Folks here have pretty much covered it: Delhi-Jaipur-Agra is what's known as the "Golden Triangle" and all three locales are touristy. The Taj Mahal is certainly worth it. On your itinerary, I also suggest the ancient grounds of Fathapur Sikri (sp) and being sure while in Delhi to stop by Humayun's Tomb, built as a precursor to the Taj and recently renovated and improved. (FS is a less traveled spot, and really cool.) Across from Delhi's Red Fort, you should definitely head for Old Delhi, which is remarkable, and the Jama Masjid (great mosque). The history of the region is so rich, you will find plenty to enjoy despite the massive crowds (this is India, right? there are crowds almost everywhere) and your fellow tourists. If you want to get off the tourist track, hit me, and I'll send more resources. Have fun!

Posted Dec 19, 2010

Yes it is touristy!  You can wander way from the tourist trail and find all sorts of interesting things, but that will be more rewarding in Jaipur, Delhi and Jodhpur.  Go to Agra for the exquisitely beautiful Taj Mahal.   I keep a list (not so very long) of "Places That Do Not Disappoint" and the Taj Mahal is on it.  It took my breath away, despite the hoardes of tourists.  Agra is also home of the best peshwari nan I ever ate...at a truck stop where we paused just to partake of the air conditioning!    

Posted Dec 14, 2010

We went to Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Agra and Corbet last February.  If you haven't been to India, get ready for an assult on you senses, it is truly sensory overload! 

Friends advised us to limit our time in Delhi, which we found to be good advice for us especially since we didn't have enough time to really get to know the city in a meaningful way in anycase.  We enjoyed the spice market and the Old Delhi streets.  Ghandi's eternal flame was a quiet oasis.

Agra was an overnight stop, arriving around 10:00am and departing after lunch the next day.  I enjoy taking photo's and the Taj is the quintisential photo icon.  A sunrise trip to photograph it from across the river was especially worthwhile.  Even for the non-phototgrapher, sit in front of the monument and watch the colors of the marble change as the sun sets.  It is one of a kind.  Make sure you read the Taj Mahal book about the history and construction - it will give you a much better appreciation.  Agra is a very industrial city that - due to decades of tourism - has perfected the souvenier bait and switch.  Watch the marble factory spring to life when you walk in and no where else can you find such a selection of genuine marble boxes made from real soapstone with plastic inlays.

Jaipur was amoung our favorite locations.  The fort was fun and we made lots of friends at the monkey temple.  We "rented" a tuk tuk for the day and found it to be an interesting way to experience the hectic street life of Jaipur.  I would highly recommend going for dinner/drinks at Pearl Palace.  It is an inexpensive Inn, a couple of rungs up from a backpackers hotel.  It has a magical roof top deck, with great food and cold beer.  The service is good and the food is reasonably priced.

I have a couple of photos on my album.  The monkey was a friend we made at the Monkey Temple in Jaipur.

Good luck let me know if you have any additional questions.

Posted Dec 14, 2010

Sure it is touristy - but you'd expect that for any place with world class attractions - and none the worse for it. Ditto Jiapur & Jodhpur. I'd start with any good guide book or on-line research and decide which of the many attractions appeals to you. Jodhpur is good for buying silk paintings.

In Jiapur the Hilton is a good hotel choice - as it's well managed by Oberoi and it's intimate - not a vast factory or impersonal. 

Posted Dec 14, 2010

Yes. We went to Agra for a night only, saw the Taj Mahal at sunrise, left in the afternoon. Interesting place on the East Coast is Pondicherry, a former French colony. It has some colonial architecture, an interesting ashram, and some nice restaurants and stores for exploring.

Posted Dec 14, 2010

Very touristy but well worth the visit. Never forget gazing upon the Taj Mahal for the first time. Exquisite!

Posted Dec 14, 2010

OMG! That's the understatement of the year. That's like asking if Disney Land is touristy. ;-)

Here's a tip though... if you take a camera or video camera into the Taj hide it in your bag or they will charge you extra. If the check you bag, just tell them you're not going to shoot any images, once you're inside, there's really no way to tell who's paid the extra camera fee and who hasn't. I say this because this is such a bogus charge anyway. 

The walkway to the entrance of the Taj is very long and you will feel like hundreds of vendors selling souvenirs are all over you like ants all the way up until you get to the entrance. No worries, because after you're inside no one bothers you. Be prepared for the same walk when you leave though. 

Posted Dec 15, 2010

ha haha  I would agree with everyone above, it's extremely touristy.  My best recommendation is to make the trip to Agra as short as possible.   It's not too difficult to take the train in one morning and out again in the evening...   

