not speak in such a way that, but I was also pulled to clarify what was incomprehensible in English, and then it became generally incomprehensible, because as he switched to English, I had to constantly remind him. The program looked like Delhi-Jaipur-Fatehpur Sikri-Agra-Mathura-Vrindavan-Delhi+Goa. I won’t talk about the program in particular - they completed it in full. I'll tell you my impressions. From what I saw earlier about India, it turned out to be true that everyone there really sings and dances, no matter what. This is how they wake up and sing.
About Delhi. The capital, traffic jams like ours and everything is endlessly buzzing. Quite dirty, no one is in a hurry to clean up. True, when returning, some kind of Asian games were held - everything was swept, the central streets in any case. The hotel was located near the main market street of New Delhi, there is where to go in the evening. Prices are reasonable, bargain, they will reduce to half the price. During the day, the guide drove to a restaurant for lunch, apparently all tourists are taken there - a rip-off full (potato dish with vegetables (fries with sauce and salad, biryani with chicken (such pilaf), raita (yogurt sauce with greens, helped not to burn), two flat cakes and a small Pepsi cost $ 30 (where $ 4 was prudently paid for service).If there are no prejudices, you can eat quite tasty on the street, Delhi is famous for its street food and it costs a penny, you just need to be more careful with all sorts of sauces that are served to all sorts of dishes - incredible hotness.Delhi is also the place to eat fruit - pomegranates were most impressed.
About Jaipur. Capital of the state of Rajasthan. It takes about 5 hours to drive from Delhi. Even dirtier than Delhi, we drove in like in a landfill, but the Hava Mahal hotel is chic. Room with a balcony on the main street, closes tightly, you can not hear anything. They decided not to test their fate and had dinner at the hotel restaurant. Everyone is very friendly and smiling. They cook deliciously, the portions are huge and inexpensive, they bring the bill, but you don’t have to pay right away, but only when you check out from the hotel. Two dinners cost us about $22, cheaper than one lunch in Delhi. Breakfast in general is also continental, but an omelet is cooked in front of you and they throw everything into what you poke. They will bring freshly squeezed juice, which you order (4 types of fruit). The room has a coffee and tea set, including cookies, replenished throughout the day (cookies came in handy to feed the palm squirrels and monkeys). Everyone climbs to Amber Fort on elephants (included in the price of the tour), and the driver must be given 50 rupees. On an elephant it shakes like on an UAZ on potholes, so you hold on with one hand and take pictures with the other.
About Fatehpur Sikri. Abandoned city, under Akbar - the capital of the Mughal Empire. Now it is quiet, only tourists, lizards and kingfishers.
About Agra. According to the guide - a dirty city, we were preparing for the worst, especially when we saw that the entire suburb of the city was busy making fuel from cow cakes and it was drying everywhere - along the roads and the walls of the houses. The city turned out to be surprisingly clean, well-groomed and hospitable. If possible, the Taj Mahal is better to visit in the evening, in the rays of sunset it is especially beautiful, and in the morning it is often foggy. There is not much to say about the Royale Residency hotel, except that we got a room without windows at all, or rather, they were small there, closed with shutters, but they went out onto some kind of wasteland. At the time of our presence there was also an Indian wedding. In the courtyard of the hotel, the size of a good football field, there were tables with all sorts of goodies around the perimeter, and probably half the city was fed there. Everyone was invited.
Then we return to Delhi, on the way stopping by Mathura and Vrindavan, small towns associated with the birth and childhood of Krishna. It is almost impossible to take pictures inside, but all non-Christians are allowed into the temples, only barefoot. Or in socks. Shoe covers were given out at the Taj Mahal.
