You never forget the first time you see the Taj Mahal. I was in my early twenties and got the chance to see it with the love of my life, my then-fiancé, now husband. Finally, twenty years later, it was time to take our children so they could experience the beauty for themselves. We had booked our flights out of Delhi because they were cheaper, and it allowed us to take a day in Agra to see one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. But I also wanted the easy button, make it easier for the whole family. I used Get Your Guide to book a private excursion that picked us up from Delhi, provided us with a private guide, and took us to see all the great sites in the best way possible.
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- Why We Booked
- About Faz & Markable Joy Tours
- Why I Liked the Tour
- Who the Tour is For
- Tips
- How to Book
Why We Booked
I knew that we had to take the teenagers to the Taj Mahal. They were at the age where not only would they remember it, but they would appreciate what they were looking at. I wanted to make sure that we not only saw the great sites of Agra but also had a guide who would tell the children (and ourselves) what we were looking at when we went to these great historical sites. I decided to book a private tour that would work for our family and pick us up from Delhi.
About Faz & Markable Joy Tours
We used Get Your Guide to fine a private tour, and they lead us to Markable Joy Tours, a company that creates trips and tours all over India. We selected the Private Tour that picked us up from Delhi, provided private transportation all day, a private tour guide, tours of The Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, and even lunch at a five-star hotel.
Ride to Agra
We were able to select our pickup time. If you want to see the sun rise over the Taj Mahal, you can pick a time as early as 2:30 AM for a pickup. However, we were traveling in January, where the fog can stay over the Taj until quite late. It was suggested the earliest time we selected was 7am, which we did. Our driver contacted us via WhatsApp the day before and picked us up in front of our Airbnb right on time. Agra is about a four-hour drive with no stops. We drove for about three hours before we stopped at a clean rest area with several food and coffee stalls, and even a little convenience store where we bought snacks. We found a wire to charge the phone in the car. After a little less than an hour we were in Agra and picked up Faz. He was our tour guide and ready to show us all over Agra for the day.
Taj Mahal
Any first stop in Agra will almost always be the Taj Mahal. Completed in 1648, it was built as a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved 3rd wife of the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, one of the great Mughal rulers. The Taj Mahal is a highly secure UNESCO World Heritage Site. Faz warned us right up front, we could not bring in any battery backups, tripods, food, weapons or toys. We could bring bags (which would be searched), phones, and cameras. Once we cleaned everything that was objectionable out of our bags (the advantage of a private car, we could leave it there), Faz walked us to the VIP entrance.
Once they checked out tickets, Faz walked us to the outlying gardens and Main gate. Here Faz took some time to tell us the history of the Mughal Empire, and start explaining the symmetry of the Taj Mahal. The Mughals felt that symmetry was extremely important, so you find that everything in the Taj Mahal is balanced. Then, he walked us through the Main Gate. As you walk through the gate with the crowd you see the Taj Mahal for the first time, framed by this symmetric gate and understand why Shah Jahan was so insistent on this plan. But I wasn’t looking at the Taj. I was looking in the eyes of my kids to see the wonder in their eyes as they saw this beauty for the first time.
One of the amazing things about a guide is you are not just looking at a beautiful building and garden; you are learning about it at the same time. We learned there were sixteen gardens. We learned about the craftsmen brought in from all over the known world (at the time) and Yonni concert that made the Taj Mahal famous. But one of the best parts, he knew all the places to get the best shots with the least amount of people in the background. I didn’t realize we were going to have a photographer with us! He kept taking our camera and taking pictures for us with the Taj in the background. It was so much fun!
Finally, it was time to get up close to the Taj Mahal. Entering the marble platform of the Taj Mahal, you need shoe covers or to take your shoes off when you enter to protect the marble. As you walk up you don’t just see the symmetry of the building, you see the art. The Taj Mahal is pure marble, but covered in flower art. Each of these flowers are made of different jewels and semi-precious stones and carved into the marble. As you get closer to the building, you are able to see the intricate work, and how even this artwork fits with the symmetry of the building.
You are able to enter the center of the tomb and see the raised tomb of Mumtaz Mahal and Shan Jahan. However, inside the sanctum no photos are allowed, and you are expected to be quiet and move along without stopping. The solemn mood matches the solemness of the occasion and space.
Afterwards it’s time to say goodbye to the beautiful tomb and head off to see the other wonders of Agra.
Ancient Marble Art
After the Taj Mahal, we got a special treat. Much of the art of making inlay marble was passed down through the generations, and there are still many artisans trained in that art that reside in Agra. We were taken to a shop where the artisans gave us a demonstration of the technique. We were able to see how the piece is designed, laid out, carved and refined. It’s tedious process that is still largely done by hand and requires meticulous attention to detail and skill. The kids were able to actually give it a try and found out exactly how hard it is to carve into marble! We then were given the opportunity to look and purchase our own piece of art if we desired. I bought a piece almost 20 years ago, my first time at the Taj and the prices did indeed go up. But I fell in love with a piece again. Did I probably pay too much, yes. But do I absolutely love it, and it brings memories of this beautiful place? Also, yes.
