Delhi to Taj Mahal & Agra Fort: Private Day Trip with Lunch

Summary

Private day trip from Delhi to Agra’s Taj Mahal and Fort with local guide

You’ll leave Delhi before dawn for a private day trip to Agra’s Taj Mahal and Agra Fort with a local guide who brings history alive. Feel cool marble at sunrise, enjoy lunch at a 5-star hotel, and wander through ornate tombs before heading back in your own car. It’s not just about seeing monuments — it’s about feeling them.

What’s the experience like?

"You want to see it before the crowds?" our driver asked as we left Delhi in the dark, city lights fading behind us. I was barely awake, clutching my coffee, but there was this weird excitement buzzing through the car. The highway out of Delhi is smooth — surprisingly so — and by the time we hit Agra, the sun was just starting to burn off that early haze. Our guide, Anil, met us with a grin that made me feel like we were old friends. He knew every shortcut through the ticket lines (worth it), and somehow managed to find quiet corners even at the Taj Mahal.

I’d seen a million photos of the Taj Mahal, but honestly? Nothing prepares you for how cold that marble feels under your palm at sunrise — or how the air smells faintly sweet, almost like wet stone after rain. Anil told stories about Shah Jahan and Mumtaz that made me forget about taking pictures for a minute (though he did snap a few for us — he’s got an eye). After wandering through those gardens and watching local families pose in their best clothes, we headed over to Agra Fort. It’s massive, red sandstone everywhere, echoey halls where you can almost hear old conversations if you stand still long enough. Lunch came next — some kind of creamy paneer dish I’m still craving — in a hotel that felt cool and quiet after all that sun.

The afternoon took us to the “Baby Taj” (Tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah), which is smaller but covered in delicate patterns. There was this moment where everything went quiet except for distant birds and someone sweeping leaves nearby. On the drive back to Delhi I watched fields blur past and tried to replay it all in my head — not sure I’ll ever really get over seeing that marble glow in real life.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Private day trip to Agra monuments

• Pick up from Delhi hotel or airport
• Drive to Agra via Yamuna Expressway
• Meet guide in Agra
• Visit Taj Mahal with guide
• Visit Agra Fort
• Lunch after Agra Fort visit
• Visit Baby Taj (Tomb of I'timad-ud-Daulah)
• Drive back to Delhi
• Drop off at Delhi hotel or airport

Top questions

How long does the day trip from Delhi to Agra take?

The full tour takes around 12 hours including travel time between Delhi and Agra.

Is pickup included from my hotel or airport in Delhi?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included from your hotel or airport in New Delhi or Gurgaon.

Are monument entry fees included?

Entry fees are included if you select that option during booking.

Is lunch provided on this tour?

Lunch at a 5-star hotel is included if you choose that option when booking.

Will there be a professional guide at Agra?

Yes, an experienced local guide will join you in Agra for sightseeing.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and most areas are wheelchair accessible.

What other sites do we visit besides the Taj Mahal?

You also visit Agra Fort and Tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah (“Baby Taj”).

Can I customize the itinerary?

You can request customizations after booking; just let them know your preferences.

When is the Taj Mahal closed?

The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday.

What’s included

Your day includes private pickup and drop-off from your hotel or airport in Delhi or Gurgaon, all tolls and parking fees along the way, entry tickets if selected when booking, bottled water in your air-conditioned car, an expert local guide waiting for you in Agra, plus lunch at a 5-star hotel if you choose that option before heading back home again.