# Taj Mahal The Taj Mahal in Agra, India, is a 17th-century white marble mausoleum built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, a masterpiece of Mughal architecture combining Persian, Islamic and Indian styles. The Taj Mahal stands on the banks of the Yamuna River in the city of Agra, in northern India. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who ruled over much of the Indian subcontinent at the height of the empire's power and artistic achievement. The monument was built as a mausoleum for Mumtaz Mahal, the emperor's third wife, who died during childbirth in 1631. Her actual tomb lies within the main chamber, with Shah Jahan's placed beside her after his own death. ## A Masterwork in White Marble The Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that blended Persian and Islamic design traditions with indigenous Indian elements. The main structure is built of white Makrana marble, sourced from Rajasthan, and rises on a square plinth. Four minarets flank the central dome, which reaches a height of 73 metres. The entire surface is inlaid with semi-precious stones including lapis lazuli, jasper, jade, turquoise and carnelian, arranged in intricate geometric and floral patterns. ## The Grounds and Setting The mausoleum sits within a formally planned complex covering some 17 hectares. A Persian-style garden stretches to the south, divided by walkways and water channels that reflect the building's silhouette. A red sandstone gateway, decorated with white marble inlay, marks the main entrance from the south. To the west stands a mosque built from red sandstone, its marble facing matching the main mausoleum. An identical structure to the east served as a guest house. The Yamuna River flows behind the complex, providing the backdrop visible from certain angles within the grounds. ## The Visitor Experience The Taj Mahal changes markedly with the light and time of day. Morning visits offer views across the gardens with the monument emerging from lingering river mist. Afternoon light brings out the stone inlay work in sharp detail, while the warm amber tones of sunset give the marble a distinctly different warmth. The monument is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is among the most visited locations in the world. ## Tours that visit Taj Mahal No tours visit this place just yet. ## Before you book you should know ### Is this trip right for you? Our groups are capped at eight travellers, which is about a third of what the industry calls a small group. Eight people share one vehicle, one table at dinner and one guide's attention, and the day can change on the road without anybody being left behind. If you are looking for a coach, a fixed script and a microphone, this is not that. Most days involve real walking, often on ground that was laid two thousand years before walking shoes: marble worn smooth, cobbles, uneven steps and long site paths with little shade. Bring shoes you can spend a morning in. Some days move between regions and are largely a drive, with stops along the way. Summers are hot — well over 35°C inland — and winters are colder than most people expect, so layers, a hat and sunscreen earn their place in the bag whatever the month. How demanding a particular trip is, is written on the trip itself: the physical rating in the header, and the day-by-day itinerary above. ### Rooms, and travelling on your own Trip prices are per person, sharing a twin room. Each traveller picks their own room while booking, so a party can mix the three: - **Twin share** — two single beds, shared with someone you are travelling with or with a traveller of the same gender. - **Travelling as a couple** — one double room. - **Individual room** — a room of your own, for a single supplement on top of the trip price. Availability is limited, and the supplement for a given date is shown next to the option when you book. Solo travellers are welcome on every departure, and most of our groups have one or two aboard. ### Accommodation The hotels named in an itinerary are a guideline rather than a guarantee. Where one is full, or has dropped below the standard we booked it for, we substitute a property of a similar standard in the same area — we would rather change the hotel than the trip. Check-in is usually mid-afternoon. If you arrive early we will ask for the room, but no hotel can promise one before its own check-in time; luggage can normally be left at reception in the meantime. If you want the room from the night before, ask us and we will add the extra night to your booking. ### Passports, visas and insurance Entry requirements depend on your nationality and change without much notice, so the only reliable source is the official one: the government of the country you are travelling to, and your own foreign ministry's travel advice. Check both before you book a flight. Many countries ask for a passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, and for blank pages. It is worth looking at yours now rather than at the airport. We ask every traveller to carry travel insurance covering medical treatment and repatriation, and we would strongly encourage cover for cancellation and for your luggage as well. ### Your departure is guaranteed — the day can change Once a departure is on the calendar it runs. We do not cancel a trip for want of a minimum number of bookings, so a booked date is one you can plan flights and leave around. What can move is the shape of a day. Museums and archaeological sites change their hours, roads close, weather turns, a local holiday lands in the middle of the week. Where that happens your guide reorders the day, or swaps a stop for one of the same weight, and tells you why. Changes to a booked itinerary are covered by our Booking Terms & Conditions. --- Full page: https://www.smallvoyage.com/destination/taj-mahal/