Are you sick and tired of the hustle and bustle of city life and sometimes just wish to run away to spend some time in serenity and solitude and at peace. Well, we are not telling you to become a hermit and go to the Himalayas by giving up all materialistic pleasures, that would be stretching it too far. This type of a place can be enjoyed with fun and frolic. Imagine the sun, sand, waves and you sitting under the tree shed sipping your favourite drink... we are sure you must have guessed the place we are talking about, Yes, its India’s most favourite destination GOA where you can have bliss and just fun, fun and fun.
To make the trip more interesting, we have also combined something unique and nice which is a little out of the box too and that is giving you a glimpse of the history and culture of INDIA before you proceed to GOA. We are talking about the most famous tour in India called THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE TOUR covering the capital city DELHI, the land of Tajmahal, AGRA and the Pink city JAIPUR.
The 9 nights/ 10 days GOLDEN TRIANGLE TOUR WITH GOA starts its journey from DELHI whereby it moves towards south for a TRIP TO AGRA by ROAD where you see the majestic Taj Mahal and then after spending and clicking photographs there, you move towards the west side of the map, to the PINK CITY OF JAIPUR in the culturally beautiful Rajasthan. After admiring all the three cities, come back to DELHI to catch a flight to land of fun and excitement GOA. Enjoy your 3 nights/ 4 days there sightseeing and relaxing near the beach and come back tanned, rejuvenated and full of memories along with a promise to come back soon.
Day 1 starts with your arrival at the International/ Domestic Airport at New Delhi, where our representative would give you a warm welcome and then take you to your booked hotel where you would be staying the night.
Day 2 would start early where you would be taken to AGRA BY ROAD through the newly constructed Yamuna Expressway. The total distance of the journey which runs through the beautiful countryside is approx. 200 kms and within 3- 4 hrs you would be in the hometown of the Taj Mahal – Agra.
On arrival, check in at the designated hotel and enjoy a delicious lunch. Post lunch, our representative would take you to explore the great architectural design, TAJ MAHAL, the monument in pure marble built by the Great Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in the memory of his late wife Mumtaz Mahal. Being one of the seven wonders of the world, it attracts millions of tourists all through the year. Made by over 20000 workers over a period of 17 years, this monument is truly an expression of love.
After spending time and clicking photographs, you would then head to another UNESCO world heritage site, The AGRA FORT, a red sandstone fortress with 2.5 kms long enclosure walls. The beautiful monument has the famous Jahangir Palace and the Khas Palace both built by Shahjahan. It also has two very beautiful mosques and audience halls known as Diwan-i-Khas and Diwan-i- Aam.
After seeing both the majestic monuments, you can shop for souvenirs and small gifts for your friends and family and then retire for the day. Overnight stay at the hotel with dinner.
On Day 3, after a heavy breakfast at the hotel, you would start your journey to the beautiful
Pink City of Rajasthan -JAIPUR. The total distance of 240 kms would be covered by ROAD and it would take approximately 4 hours to reach Jaipur, the city built by Maharaja Jai Singh II and where all houses are painted in different shades of Pink.
Enroute you would also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the City of FATHEPUR SIKRI which has been described by historians as the ‘World’s most perfectly preserved ghost town’. It was built by the great emperor Akbar but was abandoned after 14 years due to lack of water in the area. Although abandoned, the superb architecture in the form of building and minarets still remain intact and one can marvel at intricacies of those times.
After a quick lunch at Jaipur, you can then head to THE CITY PALACE, the residence of Maharaja of Jaipur which is now partly converted into a museum. Here you would be amazed to see the fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture along with display of rare artefacts ranging from paintings, weapons to clothes to even the utensils of that time.
After seeing this beautiful palace, you can explore and shop in the lanes of Jaipur and buy many things like paintings, blue pottery, block printed textiles for which the city is famous for. You can also shop for the exquisite gemstones and silver jewellery which is Jaipur’s forte.
In the evening, you would visit the BIRLA TEMPLE and witness its mesmerizing Aarti Ceremony (as per Time permitted). Overnight stay at the hotel in JAIPUR.
Day 4 is dedicated to sightseeing in Jaipur which would start as soon as you have your
breakfast at the hotel. You would be visiting the massive hill top fortress – THE AMBER FORT where you can enjoy a ride on the decorated and painted elephant. Click photographs and get impressed at the architectural brilliance of that time.
On the way, back from Amber fort, you would stop at another beautiful landscape of the city – THE HAWA MAHAL or the Palace of Winds. The Hawa Mahal is a monument encrusted with delicate screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies could see the outside world. A marvel in itself, you can enjoy the fresh breeze once you go inside it.
The last place to visit before you call it a day is the UNESCO world Heritage Site, The JAIPUR OBSERVATORY which shows the astronomical skills and the cosmological skills of that time. It is the most significant, comprehensive and best preserved historic observatories in India.
After this we head back to DELHI BY ROAD and cover the distance of 267 kms in 4 hrs. Overnight stay in DELHI.
After breakfast, you would proceed for a sightseeing tour of the Capital, where the first place to visit would be the magnificent JAMA MASJID, the largest mosque in India and a beautiful architectural extravagance in itself. The Masjid built by Shah Jahan has a beautiful structure with a big courtyard capable of holding 25000 devotees which come every year to offer prayers on the occasion of Eid.