More about Delhi. Lots of dogs, no cats (for religious reasons) and with all the dirt we didn't see a single rat. of birds, only crows, parrots and ... eagles, in wild quantities. Overnight at the same hotel, the flight to Goa was supposed to be at 14.30, as a result, they postponed until 17.40, but we were warned, so we waited at the hotel (no problem, although the checkout was after 12.00, no one asked us for money for 3 hours). We flew by local Spicejet, 2.5 hours, we took tickets without feeding. Arrived - warm! At the airport we were met by a guide, gave instructions and sent with the driver to the hotel. In Goa, we had a Chalston Beach Resort 3 * hotel on the border of Calangute and Candolim beaches. Of the three rubles, this is actually the only hotel on the first line of the sea. We got a room on the third floor, went out to the balcony and went nuts. Sea ocean!!! At first we were alarmed by a bunch of lights opposite, like the shore was not supposed, it turned out that hardworking Indian sailors were clustering in the sea. The first day turned out to be rainy, it was cool and it was raining, there was nobody on the beach except us and the crows. But then the weather settled down and it was +33-35 on average. The sea is very exciting, the sand is singing. On Calangute it is quite calm, on Candolim after 12 - a mess. You can have a bite to eat in numerous cafes along the coast, the menu is in Russian in almost all. Oddly enough expensive fish. Therefore, if the menu says some curry with fish costs 100-150 rupees, in fact, the cost will depend on the fish that you choose in size. People choose to have dinner on the city streets, since there are plenty of cafes and restaurants there. Prices are acceptable everywhere. If not gluttonous, 400-600 rupees is enough for a dinner for two. Everything is made for tourists, because the food is not as spicy as all over India.
About shopping: the first thing we did was buy a local SIM card (we would have done it earlier, but since you need a photo to buy a SIM card, and we didn’t have one and the guide had no time), the photo was taken in the same place where they took the SIM card, the issue price is 600 rupees - 400 rupees on the account, 30 (like) free sms, calling is more profitable - 7 rupees a minute.
We did not go to the night market - we had enough shops nearby. Shopping is a purely individual matter, when you enter the store, everything seems to be necessary. The prices are already ridiculous, but they are still fun to bargain. As a result, you leave with a pile of purchases and everyone is happy. You can also buy goods without leaving the beach, because there is no free minute for someone not to come up with the goods.
Time flew by somehow quickly. Didn't want to leave at all! And despite some negative nuances, the impressions remained the warmest with the desire to return.
Departures on Saturdays, 01.10. - 17.12. 2016, 07.01. - 15.04. 2017, without a/b
Duration: 15 days / 13 nights
Route: Delhi - Jaipur - Giriraja Dharan - Abaneri - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Vrindavan - Delhi
Prices are for departures: 01.10, 08.10, 15.10, 22.10, 29.10, 05.11, 12.11, 19.11, 26.11, 03.12, 10.12, 17.12, 07.01, 14.01, 21.01, 28.01, 04.02, 11.02, 18.02, 25.02, 04.03, 11.03, 18.03, 25.03, 01.04, 08.04, 15.04
Attractions:
Delhi: Gateway of India, Presidential Palace (from the side), Lotus Temple, Qutub Minar and Akshardham Temple
Jaipur: Amber Fort, Elephant (or Jeep) ride to the Fort, City Palace, Birla Temple, Jantar Mantar Observatory, Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal), Zoo, Albert Hall Museum, Giriraja Dharan, Fatehpur Sikri
Agra: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daula Mausoleum, Akbar's Tomb (Sikandra), Abaneri Step Well, Temple of the Goddess of Happiness Harshit Mata
Vrindavan: ISKCON Krishna Temple and Prem Temple
1 day (Saturday). Moscow - Delhi
Departure from Moscow to Delhi. The hotel room is booked from 12:00 Saturday, the excursion program starts from Sunday.
Day 2 (Sunday). Delhi - Jaipur (260 km / 6 hours)
Early in the morning (approximately at 03:00) arrival to Delhi. After completing the formalities and collecting luggage at the New Delhi airport (international terminal - 3), meeting at the airport by a representative of the host company and transfer to the hotel. Accommodation at the hotel for a short rest and breakfast. Meet your guide and at approximately 09:00 departure for a Sightseeing tour of Delhi, starting with an inspection of the Gateway of India - a memorial built in 1931 in honor of Indian soldiers who died in the 1st World War and in the Afghan Wars and a trip along the Rashtrapati Bhawan - residences of the president and the Parliament building (visit from outside).
Next, visit the Lotus Temple, built by the Baha'i community in India in 1986 in the form of a blossoming lotus flower made of snow-white marble. The temple is open to people of all faiths and is a haven of peace and spirituality. It is noteworthy that inside the temple is generally devoid of objects of worship and paintings. Instead, it carries a deep meaning precisely as a structure in the form of a symbolic lotus flower. The bright white marble shrine is surrounded by expertly landscaped lawns, gardens and nine pools with stairs and bridges.
