Delhi in India is playing the host to 2010 Commonwealth Games and India tourism industry is expecting and huge influx of tourists during the season. Most visitors who will travel to India for the Games are expected to visit Taj Mahal at Agra, and the royal icon of Rajasthan Tourism – Pink City of Jaipur, thereby completing the famous Golden Triangle tour circuit of North India. Several steps are being taken up to promote tourism during the games as well as cater to the expected number of tourists at the time. Hotels are coming up with lucrative deals, infrastructure is being upgraded, and places of interest and tourist attractions are being paid special attention these days.

One such measure is the one-time road tax system initiated by ministry of tourism and ministry of road transport and highways by government of India. Currently, cars and taxis have to pull over every time they enter another state to pay the tax, which include Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. Scheduled to be effective from December 2009, the system will allow commercial and tourist vehicles of registered tour operators on the Golden Triangle Tour of India to pay the road tax only once at the beginning of the trip. This will allow these vehicles to avoid unnecessary delays during transit and allow more time to the tourists to actually see the tourist attractions they are interested in.

Besides, a number of AC Volvo buses will also be introduced during the Games to take the tourists from Delhi to Agra and Jaipur. Throughout the Golden Triangle circuit, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is in the process of setting up 500 sites that will have all the amenities that tourists and tour vehicles might need along the way, such as toilets, restaurants, telephone booths, first-aid facilities, telephone booths, kiosks, snack bars, parking lots, rooms where one can rest for a short while, and repair shops for normal travelers’ items.

Those who will want to make the most of their India travel might opt for super luxury trains such as Palace on Wheels and Royal Rajasthan on Wheels that not only cover three cities of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur on the Golden Triangle tour circuit but also take you to other cities of Rajasthan that showcase their splendor in art, culture, and rich historical and architectural heritage. The frequency of these trains will be increased during the Commonwealth Games in India and facilities like wi-fi Internet, on-board spa, and television with live satellite channels will also be introduced in the trains. Royal treatment on the train is only matched by the unique camel desert safaris, boat rides at Lake Pichola, and exclusive experiences of Rajasthan.

Though the three main cities of the Golden Triangle are connected via National Highways, the government is also focusing on developing better connecting roads to places of tourist importance, which will make the entire tour experience even better. The short and sweet Golden Triangle Tour of North India starts from Delhi, the capital of India and the host of Commonwealth Games in 2010, and takes you to Agra, the city of Taj Mahal, and Jaipur, the icon of royal grandeur in India. Within short distances of each other, these three cities introduce to the foundations on which modern India is laid.

If you were planning to visit India to be a spectator to the spectacular Commonwealth Games 2010, we have something very interesting to inform you about. With this option that we have for you, you could indeed explore the country in a very marvelous manner. After the games are over and you will have enough time to visit the significant destinations of the country, just before you left for home, we suggest you could undertake a Golden Triangle tour. Now what is a golden triangle tour? To get the international guests on India travel to taste a slice of history, the tourism department has devised several golden triangle tours that one could avail of. These short tours are magnificent itineraries that take one across the most significant destinations in North India comprising of the 3 historic cities Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. Since the Commonwealth Games venue is Delhi itself, it will be very convenient for you to embark on any of these tours as they begin from the national capital itself.

Let us now run through the quintessential aspects pertaining to these 3 cities:

Delhi – The first destination of the tour is Delhi. Delhi is the city through which the holy river Yamuna flows through carrying with her innumerable legends of the people who have ruled and lived here. Delhi has been a capital to several ruling dynasties of ancient and medieval India. Owing to its accessible location and vast size, Delhi has been a seat of political power, knowledge, and even art and culture. The age-old monuments that are housed here, each, reflect the glories of the bygone era. Some of the most noteworthy destinations in the city are Red Fort, Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, India Gate, and the Humayun’s Tomb. Delhi wonderfully exhibits the charm of the old and the new – the ancient and the modern.

