About this experience
Agra is one of the most visited cities in India. All thanks to the great love story immortalized in stone - the gleaming Taj Mahal, built by an emperor in honor of his wife. You will hear the history and legends of the monument, admire its architecture. And for those 'perfect' photos, take a boat ride on the river, which offers the best view of the structure. You will also visit the ancient fort with optical illusions. And be amazed by the work of Indian stonecutters from the 16-17th centuries.
What to Expect
Taj Mahal: symbol of eternal love
You will explore the world-famous mausoleum-mosque from different perspectives. First, we will stroll through the grounds and explore the building from the inside. We will talk about the emergence of the monument in the 17th century and its fabulous architecture. You will also hear the legendary love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in whose honor this masterpiece was erected. In addition, there will be interesting legends about the Taj Mahal. And then we will reach the river and board a boat to see the iconic views of the complex from the water.
Red Fort
We will then drive to the famous Agra Fort on the banks of the Yamuna River. You will learn the main points from the history of the fortress, built in the mid-16th century by order of Akbar the Great. You will get acquainted with the architecture of the magnificent fortifications. I will show you optical illusions, talk about ancient message transmission technology in case of danger, and other interesting facts related to the fort.
Lunch and Visit to a Workshop
We will then pause for lunch at a good Indian restaurant, where you can try traditional vegetable and chicken dishes. And then we will visit a workshop with artwork from the 16-17th centuries. Through the exhibits, you will appreciate the painstaking work of people who manually inlaid stones into marble, without any technologies used nowadays. After that, you will have time to visit local shops - I will suggest what souvenirs are worth bringing back as a memory of Agra.
Travel Itinerary
9:00 - Taj Mahal excursion and boat ride
12:30 - Red Fort
14:00 - lunch at the restaurant
15:00 - workshop
Organizational Details
- Transfer is included in the tour price
- Additional expenses: Taj Mahal ticket - 1300 rupees per person, Red Fort ticket - 600 rupees per person, boat ride - approximately 500 rupees per person (negotiations with boat renters will be done on-site), lunch at the restaurant
- Bring sunglasses and a hat to protect from the sun as the tour takes place mainly outdoors
- The tour will be conducted by me or another guide from our team
