This Package can be tailored to suit any budget

DAY 1    ARRIVE DELHI

Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel.

DAY 2    DELHI   (B/L)

Visit of Old and New Delhi visiting Qutab Minar, a huge handcarved tower, below it are the remains of the first mosque built in India, drive past the President’s House, India Gate and magnificent Red Fort. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon Visit Delhi Haat, a huge food and craft bazaar . See food stalls serving authentic Indian food and a bonanza of Indian handicrafts on sale.

DAY 3   DELHI-VARANASI   (B/L/D)

Transfer to the airport for flight to Varanasi.Transfer to hotel (lunch at the hotel).

Later in the afternoon a half day tour to the downtown area by rickshaw. Ride through the narrow streets and alleys to get a good glimpse of everyday life. In the evening the Ghats and temples are lit with oil lamp lights or candles. Participate in an Arti Ceremeny (collective prayer) and watch the floating Diyas (lamps) on the river Ganges. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 4   VARANASI   (B/L/D)

Early morning boat cruise down the river Ganges. The western banks of the Ganges has a string of Ghats (a chain of stone steps) all built with pavilions, palaces and terraces, most of which are mainly used as Dharamsalas where the pilgrims stay during their visit to the holy city. At dawn, the Ghats are abuzz with activity of the devotees performing their ablutions in the river or offering prayers to the rising sun and performing other religious rituals. A boat ride along the Ghats gives you vantage views of this activity. Sunrise on the Ganges is a soul-lifting experience. Later visit Vishwanath Temple, also called the golden temple because of the gold plating on its roof.

Return to the hotel for breakfast. Rest of the morning is free. Lunch at the hotel.

Afternoon half day tour to Sarnath, 10 kilometres away from Varanasi, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples, expounding the principles of Buddhism. The remains date back to as far as the 3rd century BC. See the art collection at the Archaeological Museum , Mahabodhi Buddha Temple and a walk around the Deer Park. Later see the monastery ruins area, Dhameka Stupa. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 5   VARANASI-KHAJURAHO   (B/D)

Proceed to the airport for flight to Khajuraho. Transfer to hotel.

Afternoon visit the western and eastern group of temples. Start with a visit to the western group of temples, the most important temple being the Kandariya Mahandeo Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the largest and most typical of the Khajuraho temples. Visit Chaunsat Yogini Jain temple, dedicated to the 64 “Yoginis” or attendants of Goddess Kali. This temple stands apart from the rest. Also see Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple which has a lovely sculpture of Lord Vishnu in his 11 headed form.

Later visit the eastern group of temples including the Ghantai Temple, Vamana Temple, dedicated to the “Vamana” or dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu and the Javari Temple. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 6   KHAJURAHO-ORCHA-AGRA   (B/L/D)

Proceed to Orcha for a tour of this medieval city, the palaces and temples built in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection. Lunch at a local restaurant

Transfer to Jhansi Railway Station for train to Agra.  Arrive in the evening (meeting and assistance on arrival) and transfer to hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 7   AGRA   (B/D)

Sunrise visit to see the beautiful Taj Mahal. Situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, the Taj Mahal is an epitome of love, built by Mugal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife who died giving birth to their 14th son in 1631. This magnificent monument is set around a Charbagh or “four garden” plan, which is split by watercourses – a reflection of Persian style. Enjoy a Tonga ride (horse and carriage) from hotel to Taj Mahal and back. (closed Fridays)

Afternoon visit Agra Fort, a massive red sandstone fort and palace which dominates the center of the city. The crescent shaped fort with its 20 metre high outer walls contain a maze of buildings that form a small city within a city.

Later stop in Shilpgram Market (closed Tuesdays), a feast of stalls selling handicrafts and artworks. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 8   AGRA-JAIPUR   (B/L/D)

Proceed for Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri. The palace and city was built in 1564 by Mugal Emperor Akbar and was intended to be the capital city, but a shortage of water and unrest in the north-west made the Emperor abandon it. The well preserved buildings are impressive with their unusual architecture.

Lunch at Bharatpur and then visit a village school, later walking around the village to interact with local women. Proceed to Jaipur, check into hotel.

