Like many people in their twenties, Ritik Gupta, 26, was unsure about his future two years ago. With limited options in his hometown, Agra, he had to choose between joining his family business or pursuing higher education.

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Even after getting into a top MBA college, Ritik felt something was missing. Unsure if this was the right direction, he rejected his MBA offers.

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In 2018, Ritik visited Mumbai for an interview. What stood out to him wasn’t just the city’s famous spots, but the realisation that there was much more beneath the surface. When he returned to Agra he saw that “there was so much more to the city”.

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Driven by the desire to show Agra's hidden treasures to travellers, Ritik began exploring his hometown’s rich art, culture, and heritage. This led him to launch ‘Trocals’ in 2019 — his very own travel startup.

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Trocals offers walking tours that take guests beyond the Taj Mahal. “Everyone knows the Taj Mahal, but there is a lot beyond it. Trocals takes you to those areas of the city,” says Ritik.

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Trocals offers immersive walks through Agra’s most underrated areas. Their ‘Old Agra’ tour explores Jama Masjid, Mankameshwar Temple, Rawat Para spice market, and more, all while weaving stories of Agra’s past.

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Guests are introduced to places like Itmad-ud-Daula, also known as ‘Baby Taj’. It’s a tomb built by Nur Jahan for her father, symbolising a daughter’s love.

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Trocals goes beyond history — guests also explore Agra through its food. Ritik shares, “My mother holds these cooking sessions, our guests cook food like chai pakoras, dal chawal and chutney. We discuss the various stories behind different recipes.”

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Trocals also supports local artisans. Ritik explains, “Whenever we visit a lesser-known area, we automatically generate work for the people around us. We also have handicraft walking tours, where our guests make something to take back home.”

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The startup also plants a tree after each walk. Ritik notes, “It started as a small thing where our guests and I just planted a tree in my house garden. But then we decided to make a habit out of it.”

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Ritik’s startup has seen immense growth and expansion to cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Uttarakhand. “Art, food, and culture—these are the things that describe Trocals,” he says.

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