Tour
Duration : 16 Nights/ 17 Days
Places to Visit :
Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Udaipur - Goa - Mumbai -
Cochin - Marari - Kumarakom
- Periyar - Madurai - ChennaiDay
1 : Abroad - DelhiArrival late night at New Delhi International
Airport
On arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, the guest
will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day
2 : Delhi This morning you will be taken to visit
Old Delhi
- Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow
streets and bustling bazaars. Drive past the Red Fort, built in 1648 and
board the
'rickshaw ride' for a unique experience from the Red Fort,
through "Chandni Chowk" or Silver Street, experiencing the sights
and sounds of this very busy avenue heading west from the Fort. Later visit
the
Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658
by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the
Raj Ghat, the
simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
This afternoon you will be taken
to visit
New Delhi - drive past the stately government buildings of
the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the
India Gate &
the
Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful Humayuns tomb
of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal. End the
tour at the towering minaret of
Qutab Minar.
Overnight at
hotel
Day 3: Delhi - Agra Morning drive to
Agra
(203 kms).
Upon arrival in Agra - check in to hotel.
Afternoon
visit Red fort & Taj Mahal
Red Fort - lies on the bend
of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. It was built by Akbar
as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It
has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat.
Taj
Mahal -This most famous Moghul monument was constructed by Emperor Shah
Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal "the lady of the Taj". It
has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, for
the emperor was heartbroken when Mumtaz died after 17 years of marriage,
during the birth of her 14th child.The central structure has four small
domes surrounding the huge, central dome. Above the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal
and Shah Jahan are false tombs, a common practice in Indian mausoleums.
Visit
the pristine
Taj Mahal at sunset, to see this true Wonder of the
world in gentle late afternoon light.
Overnight at hotel
Day
4 : Agra - Jaipur Morning drive to
Jaipur (221 kms),
enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri - drive to the
impressive sandstone fortress of Fatehpur Sikri. The fort was built in the
16th century and only occupied for a few years before being abandoned,
leaving the buildings in virtually perfect conditions.
Thereafter
continue drive to Jaipur.
Upon arrival in Jaipur - check in to hotel.
Late
morning tour of the impressive
Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just
outside Jaipur City. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned
elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making your
entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th
century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a
fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families.
Afternoon
tour of the
City - "The Pink City" is spectacularly set
within surrounding rugged hills, dotted with ancient ruined fortresses. Your
tour will include the imposing
City Palace, still home to the
Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Many
antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here,
including a collection of weaponry. You will also visit the
Hawa Mahal
"Palace of the Winds", and the open-air
Jantar Mantar
Observatory to see the vast astronomical instruments. Enjoy a stroll
through the colourful bazaar before returning to your hotel.
Overnight
at hotel
Day 5 : Jaipur - Udaipur Early morning
transfer to airport for flight to
Udaipur .
| Leave: Jaipur |
at 0735 hrs |
by 9W-3401 |
| Arrive: Udaipur |
at 0840 hrs |
|
Upon arrival in Udaipur, the guest will be met by our
representative and transferred to the hotel.
Early evening enjoy a
boat cruise on Lake Pichola at sunset visiting the
Jagmandir
Island - in the middle of the romantic Lake Pichola. It commands a
magnificent view of the City Palace, Lake Palace and Sajjangarh Fort, on its
own island, and it is where Prince Khurram was given refuge in the 17th
century.
Overnight at hotel
Day
6 : Udaipur Morning
City tour of Udaipur, one of India's
most romantic cities and famed for its lovely palaces and lakes. Begin by
visiting the
City Palace and wandering through its beautiful rooms
and apartments, then continue on to the Garden of Maidens
"Sahelion-ki-bari'
and the
Folk Art Museum, to view the interesting collection of
puppets & paintings. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at
hotel
Day 7 : Udaipur - Mumbai - GoaMorning transfer
to airport for flight to
Goa
| Leave: Udaipur |
at 0920 hrs |
by 9W-3401 |
| Arrive: Mumbai |
at 1105 hrs |
|
| TRANSIST |
|
|
| Leave: Mumbai |
at 1225 hrs |
by 9W-471 |
| Arrive: Goa |
at 1325 hrs |
|
Upon arrival in Goa, the guest will be met by our
representative and transferred to the hotel.
Rest of the day at
leisure.
Overnight at hotel
Day 8 : Goa Full
day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel
Day 9 : Goa -
Mumbai Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to
Mumbai
| Leave: Goa |
at 1405 hrs |
by 9W-472 |
| Arrive: Mumbai |
at 1505 hrs |
|
Upon
arrival in Mumbai, the guest will be met by our representative and
transferred to the hotel.