The tour will continue with a visit to another cult place - the temple complex of monuments of Muslim architecture of the VIII - XB centuries. - Qutub Minar, built in 1206. This tallest minaret in the world (72 m), decorated with calligraphy, is an important example in Indo-Islamic architecture. Qutub Minar and its monuments are included in the protected World Heritage Sites of UNESCO. In the afternoon - transfer to Jaipur - the colorful capital of Rajasthan. Upon arrival, overnight stay at Jaipur hotel.
Day 3 (Monday). Jaipur - the colorful city of the Maharajas
Early in the morning after breakfast, departure to Amber Fort (Amber Fort), located 11 km north of Jaipur. It was there, on the Aravalli hills, from 1037 to 1728 that the ancient capital of the brave Rajputs was located. Elephant riding - ascent to the Fort, located on a hill, a tour of the Fort. From the top of the apartments of the Maharaja, a striking view of the narrow gorge opens.
In the afternoon - a tour of the "Pink City" - Jaipur will begin with a visit to the unique Jantar Mantar observatory, a majestic structure built by Raja Jai Singh in 1728 and perfectly preserved to this day. Some of the observatory's instruments are still in use today to forecast the expected start date, duration and intensity of monsoons, and the possibility of floods and droughts. The observatory also houses the largest sundial in the world.
Next, visit the City Palace - the former residence of the Jaipur rulers, in the museums of which you can see excellent collections of Mughal costume, weapons and miniature paintings. View of the symbol of the city - the Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal), a five-story building made of pink stone, decorated with columns and balconies, the original carved facade of which was built in 1799 specifically so that reclusive women from the royal family could observe what was happening outside the walls unnoticed palace.
And at the end of the Jaipur sightseeing visit to the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, also known as Birla Mandir, built in 1933 - 1938. with the money of the families of large Indian industrialists. The temple is built entirely of high quality white marble, framed with carved sculptures and statues of the gods and is dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Narayan. It is one of the most beautiful religious buildings in the world and is the embodiment of the idea of Indian unity. Return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Jaipur.
Day 4 (Tuesday). Jaipur - Giriraja Dharan - Abaneri - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (260 km / 6 hours)
After an early breakfast, departure to Agra. The final destination of today's trip is the city of Agra. But the first stop is at the Giriraja Dharan temple complex, which is dedicated to Krishna and built in the South Indian style. A bright gopuram with a skillful bas-relief - a gate tower in the temple enclosure of Hindu temples, will give us an idea of how temples look in the south of the country.
Next visit Abhaneri and Fatehpur Sikri.
95 km from Jaipur, in the state of Rajasthan, is the small town of Abaneri, famous for one of the deepest and oldest step wells (Chand Baori) in India. Such wells were built in general only in India, so similar architecture can only be seen here. This square construction, incredible in beauty and harmony, is 13 floors deep, with three sides being a solid staircase, and on the fourth side there are utility and residential buildings. Their walls are decorated with niches with beautiful sculptures on religious and mythological themes. 3500 steps, arranged in perfect symmetry, descend to the bottom of a 30-meter well and help to reach groundwater. The well was built from the 8th to 9th centuries by King Chanda of the Nikumba dynasty in order to ensure that the surrounding areas were provided with a reliable source of water. The green water at the bottom of the well indicates that no one uses the well now, but this place is interesting as an architectural landmark, which is more than 1000 years old.
Adjacent to the well is the Temple of Harshita Mata (Goddess of Luck) with stunning medieval Indian architecture.
Next, we move to Fatehpur Sikri, located 40 km from Agra.
Fatehpur Sikri is a masterpiece built in a deserted place of red sandstone, stunning with the elegance of its palaces and surrounding areas. This city, built by Emperor Akbar, is just a reflection of a glorious past. For 14 years it was the capital of the Mughals, after which the inhabitants left it due to lack of water. Perhaps, thanks to this circumstance, we can today see it in its original beauty.
Upon arrival in Agra, accommodation at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Agra.
