Exploring Agra & the Taj Mahal Latin America & Asia Holidays

Observe the magical colours of the Taj Mahal at sunrise and Agra's other architectural wonders.

Agra's golden age began with the Mughals. Akbar made it the centre of art, culture, commerce and learning. During the peaceful reign of Shah Jahan, his passion for architecture came to the fore and the world-famous architectural masterpieces were constructed including the Taj Mahal.

Our expert local guide will reveal the secrets of Agra.

Sunrise at the Taj Mahal - the world’s greatest monument of love, the Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian architectural styles. Perhaps the best time to view the Taj is at sunrise when the building changes colour as the sun rises. 

Few forts in the world have a more fascinating story to tell than the Great Fort of Agra. Originally planned as an impregnable military structure by Akbar, the fort acquired the elegance, lavishness and majesty of an imperial palace. Emperor Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal, was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb in Agra Fort, from which he had a view of the Taj Mahal. Shah Jahan is said to have died in the Musamman Burj, a tower with a beautiful marble balcony and view of the Taj Mahal.

Itmad-Ud-Daulah is known as ‘Baby Taj’ - the 1st marble mausoleum on the banks of Yamuna River, finished with white marble. A very peaceful setting.

Mariam’s tomb is located to the west of Akbar’s tomb. The tomb houses the mortal remains of Mariam Zamani, a Rajput Princess of Jaipur and the wife of Emperor Akbar and mother of Jahangir. The ground floor consists of some 40 chambers, which bear faint traces of paintings on plastered walls. The centre of the ground floor houses the cenotaph of Mariam. 

Mehtab BaghIt is situated north of the Taj Mahal complex on the opposite side of the Yamuna River, in the flood plains. The garden complex, square in shape, is perfectly aligned with the Taj Mahal on the opposite bank. The most important attraction of Mehtab Bagh is the Taj Mahal itself. You can get a picturesque view of the Taj from here. 

Sikandra is the mausoleum of Akbar, the greatest of the Mughal emperors and one of the most secular minded royalties of his time. He himself started construction of this beautiful monument. The structure has a perfect blending of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Jain themes. This monument has a very grand entrance for the vast gardens inside. Deer’s and peacocks roam freely on these gardens.

Built in red sandstone, during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years. The city was abandoned due to scarcity of water which could not support the growing population.