Trekking through India's Golden Triangle

Plan an Unforgettable Trek Through India�s Golden Triangle

There's nothing like the Golden Triangle. Comprised of several Indian destinations, this must-try trek is one of the best ways to experience the country's most iconic sights. Though a variety of travel agents and tour providers offer packages, it�s completely possible to plan your own tour with a little bit of know-how and a lot of adventurous spirit. Plus, if you have an AmEx credit card, you�ll get benefits for cardmembers that make the planning process even easier.

Ready to get started? Use this sample itinerary for a few travel ideas.

Delhi

Begin your trip in this cultural center for an inside look at the area�s rich history. If you want to get a feel for the local lifestyle before trekking toward the historical sites, grab a quick kathi lunch at Khan Chacha, and then browse the Khan Market for local music, home goods and accessories. Finish your first day with a cocktail at Cheri, or get into the local speakeasy scene at Cocktails & Dreams.

Wake up early the next day to get a head start on exploring Delhi�s icons. Browse through India Gate and the Rashtrapati Bhaven, and then make your way to Old Delhi to brave the 17th-century streets of Shahjahanabad. Still have some energy left? Browse the Khari Baoli spice market, and pay a visit to the Shah Jehan-designed Red Fort.

Agra

Of course, no Golden Triangle trek would be complete without a trip to Agra. You�ll want to spend most of your time exploring the magnificent Taj Mahal, but save a few hours � or an entire day � for adjacent sights like the Mehtab Bagh gardens, the Kailash and Rajeshwar temples and the bustling U.P. Handicraft & Handloom Center.

Hungry for an authentic taste of Agra? Unwind at the Kamat Hotel�s rooftop restaurant or settle in for a cocktail at the Terrace Grill. Don�t forget to bring your credit card; you might just get some benefits for cardmembers that let you earn points on these experiences.

Jaipur

If you�re short on time and can�t spend weeks exploring Ranthambhore, Udaipur and Jodhpur, the best place to end your Golden Triangle circuit is in the thriving city of Jaipur. Known as the Pink City, this historic destination is famous for its forts, temples and sandstone buildings. Spend the first few hours getting acclimated to the area by exploring the Bapu and Johari bazaars, and then pop into Rawat Misthan Bhandar for a taste of the iconic pyaz ki kachori onion dish. Have a little extra time? Stop here, and head back to the hotel to relax before your last full day of sightseeing.

Once you�re ready to take in the sights, start just north of town at the Amber Fort to get a look at this fortress-palace and some unforgettable views of the surrounding gorge. Then, come back to the city center to wander through the intricately decorated Hawa Mahal and the 17th-century Jai Singh Observatory. Finally, bid farewell to the Golden Triangle with a self-guided tour of the majestic City Palace, and then drive back to Delhi for one last overnight stay. The trip may be over, but the memories will last forever.

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Birding Diaries�Carambolim Lake, Goa

Lesser whistling ducks

It�s a very hot morning in Goa. They say spring is in the air, but I can feel the bright sun burning through the skin as early as 630 am. However, I am an early bird and that in Goa is rather unusual. As I head out, all I see in my fifteen minute journey are two pups cuddled up in the middle of the road. The vada pav stalls are not yet open and I do not see a single local tea shop on the road. Soon civilisation gives way to large tracts of fields and then the waters fill my eyes. The Mandovi gives me company as I watch a few waders on her banks while a couple of pond egrets fly rather low. Even the fishermen have given themselves a holiday and the roads are empty.
I am not headed to a beach but to a little lake lost amidst the lone tracks of a railway station in a little hamlet. Carambolim or Karamali is a pretty village tucked away in old Goa. Its claim to fame is a railway station, a 500 year old chapel and a Brahma temple located close by. But none of them lure me.
Carambolim is still snoozing when I drive past its nondescript streets. Taking in the silence and the pleasant morning breeze, we stop by for a few minutes to cross a railway track. A lone train chugs along, taking passengers to either their dream destinations or to a comfort zone called home. The train slows past me and I cross over to a single lane that takes me into a palette of colours. There are the verdant fields on one side, nodding in glee to the morning breeze and a vast man -made lake on the other bustling with active bird life.

Standing under the shade of the tree, I see the train has paused in its journey, its blue compartments reflecting in the waters of the lake. Another train seems to approach from the other end and they pause for a moment as strangers glance at each other from either train before continuing with their journeys.
A flock of lesser whistling ducks announce their presence whistling out loudly as they frolic in the waters for a while, splashing before settling down. They are huge in numbers compared to the flock of garganeys that float quietly. I look at them through the binoculars as they curl up in the waters. The purple swamp hens strike several poses as they create a stark contrast in the marshland . An open stork bill stands quietly, getting a bit of tan, while the two jacanas � the bronze winged and the pheasant tailed are rather shy, the latter especially showing off its long curved tail before disappearing into the waters. A purple heron is in flight and lands near the flock of lesser whistling ducks. Coots and grebes lose themselves in the crowd.

We head to the other bank of the lake and who should be waiting there, but a bright glossy ibis, preening itself in the sun. A darter darts past while a grey heron stands as a statue. Puddles of water stand out in the green marshland as heads of ducks pop out of them. They fly across the lake, crossing from one side to another, whistling along .
I stand there for hours, forgetting the heat and hunger, longing for more time in the company of birds. The silence stands out as the birds call out in glee. I wonder how this little idyllic world is lost on man. That�s when I realize why Goa is not just a destination � it�s a state of mind.

Skywatch this Friday � Pelicans in flight

A spot billed pelican in flight at Kokkre Belur, a village near Bangalore, India where the birds have forged a relationship with the community that protects them every year. Another close up of the wings

Visit Skywatch this Friday for beautiful birds and skies.

Summer is here..

The days are getting hotter in Bangalore and the promised rain clouds have slowly wandered away after showering for a few days. I cannot believe that summer is already upon us. I have two months to go before I get on to some personal work and I am wondering where to go. I am not so much a summer traveler. The hills will no longer offer me the solitude as it will be crowded with tourists and it is hot any where and every where else.I do not want to do short trips anymore. And I cannot get myself to brave the heat and wander into the forests for tiger tourism and even there,  it will be crowded as well . So, I am back to surfing the net and looking for cheap flights. Recently there was a bit of a news when airlines were competing with each other to offer the lowest fares in the market. Domestic flights would hopefully get cheap this summer but where do you think I should go ?

A morning in Kutta- Coorg

Kutta is a border town between Karnataka and Kerala and is a part of Coorg. I woke up to a blazing morning when the sun created drama .

To wake up to more beautiful skies around the world, visit Skywatch this Friday..

This summer,  the temperatures are already soaring and I have started searching for cheap air tickets. The airlines have already increased their fares and one has to book air tickets soon. However there has a been cancellations lately and it is better to check flight status online before you plan a trip.