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.
Image courtesy trocals.india
Image courtesy trocals.india
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”.
Image courtesy trocals.india
Image courtesy trocals.india
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.
Image courtesy trocals.india
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.
Image courtesy trocals.india
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.”
Image courtesy trocals.india
Image courtesy trocals.india
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.”
Image courtesy trocals.india
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.
Image courtesy trocals.india