The Taj Mahal was built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first-time visitor; the white marble exterior changes colour according to the position of the sun and is matched by the rich interior detail. Wake up early to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise and enjoy the sun’s golden hue rising behind the dome: this is undoubtedly the best time of day to be here!
Sunset at the Taj Mahal
On India’s Taj Mahal and Tigers – Premium Adventure, we have organised a unique experience for you to visit the Taj Mahal at sunset as well as sunrise. Beautifully decorated cycle rickshaws wind along the bustling streets of Agra soaking up the vibrant atmosphere of city life. From here it’s a short walk to high tea and local snacks with a stunning view of the Taj Mahal at sunset. Millions of people visit this New Wonder of the World each year, but this extra-special experience allows extra time to admire its beauty as we relax and converse together.
Taj Mahal Trips
Probably the most extravagant monument ever built for love, the Taj Mahal has become the emblem of India. Known as the jewel in India’s crown, its exquisite white marble dome and beguiling symmetry make it one of the world’s best-loved architectural treasures.
Built by the Emperor Shah Jahan between 1632 and 1648 as a mausoleum for his second wife Mumtaz Mahal, it is the finest existing example of Mughal architecture. It combines intricate Persian, Turkish, Indian and Islamic styles to wonderful effect and seems to appear as immaculate today as when it was first constructed. Its timeless beauty is perhaps best captured in the words of the Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore who described it as “a teardrop on the cheek of time”.
Taj Mahal Adventure Holidays
9 Daysfrom£ 1149
Guided Group (Excl. Flights)
From the Taj Mahal to the Bengal tigers of Ranthambore, explore a land packed with culture and excitement
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A gateway to India’s fascinating culture and spectacular Moghul architecture.
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Discover India's Golden Triangle plus the incredible city of Varanasi
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14 Daysfrom£ 1549
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Discover the domain of the maharajas, exploring regal residences, seeing the Taj Mahal and searching for tigers
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Discover the domain of the maharajas, exploring regal residences, seeing the Taj Mahal and searching for tigers
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Guided Group (Excl. Flights)
Discover the grandeur of northern India, where a royal reception and majestic wildlife await your arrival
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Take a classic journey from India's plains to the mountains of Nepal
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14 Daysfrom£ 1899
Guided Group (Excl. Flights)
Experience the best of India's colourful desert state
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13 Daysfrom£ 1579
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Experience the best of India's colourful desert state
As always, Exodus didn’t disappoint. The itinerary was great, we packed a lot in to the 9 day trip. Some early starts and long drives but the bus was comfortable and the air con worked well! Lots of walking on this trip, and be prepared for the pollution, if you have bad asthma I would consider a different trip as you are literally coughing with the smog!
But the busyness of the traffic is part of the adventure!
Sunrise in India isn’t a thing unfortunately due to the haze of pollution so the Taj Mahal wasn’t seen to it’s full beauty until the sun is higher in the sky. The dreaded sleeper train definitely is something I never wish to repeat, but it’s one night and so long as you don’t go to the toilet you’ll be ok haha ….I took shoe covers !!! So glad I did ! The beds are as hard as a table top !
This is a great trip as you get to see all the best spots in North India and Nepal, there are some long drives over bumpy roads in Nepal especially. Prepare fro some longer drives but this allows you to see the country side and get away from the larger cities. Bring some good walking shoes as we do a day hike in Pokhara.
Get to the Taj early – sunrise is undoubtedly the best time to avoid the huge crowds and the heat. As the sun rises and the early morning mists clear, the delicately carved white marble walls are slowly unveiled to dazzling effect.
On the other hand… sunset affords the most impressive views of the Taj. As the sun goes down, the white marble first takes on a rich golden sheen, which slowly gives way to rose-pink hues, then deep red and finally blue with the changing light. Mesmerising.
And while in the city of Agra – your base for Taj Mahal tours – visit the Red Fort, a key strategic stronghold of the Mughal Empire. A citadel of over 500 buildings, once you are inside the fortified red walls a palatial city spreads out before you. Fairytale palaces, elegant courtyards and exquisitely crafted mosques create the city within a city.
Meanwhile, just outside Agra is Fatehpur Sikri, another Mughal palace-city. The Emperor Akbar moved his capital there in 1571, with the Red Fort just down the road for protection if it were ever needed. Occupied for just 14 years, its palaces and courtyards feel as though they were left only yesterday.
As far as grand designs go, they don’t come any grander than in Agra.