After clicking photographs you would drive past the marvel in red sandstone and the most iconic buildings of Delhi- The RED FORT which was commissioned by Shah Jahan to be his residence and modelled around the Agra fort. After clicking photographs, you head to the next destination the RAJ GHAT, which is MAHATMA GANDHI’s memorial who is also known as the Father of the Nation. Pay your respects at this black marble platform and proceed to visit the two museums dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi nearby.
Next in line to visit is The INDIA GATE, a memorial built in the honour of the Indian Soliders martyred during the World War I. Pay your respect at the Amar Jawaan Jyoti and then drive past the major Government buildings like The Rashtrapati Bhawan- The President’s house and the Parliament house.
The day would end at the pride possession of Delhi, QUTAB MINAR, a 11th Century minaret built by Qutab-ud-din Aibek standing at a height of 72.5 meters. Built in red sandstone, it is a marvel in itself for the intricate carvings and the carved verses from the holy Qur’an. Retire after a hectic day with an overnight stay at hotel.
After an early breakfast and check out proceed to AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE, a complex displaying millennia of traditional Hindu and Indian culture, spirituality, and architecture. It rises 141-foot (43 m) high, spans 316-foot (96 m) wide, and extends 356-foot (109 m) long. It is intricately carved with flora, fauna, dancers, musicians, and deities. The complex also features a water show, a thematic garden and three exhibitions.
Enjoy the complex and then proceed to another marvel, THE LOTUS TEMPLE, a beautiful lotus shaped marble structure with thought provoking quotes of the Baha’i sacred scriptures inscribed on its petal cloves. It has a plain central hall which is 34.27 m high where you can meditate and find tranquillity.
Incase time permits, you can do some shopping in Delhi which is known for its markets and traditional bazaars which means that each bazaar is famous for one particular item. Overnight stay at hotel.
From DELHI, you FLY to GOA as per the flight schedule. On your arrival at Goa, you would be greeted by our representative and will transfer you to your booked hotel. After Check-in, you can rest for the day. In the evening, you can enjoy a stroll around the hotel premises or the beach. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 8 would start with an early breakfast, after which you would proceed towards NORTH GOA for sightseeing. North Goa is essentially a tourist paradise as it boasts of having some of the most beautiful beaches of Goa like Calangute, Baga Miramar and Dona Paula. It’s also home to some historical places like Fort Aguada, Basilica of Bom Jesus and St. Cathedral.
The first place to visit on arrival to North Goa would be OLD GOA where you would pay homage at the Basilica Bom Jesus Church which is dedicated to Infant Jesus. You can also see the sacred remains of ST. FRANCIS XAVIER placed in a silver casket from far. Once you take a round of this oldest church in Goa, you can visit other churches too like St Cajetan, St Francis of Assisi, Se Cathedral and Church of St. Monica. All the churches are an architectural marvel and a photographer’s delight.
History buffs can visit the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Christian Art which has rare items of gold and precious stones on display. After soaking in the history and culture of those times, you would travel to PANJIM, the capital of GOA. The drive itself is a beautiful pleasant one passing through lush green trees and houses having colonial architecture.
Once reaching PANJIM, you can stroll around the city which still retains the Portuguese culture and way of life. Shop at the local markets which sell beautiful artefacts of GOA. Don’t forget to buy souvenirs for family and friends.
After a quick Lunch at PANJIM, you would head to the famous beach CALANGUATE BEACH. Enjoy the waves and the sand and proceed to the most popular and happening beach in Goa, The BAGA BEACH. Enjoy water sports and the beautiful sunset along with shopping at the Tibetan market. After a long and tiring day, return to the hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 9 would be dedicated for sightseeing at SOUTH GOA which would start soon after breakfast. South Goa unlike North Goa is serene and is away from all the hustle and bustle of the city but also has some iconic landmarks like Colva Beach, Mangueshi Temple, Shanta Durga Temple and some more attractions.
The tour begins with a visit to MARGAO which is the headquarters of the South Goa District. Here you would see the historical CHURCH SQUARE of Margao which has beautiful old buildings on one side and the CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT on the other. The Church of the Holy Spirit is one of the most grant churches of Goa, which was built back in the year 1564. The church is one of the finest examples of Indian Baroque style of architecture.
Near the Church Square is the famous COLVA BEACH. Enjoy swimming in the waves or sit back and relax near the shore. Do take part in the water sports like Para Sailing and Jet Ski. Don’t forget to carry an extra pair of clothes!
After the Colva Beach, the next stop would be the famous SHANTA DURGA TEMPLE which dedicated to Shanta Durga, the goddess who mediates between Vishnu and Shiva. The temple complex is on the slope of the foothills of a mountain chain, surrounded by lush vegetation. There is a main temple and three smaller temples of other deities which have been built on three sides of the temple. Pay your respects and proceed to the next destination which is MANGUESHI TEMPLE.
MANGUESHI TEMPLE is one of the largest and most frequently visited temples in Goa and is dedicated to Bhagavan Manguesh, an incarnation of Shiva. The temple stands out for its exquisitely elegant structure. The temple architecture consists of several domes, pilasters and balustrades. Pray and meditate for a while and proceed for the Hotel.
Whatever time is left, you can relax and is at your disposal. After a long fruitful day, overnight stay at Hotel.
Your tour officially ends on Day 10, where after a delicious breakfast, you check out and reach the hotel to catch a FLIGHT to DELHI. On arrival at DELHI, wait for your connecting flight to your native countries thus taking back photographs and life long memories of THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE TOUR WITH GOA.
