Tour of Agra including Red Fort and Itmad ud Daula

With the focus on The Taj Mahal, the rest of Agra is unfortunately often overlooked. Our half-day tour explores two significant and highly impressive historical sites in Agra: the formidable Red Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Itmad ud Daula (often referred to as the 'Baby Taj'). The Red Fort is a magnificent and powerful fortress of red sandstone. It was here where Shah Jahan, the creator of the Taj Mahal, spent the last years of his life imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. Their predecessor, Akbar, built it in the late 1560s with later embellishment by Jehangir, his son, and Shah Jahan's grandson.  The fort is colossal, with 20 metre high walls and a 2.5 kilometre circumference. Inside you'll find fairy-tale palaces and audience halls. Your guide will be able to explain these in detail. The Itimad-ud-daulah is located on the opposite side of the river to the fort. Built before The Taj, this is an architectural gem with enormous intricate detail. Completed in 1628, it houses the mausoleum of Mirza Ghiyas Beg and his family.