Day 5 (Wednesday). Agra
Breakfast in the hotel. Agra - the ancient capital of the Mughal Empire, known throughout the world, thanks to one of the wonders of the world - the Taj Mahal, today enchants us with a magnificent panorama of magnificent architectural monuments and rich traditions of culture and art. The city tour begins with a visit to the Taj Mahal. This original marble monument of love was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1643 as the tomb of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum of pure white marble took 22 years to build. 20,000 people worked on its construction. A thousand elephants carried white marble for construction. Merchants from Tibet, Persia and Russia sent gems for its decoration. A floral ornament made of jasper, agate and malachite, opal, obsidian and mother-of-pearl, skillfully inscribed in the perfect symmetry of the snow-white palace, leaves a feeling of lightness and weightlessness. The tour will continue with a trip to the Agra Fort, built of red stone in 1565 by the Mughal Emperor Akbar as a military fortress. The labyrinth of the Fort's inner passages, the marble mosque and luxurious inner chambers reflected the greatness of the Mughal Emperor. Here Shah Jahan spent the last years of his life in captivity, treacherously betrayed by his son, admiring the snow-white Taj Mahal from the windows of his room.
In the afternoon, visit another grandiose monument of Mughal architecture - the tomb of Emperor Akbar in Sikandra. This attraction is also known for its huge concentration of monkeys. Further visit Itimad-ud-Daula - a small elegant park tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula, the treasurer of the emperors, was built by his daughter Nur-Jahan, the beloved wife of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Construction began in 1622 and lasted six years. The tomb combines white marble, colored mosaics, stone inlays and gratings. Stylistically, this is the most innovative Mughal building of the 15th century, bearing the features of the transition from the massive red sandstone buildings of the Akbar era to the sensually ornate buildings of the Taj Mahal era. Return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Agra.
Optional (optional):
1. Theatrical costume show in Agra - "Mohhabbat de Taj", showing the love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtah Mahal, as well as the history of the creation of the Taj Mahal. Duration - 80 minutes. The price includes an audio translator in Russian (cost: $42 per person)
2: Cooking show - Indian family dinner. An impressive show where an Indian family chef will cook in front of tourists, explaining various aspects of traditional Indian cuisine (cost: $37 per person).
Day 6 (Thursday). Agra - Vrindavan - Delhi (220 km / 5 hours)
Early in the morning after breakfast, approximately at 07:30, departure to Delhi. On the way to Delhi - visit the ISKCON Temple (ISKCON) in Vrindavan, associated with the birth and childhood of Lord Krishna (The temple is closed between 12:00 and 16:00). Next, visit the Prem Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna and Rama. Prem Mandir is a religious and spiritual complex in Vrindavan. Construction began in 2001, and the opening took place in 2012. More than 30,000 tons of Italian marble were used in the construction. This is a genuine man-made masterpiece of stone carving.
Upon arrival in Delhi (without hotel accommodation), you can see the Akshardham Temple (if you have free time) - one of the largest and most complex religious temples in North India, Rajasthan, Orissa, Gujarat, which was recently built on the banks of the Yamuna River. The temple complex entered the Guinness Book of Records as the most grandiose Hindu temple in the world. The height of the palace is 42 m, width and length - 94 and 106 m. It is decorated with 234 columns, 9 majestic domes, 20 tetrahedral turrets and more than 20 thousand statues. There are figures of 148 elephants along the perimeter of the building. The complex includes the temple itself, adjacent parks, a light and music fountain, a cinema, a museum, artificial covered channels where you can swim in boats, sculptural compositions, numerous cafes and souvenir shops.
Not surprisingly, the construction of the complex took about a billion dollars. (Please note that photography and video shooting on the territory of the temple is prohibited).
After the tour - transfer to the hotel in Delhi.
Overnight at Delhi hotel.
Day 7 (Friday). Delhi - Goa (air flight)
Breakfast at the hotel in Delhi, check-out and transfer to Delhi airport for check-in for a flight to Goa (solo flight without a group).
Arrival in Goa.
Transfer to the selected hotel in Goa.
Overnight at Goa hotel.
Day 8 - Day 13 (Saturday - Thursday). Goa
Vacation in Goa.
Day 14 (Friday). Goa - Delhi
Breakfast at Goa hotel. Timely release of the room and transfer to the Goa airport for an independent (without a group) flight to Delhi.
Arrival in Delhi at the domestic flights terminal (Terminal 1), transfer to the international departures terminal (Terminal-3) and waiting for boarding a flight to Moscow (without accommodation in a hotel in Delhi).
