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DAY
01 :
ARRIVE DELHI
Upon arrival, you shall met & assisted
with your baggages at the airport by our executive and transferred
to prebooked hotel.
Delhi : India’s
capital & a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi
is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold
the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of
the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat
of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind
. The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between
the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So,
wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys’
past.
DAY 02 : DELHI
After breakfast, half day city tour
of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.
Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started in 1844 and was
not completed until 1658; Red Fort, which was also built by Shah
Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk
and Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.
Afternoon, city tour of New Delhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb :
built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture;
Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate, President House, Connaught Place.
The city tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir).
DAY 03 : DELHI - AGRA
(203 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
After
breakfast, drive to Agra. Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked
hotel.
Afternoon, city tour of Agra : Visit Red
fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions
were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains
the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful
structues ; Itmad-ud-daulah,
which was contructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very
similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir, near
Lahore in Pakistan; the highlight of the day - The
Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory
of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and
was not completed until 1653.
DAY
04 : AGRA - FATEHPUR SIKRI - JAIPUR
(240 KMS, 06-07 HRS DRIVE)
After
breakfast, leave for Jaipur, enroute visit the abandoned Mughal
city of Fatehpur Sikri - built
by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Moghuls, which
was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful
buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch
Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original
glory. Continue drive to Jaipur.
Arrive Jaipur & check-in at prebooked hotel. Rest of the
day at leisure.
 DAY
05 : JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride from
the foothills of the Aravallis to the fort entrance. Amber Fort
: At a distance of 11 kms from Jaipur, Amber was the ancient capital
of Jaipur state. Construction of the fort began in 1592 by Raja
Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's army and is a superb
example of Rajput architecture.
Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit
the City Palace which
has museum having an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamel
ware and weapons; Jantar
Mantar - the observatory built my Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728
and the façade of Hawa
Mahal.
DAY 06 : JAIPUR - PUSHKAR
(135 KMS, 02-03 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Pushkar. the holy
lake of Pushkar is believed to have been created by Lord Brahma
himself. It is as important as Banaras or Puri. Devout Hindus believe
that it is essential to visit Pushkar at least once in their lifetime.
No pilgrimage is considered complete without a dip in the holy Pushkar
lake. Pushkar has as many as 400 temples and 52 ghats and the only
temple in the country that is dedicated to Brahma is to be found
here. While Pushkar is a heaven for the religiously inclined, it
is also the venue of one of the country's most colorful cattle fairs
- the Pushkar Fair.
 Arrive
Pushkar and check-in at prebooked hotel.
Afternoon, explore Pushkar on your own.
DAY
07 : PUSHKAR - JODHPUR (225 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave
for Jodhpur - A flourishing trading center of the
16th century, the fortress city of Jodhpur is now the second largest
city of Rajasthan. Jodhpur was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha who
claimed to be descendent of Lord Rama. The massive fort Mehrangarh-came
first and around it grew the city of Jodhpur protected by a high
stone wall with seven gates and countless bastions.
Arrive Jodhpur and check in at prebooked hotel.
Afternoon, visit the Mehrangarh
Fort which literally means “Majestic Fort”, located
at the very centre of the city. There are ,in all , three gates
, each built to commemorate a particular victory, as well as to
reinforce the fort. It has a collection of musical instruments,
palanquins, furniture & cannons on the forts’ ramparts
are well preserved. Jaswant
Thada : Close to the fort complex lies this white marble
cenotaph, built in 1899, in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh
II. Rare portraits of Jodhpur's rulers are, also, to be seen at
Jaswant Thada. Also visit the Clock
Tower – the city centre.
DAY
08 : JODHPUR - RANAKPUR - UDAIPUR
(275 KMS, 06-07 HRS DRIVE)
 After
breakfast, leave for Udaipur, enroute
visit the Jain temples at Ranakpur : The cluster of temples,
made of intricately sculpted white marble, come across as a marvellousfeat
of architecture. It would take anyone by surprise to learn that
they were built in 1460, so well preserved & sparkling is the
marble. The main temple is supported on 1,444 pillars – none
of which is similarly carved.
After the visit, continue drive to Udaipur - The city
of Lakes, Udaipur is a lovely blend of water, lush green
hills that set fire and passion in poet. Its palaces are straight
out of a fairy-tale book, lakes, forts, palaces, temples, gardens,
mountains and narrow lanes lines withdrawn with stalls, relives
the reminisces of a heroic past, valor and chivalry. Their reflection
in the placid waters of the Lake Pichola is excitement that defines
imagination. Udaipur is one of the most romantic cities of world,
also know as the Venice of East.
Arrive Udaipur in the evening and check-in at prebooked hotel.
DAY
09 :
UDAIPUR
After breakfast, visit the romantic city of Udaipur. Visit
the City Palace
which is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan ; Jagdish
temple, a fine Indo Aryan temple built in 1651; Sahelion
ki Bari or Garden of the Maids of Honour, which is a
small garden with its fountains, kiosks, marble elephants &
lotus pool.
Afternoon, free. In the evening, boat ride on Lake Pichola.
DAY 10 : UDAIPUR-MUMBAI
(FLIGHT, 9W 3401, 0840-1020 HRS)
 Early
morning, transfer to the airport to board flight for Mumbai. Arrive
Mumbai and transfer to prebooked hotel.
Afternoon,
city tour of Mumbai - Located on the west coast of India,
the group of islands which has grown into the city of Mumbai. The
city was called Bombay for much of the last four hundred years.