Go to Pushkar if you can manage... The view from the monkey temple at sunrise is well worth the climb but don't make eye contact or smile at the monkeys!!!   *I also would not recommend the bhang lassie unless you're staying for a while... 

Posted Dec 15, 2010

i was there for a night in 2004----yes, super touristy, but not to the extent that would stop me from experiencing the taj mahal. my sister and i busted through all that by walking down less-touristy paths through town, and loved the tiny shops, sweet kids, and knick-knack street scenes. 

Posted Dec 16, 2010

Yes it is -- but well worth it!

Posted Dec 16, 2010

Agra is disgusting, but you have to go.  You can't go to India without visiting the Taj

Posted Dec 16, 2010

Udaipur and Jaiselmer were the only two places I went to that did not feel rushed and "sensory" overload as many have said here. Having said that, seeing the Taj in person is so much more moving than seeing it in pictures. It truly is more beautiful as you do not see all of the intricate designs unless you see it live. As well, the complex is amazing. I really enjoyed Agra Fort as well. It is a must!

Posted Dec 18, 2010

Extremely touristy! In fact, my least favorite place in Rajasthan. And I don't know that I agree with the "you have to see the Taj" philosophy.  that's very much a personal decision. I certainly wouldn't go back. I was there in Jan 2009. Eck.

Posted Dec 19, 2010

Of course it's touristy, it's Agra and the Taj Mahal. Where else can you see it, though? You can find places in the Taj Mahal for solitude, if you look for them and wait for the group tours to pass. The Agra Fort is also nice, but beware of the monkeys. An man my husband works with was bitten on the face when he didn't give the monkey what the monkey wanted! Then again, he was teasing the monkey, playing games. You can get the touristy photo of you "holding up" the Taj Mahal or not. We waited til they finished. The photo of my husband and I just in front it is one I treasure.

India is beautiful.

Posted Dec 20, 2010

Of course. Everyone's covered this. The Taj is a must-see. It'is best enjoyed first thing in the a.m. and at sunset. Once from inside (a.m.) and once from across the river. There are touts everywhere with everything to sell, so try to smile as you say no and focus on the grand Taj. Agra the town is not worth seeing, and it's a tough place to walk about. Jaipur is pleasant and easy to manage bec. it's the only place built on a grid; great shopping, food and sights. Take a good guide book. If you can get to Jalsimer (sp?) in western Rajastan, go. It's fantastic. Enjoy India, just don't be in a hurry.

Posted Dec 20, 2010

I agree the Taj is touristy, but it's that way because it is one of the great sights of the world. So you'll have to decide for yourself it it's worth it.

Posted Dec 21, 2010

Here is the following to do :
1- Jaipur
   a - Amber Forts
   b - Observation
   c - City Palace
   d- Elephant Riding
   e - Nahargarh & Jaigarh fort
   f - Birla Templa
  g - Sisodiya Rani Garden

2- Jodhpur
  a - Mandoor Fort
  b-  Umaid Palace
  c - Chamunda Devi Temple etc.

3 - Agra :- As all of know this is the 8th wounder of world. It is a symbol of Love and great palce of visit, beside the Agra Fathapur Sikari is also a very good palace as point of tourist.  Agar tourism in not completed without Fathapur Sikari.

These are the Key Feature in Jaipur & Jodhpur  beside this so many other things also available on both palace that would be mentioned in Guide book.

Posted Dec 23, 2010

Agra is touristy, but the Taj Mahal may also be the most beautiful building (or collection of buildings on the planet). Stay one night. Get there early enough to see it late in the day, when it's full of people, then get up early enough to be one of the first people past the gate in the morning. Then continue on.

Posted Dec 26, 2010

Hi Uri,

I have been to Agra many times and have a friend who lives there. There are a couple beautiful forts to see there as well as a birding animal preserve about 30 minutes outside the main city. Also, there is a sloth bear preserve where they have rescued many of these beautiful creatures from families who have used them as dancing bears. They are doing very good work there. Also, if you go into certain areas of the market, you will see them making crafts and items unique to Agra, especially their famous sweets.  Nearly everything anywhere can be touristy if you don't go off the beaten path and stay for only a day...

Posted Dec 26, 2010

Sure, most of it is touristy...but there are places in Agra that are not touristy too.

Posted Dec 26, 2010

The real question might be, "Why go to Agra?" We went strictly to see the Taj. One time we stayed overnight and enjoyed every minute of watching the sun paint the Taj in a variety of hues. The next time we went there for the day only. I preferred the overnight because of the morning magic.

