India’s Golden Triangle includes the cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. G Adventures offers this trip for any type of traveller; whether it’s your first visit to the region, or you’re a well- seasoned traveller. Joelle Kolb was lucky enough to join G Adventures on their Golden Triangle tour and shares some highlights from her trip:
I have to start off with the hotel highlight of my trip. Half way through the journey we stopped in Bharatpur where I was lucky enough to spend the evening at the Sury Mahal Hotel. This hotel sits away from the hustle and bustle of the India streets on a quiet and remote area of farm land.
The hotel grounds are stunning and the rooms are very clean. The staff was happy to accommodate any request and were very pleasant. Plus it had a nice little pool to beat the India heat. If you are in the area, this hotel stay is a must!
Next would be my most memorable tourist attraction. This might seem cliché but the Taj Mahal exceeded all expectations. This is truly a magical place and is a must see for anyone travelling in India. It is absolutely breathtaking! The story behind the Taj Mahal is even more beautiful, which is about a telling love story. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal who died during the birth of their 14th child.
My favourite restaurant experience was at a small place called Spicy By Nature in New Delhi . Now I must admit I am not the most adventurous when it comes to eating foreign food, so this restaurant was a bit of a safety net for me. They have plenty of fantastic Indian dishes, including my all-time favorite, Butter Chicken. It was one of the best Butter Chicken dishes I have ever eaten.
If your stomach is telling you to take a break on Indian food there is a small selection of some Chinese food options. I also tried the Chicken Spring rolls which were great.
For those of you that enjoy a good day at the spa, there is no other experience like an Ayurvedic treatment in India. First and foremost be prepared to bare all, there is no room to be shy here! I paid $30 CAD for a 70 minute massage and facial and it was worth every penny. Make sure to stop in for an Abhyanga Ayurveda Massage, which is a gentle but firm whole body massage from head to toe using warm medicated oils.
Overall my time in India was an eye-opening learning experience. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a little adventure in their lives and open to experiencing lots of culture!
Looking for more information about the Golden Triangle tour? Joelle Kolb is a Team Leader at our Kensington location in Calgary, Alberta and can be reached by e-mail or calling 1-866-416-7716.