Staff Educational: Highlights from India’s Golden Triangle

16/07/2025

Ever wondered what it’s like to travel solo to India and join like-minded people on tour? Last year, Lauren from our Content Team set off with Riviera Travel on the holiday of a lifetime through India’s Golden Triangle. We caught up with her to uncover her top tips, highlights, and find out what it's really like travelling in India!

Meet Lauren!

Tigers, temples, and the Taj Mahal... what more could you ask for?

As a first-time traveller to India, I’d heard the travel tales. But what I found was a destination wrapped in colour, creativity, and a magic unlike anywhere else I‘ve visited.

India went above and beyond my expectations. I will say, India is not for the faint of heart, especially if you’re a lover of organisation. The rumours are true. It is indeed loud and chaotic. (Don’t be surprised to find a cow snoozing in the middle of the motorway). However, it’s the type of busy that radiates life, adventure and fun. If you've ever considered a holiday in India, do it! It's the holiday of a lifetime you'll never forget.

Interested in Lauren's Tour for yourself?

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Taj Mahal Sunrise Tour

One of the Seven Wonders of the World, they say, the Taj Mahal’s beauty must be seen to be believed. And they’re not wrong.

The best time to visit the romantic site is sunrise- an excursion included in our Riviera Tour. That 4 am alarm stings. But once you step onto the grounds of the Taj Mahal, you’ll forget sleep entirely. The mausoleum appears almost like a mirage, glittering amidst the haze of morning light. After a lesson in epic love stories from our local Riviera guide, the morning was ours to explore.

Fun fact, the Taj Mahal changes colour as the marble stones of the building catch different lights. Pink in the morning. Bright white by noon. Golden during sunset. And at nightfall? A shimmering silver blue.

Tiger Spotting on Safari

Ranthambore National Park— the top of my India bucket list. 392 km² of tropical bushland where tigers, sloth bears, leopards, striped hyenas, and so much more roam freely.

Safari drives weren’t just about wildlife spotting. They were an adventure in themselves. The hope, the hushed whispers, the thrill of hearing a distant alarm call. There’s something about bouncing along jungle tracks, wind in your hair, stories from your park guide, everyone scanning the bushes like pros, that bonds a group faster than any welcome dinner.

And who can forget... tigers! Pro tip: If you want the best chances of spotting these elusive Big Cats, you’ll need to brave the heat of an Indian summer, as April to June is when the tigers stay nearer water sources.

Tuk Tuks, Trains, and Rickshaw Rides

Now I know what you’re thinking. ‘How can travelling be a highlight of your holiday?’ To that, I say, you’ve never been on a tuk-tuk in India.

If you want to see the wonders of this country, travel time is inescapable. But trust me, there’s never a boring minute travelling in India with Riviera. Some of the biggest laughs of the trip were travelling from A to B. Souvenir bazaars on the coach, pink lady tuk-tuk tours in Jaipur, grab and go curry on the train and cow dodging everywhere! It was these weird, wacky, and wonderful moments that brought our tour group together in the best way.

If you want to make friends on tour, zipping through the market streets of Delhi, spotting monkeys on a two-man rickshaw, is the way to go.

Top Tips for Touring India

✅ 1) Embrace the chaos – Things might not run on time, but somehow, everything works out. It’s part of the adventure.

✅ 2) Pack a scarf or shawl – Perfect for temples, dusty tuk-tuk rides, or when the air-con hits Arctic levels.

✅ 3) Bring hand sanitiser – Essential. Just trust us on this one.

✅ 4) Stick to bottled water – No tap water, even for brushing your teeth. Your stomach will thank you.

✅ 5) Trust your gut – Literally and figuratively. If something feels off, skip it. If it feels magical, dive in.

✅ 6) Keep an open mind (and a sense of humour) – India doesn’t always follow the script, but that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable.

✅ 7) Make the most of you time at the Taj Mahal – There's a few rules to visiting this sacred site, so brush up on your Taj Mahal tips and tricks. (Check out our blog)

Why Visit India with Riviera Travel?

✅ Everything’s taken care of – From your hotels to your luggage to your next samosa stop, it’s all sorted.

✅ Local guides who really know their stuff – Not just facts and dates, but the legends, the gossip, and where to get the best chai.

✅ Hand-picked experiences – Think sunrise at the Taj, jungle safaris in Ranthambore, and rickshaw rides through Delhi’s backstreets.

✅ Comfortable travel, even in the madness – Air-conditioned coaches, reserved train seats, and no need to haggle with a taxi driver who wants “just one more stop.”

✅ Travel with like-minded people – You’ll share laughs, curry, and probably a few tiger-spotting tales with your fellow explorers.

✅ The perfect balance – Packed itinerary, yes, but with time to breathe, explore, and take it all in at your own pace.

If you’re planning your own first trip to India, trust me: swallow those fears about it being “too chaotic” or “overwhelming” and embrace the culture shock. Future you, and your camera roll, will thank you.