Agra Culture Tour

Highlights / General details

Explore the hidden laneways of Agra, away from the typical tourist sites and routes.

Get a lesson in Indian history, from the Mughal era to British rule, and get an insider’s perspective on how modern India is changing.

Learn about Islam and Hindu with stops at both an active mosque and some of the city’s most revered temples.

Taste some of Agra’s local delicacies, including paan (betel) and petha (a sweet dessert).

Take a cycle rickshaw ride through the laneways of the aromatic spice market.

Inclusion

Hotel pick-up and drop-off; English-speaking guide; Bottle of mineral water; Snacks; Cycle rickshaw ride; Gift box of Indian spices and recipes.

Exclusion

Additional food and beverages; Souvenirs; Gratuities; Temple and mosque donations. This tour does not go into the Taj Mahal complex.

Hours of operation

Available daily at 3:30pm.

Duration

Approximately 3 hours.

Location

Pick-up and drop-off from any centrally located city hotel.

Itinerary

Explore beyond the tourist sites on this Agra walking tour that will offer you insight into the real Indian way of life. Your tour will trace through history, from the Mughal era to British rule, and onwards to today and a rapidly changing modern India.

Start your Agra city tour with a trip back to the 11th century and a lesson in India’s military history, as you visit the magnificent Agra Fort and learn about the early foundations of India. From there, gain a better understanding of India’s old caste systems — and its eradication — with a visit to Ambedkar Park, dedicated to the father of the Indian constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Fuelled by your history lesson, you’ll next experience the hustle of modern-day Agra with a visit to Agra Fort Railway Station. While the building is historical, featuring a mix of British, French, and Mughal architecture, today the station is a hectic hub that sees some 90,000 passengers pass through its doors every day.

Next, get an introduction to both Islam and Hinduism with stops at an active mosque as well as one of Agra’s most famous temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva and attracting some 3,000 devotees daily. You’ll also hear the romantic love story of Lord Krishna and Radha, with a stop at the intricately sculptured Radha Krishna Mandir temple.

Take a break from all that exploring and sample some local delicacies at a 200-year-old sweets shop. You’ll also learn about the preparation of some of the dishes with a live demo of how to make poori (deep-fried bread… wait, did someone say deep-fried?!).

Next, your Agra tour will take you down the city’s narrow, colorful bylanes where vendors sell little idols of gods and goddesses for Hindu home temples. Learn about the unique traditions surrounding these idols — like how they’re given a change of clothes every day. From there, take in one of the city’s most stunning sights at the beautifully sculptured Musician’s Balcony.

Finish your Agra city tour by boarding cycle rickshaws for an aromatic ride through the Rawatpara Spice Market, a busy marketplace constantly bustling with activity and frantic shoppers from the city. Then, head across the river Yamuna for the icing on your Agra experience: a view of the spectacular Taj Mahal at dusk.

Additional Information

Dress standard: As India is a modest country and the tour visits a mosque and temple, fully covered clothing is advisable. For comfort, sport shoes or closed-toe walking shoes are recommended.

For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 8 people.

Participant restrictions

Children must be at least 6 years old to participate.

Policies

Cancellation: 2 days prior 100% penalty. No show 100% penalty.

Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

**All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation**