Taj Mahal and Agra: A Self-Guided Visit
In 1631 the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan lost his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and set out to build her a tomb unlike any other. This tour walks you through that tomb, the Taj Mahal, the way its builders meant you to see it - from the forecourt and Great Gate, down the garden, up to the marble mausoleum and out to the riverbank. Then it follows the family story across Agra to the fort where Shah Jahan ended his days, the tomb that inspired the Taj, and a garden across the river for the sunset view.
Plan on about five hours. The eight Taj stops are on foot; between the Taj, Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-Daulah and Mehtab Bagh, take a car or auto-rickshaw. Go early: sunrise brings the softest light and the smallest crowds. The Taj Mahal is closed to visitors on Fridays. Security is strict, so carry only a phone, a small camera and water - no food, tobacco, tripods or drones. Check the official sites for current hours and tickets.
12 stops on this tour:
Taj Mahal East Gate - Where the Procession Began
The Great Gate - A Frame for Paradise
The Charbagh Garden - Paradise in Four Parts
The Mausoleum - A Promise in White Marble
Inside the Tomb - Flowers Made of Stone
The Taj Mahal Mosque - Facing West to Pray
The Riverside Terrace - Shah Jahan's River View
The Jawab - A Building Made Only for Symmetry
Agra Fort - The Hall Where the Emperor Listened
Musamman Burj - Shah Jahan's Last View of the Taj
Itimad-ud-Daulah - The Jewel Box Known as the Baby Taj
Mehtab Bagh - The Moonlight Garden at Sunset
Plan your visit
- Route: 12 stops · about 5.5 miles · walking, plus a ride for the longer legs
- Time: about 5 hours at an easy pace, with stops
- Start: Taj Mahal East Gate (directions)
- Cost: free tour
Stops on this tour
- Taj Mahal East Gate - Where the Procession Began
- The Great Gate - A Frame for Paradise
- The Charbagh Garden - Paradise in Four Parts
- The Mausoleum - A Promise in White Marble
- Inside the Tomb - Flowers Made of Stone
- The Taj Mahal Mosque - Facing West to Pray
- The Riverside Terrace - Shah Jahan's River View
- The Jawab - A Building Made Only for Symmetry
- Agra Fort - The Hall Where the Emperor Listened
- Musamman Burj - Shah Jahan's Last View of the Taj
- Itimad-ud-Daulah - The Jewel Box Known as the Baby Taj
- Mehtab Bagh - The Moonlight Garden at Sunset