If you want to feel like traveling back in time, then take a journey and wander among the well-preserved tombs, palaces and forts of India moguls.
The elegant capital Fatehpur Sikri, built in red sandstone in 1585 by king Akbar is in perfect condition as if awaiting the return of the royal court.
Agra is 200 km far away from New Delhi. You can take every day 30 minutes flights from Delhi to the airport in Kheria situated not more than 10 km far from Agra or start your journey by car, but you will need about 3 or 4 hours to drive to Agra.
For local transportation you can use taxi or “tonga” – horse carriages.
Agra is famous for the tasty meals cooked in clay oven called “tandoor“. You can try korma (stewed meat, yogurt and spices) and biryani (rice with korma and saffron).
Few recommendations for your travel:
• after your arrival in Delhi you can visit India Gate or the Tomb of Humayun
• visit Taj Mahal but try to do it in the moon light or at the sun rise, the landscape will worth the effort
• go to Fatehpur Sikri is situated 40 km from Agra. This amazing complex of red sandstone with 9 different monuments is abandoned now but it worth to spend a day exploring the area
• if you want to buy handicrafts and go shopping you can try the markets at Taj Mahal, Kinari, Raja-ki-Mandi, Sadar and Sanjay Place.
• in Agra you can visit also: Agra fort where the Hindu architecture combines with the Muslim and the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah
• on the road back to Delhi stop in Sikandra and visit the tomb of King Akbar.
Advices and tips :
• if you visit Taj Mahal in the night you will enjoy the view only with full moon
• Taj Mahal is closed on Friday so be careful how you plan your journey
• leave your cell phone home when you go visit Taj Mahal, otherwise you may have to wait too long to leave it at the entrance.
• when taking a taxi you must talk about the price from the start
• you must have your own reserves of mineral water, if you buy from Agra be careful to verify if the bottle is sealed.