05:00 hrs: Pickup
Same day Agra tour by car begins as we pick you from hotel or any other desired point.
Get comfortable in the car as we drive towards Agra. Stop for refreshments on the way and continue the journey.
Reach Agra and visit the first hotspot named Sikandra. Built in the early 17th century, this red sandstone tomb of Akbar (the greatest Mughal Emperor) boasts of unique kangura work and intricate marble inlay panels with stunning floral, calligraphic and geometric designs. Interestingly, Akbar himself got most of the tomb constructed while he was alive.
Beware of annoying monkeys that are present here in large number.
11:00 hrs: Taj Mahal
We don’t test your patience and take you to the topmost attraction of this same day Agra tour by car, the resplendent Taj Mahal. The white marble love icon is featured among the Seven Wonders of the World and is also a World Heritage Site. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, it rests gracefully on the bank of River Yamuna and inside an elegantly laid garden.
It took almost 21 years (1632-53) and more than 20,000 workers to construct this charming spectacle.
Do you know that Taj changes colours throughout the day, from pinkish in the morning to milky white in the evening and golden at night?
Take care to remove footwear (can be deposited at the show counters) before entering the mausoleum.
13:00 hrs: Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb
Visit another specimen of the imposing Mughal heritage, the equally majestic Itimad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb. The resting place of Mir Ghiyas Beg, the father of Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s wife Nur Jahan, it marked the beginning of building marble tombs replacing red sandstone as the prime material. Built from 1622 to 1628, the enthralling structure features striking Pietra dura work (the first Mughal monument to feature it), intricate jail work and gorgeously patterned panels.
Fondly called the ‘Baby Taj’ it is believed to inspire the design of Taj Mahal. Don’t miss admiring the incorporation of semi-precious stones like topaz, jasper, cornelian and onyx in the decorations flaunted on the interior walls.
13:30 hrs: Lunch
Relish your taste buds at one of Agra’s most acclaimed restaurants, Pinch of Spice. Serving North Indian, Chinese, Italian and Continental platters, it is well-known among food lovers for its preparations like murg malai kabab, momos, golden fried prawns, butter chicken, malai kofta and many more. Enjoy the buffet-style lunch picking up the irresistible vegetarian and non vegetarian cuisines.
14:30 hrs: Agra Fort
The World Heritage Site of Agra Fort is the next destination of the same day Agra tour by car. Resembling a small walled city, the complex features arrays of gorgeous palaces, mosques, halls, pavilions and gardens and is indeed a corridor to explore the bygone time. Though the fort dates back to the 11th century (as per the recorded history), it was reconstructed when Akbar decided to make Agra his seat of power in the mid-16th century.
Take time to explore every outstanding corner and don’t miss the tower named Muasamman Burj, from where Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan would stare at Taj Mahal (visible on the opposite bank of Yamuna) after he was imprisoned at the fort by his own son Aurangzeb.
Another highlight is the Throne of Jahangir (father of Shah Jahan) who imported onyx from Belgium to get it constructed.
16:30 hrs: Mehtab Bagh
Visit Mehtab Bagh, one of the numerous charbagh gardens constructed by Mughals in the city.
Its name literally translates to ‘Moonlight Garden’ and it is a piece of paradise with lush greenery all around. Perfectly aligned to Taj Mahal, it offers marvellous views of the white structure as reflected in Yamuna’s water.
An interesting legend states that Shah Jahan tried to build a black Taj Mahal at this site as his own mausoleum but failed. A site later excavated in the area is believed to testify the attempt, though there are contradicting views about it being genuine.
17:00 hrs: Departure
Start the drive back to Delhi. Stop for refreshments on the way.
21:30 hrs: Drop at Delhi
Arrive at Delhi. The tour ends as we drop you at the decided spot.