Check-in for international flights at Delhi Airport opens 4 hours before departure.
Day 15 (Saturday). Delhi - Moscow
Early in the morning - flight to Moscow.
Attention! The tour program can be changed by day while maintaining the number of excursions
Optionally, an additional payment for dinners according to the excursion program is possible (for the entire period, except for the 1st night: 5 dinners):
Budget class hotels - $65/person
Standard class hotels - $85/person
First class hotels - $120/person
Optionally, you can extend the tour for 1 night before the start of the tour, or at the end (free day in Delhi for rest or additional excursions).
Room rate in $ per night per room (meals - breakfast):
when booking a 5* hotel: DBL - $160, SNGL - $155, TRPL - $200 (supplement for dinner - $24 per person)
when booking a 4 * hotel: DBL - $ 120, SNGL - $ 115, TRPL - $ 145 (supplement for dinner - $ 18 per person)
when booking a 3 * hotel: DBL - $ 75, SNGL - $ 70, TRPL - $ 95 (supplement for dinner - $ 13 per person)
when booking an extra night in Delhi, an individual transfer is paid from the hotel Delhi - a / p Delhi (or a / p Delhi - hotel Delhi) at a cost of $ 35 per car for 1 - 2 people. (unaccompanied by an English-speaking guide in a medium-class air-conditioned car).
Included in cost:
- 13 nights accommodation in hotels of the selected category with breakfast (6 nights in the Golden Triangle and 7 nights in Goa),
- flights Delhi - Goa and Goa - Delhi by local airlines (economy class, minimum fare)
Attention! The cost of the tour includes the minimum fares for domestic flights, check the availability of the fare and possible surcharges with the manager before booking
- meeting / seeing off at the Delhi airport (without an English-speaking guide)
- meeting / seeing off at the Goa airport (without an English-speaking guide)
- transport service by bus / air-conditioned car
- services of a local Russian-speaking guide accompanying the excursion program
- Elephant/Jeep ride in Jaipur
- medical insurance
Hotels offered for accommodation during the excursion program:
Budget class hotels (3*):
Le Season/ Classic Diplomat or similar(near Delhi Airport), Hawa Mahal or similar(Jaipur), Royal Residency/ Pushp Villa or similar(Agra)
Standard class (hotels cat.3*s/4*):
City Park or similar (near Delhi Airport), Paradise / IBIS or similar (Jaipur), Four Points by Sheraton / Howard Plaza or similar (Agra)
First class (hotels cat. 4*/5*):
Country Inn&Suites or similar (Near Delhi Airport), Country Inn&Suites by Carlson or similar (Jaipur), Jaypee Palace / Radisson Blu or similar (Agra)
Attention! Hotels during the excursion program can be replaced by equivalent ones
Additionally paid:
- air flight Moscow-Delhi-Moscow (a / c Aeroflot, Air India, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Emirates or other flights) from $ 450 at the rate of the airline (check with the manager for the availability of the tariff)
visa - $70 (for citizens of Russia)
- entrance tickets to museums 100$/person for the whole program (can be paid on the spot)
- upon request, an additional payment for dinners according to the excursion program is possible (for the entire period, except for the 1st night - 5 dinners):
budget class hotels - 65$ / pers.
Standard class hotels - $85 / person
First class hotels -120$/person
- additional excursions - optionally paid on the spot
- tips, tickets for photo, video shooting, drinks, personal expenses, etc.
- travel insurance (optional)
There are two types of sightseeing tours in the Golden Triangle of India. One of them covers three cities - Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It lasts 5-6 days. And the second tour offers a trip to five Indian cities, in addition to those listed, it includes two more - Fatepur Sikhri and Mathura. Such a tour lasts an average of 8 days.
During such tours, tourists get acquainted with the most revered shrines of the Hindus and the most interesting sights. Among them are Lotus Temple, Taj Mahal, Qutab Minar, India Gate, Presidential Palace and many others. And unforgettable elephant rides and visits to stunning Indian shops allow all travelers to feel the incomparable flavor of the mysterious country of India.
This fascinating journey begins with an acquaintance with the capital of the state, the beautiful city of Delhi. Here, travelers will be amazed at the successful combination of modernity and antiquity in this largest metropolis. You will have a fascinating trip to the Chatarpur complex, which combines Hindu temples of various styles. Each of the temples is built in a style characteristic of a particular region of India. Here you can also see the highest statue of God Hanuman in India. 
