Agra Local Sightseeing Tour By Car Overview
Agra is an ancient city with a rich historical background and is a city of civilization. Agra is situated along the Yamuna River and its most renowned structure is the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage monument of love. Another unique combination available in the city is the fine amalgamation of Mughal architecture, local markets, and street life.
Agra Local Sightseeing Tour is an opportunity that helps the visitors to dive deep into this historical city of India to see its grand structures, uncovered secrets, and Indian culture. The sightseeing takes a look around the attractions of Agra, including the magnificent Taj Mahal, the formidable Agra Fort, and the serene Mehtab Bagh.
You will also visit local markets, where artists use beautiful marble and inlay work, textiles and handicraft. This trip to Agra gives you the best of the past and the present that will give lifelong memories.
Itinerary: Agra Local Sightseeing Tour
Morning Taj Mahal: Begin your day with a visit of the most renowned landmark in Agra- the Taj Mahal. This is a white marble mausoleum constructed by emperor Shah Jahan in honor of his love, mumtaz Mahal. The complex carvings, a phenomenal symmetry and the serene gardens among the Taj Mahal make it one of the seven wonders of the world. Take your time to get the best shot of this great building, either at the front gate or at the reflective pools.
Agra Fort: Once you are done with seeing Taj Mahal, you can visit Agra Fort which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. The fort is comprised of red sandstone and it was the primary home of the Mughal emperors until the transfer of the capital to Delhi. Visit its large courtyards, palaces and mosques, the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) and Jahangir Mahal. The outer walls also have a great view of the Taj Mahal within the fort.
Have a typical Mughal lunch in a local restaurant. Agra is also famous as a place where one can find very delicious foods like kebabs, biryanis, petha (a local sweet prepared out of pumpkin).
Mehtab Bagh: You can visit Mehtab bagh, which is on the other side of the river of Taj Mahal, in the afternoon. This garden provides an outstanding sight of the Taj Mahal particularly during sunset. The garden was created as a reflection of the Taj Mahal and provides a tranquil respite against the urban environment.
Itmad-ud-Daula (Baby Taj): Itmad-ud-Daula (Baby Taj) is an early Mughal architectural structure and is commonly said to have been a prelude to the Taj Mahal. Itmad-ud-Daula constructed by Nur Jahan dedicated to her father using marble contains beautiful inlay and an elaborate carving.
Local Markets and Craft Shopping: Crash your day by visiting the local markets of Agra. The Sadar Bazaar and the Kinari Bazaar are favorite shopping places and you can find marble handicrafts, textiles, jewelry and souvenirs there. You may also see the artisans at work, producing elaborate designs in marble inlay, the same type you can find on the Taj Mahal.
Morning: Fatehpur Sikri: Begin your second day tour with a visit to Fatehpur Sikri a 16 th century city constructed by Emperor Akbar. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site characterized by well-kept palaces, mosques and courtyards. Other attractions are the largest gateway in India, called Buland Darwaza, and also the Jama Masjid which is a beautiful red sandstone mosque.
Savor a local vegetarian meal, with an assortment of Indian dishes such as dal, chapati and vegetable curries, which are the main staple of Indian food.
Tomb of Akbar the Great: The Tomb of Akbar the Great in Sikandra was constructed after Fatehpur Sikri. It is a peaceful and vast complex in which one of the great emperors of India, Akbar, is interred. The architecture of the tomb is a mixture of the Mughal, Persian as well as Hindu architecture and the tomb is a very interesting place to visit.
Local Culture and Cuisine: This afternoon will be spent exploring the culture of Agra. Explore the busy streets of the area, eat street food such as petha and chaat, and speak with local artisans who retain traditional crafts such as carpet weaving and marble inlay.
Sunset at the Taj Mahal: End your sightseeing tour of local places in Agra with the tranquil setting of the Taj Mahal, where the shifting color of the sky give the building a spectacular background. It is an impression that captures one when looking at the Taj Mahal at sunset when it is reflected in the Yamuna River.
INCLUSIONS
- Meal plan - Bed and breakfast basis.
- Elephant ride at Amber Fort, Jaipur.
- Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi.
- Free hotel pickup and drop-off included
- Interstate taxes and Parking charges
ExCLUSIONS
- Monument Fee
- Tips / Gratuities to guide and driver.
- Any kind of alcoholic drinks.
- Any kind of personal expenses.
Agra is pleasant and cool during the time of October to March making this the best time to visit. Summers (April to June) may be very hot, and the monsoon season (July to September) may include rain.
The regular sightseeing tour is a one-day trip, however, there are two-day sightseeing tour packages, which may include a visit to some other places of interest, such as Fatehpur Sikri and Sikandra.
The Taj Mahal is wheelchair friendly. The needs of disabled visitors are taken care of such as the use of ramps and special car parks.
In the outer section of the Taj Mahal, photography is permitted but within the mausoleum; photography is strictly forbidden in order to maintain the integrity of the monument. There are many places in the complex where you can take photographs of the Taj.
People should wear comfortable footwear and dress in a conservative manner when visiting religious places and historical monuments. The city of Agra is very hot, particularly during the daytime, so it is advisable to wear light clothes that are breathable, especially during summer.
The tour provides options of different foods, such as vegetarian, non-vegetarian and local delicacies. In case you have a certain dietary limitation or choice, contact the tour operator beforehand.
It is possible to book the Agra Local Sightseeing Tour in many travel agencies or via the Internet or in direct operators in Agra. We have been advised to make advance bookings, particularly during high season times.
Agra is a major tourist destination, and it is, generally, safe to people that travel there. Like in any tourist attraction site, it is better to be careful of your environment, keep a watch on your properties and to avoid lonely places during the night.
Ye, there are professional guides to do Agra Local Sightseeing Tour. To add up to your experience, a well informed guide will provide details regarding historical facts, stories, and other intriguing information about the sites and culture of Agra.
The duration of the visits differs according to the site. Normally, the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort can take about 2-3 hours each, and attractions such as Mehtab Bagh and Itmad-ud-Daula can take 1-2 hours. The time spent at each place varies with the means of transport used to reach and services to be offered at the destination but a typical Fatehpur Sikri trip lasts about 3-4 hours.
