India's Golden Triangle - with Anecdotes’ unique twist.

You may know the delights of India’s iconic Golden Triangle well, but there is always plenty more for you and your guests to discover in these magical, magnificent regions.

Meet ​Anecdotes​, our luxury and experiential DMC, who will guide your guests through these tales and trails of this region with a fresh perspective, catering for every genre of travel your guests may demand, from culinary, and adventure, to wildlife and culture.

Beyond the familiar tales of Delhi's historic splendour, Agra's iconic Taj Mahal and Jaipur's regal charm, it is possible to uncover a deeper, more nuanced adventure - one that reveals hidden gems, offbeat experiences and a profound connection to the heart of India.

And, thanks to the expertly tailored trips designed by our friends at ​Anecdotes DMC​, it’s possible to turn a classic Golden Triangle trip into something fresh and exciting for even the most seasoned of Subcontinent travellers - a truly unique tour layered with options that suit their individual passions and interests.

With unrivalled access to India’s new age of connections and networks, Anecdotes can design itineraries that take the evolving traveller on a once-in-a-lifetime tour that covers their unique interests - combining the cosmopolitan with craft, culinary and/or culture to suit.

Join us as we serve up a taste of North and Central India’s rich flavour, experienced the Anecdotes way.

The Golden Triangle and India’s Spiritual Soul

Delhi, the pulsating heart of India, serves as the perfect starting point for any exploration of the Golden Triangle.

Here, where countless powerful empires have seen their fortunes rise and fall, the City’s impeccably preserved past sits alongside its modern-day bustle and vibrancy.

Travellers can take a City Walk through New Delhi exploring the new with the street art facades or the lesser-known local spots, with members of verified local Trusts & associations, providing the truly authentic stories of the city’s lifestyle.

For a really special and personalised experience, travellers can take a city walk through New Delhi with the street children of the Salaam Baalak Trust.

Now empowered with full training as city guides, the teenagers are eager to share stories of their former life on the streets of Paharganj and around the railway station in a tour that goes far beyond the typical, touristy spots and reveals a range of lesser-known attractions loved by locals.

Guests will also love Historic Old Delhi, with its colourful bazaars and imposing Red Fort offers a glimpse into India's bygone Mughal era. Steered by Anecdotes’ brilliant local guides, guests uncover the fascinating tales of this ancient place that reveal how it has evolved over the years as they stroll comfortably through its organised chaos, busy trading and bustling markets. Anecdotes Delhi travelogue tour allows your guests to experience the city through the eyes of various travellers over the centuries.

Guests will Visit the peaceful Jain Digambhara Temple located right opposite the Red Fort before meandering through the market lanes of Chandni Chowk and the never-ending jewellers market at Dariba Kalan.

Explore the City’s spirituality & most prominent places of worship - the Sikh Temple Gurdwara Bangla Sahib and the Jama Masjid mosque in Old Delhi, the largest mosque in the whole of India.

A rickshaw ride is the perfect way to indulge the senses, taking in the colourful shopping bazaars and its savoury culinary delights; don’t miss the spicy chaat and crispy parathas!

Passing the Red Fort, head on to Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi before later stopping to explore the exquisite architecture of Qutub Minar.

Spend your evening experiencing the energy of contemporary India, and allow ​Anecdotes​ to recommend a visit to some of the liveliest restaurants in the city, as you enjoy the architecture of the magnificently lit-up Qutub Minar within the background.

Where to stay?

Choose a luxury hotel such as Oberoi, Leela Palace or the iconic Lodhi Hotel or opt for a more traditional stay at the world-famous Claridges, or the Trident (Gurgaron).

A new day invites you to Jaipur, the Pink City.

Bursting with regal allure, this is the crown jewel of Rajasthan, a place redolent with grandeur and tradition.

At the magnificent Amber Fort, the opulent palaces and sweeping views are a joint testament to Rajput glory and Hindu and Mughal architecture.