Then you will visit the Ahima Stkhal Jain Temple. This is a unique temple, since Jainism as a religion exists only in India.
After visiting Ahima Stkhal, you will meet with the amazing Lotus Temple. The uniqueness of this building lies in its unusual architecture. Externally, the temple is like a "floating building".
At the end of the day, you will go on a tour of Old Delhi, famous for its attractions such as the Jama Masjid (the largest mosque, accommodating up to 25,000 worshipers at a time) and the Red Fort.
On the third day after breakfast you will continue your acquaintance with the city of Delhi. You will visit the Birla temple, where you will have a great opportunity to get acquainted with the cultural and religious customs of the locals. Then you will see the Presidential Palace and the Parliament building of India. The uniqueness of these buildings lies in the fact that they were built under the guidance of an English architect. Then you will drive to the main attraction of the city - the India Gate, built in memory of the First World War. Nowadays, it is here that all the most important parades of the country take place. 
The city of Delhi is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This number also includes Qutab Minar, the tallest minaret in India, which is decorated with incredible beauty of carvings on the facade. Nearby you will see the famous stainless iron column, which dates back to the 4th century BC. In addition, you will visit other architectural monuments, mosques and mausoleums.
After lunch, you will depart for Jaipur. You will spend approximately 6 hours in a comfortable bus. Then check into a hotel and rest. The fourth day of your trip will be dedicated to getting to know Jaipur, which is often called the pink city. It is the capital of the state of Rajasthan. The attraction of this wonderful city lies in its unique color, its streets and markets, the air filled with various aromas - all this will never let you forget your meeting with this wonderful city. You will ride on elephants to the main place of the city - Amber Fort. For Europeans, this mode of transport is considered unusual, and for Indians it is the most authentic mode of transport. Without elephants, it is generally impossible to imagine India. 
Then you will have a sightseeing tour of Jaipur. You will visit the Jantar Mantar observatory, the Palace of the Winds, the Palace in the water, the Palace of the ruling Rajput dynasty and the city museum Albert Hall. At the end of the day you will visit the temple of Lakshmi Narayan - the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. This wonderful temple is distinguished by its exquisite wood carvings. 
On the fifth day of your trip, after breakfast, you will go to Agra to get acquainted with one of the main shrines of India - the Taj Mahal Palace. On the way to Agra you can visit the abandoned city of Fatepur Sikhri. This city is also included in the UNESCO List. In it you will get acquainted with its unusual architecture, as well as the extraordinary finest decoration of buildings made of red sandstone. In total, the road to Agra will also take you at least 6 hours.
On the sixth day of the trip, you will get acquainted with the extraordinary and delightful mausoleum of the Taj Mahal right in the morning. It was erected at the direction of Shah Jahan after the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal at the age of 36 after the birth of her fourteenth child. In total, the construction of the mausoleum lasted 20 years, more than 20,000 builders of various specialties took part in it. To decorate the walls of the mausoleum, they used the rarest translucent marble, mined 300 kilometers from the construction of the mausoleum. 
Also, to decorate the mausoleum itself, precious and semi-precious stones were brought from all over the world. The decoration of this beautiful tomb and its excellent architecture are still considered to be among the most beautiful in the world. According to the last wish of the Shah, he wanted to be buried in a hotel mausoleum of black marble, located opposite the tomb of his beloved wife. However, his last will was never fulfilled and was buried next to his wife in the Taj Mahal. After the scheduled tour, you will be able to independently familiarize yourself with this masterpiece of world architecture.
Then you will visit another popular attraction - the Agra Fort. It is widely known for being once inhabited by the Mughals. After visiting the fort, you will see the tomb of Itemad-ud-Daula (Marble box filled with jewels) and the mausoleum of the Great Akbar. 
On the seventh day you will return to Delhi, and on the way you will visit the city where the great Krishna was born - Mathura. On the last day of your stay in Delhi, you will visit the world-famous Akshardham temple complex. This is one of the most beautiful Hindu temples, on this occasion it was even included in the Guinness Book of Records. Then you will have free time to shop for souvenirs, walk around the city and visit local shops.
