Visiting the Taj Mahal at Sunrise: An Independent Traveler’s Guide to India’s Iconic Wonder

Golden hour at the Taj Mahal—simply breathtaking. ✨🕌

Ordinarily, when I start my travel adventures before sunrise, I find myself completely alone. But on this particular morning, as I waited in the lobby of my hotel in Agra, India, I was surrounded by a very different scene. Tour groups, easily identifiable by their name badges, gathered in clusters, making polite small talk before boarding their coach buses—ready to experience the Taj Mahal en masse.

For my trip to India, I planned everything independently. No buses, no tour groups—just my own schedule, my own pace. To be perfectly honest, I was quite proud of this accomplishment, given that India is notoriously challenging to navigate as an independent traveler. From securing an e-visa to booking train tickets, planning this trip was no small feat. That morning, as I watched large groups shuffle about, I felt immense gratitude for my freedom. I was headed to the Taj Mahal entirely on my own terms.

However, traveling independently doesn’t mean traveling in isolation. As a photographer, I knew that experiencing the Taj Mahal at sunrise was non-negotiable. To make the most of it, I arranged for a local photographer, Shana Akhtar, to be my guide. Right on schedule, Shana met me in the hotel lobby, and off we went.

There are many destinations where I can confidently venture out alone. But as a solo female traveler heading to one of the world’s most famous landmarks before dawn, I knew having a local companion was the right call. Beyond his photographic expertise, Shana provided valuable insight and a reassuring presence.

As much as I’d love to say that sunrise at the Taj Mahal is a hidden gem, the reality is well documented: it’s the best time to witness the monument’s ethereal beauty. In the early morning light, the marble seems to change color before your eyes. We arrived before sunrise, along with several thousand other international visitors. True to Indian security protocols, men and women queued separately, and though I had just met Shana, I was relieved to reunite with him once we passed through security.

There’s no way to adequately describe the moment you turn the corner from the west gate, step through the grand Darwaza-i-Rouza, and see the Taj Mahal for the first time. It is simply majestic. People—myself included—stop dead in their tracks, instinctively raising their cameras to capture the awe-inspiring view.

The cell phone in the bottom right says it all—people freeze, mid-step, caught between disbelief and wonder. I did, too.

As a solo female traveler, having Shana as a guide was a godsend. As a photographer, it was a brilliant decision. Despite the thousands of visitors clamoring for the perfect sunrise shot, Shana expertly navigated me to key vantage points before the crowds descended. While I love capturing the world through my lens, I despise having random tourists cluttering my shots. Sure, artificial intelligence can now remove unwanted objects (read: unknown people) from photos, but I prefer to get the shot right from the start.

Beyond photography, my time with Shana enriched my understanding of the Taj Mahal’s history and significance. His expertise and kindness made the experience unforgettable. When I returned later that afternoon, I explored the grounds with newfound confidence—like a pro.

Heading to The Taj Mahal, and want to connect with Shana Akhtar? You can find him on Instagram @magico_shaan.