Golden Triangle India tour - A different view of the Taj

Wonders of the world - Jaipur to Agra

Between Jaipur and Agra you’ll find a number of World Heritage Sites that all rank amongst the most amazing places on Earth. Bharatpur, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Fort, and (last but not least) the unforgettable Taj Mahal, are all incredible and it is really rare to find such amazing sites nestling so closely together.

During this unforgettable Golden Triangle tour from Jaipur to the Taj Mahal, you can also stop off to see the mystical monkey temple of Galta, watch huge flocks of birds fly across the Bharatpur wetlands, wander through the abanadoned ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri and watch the sun set over the Taj Mahal.

Duration	3 days, 2 nights Departs every day except Thursday (the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays).	Accommodation	Charming hotels. Comfort level 3 (see accommodation).
Price	From £186 per person - based on 2 people sharing	Includes	2 nights of accommodation with breakfast, private transport and guided tour of Taj Mahal and Agra fort.
Transport	Private car and minibus	Excludes	International flights, entrance fees to Taj Mahal and other historical sites.

Day 1: Jaipur - Galta - Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra

Travel time - Jaipur to Agra: approx 5 hours

This morning, you'll leave Jaipur at the beginning of your Golden Triangle India tour and head east towards Galta, a secluded mystical spot. The Monkey Temple here is a pilgrimage site that attracts flocks of brightly-robed devotees every day. The stream that trickles out of the rocks here is reputed to be water from the holy River Ganges, although this is geographically impossible. People bathe and sing on the steps (ghats) that lead down into the pools. Their voices echo through the rocky gorge, which opens into a wider valley dotted with temples that have been overrun with monkeys. This stop is optional so just ask your driver to drop you there on the way.

Golden Triangle India tour - Galta Monkey Temple

Golden Triangle India tour - Bharatpur wetlands

After Galta, you’ll drive for another three hours before passing through Bharatpur. This is a fascinating waterworld, criss-crossed by all sorts of pathways. Maharajas of the historic Singh family used this region as their hunting grounds, and the scenery is breathtaking. If you like, you can stop off and hire a cycle-rickshaw driver at Bharatpur to drive you around the narrow paths. This stop is optional so just ask your driver if you want to get out and stretch your legs.

There are hundreds of rare birds in the Bharatpur wetlands, such as the rare Siberian crane. Currently, there are several tigers here, originally from Ranthambore National Park, which pounce on the waterfowl as they doze. It’s unlikely that you’ll see this in action, but keep your eyes peeled all the same.

The next stop on your Golden Triangle India tour is Fatehpur Sikri. The great ruler Akbar set up his capital here, and built a grand city, but after only 40 years the water supply became too difficult to maintain in this dry area, so all of the inhabitants packed up and moved on. They left behind a phenomenal collection of grand temples and palaces, with the ruins of old houses standing between them. Now it is an atmospheric ghost city, home to flocks of green parrots and troops of monkeys. You can arrange for a guide to lead you through the forgotten city, and tell you the stories behind the monuments or just explore at your own pace. This is also an optional stop on our Golden Triangle India tour, so if you prefer to head straight to Agra then just ask your driver.

After visiting Fatehpur Sikri on your tour to the Taj Mahal, you’ll drive on to Agra, where you’ll arrive at your hotel near to the centre of Agra. The hotel will be comfortable, with a restaurant and other creature comforts that you might need.

Golden Triangle India tour - Taj Mahal pillars

Day 2: Agra - Taj Mahal

On Day Two of your Golden Triangle India tour, you'll have breakfast before setting off to visit two breathtaking sites. First, you’ll be taken to the Taj Mahal, a highlight of any trip to India. Standing serenely in the first light of the morning, we're sure that this stunning building will beat all your expectations.It was built by Shah Jahan as a token of his love for his deceased wife, and is undoubtedly the most romantic burial site in the world.

After your tour to the Taj Mahal, you’ll head for Agra Fort. This huge but restrained structure seems to be immersed in a dreamy atmosphere when it’s bathed in the golden light of late afternoon, which slants through the pillars and galleries. From its majestic walls and through its arches, you can see the Taj Mahal, just as Shah Jahan would have done centuries ago, when he was imprisoned here by his son.

Day 3: Agra

Today, Golden Triangle India tour ends and you’ll leave Agra after breakfast for your next destination. From Agra you could, for instance, travel Overland to Varanasi or journey back to Delhi.

Golden Triangle India tour - Taj Mahal, Agra

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