AGRA : The perfect 3-day itinerary
Agra, the erstwhile capital of the Mughal Kingdom, is renowed worldwide due to TajMahal, making it unmissable. It’s close proximity to Delhi, also makes it an ideal destination. If you are planning a getaway to Agra, then this itinerary should be perfect for you.
Day 1: After checking-in to your hotel freshen up and no, the first stop should not be Tajmahal, as many would assume. If you want to visit Taj-Mahal, and experience it in peace, I would suggest you to visit it early morning, right when the gates open. We went to Buland Darwaza, which was only an hour away from Agra. After returning, we explored the local markets, but the highlight of the day was the night-viewing of Taj Mahal.
Day 2 : We started the day early, as we queued up outside Taj Mahal, to be amongst the first ones to see the Taj Mahal, before the crowd poured in and the experience was nothing short of spectacular. After spending a couple of hours, we devoured a hot piping plate of bedami aloo, outside the premises. We took a much needed nap and then explored Baby Taj, and the many viewpoints of the TajMahal.
Day 3: We wanted to explore Red Fort at leisure, hence dedicated the entire morning to it and then bid adeu to the city with fond memories.
Best time to visit Agra
The temperature in Agra during the summer can go upto 50°C making it less enjoyable. Thus, the best time to visit Agra is during the winter months; October-March, as the temperature ranges between 10°C and 25°C. You can also visit Agra during the monsoon, considered as the shoulder season. You could thus book hotels at discounted rates and the weather is rather pleasant.
Where To Eat?
Agra does not have a lot to offer in terms of food; however, you should not miss having Petha, a sweet made up of ash gourd, which tends to be on the sweeter side and Gajak, a sweet found only during winters. Relish Bedhai Aloo (puffed fried dough with potato gravy) along with petha at Deviram Sweets and restaurant, and chaat at Agra Chaat bhandar.
We could not visit Sheroes café, a café managed by acid attack survivors during our visit, however you must not miss it during your trip to Agra.
Where to stay in Agra?
We stayed at Hotel Kamal, a decent budget hotel in close proximity to the Taj Mahal east gate making it an ideal location. There are plenty of options for you to consider, so accommodation is not a hassle as there is something for every budget.
Luxury Accomodation
ITC Mughal
Oberoi Amarvilas
Mid-Range Hotels
The Raddisson Agra
Hotel Atulyaa Taj
Fairfield by Marriot Agra
Things to do in Agra besides viewing Taj Mahal
Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur sikri, a town In Uttar Pradesh 4 hours away from Agra which can be easily covered on a day trip. The most well-known thing to do in Fatehpur Sikri is to visit the Buland Darwaza, the highest gateway in the world and a fine example of Mughal architecture.
There are two ways to reach Fatehpur Sikri; the fastest way is by taking an auto that will charge you around 800-1000 for a to and fro journey. If you’re doing a budget trip, you could take a bus from ldgah bus station which will set you back by merely 60rs one way; however the journey will take an hour extra due to multiple pit stops taken along the way. I would recommend you to avoid taking the bus if you happen to have a known history of experiencing motion sickness. If you’re not on a tight budget or not on a solo trip, I would suggest to rather take an auto to split the cost as it is faster, making it a better alternative.
When you reach Buland Darwaza, hire a government registered guide near the complex and not from below. Also, if you wish to offer chadar or flowers, you can do for as little as 50rs.
Red Fort
A historical landmark in the city of Agra, The Agra fort also known as Agra’s Red Fort was built by Mughal emperor, Akbar and served as the main residence of the rulers of the Mughal Dynasty. Walking through the Red Fort, one cannot help but appreciate not only the various styles of architecture, but also the view of TajMahal, that can be seen from every corner. There are dozens of hidden walkways and tunnels you can explore. The entire tour of Red Fort would require at least 2-3 hours of your time and I would advise to not rush through when planning your trip.
Baby TajMahal
Situated on the banks of Yamuna river, the Itmad-ud-Daulah, also known as baby Taj is a mausoleum, made by Nur Jahan, wife of Jahangir, in memory of her parents. The baby Taj is strikingly similar to Taj Mahal, and is believed to have inspired the TajMahal. Although, sharing similarities in the construction, the baby Taj boasts of beautiful carvings and designs set in inlay. We took shelter for hours on a scorching afternoon, still in awe of the views we witnessed since morning.
Vrindavan
This holy town in Northern India, where evening aarti takes place every day by the river Ganges, and also the centre of fun and frolic during the days preceeding Holi, holds significant religious importance for Hindus. Home to Lord Krishna, the town is dotted by temples dedicated to him and his chief consort, Radha. We visited Vrindavan during Holi festivities, and the atmosphere was unparalleled.
Delhi
The capital city of India, the charm of this city lies in the contrast that it offers. From the lanes of Chandni Chowk, where one can devour mouth-watering chhole bhature and kababs, the lanesof Sarojini Nagar to Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage site, this city has something to offer everyone. Often a pitstop while visiting the neighbouring cities in Rajasthan, the other top attractions one must visit when in the city are Red Fort, India gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Sundar Nursery and Jama Masjid.
Although, a 3 –day itinerary is ideal, if you want to extend your trip, then you must not miss going to the neighbouring cities of Jaisalmer, and Jodhpur.