Start before dawn at Taj Mahal, entering from the East Gate in Tajganj around 30 minutes before sunrise. In September, aim to arrive by about 5:30–6:00 a.m.; the exact sunrise and opening time vary, so confirm locally the evening before. The monument is closed on Fridays, but it is open on Tuesday, September 8. Allow 2–2½ hours, including security and time in the gardens. Buy tickets through the official Archaeological Survey of India website or the ticket counter, and carry only essentials—large bags, food, tripods, and drones are not allowed. Battery-powered shuttle buses or an e-rickshaw can take you from the parking area to the gate; agree the fare before boarding.
Afterward, walk or take a short e-rickshaw ride through Tajganj to The Salt Café Kitchen for breakfast or an early lunch, roughly 10–20 minutes depending on the gate and traffic. Its rooftop is a pleasant place to linger with a Taj view, especially before the heat builds; budget about ₹800–1,500 per person. Keep this meal relaxed rather than rushing straight out—September mornings can still become humid, and the café is a useful pause after the monument.
From The Salt Café Kitchen, take an auto-rickshaw, taxi, or app cab to Agra Fort in Rakabganj—normally 15–25 minutes, though traffic around the Taj and river crossings can stretch that. Plan 1½–2 hours for the red-sandstone courtyards, palace rooms, mosques, and the spots where Shah Jahan is traditionally said to have gazed toward the Taj. It generally opens from early morning until around 6 p.m.; allow extra time for security and buy the Indian or foreign-visitor ticket appropriate to you. Wear comfortable shoes, carry water, and avoid accepting unsolicited “guides” at the entrance. Finish at Peshawri at ITC Mughal in Tajganj, returning by taxi or auto in about 20–30 minutes. Reserve ahead for dinner, dress smart-casual, and expect approximately ₹2,500–4,000 per person; the restaurant’s clay-oven North-West Frontier dishes and atmospheric interiors make it a fitting final stop after a full Mughal-history day.