Imperial India travel agents trip 2018 – Part 2 – Agra

Agra

On arrival, we were whisked off to a fantastic interactive show that would prepare us well for the following day’s adventure. Every evening there is a musical performance entitled “Mohabbat E Taj” which depicts the romantic love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, and following her death, the Taj Mahal would become her
everlasting memorial. It is a very touching story showcasing the lavish lifestyle of the Mughal Empire.

The group at the Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal
Our guide offered us the choice of a dawn visit to the majestic Taj Mahal or a slightly later visit after breakfast. Whilst in the past the gates were opened before dawn to allow for a sunrise photo opportunity, this is no longer the case, and the gates open at dawn, but after going through the security precautions, the sun is already up, and our guide explained that we could have an equally amazing experience having had breakfast first, which we all decided was the right choice.

Taj Mahal detail

Having been dropped off at the outer entrance to the complex, a jeep shuttle took us the several hundred yards to the boundary of the main site. The weather was amazing, so our first glimpse of the Taj Mahal was everything we had expected, and more! Our guide gave us an introduction to the visit and then left us free to experience the whole site in our own time, so we were able to take photos and experience the incredible views from every conceivable angle. It is only when you get close up that you can see the intricate detail of the ornate artwork that you cannot appreciate from afar.

Agra Fort

Our next stop was the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Agra Fort, again echoing the might of the Mughal Empire. We were treated to a show around of the Oberoi Amarvilas, a lovely property whose rooms all overlook the Taj Mahal. We
were offered “a cup of tea and a slice of cake” which turned out to be a full-blown afternoon tea including a mix of tasty
savoury and sweet delights. We thoroughly enjoyed this experience and would recommend it as an optional extra, and
would be very happy to book it in advance for you.