Evening vist to Choti Chaupar and Nehru Bazaars for textiles. Witness sari trying-on demonstration and try your hands at it. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 9   JAIPUR   (B/L)

Visit Amer Fort, a huge complex that stands on a rocky hill 11 kilometres from Jaipur and one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Visit the City Palace, now converted into a museum, a small portion is still used by the royal family of Jaipur. Some free time for shopping and return to hotel.

DAY 10   JAIPUR-JODHPUR   (B/D)

Transfer to the airport for flight to Jodhpur. Rest of the day free to relax. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 11   JODHPUR   (B/L)

Half day city tour visiting Meherangarh Fort, a majestic fort towering over the city, located on a sandstone hill. Visit the museum at Umaid Bhawan Palace, part of which is a luxury hotel and part residence of the current Maharaja of Jodhpur. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Time for shopping in the market area before returning to the hotel.

DAY 12   UDAIPUR   (B/D)

Transfer to the airport for flight to Udaipur. Transfer to the hotel. Dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 13   UDAIPUR   (B/L)

Morning visit to the City Palace, a huge palace built near the lake, it has a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms, hanging gardens and Jagdish Temple, the largest and most beautiful temple in Udaipur. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Free time for the rest of the day to wander around the old streets.

DAY 14   UDAIPUR-BOMBAY-COCHIN   (B/D)

Free day until  transfer to the airport to connect for morning flight to Cochin via Bombay. Arrive in Cochin mid afternoon and transfer to hotel. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 15   COCHIN-THEKKADY (PERIYAR)   (B/L/D)

Half day tour of towns of Kochi (Cochin) and Ernakulam. Visit Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue (closed on Saturdays), St Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. While driving along the coastine, at the harbour’s entrance, see the unique and still in use “Chinese fishing nets” which were introduced by Chinese traders in the 14th century. Finish with a walk through the Fort Kochi area with historical Dutch and Portuguese buildings. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Proceed by road to Periyar, home of South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary.

Evening visit to the nearby spice gardens. Dinner at the hotel.

DAY 16   THEKADY-ALLEPPEY   (B/L/D)

Early morning boat cruise on Lake Periyar to view wild life. Return to the hotel for breakfast and proceed by road to Alleppey to board your houseboat. Sail through the back waters of Kerala until early evening, boat moors in Vembanada Lake for night’s stay. Lunch and dinner on houseboat.

DAY 17   KUMARAKOM   (B/L/D)

Arrive at Kumarakom by houseboat (breakfast on board). Disembark and check into hotel by Vembanada lake. Enjoy a general ayurvedic massage at the hotel.  Lunch and dinner at the hotel.

DAY 18   KUMARAKOM-COCHIN-MUMBAI   (B/D)

Transfer to the airport for morning flight to Mumbai. Transfer to hotel.

Afternoon half day tour tof Mumbai. See Gateway of India, Mumbai’s principle landmark, drive past the Afghan Church, Secretariat of Maharashtra Government and along Marine Drive which is fondly known as the “Queen’s Necklace”. Visit Jain Temple and Hanging Gardens which offer a splendid view of the city, Chowpatty, Kamala Nehru Park and also Mani Bhavan where Mahatma Gandi stayed during his visits to Mumbai. Drive past Haji Ali Mosque, a shrine in honour of a Muslim saint on an island 500 metres out to sea linked by a causeway. Stop at Dhobi Gat, where Mumbai’s washing is scrubbed, bashed, dyed and hung out to dry. You may catch a local train pass by with city commuters hanging out – a good photo stop. Continue to the colourful Crawford Market and to Flora Fountain, a large bustling square, in the heart of the city. Dinner at a local restaurant.

DAY 19   MUMBAI  (B/L)

Morning tour of Bollywood. India remains the largest film producer in the world, producing an average of 1000 films a year.

Lunch at Bollywood Drome (unit lunch)

Rest of the afternoon free until departure to airport for onwards destination.

END OF TOUR. SEE "WHAT WE OFFER" AND PHOTO GALLERY AT THE TOP OF THIS PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION. 

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