Part 2: Delhi and Agra
This post is a continuation of my golden triangle trip. For Jaipur’s itinerary please click here.
Day 4
This day we visited Fatehpur Sikri and the Taj Mahal at sunset.
Fatehpur Sikri
We started our journey to Agra from Jaipur in the morning around 8:00 AM. We had planned to stop at Fatehpur Sikri. It is a small city, just west of Agra, founded by a 16th-century Mughal emperor Akbar. Major highlights include Buland Darwaza which is an entrance to a Mosque. There is also a marble Tomb of Salim Chishti. Jodha Bai’s Palace, which is a mix of Hindu and Mughal interior styles, and next to it is the 5-story Panch Mahal which overlooks the whole complex. We spent around 2 hours here.
Private vehicles are not allowed to enter this city. You will need to park a car and get on the shuttle bus to reach there. The bus ticket was Rs. 30 per person for a roundtrip. We didn’t hire a guide since I had seen so many documentaries on YouTube to know the history of the place that I didn’t feel the need. I think it’s a personal decision. If you decide to hire one, be prepared to haggle as they often throw any random number to fool the tourist.
Taj Mahal
We reached our hotel in Agra late afternoon. After some rest, at last, we went to see the setting sun at the Taj Mahal. The best time to see the magnificent beauty that the Taj Mahal has to offer is either at sunset or sunrise. If you plan your trip around the full moon, then you also get to see it at night.
We thoroughly enjoyed the sunset and were inside the complex until closing time but then unknowingly we came out from a different gate. We could not find a cab or auto to drop us at the hotel and it was getting dark so we started walking. There are alleys around the Taj Mahal complex and due to poor internet connection, we got lost. To top it off electricity in that area went off and I really got scared. We were walking in the dark, but after wandering for 45 minutes we got on the main road. It was the worst experience of the trip but we made it safe.
Few tips when planning a visit to the Taj Mahal
- Don’t carry big bags as it increases the security time.
- You are not allowed to carry any kind of Tripod.
- Often there are long lines for security, arrive at the gate early.
- If you watch any informative video on YouTube about the history of the Taj Mahal, you don’t need a guide.
- If you decide to hire a guide, then make sure they are licensed and knowledgeable. Your hotel might be able to arrange it for you. Guides that roam around the building are not skilled. They will try to force you to hire them but avoid eye contact and go straight towards the gate.
- Book your tickets online at https://asi.payumoney.com/quick/taj
- Carry water and wear comfortable shoes.
Day 5
On this day we visited the Taj Mahal at sunrise followed by Agra Fort and Baby Taj.
Our day started at 4:00 AM. When we arrived at the security gate of the Taj Mahal, there was no one in the line. For a few minutes, we had the entire Taj Mahal just for ourselves and got really good shots with no crowd. Worth the sleep deprivation, right? 😁
Please note that the gate opens half an hour before sunrise and closes half an hour past sunset.
We were done within 2 hours with our tour of the Taj Mahal. Following that, we had the famous Agra breakfast Bedhai Puri and aloo ki sabji at Deviram Sweets.
Agra fort
After some rest, we visited Agra fort. It was built during 1565-1573 for Mughal Emperor Akbar and was the capital of the Mughal empire. This fort felt more like a walled city. We didn’t hire any guide here as well and it took us 2 hours to see it all.
Baby Taj
Next, we made a short stop at Baby Taj also known as Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah . It is the first building finished in white marble and marks the transitional phase from red stone to white marble, from Akbar’s tomb Sikandra to the Taj Mahal.
We had planned to see a sunset at Mehtab Bagh that evening and we almost made it there, but we didn’t feel safe in the area and returned to our hotel. It is totally on the outskirts of Agra and if you don’t have your own vehicle then it’s hard to find a ride back to the city. Luckily, we got a ride but trust me that area is not safe.
We shopped for some souvenirs at Unique Handicrafts. I highly recommend this store as they have an immense variety of collections at a reasonable price.
While in Agra don’t forget to try the famous Agra petha. We tried it at Gopaldas Pethe Wale which has so many varieties and flavors.
That’s all for Agra, moving on to the next destination “Delhi”.
Delhi
We spent the last 3 days of our trip in Delhi. During our visit, there was a heat wave in north India. It was unbearably hot to go out during the afternoons for sightseeing. To tackle the heat, we used to leave the hotel at 7:00 AM and come back in the afternoon; take some rest, and go out again in the evening. Due to covid, lots of attractions like India Gate, and Rashtrapati Bhavan were not accessible to the public. We still managed to take the photos from a distance.
Day 6
On our first day in Delhi, we visited below attractions:
Raj Ghat is a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. There is a security check before entering the premise and you need to remove the footwear outside. Expect to spend 30-40 minutes here.
Safdarjang Tomb is a sandstone and marble mausoleum; built-in 1754 for Nawab Safdarjung. This is another historic building but with a unique architectural style. Inside the tomb though we kind of felt depressed.
Jama Masjid is situated in Old Delhi and is the largest mosque in India. This was also built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. No matter what time you go, it’s always crowded.
Day 7
Qutub Minar
We started this day by visiting the Qutub Minar. It is a minaret and “victory tower” that forms part of the Qutub complex. This is another UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-visit attraction in Delhi. Expect to spend about an hour here.
Red Fort
This is another historic landmark in Delhi constructed by the great Shah Jahan as he decided to move his base from Agra to Delhi. This building is huge and I highly recommend wearing comfortable shoes. You will be walking a lot; enjoying the architecture, and museums inside for at least 4-5 hours.
Day 8
This day we did some shopping in old Delhi and ate delicious food in Chandani Chowk. After all, Delhi’s visit would be incomplete without trying all the delicious food it offers.
My favorite food places in Delhi:
- Kebabs at Karim’s and Al Kauser
- Lotan ke kulche chole
- Sweets and Chat at Haldirams
This is how I planned our 8-day golden triangle itinerary. Hope you like it. I would love to hear your comments or questions below.
Do subscribe to my blogs.
Happy Travelling!! Keep exploring the world beyond compass.