Itinerary
Board the Bangalore to Agra 10:55 AM flight on your own – you will have been provided the flight tickets prior to this. You are greeted on arrival at the Agra airport and driven to your hotel and assisted with your check in.
Late afternoon: Sunset visit at the spectacular white marble mausoleum and one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Tourists come from all over the world throughout the year to gaze at the extravagant monument dedicated to love. This wonder was built by Shah Jahan for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal in 1653 AD. It took 22 years and 22,000 craftsmen to build the Taj. The white marble is inlaid with semi precious stones in beautiful patterns in a process called pietra dura. A minaret at each corner of the Taj gives it a perfectly symmetrical look. The Taj houses in its basement the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
After breakfast, proceed for a drive to Fatehpur Sikri, the magnificent but deserted fortified city built by Emperor Akbar in late 16th century. It was the capital of the Mughal Empire between 1571 and 1585. Fatehpur Sikri or the ‘perfect city’ was plagued with water shortages and abandoned after Akbar’s death.
From here you will proceed to the nearby Agra Bear Sanctuary, which is the world’s largest bear rescue center. It is run by SOS, one of India’s premier NGO’s.
After lunch continue your exploration with a tour of Sikandra, the location of the tomb of Akbar, India's greatest Mughal Emperor. The tomb of Akbar the Great is an important Mughal architectural masterpiece built in the 16th century. Akbar himself planned his own tomb and selected the site for it. He started the construction and, after his death, his son Jahangir completed the construction in 1613. The impressive tomb is a fascinating architectural achievement and the great gateway to the monument has a large number of inlaid patterns that are timeless in their beauty.
Drive back to the city and enjoy a visit to the massive red sandstone Agra Fort which was built by the famous Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, primarily as a military structure. During Shah Jahan’s reign it was converted into a palace. It finally became a prison for Shah Jahan after his son came to power in 1658. The fort has numerous courtyards, private chambers and a marble mosque. From the Agra Fort you will be driven back to your hotel.
Enjoy a visit to Mehtab Bagh, a 500-year-old Mughal garden located across from the Taj Mahal on the other side of the Yamuna River to have a sunrise view of Taj Mahal. On the opposite side of the Yamuna River is the exquisite Itmad-ud daulah built in 1628 by Mughal Emperor’s queen, Nur Jahan in memory of her father. The tomb is the first monument that was constructed entirely of marble inlaid in Pietra Dura.
Return back to your hotel after the visit for breakfast. Check out of your hotel by noon and drive to Agra airport to board the afternoon flight to Bangalore.
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