India's Golden Triangle

[RaraRachael]

Friend and I are both in our early 60s. She's suggesting we do India's Golden Triangle - Delhi, Taj Mahal and Ranthambhore National Park.

Has anyone done it? I'm reasonably fit but I'm worried it will be too hot, busy and smelly. It's really outside my comfort zone as I've only previously been to Europe and Florida.

We did the golden triangle on a 3 week organised tour, with a private guide for most of it. We also went to Ranthambor. It was the most amazing trip. The things we saw and the things we did will stay with me forever, but would I go again? No I would not.

The pollution, the squalor, the poverty, the chaos was quite alarming. The traffic! My god the traffic. Also, despite being ultra careful, we both experienced terrible Delhi belly at some point. It was also cold and foggy for most of the time, but then it was Jan/Feb.

Ranthambor was a disappointment. It's basically a contained safari park, with huge numbers of vehicles doing the route. We didn't see a single tiger on the 3 safaris we went on.

So yes I'm glad we went but no I wouldn't go again. I hear southern India is much more relaxed and less chaotic

That will be a piece of piss then. You get santised handheld India that way

What I took from that is that we'll get some inferior version of India that's somehow not real or authentic.

As two sixty somethings who are not very adventurous or experienced travellers, we'd feel much safer and happier going on an organised trip rather than getting local guides and doing it ourselves.

@Thechaseison71 I like sanitized India. It’s respite from chaos! It’s not backpacking and many of us enjoy contrasts. You don’t but I love India because of the contrast.

OP: Very few do DIY. Definitely not when older. For most of us it’s just too difficult. I’ve been on long distance Indian trains. It’s quite hard work and the loos are dire. I would always use an India specialist and go in a group or a bespoke trip for you. It’s a much more pleasant experience.

The Oberoi Amarvilas has been there at least 20 years and is stunning. Might not be in everyone’s budget but it is there. We had a beautiful view of the Taj Mahal from our room.

That's your imagination not anything I said.

It worked well for a friend of mine

Who said I didn't like contrasts. ? Completely confused here

I agree India is bloody hard work. I've been a couple of times. First time alone in my late 40s and second time with my partner a few months ago

That's such a shame. Imagine in about 10 years from now such a trip might not be possible. Go for it while you can. People in India are so helpful and there is so much to experience. It will be a trip of a lifetime.

I did this when I was late 60’s - went in November with Rivera. Just mind what you eat, the guides will only take you where it’s safe to eat. Clean your teeth with bottled water and keep your mouth shut in the shower. You’ll be fine. Best part of the trip for me was Ranthambore and getting up close to tigers.

@Thechaseison71 It was my interpretation of your comment, not my imagination.

We've decided not to go anyway.

Well imaginative interpretation then. I merely stated facts

No but you implied heavily. The judgement was palpable...

Thanks. Glad I'm not the only person who thought that.

OP, if you have given up on India, may I suggest Sri Lanka. It's India lite, much less chaos and people, much smaller, everything from beaches and mountains to temples and history. Fantastic food.

It was pointing out it was bloody easy doing it that way . Nothing else. I have no need to " imply " anything.

I wouldn't recommend India as a solo inexperienced traveller for example but the tours are easy. As I also pointed out it worked well for my friend.

But seeing as you not longer going .....

I wonder whos best to book with for this kind of trip.

We were in India for a month last November. We did Delhi, Taj and Rantham plus a lot more. Rantham was disappointing as we did 2 safaris and didn't see a tiger. We really liked Udaipur, Amritsar and Shimla. Delhi is crazy and so is Agra around Taj/fort. I loved the craziness, my DP not so much (both 59).

Tadoba is now better for tigers.

We did this in October with two kids (7 and 10). We booked it all ourselves as much cheaper. Flew into Delhi, train to Agra, two nights there to do Taj Mahal etc, train to ranthambhore, 2 nights there, train to Jaipur for another 2 nights, did incredible leopard safari there. Flew to Goa for a week on the beach afterwards then flew up to Mumbai then home. Whole holiday was amazing, kids loved it. Everything was very easy to organise and super cheap. I would highly recommend!

Yeah I've done it and to be honest the only one I liked was Jaipur. I hated Delhi and Agra is possibly the most bizarre city I've ever been to. A proper shanty town with the most beautiful building in the middle of it.

I tried this trip just this January. The smog was so awful that we ended up coming home early. Even in the national park the air quality was terrible. Fog sits over the entire area for many weeks, trapping hellish smog from vehicles, marble works and brick kilns. The poverty and squalor are not easy to witness. We stayed in excellent hotels but there was quite a bit of anti social behaviour and noise.

if I was returning to India, I’d try Kerala.

I'm late 50s, planning on going to India, same three stops, in October. I've just booked a flight and was going to go on my own. Haven't booked accommodation, or anything else yet, may book in advance or just sort stuff out when I get there. I'm completely relaxed about it and not worried about getting lost or anything else. I've never been to India before but am quite well travel.
Reading this threat makes me worried I might be being very nieve and it'll be super difficult to just fend for myself when I get there.

As long as you’re well travelled and have your wits about you you’ll be fine! May be worth just reserving some places with free cancellation on booking.com in case it’s busy when you go.

Mumbai is the only place I felt was unsafe at night and felt quite panicked trying to get on/off the trains there, if you’re avoiding going there you should be fine. If you’re wanting to get trains in general they have a tourist quota but can get very booked up/be a mission to get so I’d research them a little before going or ask an accommodation you’ve booked to help you. Taj Mahal try and go as soon as it opens - I think about 6am, it’s so worth it as you avoid all the crowds!

Have an amazing time! 🙏🏼❤️

Kichi was actually a really nice surprise. I enjoyed it there. Easy enough to hire a tuktuk driver to take you around to see places. Think was only charged about 200 rupees for a drive around to look at various places.

I can also recommend a great tuktuk driver who runs private tours in delhi and is flexible to what you want to see( apparently one of his customers wanted taking to the garbage mountain once) friendly and very reasonably priced

I’m relaxed and laid back and quite well traveled. I was pestered constantly in India for photos, which was ok but there were CONSTANT scammers in all the tourist spots, trying to scam and mislead you. I’d have been freaked out if I was alone. My husband had to tell people to back off more than once. I’d recommend considering a group tour. Not something I’ve ever done myself.

For tigers, go to Jim Corbett national park instead. It's far far better. Stay inside the park in one of the colonial era lodges. It will be cold, so take plenty of clothes.
We took the train back and forth to the Taj Mahal and Red Fort, which was fine.