EXPLORE THE BEAUTY OF TAJ MAHAL

There are few things as magical as watching a sunrise or a sunset with your loved one at the Taj Mahal.

Do not miss out on this unforgettable experience whenever you are in Agra. The golden sunlight of the twilight and dawn lights up the shining white marble of the Taj Mahal in a glow that is a spectacular sight to behold. It looks like a castle from a fairy tale.

Catching a glimpse of the Taj Mahal from just the perfect slot is quite a challenge in a place where there is always a jostle of thousands of visitors.

There are few little-known strategically located vantage points where you can enjoy unhindered views of the Taj Mahal without our viewing pleasure obstructed by crowds and noise.

We recommend the Haveli (Mansion) of Agha Khan located adjacent to the main complex and the Kali or Sandli Masjid (Mosque) near the Eastern Gate of the Taj Mahal.

Another place that we think is a great viewing point is the Hathi (Elephants’ Gate – used for the entrance of elephants) near the shrine of Saint Ahmad Bukhari.

Like the Red Fort in Delhi, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Fort is known as Agra’s Red Fort. It used to be the fort residence of the Mughal Emperor of India until 1638 AD when the Emperor moved the capital to the north in Delhi.

Inside its sprawling 94-acre premises are palatial residential quarters, the Royal Durbar, splendidly manicured Mughal gardens and many other historical artifacts. After the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort is Agra’s second most important cultural and historical landmark.

Before Agra became the capital of the Mughal Empire, the old city of Fatehpur Sikri was the seat of the empire and the center of its political and administrative spheres.

Founded by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16^th century, and later abandoned in favor of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri is located 37 kilometers from Agra.

Fatehpur Sikri is home to many heritage sites, forts, mosques, shrines, mausoleums and archeological sites that are well worth a visit.

We recommend that you visit the Jama Masjid, the Holy Tomb of Hazrat Salim Chisti, Buland Darwaza (the Tall Gate), the Hiran Minar (Deer Minaret) and Jodha Bai’s Palace.

The stunningly beautiful tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula was built in 1625 AD. Many historians consider its architectural design and vision to be the blueprint for the Taj Mahal which was built a few decades later.

It is for this reason that this grand mausoleum built by Queen Nur Jahan to honor her father Mirza Ghiyath Beg (Lord of Treasure of the Empire under Emperor Jahangir) is known as the Mini Taj.

We recommend that you check out this brilliant piece of Indo-Saracenic architecture.

The Tomb of Sikandra in Agra is the final resting place of Jalaluddin Akbar, one of the Great Mughal Emperors. It was commissioned by his son and successor Emperor Jahangir in 1613 AD.

Emperor Jahangir received his penchant for building grand buildings, palaces, gardens and monuments from his father, Emperor Akbar.

The Tomb of Sikandra is a fine exhibit of the Mughal architectural tradition and a must-visit site in Agra.

Dating back to the 1640s, the grand old bazaar of Agra which is as old as the city itself is known as the Taj Ganj Bazar.

It was once a bustling destination and caravan-serai for the camel caravans on the ancient Silk Roads trade route.

A stroll in the bazaar is a trek back in time into this glorious era. Its serpentine alleys and narrow lanes have seen the ebbs and flows of time and the making and unmaking of fortunes.

Sheroes Café in Agra is run by survivors of acid attacks. It was established by the Chaanv Foundation in collaboration with the Stop Acid Attack Foundation.

It is not just a great place to enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee but also a place where survivors of acid attacks find a refugee in and rebuilt their lives.

We highly recommend that you visit the Sheroes Café and meet the women who run the place. It is a truly inspirational experience.

You have got to see the Taj Mahal at night. It is romance and love personified. The moonlight lights up the Taj Mahal and it shimmers like a white sparkling pearl.

Every month for five days batches of 50 people each are let into the Taj Mahal for periods of 30 minutes for exclusive viewing of the Taj Mahal. These include the night of the full moon and the two nights before and after it.

We organize for you special night viewing trips to the Taj Mahal.

The village of Kachpura is a working-class settlement located right across the Yamuna River near the Taj Mahal. It is where the 22,000 or so workers, laborers and artisans who built this magnificent monument were housed.

Now a village that brims with history and lore, the Kachpura is a tremendous place for heritage walks and trails. Join us for our special trails to understand this very unique and special place.

The Mughals were great foodies. Indian cuisine is richer due to the persistent and long-lasting culinary legacy of the Mughal Empire. Mughal cuisine is still as popular in North India as it was during the reign of the empire.

There is no better place to sample the Mughal food than in Agra.

We organized special Mughal cuisine classes taken by a renowned family of Agra where centuries-old family culinary secret are still zealously guarded. Learn how to make the best Mughal Korma, Kebab, Keema, Nihari, Aalo Gosht and Haleem.

The SOS Agra Bear Rescue Facility is a safe haven for rescued bears from all over India. At present, there are over 200 sloth bears in this SOS facility. These bears have been rescued from captivity and abuse from all over India.

The establishment also runs an Elephants Conservation Care Center where 20 elephants find their home.

Our special tours to this facility help you get acquainted with these gentle giant creatures.

Ah, well the Taj again. Picture a candle-lit dinner from a rooftop terrace with an unhindered view of the Taj Mahal glowing in the distance.

There are very few dining experiences that are better than this. We partner up with hotels and Havelis with exclusive views of the Taj Mahal to give you the dining experience of a lifetime.

The National Chambal Sanctuary sprawls over the junctions of three states: Uttar Pradesh (Agra), Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Located a comfortable two-hour drive from the Taj Mahal, Chambal is home to some magnificent mammals and reptiles. These include the endangered Indian Gharial (fish-eating crocodile), the red-crowned roof turtle, the endangered Ganges River Dolphins and many other bird species.

Join our exclusive and private Chambal Safari from Agra and enjoy a great time amid wildlife and nature.

In Persian, which the Mughals spoke, the art of Marble Inlay is known as “Parchin Kari.”

 This intricate, elegant and calligraphy art is what makes the Taj Mahal such a visual delight. Also known as the Pietra Dura art in Western parlance, it took almost 20,000 masters of Parchin Kari 22 years to build the Taj Mahal.

Over four hundred years after the construction of the Taj Mahal, the art still thrives in Agra. Our Marble Inlay Artisan Workshops under the tutelage of Master Pachin Kari artists is one bespoke activity that you will have a great time at.

Hotels with unhindered views of the Taj Mahal are hard to find in Agra. But not when you book your tours with us. We partner with the best luxury hotels in Agra to give you the experience of a lifetime.

The Oberoi Amarvilas is located only 600 meters from the Taj Mahal and gives you exclusive views of it from its hotel rooms and terraces. Its Mughal-inspired decors, sprawling Mughal gardens, reflecting pools and pavilion make it quite the Mughal-themed luxury accommodation.

Other great places to stay in Agra are the Coral House (a small boutique hotel located near the Taj Mahal Ticket window) and the ITC Mughal.

If you love theatre and performance arts, you shouldn’t miss out on the Mohabbat the Taj Show which recreates the story of the Taj Mahal through the love story of Mumtaz and Shahjahan.

It takes place at the famous Kalakriti Cultural and Convention Center. Over 50 actors, dancers and performers take part in the show. The stage drama features an excellent script and performances, dances, music and songs. The show is in Hindi but English translation/subtitles are provided.

Join our exclusive Mohabbat (Love) the Taj Show arrangements and enjoy a wonderfully entertaining evening.