Agra, synonymous with the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, often gets reduced to a monument and a one-day itinerary. But beneath the surface lies a vibrant city with a rich past, bustling bazaars, and hidden gems waiting to be explored. Trocals, a distinctive travel company, aims to take you beyond the tourist trail and introduce you to the real Agra
Trocals organises personalised experiential tours across Agra
“During my visit to Mumbai for an MBA interview, I found myself caught up in the typical touristy activities. However, when I came back, I realised that I hadn’t truly experienced the essence of the city, which offered a plethora of immersive experiences that went unnoticed amidst the well-known attractions. I realised that my hometown, Agra, had similar treasures, overshadowed by the fame of the Taj Mahal. So I dropped my plans for a master’s and started Trocals in 2019,” shares Ritik Gupta, who founded an offbeat experiential travel company that takes tourists beyond the ordinary tourist traps in Agra and allows them to embrace the city’s many colours.
Travellers are shown the real cultural side of Agra, beyond the Taj Mahal
Experiences, Not Just Tours
Trocals eschews the typical tourist package model. They curate personalised experiences that delve into the city’s cultural tapestry. Imagine strolling through the bustling Sadar Bazaar, a maze of colourful shops and friendly vendors, with a local guide helping you bargain for exquisite hand-embroidered fabrics or sample melt-in-your-mouth street food.
“We curate over 20 distinct tours, each designed to showcase the art, food, and culture of our cities in a captivating way. Our offerings span seven thoughtfully crafted walking tours to interactive storytelling experiences that breathe life into history, replacing mundane guided tours. From engaging cooking classes to intimate village tours where you can cook alongside locals and explore the essence of rural life in just 15-20 minutes away from the city hustle, our experiences are as varied as they are enriching,” shares Ritik. And when famous YouTuber Karl Rock came to India with his wife Manisha, he entrusted Trocals to craft his Agra itinerary. The team curated an intimate dinner experience for the duo in a secret field sunset selfie spot that overlooked the stunning Taj Mahal.
Meet local artisans who have been working in the bylanes of Agra for generations
One of their signature offerings, the “Beyond the Taj” walking tour, provides a fresh perspective on Agra, delving into its vibrant stories and hidden gems beyond the iconic Taj Mahal. Here, travellers can meet local artists, uncover lesser-known treasures, and gain a deeper understanding of the city’s rich heritage.
Slow, Sustainable Travel
In an Instagram age where people are more interested in ticking cities off their list, Trocals asks its travellers to slow down and savour small moments. Whether it’s heading to lesser-known gems like Mehtab Bagh, a Mughal-era garden complex offering breathtaking views of the Taj Mahal, or learning how petha is made, the company takes you beyond the Taj. But is it easy to make people forego or at least add to their Taj Mahal itinerary? “The biggest challenge has been creating awareness among travel companies and clients. Both find it hard to accept that Agra can be more than the Taj Mahal. The average travel time for most travellers is one day, along with a huge audience who come for the same-day tours. Adding more nights will give the travellers the time to seek out more experiences,” the founder adds.
Ritik Gupta (left) will take you on immersive food tours across the city
But in metropolitan cities, experiential tours are already taking the narrative of slow, immersive travel forward. Trocals is trying to do the same for Agra by offering private tours instead of group travel. “Beyond our extensive list of curated experiences, we thrive on fulfilling unique requests, such as one particularly memorable occasion that we are planning is that where a couple is planning to renew their wedding vows in the presence of the Taj Mahal—an extraordinary testament to love and heritage,” Ritik shares, adding how more and more Indians are getting added to their list of takers since they are also seeking out new experiences in their country. “They love heritage walks and art workshops, but food tours are the best sellers among Indians,” he grins and says.
Community Efforts
Ritik was always clear about starting a company that gives back to the very communities that make Agra real. As someone who grew up in the city, he sees the artisan community for the heritage that they are. “By directly involving local artists and artisans, we promote their work and contribute to their livelihoods. Additionally, our initiatives extend to supporting underprivileged children, providing them with opportunities to explore their city’s culture through organised day trips. For every tour booked, we ensure that an underprivileged kid enjoys a memorable outing—a small yet meaningful way to give back to the community we cherish,” he shares.
Through their tours, Trocals is also trying to uplift local communities.
From cooking classes at a local’s home in the morning to taking you to see rescued animals and the incredible work done by Wildlife SOS Agra, there is something unique in each itinerary. And Trocals plans to expand to other cities, with footprints in destinations like Jaipur and Delhi. “The plan is to show an India that people usually miss, and I can’t do it alone by being in one city. So we want to build the best portfolio of local experiences across India with the best hosts,” Ritik adds.
