I spent just under a week exploring India, and this is the second part of my journey. If you missed the first part, you can check it out here. Picking up where we left off, I caught a glimpse of the incredible Taj Mahal, undoubtedly one of the most iconic structures in the world, from the balcony of the Agra Fort.
In this post, we’ll dive deep into the crowned jewel of India, the Taj Mahal, and explore its full glory together. We’ll also visit Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur, and so much more. So, let’s get started, shall we?
The Golden Triangle Itinerary
Witnessing the True Beauty of the Taj Mahal
I woke up at 3:30 AM to prepare for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see the sunrise at the Taj Mahal. My driver arrived right on time at 5:00 AM, and we drove for 15 minutes to the ticket booth to purchase the entry ticket. The Taj Mahal has the most expensive entry fee of all the monuments in India, around 750 rupees for foreigners.
However, if you are a citizen of SAARC or BIMSTEC countries, the ticket is more affordable. Since I’m from Thailand, which is part of BIMSTEC, I was able to get the ticket for only 510 rupees. Upon entry, you’ll receive a plastic shoe cover to wear while walking around the Taj Mahal.
After getting my ticket, I was informed that no cars were allowed beyond this point, so I took a shared electric bus to the western gate of the Taj Mahal. As I walked to the gate, I noticed a small line of foreigners waiting to enter. I expected a larger crowd, but it seems traveling during the monsoon season was a good idea.
I entered through the western gate, where you must pass through a security checkpoint before entering this sacred place. The clever design of the monument, with its towers leaning slightly outward, creates an optical illusion that makes the Taj Mahal appear larger as you walk through the inner gate.
This place is absolutely breathtaking, so much so that the moment I saw the structure from afar, I gasped without even realizing it. The Taj Mahal is truly the crowned jewel of the country, there's no doubt about it.
Standing up close to the Taj Mahal, I was totally blown away by the intricate floral carvings etched into the marble. They reminded me of the marble factory I visited on my third day in India, where I saw artisans using the same delicate techniques. Seeing this level of craftsmanship on such a grand scale felt surreal, to say the least!
Flanking the Taj Mahal are two identical red sandstone mosques, adding a striking contrast to the white marble.
Standing beside them, I couldn’t help but admire how their elegant symmetry made the monument even more beautiful than it already is, a true masterpiece, right here.
As I stood between the two red mosques, I caught another glimpse of the Taj Mahal through their arches. It felt like a moment frozen in time, and I couldn't help but pause to take it all in, the stunning view and the quiet awe it stirred in me.
Inside, there are two tombs: one belonging to Shah Jahan and the other to his wife. Sadly, photography is not allowed inside, so this is the only shot I got, the exit. 😔
Here's the thing about traveling solo: I get to do whatever I want. I spent hours just sitting by the river, soaking in the view and watching people walk by, chatting with each other. It was one of the most peaceful moments I had in India, a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the cities.
After two hours of admiring this magnificent structure, it was finally time to leave. I stole one last look back at the gate, taking in the beauty one last time before heading on my way.
Sights like this are so typical in India, yet each one still feels incredible. After heading back to the hotel for breakfast, we set off on a 45-minute journey to Fatehpur Sikri.
After a 45-minute ride, we arrived at Fatehpur Sikri, a remote monument with two main sections: the palace (tickets required) and the mosque (open to the public).
The mosque is a place for prayer, and as you might imagine, I was immediately surrounded by vendors trying to sell me their goods. It wasn’t quite as peaceful as the palace, where I could wander freely without being bothered.
To enter the palace properly, you will have to go through the beautiful Buland Darwaza, also known as the Gate of Magnificence.
Inside the palace complex, as you can see, there weren’t many people around, which was perfect for me. The area is vast, and I spent hours wandering through the corridors of this ancient city, taking in the quiet and the history.
