Discovering Agra - Fatehpur Sikri
The Famous spot of Mughal empire - Agra, hosts one of the 7 wonders of the world. Revisit the era of the great Mughals through Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikhri.
We started our journey from the capital city of India - DELHI. We boarded our train, TAJ Express from Hazrat Nizamuddin Jn. to Agra Cantt.
DAY 1:
Upon reaching Agra, we booked our cab through UBER and reached our hotel. We intentionally chose our hotel very near to Taj Mahal to cut cost on travel and spend maximum time embracing one of the 7 wonders of the world.
Hotel: Optimum Tara Palace @Taj
Site: booking.com
Entry to Taj closes at 4:30pm.
For ease of access, try to enter from the east gate, however there will be a long queue for male and female (separate) for security checking.
Entry Fees: INR 10/person
A photographer's paradise where you can spend almost 4-5 hours taking numerous shots, of the monument, garden, flowers and other scenic angles.
We walked back to our hotel for getting refreshed for the next day. On our way back we got into a travel agency and negotiated a good deal for the next day trip.
DAY 2:
Our cab arrived at the hotel @ 9am to pick us up. After great breakfast, we headed towards Agra Fort.
Entry Fees: INR 10/person
Although 80% of the fort is taken by the Indian Army, rest 20% is mind blowing. For the first timers, take a guide (Govt. approved) who would charge INR 250 (can be negotiated to about INR 150)
You would get to see:
1. Diwan-e-aam
2. Diwan-e-khas
3. Grape garden
4. Rani Mahal
5. Sheesh Mahal
And the eccentric view of the Taj right from the room where Shah Jahan spent his last days looking at his marvel.
Quite a lot of squirrels to hold in your palm for that awesome feeling.
After that we started our way covering about 42kms to Fatehpur Sikhri.
The cab would drop at a point from where electric vehicle would take you to the point.
Electric Vehicle charge: INR 10/Person
We spent exploring the largest door of Asia, Buland Darwaza. Along with it we saw the madrassa where the education culture still exists.
A complete family tomb can be seen and a mosque in the courtyard!
Ideally you would be spending about 2-3 hours exploring the area.
We made sure to get back to Agra Cant railway station for our return journey to New Delhi experiencing the fastest train of our country, Gatimaan Express.
Gatimaan Fare: INR 700/person (including lots of food)
Gatimaan took whopping 1.5 hours to reach NDLS running constantly @ 160kmph.
Total PAX: 2
Total Expense: 7000 (Including return travel, food, site seeing)
