A Testament to Love
Yes you have to go to Agra and see the Taj Mahal.
Yes it is a tourist hotspot but a stunning one.
The city itself is a mess, dirty and dusty and avoid looking at the horses and donkeys! Besides the Taj, Agra Fort is one of the best to see in India. The Fort is large so a good guide is essential and do some reading beforehand.
How to get there and Transportation
Fly from Delhi with Air India - we stopped at Agra on our way to Khajuraho, it also stopped in Varanasi first so possible that you can catch the flight in Varanasi. Schedules change so do check.
By Train - from Delhi - a few options to chose.
Drive from Delhi on the new highway, this takes around 4 hours plus with stops, a very boring journey.

Best time to Visit
October to March are the best months to visit.
August to October is monsoon season so a chance to see a wet shiny Taj Mahal.
We visited in May, it was hot but if you are used to heat then less tourists around.
Where to stay
Oberoi Amarvilas - perfect location and stunning views of the Taj Mahal, the best hotel in Agra
Radisson Blu Agra Taj East Gate - now Mansion Grand but top rooms have views of the Taj
Trident
Taj Resorts
ITC Mughal
What to See


Taj Mahal
Be there for sunrise, less people and do I really have to give an explanation of this….constructed by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. What is interesting is that they ruined the symmetry inside when placing his tomb next to his wife. Neither are in these tombs, they are below.
Opening hours 6 am to 7 pm
Agra Fort
Started in 1565 by Emperor Akber and changed to a palace by Emperor Shah Jahan who was kept a prisoner here by his son during the last years of his life. Note the dogleg design of the entrance gate built to slow down and confuse attackers.
Get some great photos of the Taj in the distance.
Opening hours 6 am to 7 pm
Mehtab Bagh Garden
Great for sunset view of the Taj from the opposite bank of river. Rumours abound that Shah Jahan planned to build a black Taj here for his own burial but no evidence of this has been found to date.
Opening hours 6 am to 7 pm
Tomb of Itimad ud Daulah
Known as the baby Taj and well worth a visit before visiting the main attraction. This houses the tombs of Emperor Jehanghir’s prime minister and Empress Nur Jehan’s father.
Wildlife SOS
2 hour personal guided tour to learn about animal rescue in India.
Where to report animal cruelty in Agra

Restaurants
Pinch of Spice - 2 options in Agra - traditional Indian food plus some western options
Joney’s Place - small Indian restaurant - cash only
Shankara Vegis - vegetarian option - 3/100 Taj East Gate Road, Near Taj Mahal, Kinari Bazar, South Gate, Tajganj Agra - Tel: +919917639035
Jahanpanah - Awadhi cuisine
Jhankar - in the Tajview hotel - Tel: +91 562 6602000
Dasaprakash - south indian vegetarian

Shopping
Not a huge choice here and although we asked the guide for recommendations for local crafts we ended up in a tourist trap shop and spent a good hour trying to extricate ourselves from having to buy crap.
Kinari Bazaar - For a local shopping experience.
11.30 am to 6 pm
Subhash Emporium - be prepared to use the credit card, they sell the wonderful tables that are in the Amarvilas bedrooms. - Pietra Dura award winning craftsmen on Gwalior Road
Tip
Start with the Baby Taj and then go to the Mehtab Bagh Gardens for the sunset views before visiting the Taj Mahal the next day for sunrise.
After Agra you can visit the Bharakpur Bird Sanctuary (check online which months certain birds will be there) and Fatehpur Sikri before returning to Delhi.
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