9 day Golden Triangle itinerary

Hi everone! My husband and I (age 30) will be visiting India in March and plan on doing a Golden Triangle itinerary. I am working with a 'tour' company in India to assist us with a customized itinerary, domestic transport (train and private car) and accommodation, but we will not be on a tour with a group. We will fly roundtrip to New Delhi. The only 2 absolute must dos for us are the Taj Mahal and celebrating Holi (most likely in Jaipur). Our tour company is also recommending a couple of days each in Delhi and Udaipur, but we are first time visitors to India (first time to Asia!) and are completely clueless - looking for some tips on your fave places/experiences in this region that might not be big cities? Any tips on Holi celebrations? Thanks in advance and happy travels to all!

@uke_rox_99959673

a Golden Triangle itinerary

Which typically means Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Delhi.

The only 2 absolute must dos for us are the Taj Mahal and celebrating Holi ...Any tips on Holi celebrations?

Holi is not (necessarily) a happy, jolly, fun-filled celebration. You really ought consider watching Holi celebrations from the safety of a hotel window two floors up; or you may be staying in a hotel which arranges some colour throwing for guests.

Read these first hand accounts:

http://crosstalk.kinja.com/holi-gropes-1556336525

http://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/features/a10352506/sexual-assault-during-travel/

http://frugalfrolicker.com/celebrating-holi-in-jaipur-india/

completely clueless - looking for some tips on your fave places/experiences in this region

More important than any of our favourites is what you are interested in. What expectations do you have about the sorts of things you want to see do and experience in India? Why have you chosen India? Forts and Palaces? Temples and Monasteries? Ancient Ruins? Big cities? Shopping? Beaches? Hill Stations? Boat Cruises? Art and Craft? Mountains and Trekking? Wildlife Safaris?

This is not a test, and there are no wrong answers, but your answers help.

Our tour company is also recommending a couple of days each in Delhi and Udaipur, but we are first time visitors to India (first time to Asia!) and are completely clueless

Delhi is absolutely essential. If you are at all interested in history, then Delhi is unmissable. Udaipur is a very attractive city, it is set on artificial lakes. But if you have just 9 days you might simply consider 3 days in each of Jaipur, Delhi and Agra - adjusted for travel time. There is plenty to do in and around each destination; in particular there is much more to Agra than the Taj and the Fort.

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/agra/attractions/agra-fort/a/poi-sig/449177/356509

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/agra/attractions/itimad-ud-daulah/a/poi-sig/449183/356509

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/agra/attractions/akbars-mausoleum/a/poi-sig/449179/356509

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/agra/attractions/jehangirs-palace/a/poi-sig/1324905/356509

You could even take a day trip to Mathura / Vrindavan

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/uttar-pradesh/mathura

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/uttar-pradesh/vrindavan

And to Fatehpur Sikri

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/uttar-pradesh/fatehpur-sikri

If you drive between Jaipur and Agra, consider a stop at Chand Baori:
http://www.chandbaori.org/

Again, with just 9 days at your disposal, I would want to maximise the time spent seeing and experiencing India; not travelling from place to place.

I will agree. At least 2 whole days for Delhi are essential. Delhi has the biggest collection of Mughal historic/archeological sites in the country, and a lot more too.

looking for some tips on your fave places/experiences in this region that might not be big cities?

Delhi, Jaipur and Agra are all big cities. The main reason I'm not a big fan of the Golden triangle itinerary. Between Agra and Jaipur you can stop at Fatepur Sikri (see lifesupport's comment) and also the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, a wetlands national park just south of Bharatpur.

I did celebrate Holi in Udaipur a few years ago. But I began by watching the crowds from my hotel window facing the Jagdish temple. And didn't venture out until the most intense crowd had dispersed. As above, Holi can turn into a rather violent holiday.

Hi! Thanks for the reply! Sorry for the delay on getting back to you - was waiting for a flights to finally be confirmed. In regards to Holi, I have read about safety issues and will definitely work with our tour company on a hotel that might offer something for us. Any particular hotels you recommend?

Fatepur Sikir and Chand Baori are both on the tentative itinerary provided, and after a quick look they will likely stay, but I'll definitely do more research on both.

In regards to what we are interested in, at the top are definitely temples and palaces, but we'd love to do something that involves nature - whether it be wildlife, water, a hike. This might not fit in as there is already so much to see, but we try to include something nature related wherever we travel, so any suggestions are welcome.

Thanks again for your quick reply!

Hi mstep! Thanks for the reply! I agree, all big cities and would love to get away, but as first time travelers to India with limited time, we feel that Delhi and Agra are definitely musts for us :) What did yout hink of Udaipur? Is it worth the vist or should we spend more time closer to the other cities? And thanks for the tip on the bird sanctuary! Did you do other nature related experiences? Thanks again!

Udaipur is a wonderful town for tourists, like so many places in Rajasthan. Personally, I think Jodhpur (the blue city) is more awe inspiring, and closer to Jaipur too.

Any particular hotels you recommend?

Difficult to make recommendations without knowing your budget. In respect of Holi I would think most upper/mid-range hotels would have some activity planned.

at the top are definitely temples and palaces,

Well, you'll see palaces in Jaipur and Udaipur (if you fit the latter). You'll also have the palaces within the forts of Jaipur and Agra. There are probably no 'grand' temples in the Golden Triangle - save some more recent buildings in Delhi; and if you took a day trip to Mt Abu outside of Udaipur - but time is against you I think. There are nonetheless temples well worth visiting in Delhi and Jaipur - less so in Udaipur. A couple of examples:

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/jaipur/attractions/surya-mandir/a/poi-sig/1510973/356451

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/jaipur/attractions/galta/a/poi-sig/1446515/356451

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/jaipur/attractions/ganesh-temple/a/poi-sig/1557565/356451

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/jaipur/attractions/birla-lakshmi-narayan-temple/a/poi-sig/1446407/356451
(This one is great lit-up at night)

we'd love to do something that involves nature - whether it be wildlife, water, a hike. This might not fit in as there is already so much to see, but we try to include something nature related wherever we travel, so any suggestions are welcome.

The logistically easy choices for you are:

Ranthambore National Park
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india/rajasthan/ranthambore-national-park

Nahargarh National Park
http://www.tourism.rajasthan.gov.in/nahargarh-biological-park.html

WildlifeSOS
http://wildlifesos.org/

Chambal Lodge
http://www.chambalwildlifesafari.com/

Dera Amer
http://deraamer.com/
http://deraamer.com/living-elephants-%E2%80%93-tented-camp-dera-amer

Rajasthan Trekking
http://rajasthantrekking.com/trekking_in_udaipur.htm

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