Essential
India
Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Udaipur-Mumbai-Cochin-Munnar-Thekkady-Kumarakom-Alleppey-Trivandrum-Kanyakumari-Trivandrum-Mumbai
(15 Nights / 16 Days )
D
ay
01 / Arrival Delhi
Arrive Delhi, meet assist at the airport & transfer
to hotel. Night stay in Delhi.
Day
02 / Delhi
After a leisurely breakfast sightseeing tour of New
Delhi where ornate buildings recall the days when
India was the Jewel in the crown of the British empire.
Visit the 11th century Qutab Minar, India Gate and
the grand government buildings, the President’s
House, Red fort, Mahatama Gandhi Memorial, Also visit
Laxmi Narayan temple popularly known as Birla Temple.
Night stay in Delhi.
Day
03 / Delhi - Agra
Morning drive to the city of Taj, Agra & transfer
to hotel. Start the sightseeing of Agra by visiting
the magnificent Taj Mahal one of the of the world
surely the most extravagant expression of love ever
created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to
build this memorial to Shah Jahan's beloved wife.
It's a wealth of white marble and semi-precious stone-undoubtedly
the highlight of your tour. Also visit the Agra fort
– the rusty and majestic red-sandstone fort
of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna and
the construction was started by Emperor Akbar in 1566.
At the Diwan-I-Am (hall of public audience), a colonnaded
hall of red-sandstone with a throne alcove of inlaid
marble at the back, the Emperor heard public petitions.
At the Diwan-I-Khas (hall of private audience) where
marble pavilions with floral inlays lend an ethereal
ambience, the Emperor sat on his gem-studded Peacock
Throne and met foreign ambassadors and rulers of friendly
kingdoms. Evening free to explore the Agra’s
rich heritage of handicrafts in its markets. Night
stay in Agra.
Day
04 / Agra – Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur- the fabled “pink
city” of the desert named after Jai Singh, the
former Maharaja of Jaipur. This is the only city in
the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe
through the nine rectangular sectors subdividing it.
The palaces and forts of the yesteryears, which were
witnesses to the royal processions and splendors are
now living monuments enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri-a
perfectly preserved red sandstone “ghost town”
which was the estranged capital of mughal emperor
Akbar, built in 1569 and deserted when its water supply
failed. Arrive Jaipur in late evening & transfer
to hotel. Night stay in Jaipur.
Day
05 / Jaipur
After breakfast visit the maje
stic
Amber Fort, is one that cannot be easily described.
You ride up on Elephants to the former capital of
the royals set against the backdrop of the wooded
hills later visit the City Palace-the royal residence
of the Maharaja of Jaipur and is known for its stunning
architecture, it also houses a museum. Later visit
the Palace of Winds also known as Hawa Mahal, this
elaborate building, now little more than a façade,
is encrusted with delicate screens and carved balconies
from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters,
could sneak views of the outside world. Past, present
and future merge at Jai Singh's Observatory, where
time has been accurately measured since the 17th century.
Night stay in Jaipur.
Day
06 / Jaipur - Udaipur
Morning drive to Udaipur - an oasis in the desert
state of Rajasthan enroute visiting the famous Brahma
temple. Continue drive to Udaipur. Arrive and transfer
to hotel. Night stay in Udaipur.
Day
07 / Udaipur
Morning city sight seeing tour of Udaipur. The city
is built in 1559 A.D. by Maharaja Udai Singh and has
been described as the most romantic spot on the continent
of India by Col. James Todd. Visit the City Palace
museum, the Jagdish temple, Sahelion Ki Bari (Queen’s
resort for their friends) Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir
( Folk art museum) and the Pratap Memorial. Rest of
the day at leisure. Night stay in Udaipur.
Day
08 / Udaipur – Mumbai
Morning checkout from hotel and transfer to Airport
in time to connect flight for Mumbai. Arrive, meet
assist at the airport & transfer to hotel. Night
stay in Mumbai.
Day
09 / Mumbai
After breakfast proceed for half day tour of Mumbai
covering Gateway of India – The stone archway
designed by Wittett in the 16th century Gujarati style,
Prince of Whales Museum, Chowpatty Beach, Dhobhi Ghat
- a vast outdoor laundry & Marine Drive. Night
stay in Mumbai.
Day
10 / Mumbai - Cochin ( By Air )
Morning transfer to airport to board the flight for
Cochin. Arrive Cochin & transfer to hotel. Afternoon
sightseeing tour of Cochin covering The Dutch Palace
at Mattancherry is renowned for its wall murals depicting
scenes from the Ramayana. The Jewish Synagogue at
the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town.
The St. Francis Church, the oldest European church
in India. The Santa Cruz Basilica, originally built
in 1557 by the Portuguese. The Chinese fishing nets
are huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have
brought to Kochi by Chinese traders. Finally, the
Willingdon Island, named after Lord Willingdon, is
the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command of
India. Night stay in Cochin.
Day
11 / Cochin - Munnar
After breakfast drive to munnar 150 kms.On arrival
transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Munnar
tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds
of kilometers, lust green hills, a place so difficult
to describe, very low population too far from pollution,
most of the covered by Tata tea. Also the Raja Malai,
a top peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain
goats), Muttupetty dam, Indo Swiss project; you can
also enjoy boating in the Lake (optional). Night stay
in Munnar.
Day
12 / Munnar - Thekkady
After breakfast drive to the tekkady 110 kms. On arrival
transfer to hotel. Afternoon visiting wildlife sanctuary
and boat ride on lake Periyar. Night stay in Thekkady.
Day
13 / Thekkady - Kumarakom
After breakfast drive to Kumarakom 120kms. En route
visiting spices, tea, coffee and rubber plantation.
On arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit to the
nearby bird sanctuary and optional boat ride to the
nearby village through lagoons. Night stay in Kumarakom.
Day
14 / Kumarakom - Alleppey - Trivandrum
After breakfast into a motor boatwater crise from
Kumarakom to Alleppey for 2 hrs. On Arrival transfer
to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Trivandrum
including Napier museum, Art gallery, Kovalam beach
etc. Return to the hotel for night stay in Trivandrum.
Day
15 / Trivandrum - Kanyakumari
After breakfast proceed for Kanyakumari 100 kms. Enroute
visiting Padnabhapuram palace, Suchidram. On arrival
transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit Vivekananda rock
memorial, Kanyakumari temple etc. Witness sunset in
the evening. Night stay in Kanyakumari.
Day
16 / Kanyakumari - Trivandrum - Mumbai Departure
Early morning witness the sunrise from the terrace
of the hotel and after breakfast drive to the Trivandrum
Airport to connect the flight.