Posted Dec 27, 2010

I've been to India twice and the first time, Agra and the Taj Mahal were not on our itinerary.  I came back and thought, "why did we miss that?"  When we went back a second time, I made sure we went and it was my favorite part of my second trip.  Of course it is touristy but not in a western way...i.e. the latest shopping mall gets built in the adjacent lot.  The entire complex was designed with presentation in mind, so it is really a joy and exquisite to see.  It literally glows.  I honestly didn't notice or care about the people around me.  The back story to the Taj Mahal is a wonderful love story, so make sure you either read it or, even better, find a good, reliable/storyteller-ish guide to tell you.  I took 10 high school students who were simply enthralled through a 20 minute story...which is saying something because at other times they had trouble sitting through even the shortest explanations. 

Would also recommend Fatehpur Sikri.  If you are one who enjoys architecture, design, craftsmanship and history - you will enjoy both the Taj Mahal and Fatehpur Sikri. 

Posted Dec 28, 2010

As everyone's said, it is touristy — but the majority of the tourists are Indians. Indian tourism is a recent development in the country and everywhere you go you will find that you're sharing space more with Indians than Europeans or Americans. I, for one, love that. Some of my best photos taken at the Taj Mahal were of women in their beautiful saris with the Taj as backdrop. And you might see some interesting non-Indian tourists as well. The day I was there was the day Russell Brand and Katy Perry came ... we passed them as we were leaving and they were arriving, and my niece was able to snap a quick shot of them, haha. So that was certainly a thrill for her. Also, you'll be amazed at what the Taj looks like up close. The detailed work of the inlaid marble is not to be missed and you'll never guess at how talented the artists were by looking at a distance photo or even just standing at the entrance.

No matter how crowded or touristy the Taj Mahal might be, it is still a spectacular monument and worth the travel and elbowing it takes to see it up close. 

Posted Dec 30, 2010

If you go to the Taj Majal at dawn, (you may have to get a special 'early' ticket) --- then you can go and see it without tons of crowds.  But be advised that you must fight your way out of there - through the hordes of thing-sellers.  Have fun!  Its par for the course in India!  (though if you are there for a while, and if the chaos that you were looking for begins to get to you, then go to Chandigarh to recharge your spirit.  It feels strange with the wide streets and planned development, and Le Courbousier architechture (Don't miss Nek Chand's Rock Garden!!!)  but you can walk the streets easily, and ground yourself before dashing back into the fray.

Posted Dec 30, 2010

I know everyone else has covered this, but I thought I'd get my two cents anyway. Yes of course, Agra is touristy, but it's the kind of touristy place that even the Indians want to see. I personally didn't like Agra very much, but I did have a great time anyway. And really, it has the Taj Mahal. You can't miss it. It's the most well known and beautiful  building in the entire world. I went in the middle of the summer and there was almost no foreign tourists, but it was still rather crowded. I'd recommend getting a driver for the entire day. It doesn't cost that much, and they can take you to all of the other sights in Agra, like the Baby Taj, which I highly recommend you see as well.

Posted Dec 31, 2010

Yes it is touristy, but well worth the inconveniences of being pulled in many directions. The Taj Mahal is absolutely something I will never regret seeing, neither will you!

Posted Jan 02, 2011

All parts of India are touristy if you go to the places tourists go.  On the other hand it is a huge and interesting country, and most of the places tourists go are worth visiting.  Visit the Agra page on my website; maybe it will help you decide.  http://www.rbarnhill.com/India/Agra.php

Posted Jan 02, 2011

I don't remember Agra being super touristy but it was pretty gross. Our hotel had bugs crawling on the floor. There were 3 of us(one was my brother) and they gave us 1 big bed! ha! Other than the Taj I would get out of Agra asap.

Jaipur was pretty awesome. We loved it. We hit all the markets and of course went to the Palace which was really interesting. Had great food on roof top terrace of our hotel. It is very laid back compared the other cities we went too.

Have fun! You will love it! Its a big fat adventure!

Posted Jan 08, 2011

Delhi, Agra and Jaipur are perhaps the ONLY places in India that are really "touristy." I visit the country for about 45 days every year (16 times and counting) and obviously can't get enough of the place. Jodhpur is a bit less crowded and, while you're in the area, you should also make time for Jaisalmer, Udiapur, Chittorgarh and Bundi. In addition, there's a wonderful area called Shekhawat in northern Rajasthan, a few hours from Jaipur, that looks like the world's biggest al fresco museum. Lots and lots of merchants' havelis, their walls decorated with gorgeous paintings. Highly recommended though you need about a week to do the area justice.

Posted Jul 25, 2012