5 Star Lunch
At this point we were all quite hungry. It was time for lunch. As part of the package, we got a buffet lunch at the Courtyard Marriott in Agra, a five-star hotel. It had a mix of Western and Indian classics. There were plenty of veg and non-veg options, as well as a chaat stand where you could get different freshly made options. The waiters came around with fresh rotis that were to die for. The meal was included but drinks were on our own tab. We were all able to eat our fill and be ready for the rest of our trip.
Agra Fort
After lunch we went on to the next great set of buildings in Agra, Agra Fort. This fort was built in 1500 by Barbar the first Mughal emperor, and where the Mughal empire resided for most of its reign. Built with the same care to symmetry and beauty that the culture was known for. We walked through the Amar Singh Gate, a long stone tunnel that was designed to attack invaders as they came in with arrows and hot oil. You could see how intimidating it would be to enter.
Inside the fort was a number of beautiful buildings designed to house the royal family and its court. There were the wives’ bedrooms, which had the same inlayed jewels (before the British got to it), and the baths. There were symmetric gardens. And from the side, there were rooms with views of the Taj Mahal. When Shan Jahan was imprisoned by his son, he was able to see the Taj Mahal and think of his beloved wife every day.
At the end of the tour, you could see the Diwan-I-Am (Hall of Public Audience), where the king would come and hear the concerns of the public. The rows and rows of arches were typical of Moorish architecture but also helped with the acoustics so the people could hear the king and his pronouncements.
Baby Taj
Once we left Agra Fort, it was almost 5pm, when sites started to shut down in the winter. However, Faz had one more trick up his sleeve. He took us to see Tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah, or the Baby Taj, from across the river. The Baby Taj was built in the 1620s as a tomb for several of the Nur Jahan relatives. It was the first mausoleum built of marble and used as a sample of what the Taj would look like when completed. We got a quick picture in front before it was time to say goodbye to Faz and head back to Delhi.
Ride Home
Afterwards, we curled up in the car for the ride home. We stopped at the same rest stop and got some dinner and snacks, then slept most of the rest of the way home, safely in our car, and happy after our day’s adventure.
Why I Liked the Tour
There are so many reasons that this was a remarkable tour. First off, having it just for our family lets us enjoy things at our own pace. We could stop for lunch or dinner as long as we wanted. We could choose what sites we wanted to go to next. It was completely customized to what we wanted.
Faz, our tour guide, was amazing. He not only was able to talk in detail at every site, but he was also always able to answer our questions. And the best part, he was an amazing photographer. He knew all the spots to take fun pictures, and he took our phones to capture several family memories for us.
Finally, it was comfortable and convenient. We were able to pick the time, the places we wanted to see, if we wanted lunch included or not, etc. We were comfortable and in control the whole time, which was perfect so we could go at the pace we wanted.
Who the Tour is For
Honestly, this is one of the tours that I recommend for all types of families and groups. If you have a group of four or more, it’s incredibly convenient and cost effective. This tour can be customized, even when booking with a partner. If you are with your family or a friend group, then this is the tour from you.
Tips
- I say it every post, but I’ll say it again, comfortable shoes! There is a fair amount of walking, and the streets can be dusty. We all love our Sketchers Walking Step in Sneakers.
- Bring a wire and battery backup because it’s a long day. Our car had charging ports in the back. Note that you will have to leave the battery backup and wires in the car when visiting the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
- Bring a good day-bag – I am always carrying the battery backup, snacks, wet wipes, etc. This is a long day, and you will need all the things. I carry this cute red backpack that is stylish and fits everything we need for the day.
- Leave as early as is advisable from Delhi. It’s a long, comfortable ride, you can sleep on the way there. The earlier you get there, the more sites you can fit into in Agra in one day.
- If you carry an OCI card, do NOT select the option with the entry tickets. OCI card holders can purchase the entry tickets at the Indian National price, as opposed to the foreigner price. I did not realize that and ended up paying the foreigner price.
How to Book
We used Get Your Guide to book the trip. They have options to include the meal, entry tickets, where you want to see, etc. You can also book through one of their other partners and/or directly with Markable Joy Tours.
As I watched the kids nap on the way home, I looked out the window at the roads of India flying by and appreciated the sheer privilege we had being able to see such incredible history and sights. Not only to see the sights, but to understand that this history is a part of their culture and heritage. To see and appreciate it in a way others may never be able to. I truly believe that seeing the Taj should be on everyone’s bucket list. If you are bringing a group or the family, then this private tour is the way to go!
Edited by: SKS
* Starred Photos taken by Atma Photography
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