Published on Mar, 2025
I booked this tour at the very last minute, but the excellent service started even before the trip began. I received all the necessary information about my pick-up right away, including my driver’s full name and car details. Everything was arranged smoothly, and the driver was perfectly on time.
Ram, my driver, was absolutely amazing! He picked me up in Jaipur at 2 AM and drove me all the way to Agra, where we arrived at the Taj Mahal at 6 AM. His driving skills and stamina were truly impressive—over eight hours of driving in one day! I really appreciated his professionalism and dedication.
The Taj Mahal was breathtaking, and my first guide, Imy, made the experience even better with his deep knowledge and engaging storytelling. Learning about the history and significance of the palace added so much to the visit.
Afterward, we visited a business that crafts Persian carpets—watching the meticulous craftsmanship was fascinating. I wasn’t planning to, but I ended up buying a small Persian carpet which was also tightly packed to fit my suitcase. Then, we explored the Agra Fort, which was impressive.
We also visited a workshop that specializes in inlay art, where I got to see the intricate process behind the stunning designs. In between, I had a nice lunch—the service was okay, and I had the best butter chicken of my life!
The tour continued to Fatehpur Sikri, where my second guide, Egree, took over. He was fantastic—proactive, entertaining, and full of warmth. His enthusiasm made the visit even more enjoyable.
At the end of the day, Ram drove me all the way back to my hotel in Jaipur. I can’t thank him enough for his patience and skill behind the wheel. I arrived at the hotel around 7 PM, realizing I had a 15-hour tour.
This tour was an unforgettable experience, thanks to the well-organized service, knowledgeable and friendly guides, and, of course, the amazing driver. Highly recommend it to anyone visiting Jaipur and looking for a seamless and enriching trip to the Taj Mahal!
Some tips:
• Make sure you don’t bring notebooks, writing pads, tripods nor laptops to the Taj Mahal, those are forbidden. If you do (as I did), you can easily leave them in a “cloak room” before passing security.
• Not really a tip, but more of a heads up: At the Taj there will be photographers offering to take pictures. I bargained to get 40 digital photos for 2500 rupees. Was it necessary? No. Could I have just asked my guide to take pics with my phone? Yes. Did I enjoy doing awkward, typical-tourist poses in front of the Taj Mahal? Oh you bet I did. It somehow felt as part of the whole package experience and I’m REALLY happy with the first picture I uploaded here in my review. So it’s totally your decision to make, but just giving a heads up!
• It’s handy to have some rupees in cash to be able to tip if you want to.
• The vendors are VERY good salespeople and very passionate, but they truly respect if you clearly say you are not interested in buying.
• Bring a phone charger! I was able to charge my phone in the restaurant where I had lunch.