Stroll through the bustling markets of the old city, where you can shop for colourful textiles, intricate jewellery and handcrafted goods - or wake up before the sun, and embark on a thrilling city cycle tour that takes in the city’s hidden alleys with their old havelis and the warmest of people. Wake up before the sun rises and cycle around the city. Led by an Anecdote guide, explore the city’s hidden alleys and move around the City Palace complex where fruit, vegetable and flower vendors share their tales. Meet the gods at Govindji and Tarkeshwar Mahadev temples and explore the cenotaphs and Jal Mahal area.

Jaipur is also a city of palaces, and the City Palace and Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) are exquisite examples. The astronomical wonders of the Jantar Mantar are a must-see, an 18th-century observatory that is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Beyond the forts & palace, Jaipur is also known as a paradise for culinary enthusiasts,

​Anecdotes​ experiences include a unique gourmet session hosted by a wonderful local family, where guests can interact with generations of tradition, and gain insights into genuine day-to-day life in Rajasthan.

Each Royal Family from Rajasthan has its own adaptation of its regional cuisines and has created their own special recipes. This unique experience gives guests an opportunity to not only learn how to prepare an authentic Indian meal but also interact with their host, and their family and learn about the spices and cooking traditions of India along with delightful insights into the culture and traditions of Rajasthan.

Stay in a Palace....or Wilderness Luxury Glamping with Elephants!

Anecdotes love the opulence of the Rambagh Palace steeped in history dating back to 1835 and the regal Rass Rajmahal Palace Guests looking for something more boutique should look to the Samode Haveli a traditional Indian mansion set in verdant gardens or for something a little different, try the Dera Amer glamping experience nestled outside of the city in the wilderness of the Saluwar Forest.

The triangle completes at Agra, the ultimate emblem of both eternal romance and India itself.

En route, the deserted red sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri makes for a fascinating stop, built between 1571 and 1585 by Emperor Akbal as his capital.

And even those guests who’ve marvelled at the Taj Mahal's ethereal beauty before can discover missed nuances with a second visit to this marble masterpiece - not to mention Agra’s other gems, which range from architecture to crafts to cuisine.

For a fun induction, the Agra Colonial Walk is an amazing and enriching tour of the Old Town guided by Anecdotes’ entertaining storytellers. Taking in some of the most important places of this beautiful City, guests discover a myriad of hidden spots that will give them a great perspective of Agra’s history and culture past and present, plus insider tips to enjoy the best of the city for less!

Foodies will love an Anecdotes’ street food walk of Agra that serves up the best dishes in town, starting at the famous Chaat Gali with its delicious vegetarian treats. Get ready to taste the authentic best food of Agra and feast your taste buds. Agra is known for its ancient food culture, which is still very much alive.

Craft lovers can experience Agra’s artistry and colour first-hand, meeting local artisans and watching them at work, weaving their beautiful tapestry carpets and fashioning jewellery - even getting involved in making their own fragrance under the gentle guidance of local perfumers.

On an Anecdotes art walk, guests can work their way around workshops, closely observing all types of artists at work - marble inlay work and silk art, watching how artisans work with their materials - and finishing off with a cup of tea with the locals. A chance to really deep-dive into their artistic process and ask them questions about how these local industries work.

The perfect way to end a tour of Agra?

How about a yoga session with a view of the Taj Mahal itself? A 1-hour class that covers Asana, Dhyana and Pranayam, this expert-led session is a wonderful way to experience the most Indian of practices in a way guests will cherish forever.

For a truly luxury accommodation option, ​Anecdotes​ recommends the incredible Oberoi Amarvilas located just 600m from the Taj Mahal!

Elevated Alternatives and Intriguing Add-ons

Of course, the options outlined above are by no means the end of Anecdotes’ North India story! In its spirit of thinking beyond, Anecdotes also suggests an extension of the Golden Triangle, into various parts of North & Central India.

For guests looking to travel a different route, or expand their experience with add-on locations, here are some of our favourite picks from the ​Anecdotes ​stable:

Spend more time in India’s spiritual soul - Varanasi!

Here, in the “City of Light”, ancient rituals and timeless traditions converge in a place where time seems to stand still, and spirituality flows ceaselessly.

