Following the recent launch of Michelin Green Guide Delhi, Agra & Jaipur, Cynthia Ochterbeck, editorial director for Michelin Travel Partner, highlights how travellers can discover the Golden Triangle in a sustainable way
The Golden Triangle has been well explored by travellers from across the world through the decades. What new aspects would be covered by the Michelin Green Guide for this region ?
India is a land of diversity with a plethora of cultures. Through our Michelin Green Guides we are seeking to capture the cultural heritage of India and its people while embarking on an explorative journey. The Michelin Green Guides for India is a testimony of Michelin’s longtime commitment to enhance mobility in India. Green Guides to India seeks to provide information that will help users explore and be mobile adding to the overall travel experience in the country.
The brand new Michelin Green Guide Delhi, Agra & Jaipur helps travellers discover northern India’s Golden Triangle, with an added perspective on sustainable tourism. This Green Guide would help travellers explore historic remains of the short-lived city Fatehpur Sikri, spot tigers on a jeep safari in Ranthambore National Park, dive into local colour at Pushkar’s annual camel fair and also marvel at the Taj Mahal.
Michelin’s celebrated star-rating system for attractions, detailed maps and recommendations for restaurants and accommodations will help travellers experience the best of the region. Recommendations for places to eat and stay, including those linked to sustainable tourism like trails at off-beat locations, visits to organic farms, bio-diversity protection, and descriptions of the enduring ways of life, culture and heritage that are community based, and environmentally friendly major highlights of this Green Guide.
How are you promoting sustainable tourism through your guide?
Michelin believes that the key to safeguarding the environment, conserving the historic landmarks of northern India and fostering development through increased tourist inflows lie with us all. The awareness regarding the importance of doing so, and actually acting upon it will go far to assure that this fascinating region’s assets are sustained for years to come.
Through this initiative, we urge the tourists to play a significant role in preserving India’s cultural and natural resources by using public transport and travelling by bicycle or foot as much as possible, staying in home stays and farm stays, buying products from businesses that encourage traditional practices. Buying locally produced goods and minimising personal trash from modern-day packaging.
In terms of F&B, has your research revealed any interesting discoveries in Delhi, Agra and Jaipur?
By far the most enticing tourist route in the country is northern India’s ‘Golden Triangle’, beckoning travellers to the magnificent monuments of Delhi; Agra’s famous Taj Mahal to the south-east; and Rajasthan’s ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur to the south-west. The rich residue of their past—ancient mosques, ornate temples, grand palaces, imposing forts and mural-splashed mansions—enthralls and intrigues visitors. So do the people of the region, their religious rituals, colorful dress and age-old traditions—all set before a backdrop of undulating hills, sacred rivers, dune-enfolded desert, wondrous wetlands and forested reserves holding a wealth of flora and fauna.
What has been your focus on the culinary traditions of the region?
As already stated, India is an amalgamation of multiple cultures and traditions. All these cultures and traditions come with their cuisines which are distinctly different and pool in to form a wide palate. Delhi is spoilt for choice with dining options ranging from North Indian, Punjabi and Mughlai to authentic specialty restaurants like Bukhara (North-West Frontier cuisine) to Yeti (Himalayan cuisine). Nathus Sweets is popular for local flavours like Choley Bhature and sweets. For authentic Mughlai cuisine, Karims in Old Delhi and Nizamuddin are a must visit. There is also a strong fondness for dhaba food and street food culture in Old Delhi.
Backpacking heavens like Paharganj and Pushkar have rooftop restaurants and cafes serving Israeli, Italian and continental cuisine.
In Jaipur, sweet shops like Laxmi Mishthan Bhandar (LMB) and Rawat Sweet serve great snacks and Rajasthani Thalis. For a larger ethnic spread with cultural performances, try Chokhi Dhani. In Gwalior, SS Kachoriwalla and Bahadura are local legends.
After the Golden Triangle, which state / region / city do you plan to introduce green guides?
We are always looking to expand our coverage globally, and especially in India. The immense opportunity for tourism and travel along with the rich cultural heritage of the country is of great interest to Michelin. Michelin hopes to get a series of Green Guides out in India to help both local and international travellers discover pit stops along highways and other note-worthy areas in the country. Currently we don’t have a timeline, but we are looking to expand our guide book collection for India.
Any other significant factor.
With a culture as colorful as its bustling city streets—and as influential as the country’s bold cuisine—India’s diverse landscape is home to more than 1.2 billion people. One of the oldest hubs of civilisation, today the country contrasts centuries-old palaces, ornate temples and humble farms with high-tech business parks and modern cities.
Beyond the buzz and hum of India’s cities, travellers discover a quiet world of natural beauty and remarkable history. Renowned religious sites, ashrams, wildlife sanctuaries and rural villages offer a window into India’s past and a deeper understanding into its distinct spirituality and sensibilities makes India even more distinct from other countries in terms of tourism.