After two hours well spent exploring, I left and began the 4-hour drive to Jaipur. I was pleasantly surprised when the driver told me he’d be taking me to visit his family in Dausa, Rajasthan. I didn’t mind at all, this was my chance to experience how the locals truly live in India. It turned out to be a welcome surprise.
As I walked into a narrow, green corridor and raced up the stairs, I was greeted by a shy little boy who surprisingly loved having his photo taken. My driver, Ram, introduced me to his little cousin and the rest of his family.
This is Ram's mother, who greeted me with a warm smile, offering a drink and cake as a kind gesture of welcome.
Enjoying a television show with Ram's father just before the power went out.
With nothing to do after the power outage, I decided to teach this kid how to play Angry Birds on my phone. He loved it so much and didn't want me to leave. 😉
After resting for 30 minutes at Ram's place, it was time to continue my journey to Jaipur. This is exactly what I’ve always hoped for in a trip like this, a true local experience. Seeing how the locals actually live is the best reward I could ask for. It was such a memorable moment.
After another two hours on the road, we finally arrived in Jaipur, the Pink City. The first thing I noticed was how much cleaner it was compared to Delhi and Agra. We reached the Rani Mahal hotel, a beautifully decorated heritage hotel, around 4 PM. I was told the area surrounding the hotel can be a bit dangerous for a foreigner walking alone, as it's in a middle-class neighborhood. Feeling incredibly tired by that point, I decided to rest and call it a day early.
Exploring the Charm and Color of Jaipur - The Pink City
Ram was supposed to meet me at 9:30 AM, but once again, he was delayed by unexpected traffic. He finally arrived around 10 AM, and we headed straight to our first stop: the Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal).
The Palace of the Winds was a bit underwhelming. It looks massive in photos, but in reality, it’s a small building tucked on the side of the road. I didn’t bother going inside since I was already more excited about the next stop, the Amber Fort.
As we approached the Amber Fort, I knew this was going to be the highlight of Jaipur for me, and I wasn’t disappointed.
I DO NOT condone riding elephants as I’m from Thailand and have witnessed firsthand how poorly these animals are often treated. At the time of this trip, I was young and unaware, but now I know better.
I highly encourage you to avoid riding elephants and instead opt for walking to truly experience the place while respecting these majestic creatures.
These are the stunning views from the top of the fort. From here, you can see the Amber Fort’s wall stretching for miles, a powerful reminder of how it once protected the city from invaders.
There’s something about the doors in India that always catches my eye. Each one seems to have its own unique detail, making every door feel special. It’s honestly mesmerizing to see how much character they add to the surroundings.
This is the beautiful garden inside the fort. Unfortunately, the higher fort on the mountain, which offers even more stunning views, is private property and closed to the public.
Every corridor here is interconnected, and it feels like I’m Indiana Jones, getting lost and discovering hidden rooms along the way. This is the beauty of exploring without a guide. 😃
As I wandered through a corridor, trying to find my way out, I stumbled upon a little family who insisted on including me in their pictures. There I was, unexpectedly showing up in their camera shots. 😉
This was the moment I truly fell in love with the locals. They were kind, warm, and incredibly friendly, nothing like I had imagined before. It’s a reminder that our perceptions can be completely off. If you haven’t experienced something firsthand, don’t be too quick to judge.
After an hour of exploring the fort, we took the more humane route, driving down instead of riding an elephant, and headed to the City Palace to learn more about the history of this so-called Pink City.
On the way, we made a quick stop at the flooded temple, Jal Mahal, which looked stunning against the backdrop of the water.
After visiting the flooded temple, we went on to check out Jantar Mantar, the largest observatory in India. This incredible place is home to several ancient instruments used by the locals hundreds of years ago to measure time, days, and months. It was fascinating to see how advanced their methods were!
My guide explained how they used the shadows of the sun on the instrument to measure time. The accuracy was remarkable, with only a 10-30 minute variation, pretty impressive for an ancient tool!