From the boarding ghats, a private boat trip helps guests immerse themselves mentally, physically and spiritually in the divine aura of the sacred Ganges before visiting Sarnath, where the Lord Buddha delivered one of his first sermons, to see the Dhamekha Stupa and Museum. Further, no visit to Varanasi would be complete without witnessing the famous Ganga Aarti ritual or immersing oneself in the musical journey of India, with an exclusive performance by some of the traditional musicians and artists, for our guests.

The Call of the Wild, with welfare at its heart!

En route between Jaipur and Agra, wildlife enthusiasts will find it tough to resist the call of Ranthambore, a realm where the call of the wild echoes through dense jungles.

This is no ordinary wildlife safari; accompanied by experienced guides and storytellers, travellers head off the beaten track to spot the park’s thriving but elusive population of tigers! With various conservation programs in place, travellers can learn more about the park's efforts to preserve its unique ecosystem and meet the local communities and conservationists working tirelessly to protect this magnificent landscape.

Beyond the tigers, for wildlife enthusiasts, Rajasthan hosts the Jhalana Leopard Safari is home to over 500 animals and of course, let’s not miss the most majestic of Indian animals, the elephant!

Dera Amer Elephant Camp is a unique and ethical elephant sanctuary near Jaipur that offers a responsible and eco-friendly experience for visitors who want to interact with elephants humanely and respectfully. Here, guests can enjoy a serene safari through the scenic Aravalli hills and surrounding forests, appreciating the natural beauty of the region, bonding with these magnificent animals and all the while remaining safe in the knowledge that the elephants are being treated with the utmost love and care.

An Insight into the Regal Life - Between the Forts & Palaces of Rajasthan!

A splendid oasis rising from the arid and merciless Thar desert, the stunning azure architecture of Jodhpur is the undisputed jewel in Rajasthan’s crown - and a brilliant add-on to a visit to Jaipur.

Beneath the watchful gaze of the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, this welcoming city is brimming with forts and palaces, temples and havelis; its colour and life, vibrant textiles, intricate handicrafts and sumptuous spices all nestled amongst its labyrinthine streets.

For a true sense of local culture, a Jeep Safari to the home of the Bishnoi tribes takes gusts to traditional villages surrounded by wildlife to discover tribal handicrafts, see the traditional attire of the men and the beautiful ancestral silver jewellery of the women and participate in the Bishnoi’s “Opium Ceremony”.

From Jodhpur, a trip further South brings you to Udaipur, the city of Lakes, whose setting among the lush hills of the Aravallis is a marked contrast to the desert surroundings of Jodhpur.

This city is a vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, a place that has inspired poets, painters and writers for centuries with its fairytale palaces, lakes, temples and gardens.

Here, tour the fabulous 18th century City Palace, whose name decries the fact that its 11 palaces are all perfectly sited overlooking the beauty of Lake Pichola; the granite and marble wonder of Jagdish Temple in the heart of the old city and the tranquil lakes of Fateh Sagar and Lake Pichola itself.

Stunning accommodation to wow your guests?

With such a wide variety of locations and options, adding ​Anecdotes’​ full range of handpicked hotel suggestions for this region would make this a blog of encyclopaedic proportions!

But suffice to say, Anecdotes’ epic contacts list and deep expertise in all things India mean that they have a multitude of stunning stays at their disposal, running the gamut from superior luxury to uniquely experiential; boutique and owner-driven stays to palatial splendour.

The luxury resorts include the Maharaja’s former homes, now leading hotels, such as the Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, Ummaid Bhawan in Jodhpur, the pristine Lake Palace set amidst the Lake Pichola in Udaipur and the BrijRama Palace in Varanasi, located on the banks of the Ganges river.

Anecdotes portfolio of boutique and owner-run accommodations hold a promise of many more stories to share with its guests. In fact, some are so special that Anecdotes have created entire itineraries around them! For a taste take a look at the heritage Shahpura a collection of 11 luxury suites set in 45 acres of gardens and lakes, or the homely Rawla Narlai an oasis, tucked away in the mountains, owned and run by the Maharaja of Dungarpur. Finally, for something unique, try the luxury camps of Sujan, where guests can live elegantly under canvas, whilst having a true safari experience.

Love to learn more about Anecdotes’ exciting range of thematic, tailored trips, boutique group tours and signature itineraries?

Get in touch with the team today for an introduction.