Agra
Overnight stay in a hotel, At the break of dawn we will experience a sunrise grand tour of The Taj Mahal. You will be met by our expert Taj Mahal guide who will arrange eco-friendly pollution free vehicles for you to journey to the main gates of the Taj. Spanning an area of about 1,000 acres (400 hectares), this majestic architectural wonder offers incredible sights. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and combines Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural styles. On your guided tour, admire the structure’s magnificent construction, the intricate exterior and interior decor, the beautiful garden and the outlying red-sandstone buildings. Capture the changing faces of the Taj in different light conditions. Our expert guides will also help you find special vantage points for perfect photography moments of Taj. Afterward Taj tour we return back to hotel for Breakfast. Agra is the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the world - the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal empire, of which Agra was the capital in the 16th century. This heritage city is famed for world’s rarest artwork called Pietra-Dura aka marble inlay work using semi-precious stones. Today we will visit an authentic art-gallery to unfold this secret and see how it’s made. Later, we will journey through the old-cities traditional houses, British raj colonies and Mughal architectures to arrive at India’s finest Mughal fortress - The Red Fort of Agra. A UNESCO world heritage site and the imperial residence of 16th century rulers of ‘Mughal Dynasty’. This 34-hectare red sandstone fortress dates back to 1080 AD and has seen many battles and dynasties. Explore fusion of Hindu - Islamic influences on its construction as you walk inside the fort with your guide and learn about the different functions of the buildings including the Moti Masjid (Pearl Fort), Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience), Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) and much more. (BB)