HERITAGE
Among its range of heritage-themed tours, Ravishing India offers a classic six-day, five-night itinerary to explore northern India’s Golden Triangle. Chief Concierge Ram Krishan Pandey says, “Every tour operator offers the Golden Triangle tour of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur—but no one does it as well as us! Come experience it for yourself!”
On arrival in Delhi, you’ll check in to the elegant Trident Gurgaon, an urban sanctuary set amid landscaped pools and gardens. After getting some rest, head out on a late afternoon guided tour by rickshaw, taking in historic landmarks such as the iconic India Gate, the 17th-century Red Fort built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (who commissioned the Taj Mahal for his wife), and Qutub Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world.
The next morning, embark on a four-hour drive to Agra, with an optional stopover at either an orphanage run by Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity or Agra Fort, a former imperial residence of the Mughals. As Agra is famous for its marble, the itinerary includes a factory visit to watch craftsmen at work and admire the delicate inlay of precious stones into the marble.
While in Agra, travelers will get the chance to spend time at Sadar Bazaar, a bustling marketplace with hundreds of small shops offering traditional clothes and accessories, leather goods, and delicious street food. Accommodation for the night will be at ITC Mughal Agra hotel, which evokes the majesty of the nearby Taj Mahal in its timeless gardens and opulent décor. Sunset views at the Taj are encouraged, as the world-famous icon should be seen at both dusk and dawn.
The third day of the itinerary begins with a sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal, starting before 6 a.m. when the gates open. The glorious monument is best photographed under the early morning sun, when the light is soft and its grounds are less crowded.
After lunch, you’ll have the option to visit Fatehpur Sikri, a purpose-built Mughal capital and UNESCO World Heritage Site. A three- to four-hour drive to Jaipur, Rajasthan’s “Pink City”, reveals bucolic scenes of farmers harvesting the bright yellow mustard seeds and nomadic shepherds herding their livestock.
The famed color and hospitality of the Rajputs come to the fore in Jaipur, where age-old traditions, culture, and historic monuments remain part of everyday life. For the next two nights you’ll be based at the Fairmont, and Ravishing India’s concierge will introduce you to the city’s hilltop forts, fairy-tale palaces, and lush gardens, not to mention its vibrant markets and festivals.
From the very start to the end of this classic tour, you can revel in the colorful sights and sounds of the India you’ve always dreamed of seeing.
