How to plan your 1-Day Trip to Taj Mahal and Agra from Mumbai with Both Side Commercial Flights

If you are visiting Mumbai and want to make the most of your time by exploring more of India, the one-day trip to Agra and the Taj Mahal is the perfect adventure. This tour is an action-packed day trip, which removes the hassle of arranging transport, timings and monument entry fees. All you have to do is sit back and relax during the drive, fly over India and soak in the beauty of one of the world’s most iconic buildings. In this post, we offer our guidance and suggestions to plan your perfect trip to the Taj Mahal and Agra from Mumbai:

When to go

The best and most comfortable time to visit Agra and the Taj Mahal is between October and March. During these months, the weather is pleasant and not too hot, making the sightseeing comfortable. However, this is also peak season, and the crowds are high. If you prefer fewer people and lower prices, you may consider traveling in the off-season, between April and September.

What’s included

The tour booking website offers an all-inclusive package that contains everything you need for a perfect experience in Agra. The package includes:

• Both side commercial flight tickets, from Mumbai to Delhi and back to Mumbai
• Private air-conditioned vehicle for pickups and transportation in Agra
• Monument entry fees to the Taj Mahal and Red Fort
• Professional private tour guide
• Lunch and drinks

Gratuities are also included in the package but recommended as per your discretion.

Itinerary

The trip starts early morning when you take a commercial flight from Mumbai to Delhi. After arrival, the tour vehicle will pick you up from the airport and take you to Agra. You will have enough time to rest in the car and enjoy the scenic beauty of the countryside on the way. During this drive, your tour guide will explain the rich history and culture of the Mughal Empire in Agra.

Upon arrival in Agra, the tour starts with a visit to the UNESCO-listed Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Here, your guide will share the story of its creation and the significance it holds for the people of India. After spending ample time enjoying the beauty of the Taj Mahal and taking plenty of pictures, the tour continues to the nearby Agra Fort.

As you walk through the red sandstone walls of the Agra Fort, your guide will bring to life the Mughal Era, describing it`s architecture and detailing how it was used as a palace, a military fort, and finally, a prison. Afterward, the tour includes a lunch stop at a local restaurant, where you can enjoy authentic Indian cuisine.

After lunch, the drive back to Delhi airport will commence, and you will arrive at the airport for your flight back to Mumbai. The tour concludes with a prompt transfer from Mumbai airport back to your hotel.

How to book

Book your 1-day trip to Agra and the Taj Mahal through the Viator website. You can directly book the tour from the following link: book the tour here.

Final thoughts

A one-day trip to the Taj Mahal and Agra from Mumbai is an excellent option to explore the most iconic buildings of India with limited time. The package includes all crucial elements, making it a hassle-free experience without any security concerns. By following this guide, you can plan your trip according to your convenience and bask in the glory of Mughal architecture.

An Insider’s Guide to the Hidden Gems of Agra

Agra, the city known for the Taj Mahal, is a haven for tourists, but it has much more to offer beyond that predominantly visited site. As an insider, let me share with you some hidden gems that only locals know about.

Hidden Attractions:

Apart from the Taj Mahal, there are equally beautiful and less crowded places in Agra. The Tomb of Mariam-uz-Zamani, also known as the Tomb of Jodha Bai – Akbar’s wife, is one such place. This beautiful structure is worth a visit. Mehtab Bagh, situated opposite the beautiful Taj Mahal on the Yamuna’s banks, is another hidden gem that offers a breathtaking view of Taj Mahal from afar without the crowds. Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation Centre, a rescue and rehabilitation center for elephants, is a unique place to visit and support the welfare of these magnificent animals.

Local Cuisine:

Agra is known for its Mughlai cuisine, but what most tourists might not know is the chaat and street food culture is one of the best in North India. Bedhai and kachauri, a delicious combination of savory fried dough balls with lentil stuffing, is a must-try dish that you will love. Petha, a candy-like sweet made from pumpkins, is also a popular Agra specialty. The city’s vibrant spice markets and sweet shops offer a unique experience to visitors. An interesting anecdote: Petha was invented by a Persian noble, who was also a Sufi saint, who migrated to India for safety during the reign of King Akbar.

Cultural Experiences:

Agra has a rich cultural heritage, and the city’s vibrant culture is best experienced during the festivals. The Taj Mahotsav, held in February every year, is a grand cultural festival that showcases the city’s history, crafts, cuisine, music, and dance. The Urs festival at Fatehpur Sikri, which takes place over six days in November and December, is also a great experience. The festival celebrates the life and teachings of the Sufi saint, Salim Chisti.

Local History:

Agra is a city brimming with fascinating stories and mysterious legends. One such story is that of the Black Taj – Shah Jahan’s supposed second mausoleum that he planned for himself, opposite Taj Mahal, but was never built. The British archaeologist V.A. Smith was the first to speculate about it. The story goes that Shah Jahan’s son Aurangzeb imprisoned him at the Agra fort, and from there, he could see the Taj Mahal and his wife’s tomb from a distance. In his despair, he planned to build the Black Taj. Another captivating story is that of Gangaur Ghat, a ghats (staircases) on the riverbank, where people go to take a dip. This is where the British Officer, Col. John Russel Colvin, died in the 1857 Indian Rebellion.

Off-the-beaten-path Suggestions:

One off-the-beaten-path suggestion in Agra is visiting the ‘Ram Bagh’ or Ram Bagh Garden. This is the oldest Mughal garden in India, with various fountains and pathways leading to the central water tank. Besides this, you can also take a cycling tour of Agra, or explore the city on a traditional bullock-cart. These unique experiences will surely stay with you for a long time.

I hope this Insider’s Guide to Agra has helped you uncover some of the city’s hidden gems and lesser-known stories. Remember, the city has much more to offer than just the Taj Mahal. This list is just a starting point, and there are so many other sites and experiences unique to this city – waiting to be discovered.