The origin of the name is obscure, but is often said to come from
the Portuguese phrase bom bahia meaning "good
bay". The name Mumbai has been used in the main local languages
for as long, and is ascribed to the local goddess, Mumba
(ai means mother in Marathi). The name of the
city was changed to Mumbai by an act of the parliament in 1997.
DAY 11 : MUMBAI - COCHIN (FLIGHT)
After breakfast, excursion to Elephanta caves -
About ten kilometers north east of Apollo Bunder lies the island
of Elephanta, the glorious abode of Lord Shiva. An epitome of Hindu
cave culture, Elephanta consists of seven caves of which the most
notable is the Mahesa-murti cave. It has a very impressive size
with a main body of 27 meters square supported by rows of six columns
each. The main temple consists of a large pillared mandapa (hall)
and a freestanding square shrine at the west end of the hall. The
pillars and reliefs in the cave are gigantic in scale. Set in various
niches are a number of large reliefs depicting different aspects
of Shaivaite iconography. Around the perimeter of the cave are sculptured
compartments in this cave with images from the Hindu mythology.
They depict Lord Shiva as Andhakasuravadha, impaling the demon of
darkness, as Kalyanasundara-the gentle loving god, as Ardhanarishwara,
Shiva and Shakti, male and female, Nataraja-Shiva as the cosmic
dancer and as Ravana anugraha -the destroyer of enemies
Afternoon, transfer to the airport to board flight for Kochi. Arrive
Kochi and transfer to prebooked hotel.
In the evening, witness Kathakali Dance Show.
DAY 12 : KOCHI - MUNNAR (140 KMS, 03 HRS
DRIVE)
After
breakfast, half day sightseeing of Cochin including Asia's best
preserved Synagouge, the Dutch Palace and the oldest European Church
in India - the St. Francis Church where Vasco De Gama was originally
buried. A leisurely walk through the Fort Cochin area which gives
you a close look at the operation of the huge catileavered Chinese
fishing nets introduced by Chinese traders which is still used in
Kerala backwaters as a traditional way of fishing.
Afternoon, leave for Munnar. Arrive Munnar and checkin at prebooked
hotel.
DAY 13 : MUNNAR
 After
breakfast, sightseeing of Munnar. Visit the tea plantations, a tea
factory (subject to permission being granted), the Eravikulam National
Park - home of the endangered Nilgiri Thar (Ibex), followed by visit
to the Mattupetty dam, the Indo Swiss Dairy farm, the Kundala Lake
and other scenic spots.
DAY 14 :
MUNNAR - PERIYAR (100 KMS, 03 HRS DRIVE)
After
breakfast, leave for Periyar. Periyar has one of the world's most
fascinating Natural wildlife reserves noted for its geography, diverse
wildlife and scenic beauty. Arrive at Periyar and check in at
prebooked hotel.
Later, boat ride on the Lake Periyar where one can have a unique
experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety
of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar, however
are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.
DAY 15 : PERIYAR
After breakfast, leave for Jungle Walk The forest provides specially
trained guides who can be hired at the hotel for early morning treks
into the jungle. The treks are of a duration of 03-04 hrs. These
treks are an ideal way to really feel the forest and to experience
it closely.
Afternoon, proceed for a spice plantation visit where one can see
the cultivation of a whole range of spices like pepper, cardamom,
cloves, turmeric, vanilla, all spice cinnamon etc. This is followed
by a visit to spice shops which are found in the small town of Kumily
just 01 km from the hotels
DAY 16 : PERIYAR - KUMARAKOM (140 KMS,
03-04 HRS DRIVE) - OVERNIGHT BACKWATER TRIP TILL ALLEPEY
After breakfast, leave for Kumarakom in time to board houseboat
for overnight backwater trip till Allepey.
On arrival in Kumarakom, commence an overnight houseboat cruise
to Allepey, which gives one a fascinating insight into the life
of a Keralan Backwater Village. As the boat glides along the backwaters
one can see the daily life in the backwater villages. On the narrow
strips of land, fisherman fishing, children swimming and playing
in the water, women doing their daily chores, mobile shops in tiny
canoes, the cultivation of paddy and it's harvesting (during harvest
season), huge country barges ferrying the coconuts, rice, coir etc.
Note : The cruise commences at 1300 hrs with lunch served onboard
and continues till dusk. At dusk the boat will anchor in a wide
waterway or lake for the night. (The backwaters close to boat traffic
at dusk as the fisherman lay their nets in the backwaters. Other
boats are not allowed to ply in the backwaters after dusk.) On the
following day the cruise commences again after breakfast and you
will be dropped at Allepey by 1000 hrs.
DAY
17 : ALLEPEY - KOVALAM
(174 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
Checkout
from the houseboat and proceed to Kovalam. Arrive Kovalam and check
in at prebooked hotel.
DAY 18 : KOVALAM
Day free to relax on the beach.
DAY 19 : KOVALAM
Day free to relax on the beach.
DAY 20 : KOVALAM
Day free to relax on the beach.
DAY 21 : KOVALAM
Day free to relax on the beach.
DAY 22 : KOVALAM
Day free to relax on the beach.
DAY 23 : TRIVANDRUM - MUMBAI (FLIGHT)
Morning at leisure
Afternoon, transfer to Trivandrum airport to board flight for Mumbai.
Arrive Mumbai and transfer to prebooked hotel.
DAY 24 : DEPART MUMBAI
Transfer to the airport to board flight back home.
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