These two instruments were used to calculate the months by observing the shadow cast by a small metal object in the center, which was suspended by a metal string. Each instrument corresponded to one half of the year.
This is the largest instrument in the observatory, capable of telling time with an accuracy of just a 2-minute difference. All you have to do is walk up the stairs and see where the shadow falls on the scale. It’s impressive how precise it is!
At this moment, the heat was becoming unbearable, with no shade in sight around the observatory (for obvious reasons). So, we decided to leave and head to the City Palace, where we learned about the history of the Maharajas who ruled Jaipur and how the city earned its “Pink City” nickname. Unfortunately, taking photos is prohibited in the City Palace.
During the reign of Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh, he fostered a strong relationship with the UK and decided to paint the city pink as a gesture of welcome for Edward, the Prince of Wales. Pink symbolizes a warm welcome, and parts of the city still retain that vibrant pink hue to this day.
We wrapped up our last full day in India around 3 PM and headed back to the hotel. I decided to give Ram a tip ahead of time, which, in hindsight, I don’t recommend. Unfamiliar with tipping customs in India, I ended up giving him too little, and it was obvious he was disappointed. His responses became vague, and the atmosphere grew tense. It was uncomfortable for both of us, so I decided to double the tip to around 2500 rupees. His attitude shifted instantly, and the rest of the trip back was much more pleasant.
Time to Head Back to Delhi
With my flight back at noon, I had to wake up at 3:30 AM, endure a 5-hour drive back to Delhi, and arrive by 9 AM. I said my goodbyes to Ram, checked in, and mentally prepared myself for the 4-hour flight home.
The airport was surprisingly impressive. It was huge, spacious, and not nearly as crowded as I had expected, despite what others had told me. I boarded my flight and made my way home, wrapping up my unforgettable 6-day journey through India.
Traveling through India offers countless life lessons, and if you're planning a trip there soon, you'll now have a better idea of what to expect. Don’t let preconceived notions keep you from experiencing it for yourself. India has been one of the most eye-opening travel experiences I’ve had, and you’ll never truly understand it unless you experience it firsthand.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for South Asia
Looking for more information for your trip to South Asia? Here is a collection of articles about South Asia that might help you with your trip planning.
- Pakistan is rich in culture, history, and stunning landscape. It is, after all, the place where the Himalayas, the Hindu Kush, and the Karakoram mountain range meet. Here's the ultimate guide and one-month itinerary for backpacking in Pakistan.
- One of the best road trips you can do in the world is to traverse the Karakoram Highway in Pakistan, which connects the country with China. Here's the ultimate guide to traveling the Karakoram Highway.
- There are also some short treks in Nepal for you to do, such as the Annapurna Base Camp. Here's a complete guide on how to hike the Annapurna Base Camp in 7 days solo.
- Annapurna Base Camp is a 7-day hike, and there is quite a lot you will have to pack for the hike. Here is What To Pack For Everest Base Camp Hike - A Complete Packing List.
- If you are feeling a little too intimidated by India, you can start off your journey in South Asia by visiting Sri Lanka first. Here's a complete 2-week itinerary for Sri Lanka.
- You can also watch my travel videos about South Asia here: Sri Lanka travel video, Nepal travel video, and Pakistan travel video.
- Want to know where to go after India? How about trekking in Nepal, exploring Sri Lanka by train, or going off-the-beaten-path and backpacking through Pakistan?
- For all articles about India, visit India Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my South Asia-related articles on my South Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
7 Comments
It's All Pic So wonderful ...
Wow. I live in India and have traveled all the places that you have mentioned, but your picture's describe it even better :)
Hi there, may I know what month of the year was this? The Taj looks empty
I believe it was during the rainy season but i got lucky so I was able to have a clear day with not many people in it, early in the morning. :) August If i remember correctly.
Pete Rojwongsuriya thank you for your reply
This article is almost a decade old. Pete, it's time to revisit Incredible India this 2024. There's so much to explore!
I completely agree! :D