Agra City Morning Tour (The Fort & Taj Mahal)

solo traveling new delhi - jaipur - agra (india) in 1.5 days

may 18-19, 2012 friday to saturday

jaipur pink city by night tour

Traveling via train from jaipur with 2 hours delayed departure and arriving via agra fort train station, which is actually beside the famous agra fort tourist spot.

Agra is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, 200 kilometres (124 mi) south from national capital New Delhi. Because 80 percent of the city's sewage flows into Yamuna River, it is 20th most polluted city in India. It achieved fame as this remains a major tourist destination because of Mughal-era buildings, most notably the Tāj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpūr Sikrī, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

agra fort

agra fort

agra fort

Agra fort is just almost a kilometer away from agra fort train station that was why I did not bother to bargain to any annoying rickshaw drivers as I immediately walk myself towards the fort. With entrance fee of 300INR (php250) and just like in red fort, tripod, food and drinks are not allowed inside. I just spent taking photo-ops outside due to that 2-hours wasted time in jaipur departure.

Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled city. The 94-acre fort has a semicircular plan, its chord lies parallel to the river and its walls are seventy feet high. Double ramparts have massive circular bastions at intervals, with battlements, embrasures, machicolations and string courses.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agra_Fort

taj mahal compound

taj mahal compound

taj mahal compound

After finishing my almost 10mins photo-ops, I hired rickshaw and negotiated for only 40INR going to taj mahal. Then, there is another rickshaw, horse and camel rides for hire inside the compound. I paid 50INR for rickshaw going to ticket booth with almost 500 meters distance only from main gate. The following was my experience and tips for first timers;

1. bring your bag first to locker rental - locker is over 100 meters away from ticket booth with rental fee of 20 INR only. Yes, this is safe. Tripod, drinks and foods are not allowed inside so you must put all of them to bag before purchasing entrance ticket.

2. taj mahal schedule - opens saturday to thursday, from 0600H-1900H, close every fridays.

3. local tourist guide - lots of them will ambushed you before the ticketing booth and will try their very best to be hired. I politely entertained one and he told me his guide fee is only 200INR, I don't know if there is hidden charge. If you really need one, negotiate within this rate.

4. at the entrance - 750INR (php625) entrance fee for all foreign tourist (one-time entry) that includes 500ml bottle water and a pair of shoe cover (this is important, do not forget to claim this together with the ticket). Queuing  lane is divided into four, 2 for m/f local and m/f foreigners. local lane is always have long queuing that is why ensure to go to very open high-paid tourist.

5. body frisking -  this is mandatory upon entering, just like in airport and malls. Again, ensure that you do not bring tripod, food and drink (including candy) as this will be all confiscated. Only personal camera and the provided bottle water and shoe cover.

6. inside the compound - shoe cover is essential inside the taj mahal, locals remove their footwear because they only paid less than 100 INR.

taj mahal compound

taj mahal compound

taj mahal compound

Taj Mahal "crown of palaces", is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the white domed marble mausoleum is the most familiar component of the Taj Mahal, it is actually an integrated complex of structures.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taj_Mahal

Around 1000H I left taj mahal via rickshaw inside at 40INR and rickshaw outside at 50INR going to Agra Cantt train station, arriving to new delhi nizamuddin station.

i missed my flight! what did i do next? 
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