Agra – The next destination is Agra. Once a capital to the Mughal kingdom; Agra is also fondly frequented for being home to the Taj Mahal – one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Taj Mahal is known world over as the epitome of love. Built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, Taj Mahal has often been described as the poem on marble. However, the fairytale romance of Agra does not end with the Taj. Agra is also home to a number of other monuments that are of equal importance when it comes to Mughal heritage. The Agra Fort, the Itmad ud Daullah, and the Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra are just a few of the monuments to name here.

Jaipur - The final destination in the golden triangle tours is Jaipur. A grand display of Rajputana heritage and culture is what waits to treat all guests here. Famed for its wide selection of heritage monuments, Jaipur is also fondly frequented for its lip smacking spicy delicacies and a gorgeous assortment of handicraft items. The must visit destinations in Jaipur are Hawa Mahal, the Jantar Mantar, and the City Palace complex among others.

There are a host of tour operators and travel agents operating out of Delhi who organize for interesting golden triangle tour packages. One may avail of them to understand the real essence and spirit of especially north India.

So, while on Commonwealth Games 2010 tour across the country, do not miss to visit the golden cities of North India as well…

One of the most fascinating and enjoyed India tours of North India, Golden Triangle Tour comprises Delhi, the venue of Commonwealth Games 2010; Agra, the city of Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World; and Jaipur, the capital of Royal Rajasthan, land of Rajputs. This triangle has been dubbed “golden” for the extraordinary wealth of cultural and historical splendour on offer in each of these three cities that includes majestic architectural creations as well as rich traditions of art and culture.

Ideal for those who visit India during the prodigious event and have limited time on their hands, Golden Triangle tour packages offer a snapshot of the evolution of the rich cultural, social, and religious fabric of the country from medieval period to its modern state. The three hotspots Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra have always been in favor with all the foreign and domestic tourists. The 19th edition of Commonwealth Games, to be held in 2010, present the right opportunity for Brand India to showcase its vibrant culture, traditions, heritage and tourism aspects on a global platform.

For this purpose, Delhi and its nearby tourist destinations are undergoing a complete makeover in terms of beautification, transportation development, upgrading of old structures and so on. Tourists can also pre-pone and postpone their visit to India to coincide with the Commonwealth Games 2010 so that they can optimize their tour experience.

Delhi – The Commonwealth Games 2010 will be held at New Delhi, the Capital of India. It is the starting point of the Golden Triangle Tours. Red Fort of Delhi is one of the most opulent Mughal buildings in the country. Interesting places to visit are Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid, Rajghat, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, India Gate, Qutab Minar, Birla Temple, ISKON Temple, Buddha Gardens, Safdarjang’s Tomb, Parliament House, Chandani Chowk, Connaught Place, etc.

Agra – Many people visiting India during the Commonwealth Games may have limited time and budget in hand and will prefer to see best tourist highlights of the country that are easily accessible and can be covered in a day or two. Moreover, they would not want to miss the Taj Mahal at Agra, only three to four hours journey away from them by road or by train.

Globally famous for its heritage attraction, Agra always attracts tourists coming from different parts of the world who come to explore its monumental charms. The city of three of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri, Agra unleashes magnum opus of Mughal architectural skills to the world and hence is an important part of Golden Triangle Tour packages.

Jaipur – Jaipur, the Pink City, is the third and final destination of the Golden Triangle Tour. It is again three to four hours away from Delhi and Agra, by road or by train and completes the glorious triangular tourist circuit. It is the capital city of Rajasthan and is one of the most popular travel destinations of Rajasthan tours. Jaipur, the princely city of Rajasthan is the perfect place to get a glimpse of the era of Rajput raja-maharajas, who ruled India for hundreds of years, before Mughal managed to dethrone them from the supreme status of political power.

Golden Triangle is an evergreen India Tour but increasingly, India Travel agencies are adding new twists to this alluring package to make it more attractive for Commonwealth Games of 2010.