Taj Mahal tours?

daisy · Jan 6th, 2005, 23:01

We are going to be staying in Delhi for a few days and want to take a day trip one day to see the Taj Mahal. Someone recommended that we take a guided tour of the Taj.

Does anyone know of any train tours that go from Delhi to the Taj? Alternatively, if you take the train to Agra on your own, are there any good tour companies that you would recommend for seeing the Taj?

radz · Jan 6th, 2005, 23:46

daisy :I dont think you need guide for visiting Taj,yes you can get one but IMHO you need one.

If you want guided tour then try
Delhi tourism
http://www.delhitourism.nic.in/

cheers
radz

edwardseco · Jan 7th, 2005, 01:02

Not that much to it. Watch out for the numerous guides that know very little and will lie through their teeth to you about sites..

brightspark · Jan 7th, 2005, 01:51

There are day tours organised from Delhi.. The most popular ones are the ones organised by ITDC, you could buy tickets at the tourist office in Janpath or the one by TCI, a very large and reputed private travel agency.. Many travel agencies sell tickets for the later.. I think around Rs. 1,500/- including breakfast, lunch and evening tea. the former is somewhat less expensive, I think around Rs. 850/- or Rs. 1,200/- I dont remember exactly how much.

While it sounds hassle free.. the problem is you are entirely at the mercy of the guide.. I had a friend, who recently stayed with me and would make several trips around Delhi. The ITDC guide took them to a shop and disappeared for almost two hours.. which meant relatively less time for monuments.

These tours generally cover the Taj and the Agra fort... but not the Fatehpur Sikri.. So I guess you are much better off taking the train.. or if you are 3-4 persons, then hiring a car..

If you hire a car from Delhi, you could include Fatehpur Sikri also. Typically car hire should cost you about Rs. 5.5 per km for a non-AC basic car (ambassador or indica)... you dont need AC until early March. So for a (less than) 500 KM trip to and fro including Fatehpur Sikri, you would pay Rs. 2,750/- have greater flexibility, more comfort, include Fatehpur Sikri.. which tours dont.. and if you are 3 or more.. even less expensive.

Another option could be to take the morning train (Taj or Shatabadi.. which is somewhat more expensive than the Taj.. but is lot more comfortable.. gives you slightly more time in Agra, as it is faster), and either take a local autorickshaw (for the day if you want Fatehpur sikri.. otherwise point to point rickshaw).. or arrange for a local car hire, for the day.

I dont think that you need a guide.. best would be to read any of the excellent books available.. Many guides, in general, know nothing or very little, about the monument.. the historical background (or when visiting a Hindu temple...about mythology.. which could be more complex and obscure.. but may be essential in understanding of temple art... for example) - If you still need guides.. perhaps best would be to take local guides outside these monuments. and INSIST THAT YOU HAVE HIRED THE GUIDES TO VISIT THE MONUMENTS AND NOT SHOPS.

Jan 6th, 2005, 23:01	#1
daisy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 7	Taj Mahal tours? We are going to be staying in Delhi for a few days and want to take a day trip one day to see the Taj Mahal. Someone recommended that we take a guided tour of the Taj. Does anyone know of any train tours that go from Delhi to the Taj? Alternatively, if you take the train to Agra on your own, are there any good tour companies that you would recommend for seeing the Taj?

Jan 6th, 2005, 23:46	#2
radz Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: India Posts: 750	daisy :I dont think you need guide for visiting Taj,yes you can get one but IMHO you need one. If you want guided tour then try Delhi tourism http://www.delhitourism.nic.in/ cheers radz __________________ My Photo gallery

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Jan 7th, 2005, 01:02	#3
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 5,833	Not that much to it. Watch out for the numerous guides that know very little and will lie through their teeth to you about sites..

Jan 7th, 2005, 01:51	#4
brightspark Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New Delhi Posts: 104	There are day tours organised from Delhi.. The most popular ones are the ones organised by ITDC, you could buy tickets at the tourist office in Janpath or the one by TCI, a very large and reputed private travel agency.. Many travel agencies sell tickets for the later.. I think around Rs. 1,500/- including breakfast, lunch and evening tea. the former is somewhat less expensive, I think around Rs. 850/- or Rs. 1,200/- I dont remember exactly how much. While it sounds hassle free.. the problem is you are entirely at the mercy of the guide.. I had a friend, who recently stayed with me and would make several trips around Delhi. The ITDC guide took them to a shop and disappeared for almost two hours.. which meant relatively less time for monuments. These tours generally cover the Taj and the Agra fort... but not the Fatehpur Sikri.. So I guess you are much better off taking the train.. or if you are 3-4 persons, then hiring a car.. If you hire a car from Delhi, you could include Fatehpur Sikri also. Typically car hire should cost you about Rs. 5.5 per km for a non-AC basic car (ambassador or indica)... you dont need AC until early March. So for a (less than) 500 KM trip to and fro including Fatehpur Sikri, you would pay Rs. 2,750/- have greater flexibility, more comfort, include Fatehpur Sikri.. which tours dont.. and if you are 3 or more.. even less expensive. Another option could be to take the morning train (Taj or Shatabadi.. which is somewhat more expensive than the Taj.. but is lot more comfortable.. gives you slightly more time in Agra, as it is faster), and either take a local autorickshaw (for the day if you want Fatehpur sikri.. otherwise point to point rickshaw).. or arrange for a local car hire, for the day. I dont think that you need a guide.. best would be to read any of the excellent books available.. Many guides, in general, know nothing or very little, about the monument.. the historical background (or when visiting a Hindu temple...about mythology.. which could be more complex and obscure.. but may be essential in understanding of temple art... for example) - If you still need guides.. perhaps best would be to take local guides outside these monuments. and INSIST THAT YOU HAVE HIRED THE GUIDES TO VISIT THE MONUMENTS AND NOT SHOPS.