Thereafter
City tour of Bombay -
is a great port city with its Victorian Gothic buildings from the British
Raj Era mingling with the modern. The tour includes
Gateway of India
overlooking the Harbour, the
Tower of Silence, the
Marine Drive,
the
Colaba Causeway - the commercial heart of Bombay and the
Dhobi
Ghat, the unique & colourful outdoor 'laundry'. Drive upto the
Malabar Hill to the lovely
Hanging Gardens and the
Kamla Nehru
Park from where you will get a wonderful view of Mumbai and the Arabian
Sea spread out before you. Also visit
Mani Bhawan, a small museum
dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi, and the bustling
Crawford
Market.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10 : Mumbai -
Cochin Morning transfer to airport for flight to
Cochin
| Leave: Mumbai |
at 0840 hrs |
by 9W-401 |
| Arrive: Cochin |
at 1025 hrs |
|
Upon arrival in Cochin, the guest will be met by our
representative and transferred to the hotel.
Afternoon tour of
Cochin
or "Kochi" the palm green, commercial captial of Kerala which has
one of the finest natural barhours & is known as the "Queen of the
Arabian Sea". From time immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British &
Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Kochi & left their
impression on the town. Modern Kochi is thus a splendid mosaic of these
myriad influences. Visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, the Church
of St. Francis, the Bolghatty Palace & the famous Chinese fishing nets.
The backwaters extending to the east & south from the harbour, are
dotted with tiny islands, formed naturally by alluvial deposits from the
rivers.
Overnight at hotel
Day 11 : Cochin -Marari
Late morning drive to
Marari (60 kms).
Upon arrival in
Marari - check in to hotel.
Mararikulam- is one of the
picturesque fishing villages that dot the lovely coastline of Kerala. This
private, shallow beach is fringed with unending lines of coconut palms.
Overnight
at hotel
Day
12 : Marari - Kumarakom Morning drive to
Alleppey (40 kms),
and then take a Motor-launch to Kumarakom.
Kumarakom-is a
beautiful backwater village on the shores of the enchanting Vembanad Lake,
criss crossed with meandering waterways and ancient cottages.
COCONUT
LAGOON-Rest of the day to relax in this unique backwater resort
surrounded by the Vembanad Lake on two sides, swinging paddy fields on one
side and a bird sanctuary on the other. A traditional Kerala village has
been created at the resort with rooms that are 100 years old wooden houses
of Kerala, carefully transplanted and rebuilt by skilled craftsman.
Rest
of the day to relax in this unique backwater resort.
Overnight at
hotel
Day 13 : Kumarakom - Periyar Morning
visit
the superb Bird Sanctuary in adjacent wooded marshland - which boasts of
egrets, tree pies, black headed orioles, bee-eaters & a whole host of
herons.
Thereafter drive to
Periyar (130 kms)
Periyar
- sprawling across 777 sq. kms. of the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats,
Thekkady is the home to one of the largest wildlife reserves in India. Alive
with exotic flora and vibrant wildlife, it is the perfect getaway tucked
away among hills.
Upon arrival in Periyar- check in to hotel.
Spice
Village Resort is situated just outside the famous Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary. This unique and deluxe village resort is set in a spice garden -
with 37 cottages of thatched roofs which blend well with the surrounding
greenery.
Afternoon,
boat cruise on the Periyar Lake in the
cool surroundings and the panorama spreads around tropical jungle, wild
elephants, Indian gaur, monkeys, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar and
birds of myriad varieties. With an area of 777 sq. km the wildlife sanctuary
lies at an elevation of 914 meters to 1828 meters above sea level on the
Periyar Lake in the hills of Western Ghats.
Overnight at hotel
Day 14 : Periyar - Madurai Morning drive to
Madurai
(180 kms).
Upon arrival in Madurai - check in to hotel.
Evening
visit of the Meenakshi temple - Leave the hotel for the temple by cycle
rickshaws. At 9 PM, attend the night ceremony at the temple. This is a
ceremony that takes place every evening when the temple bronze of Lord Shiva
is carried to the bed chamber of Parvati. The procession is accompanied by
religious prayer and temple music.
Overnight at hotel
Day
15 : Madurai - Chennai Morning
tour of Madurai - It's one
of the most pleasant Indian cities, and has a charming situation on the
River
Vaigai, fringed by lush paddy fields and coconut groves. Visit to Meenakshi
temple - this is Madurai's greatest landmark, a city within a city that
includes not only temples but a fascinating bazaar that is bustling from
dawn to nightfall. See the famous 'Hall of a thousand Pillars' - a testimony
to the exuberance of Dravidian architecture, the Shiva temple; the musical
pillar, and the palace of Tirumala Nayak which is an example of the
architectural mastery of the Nayaks - a blend of Hindu and Saracen
architecture. Its enormous roofed arcade supported by 48-foot high stoned
pillar still stands.
Thereafter transfer to airport for flight to
Chennai
| Leave: Madurai |
at 1320 hrs |
by IC-672 |
| Arrive: Chennai |
at 1415 hrs |
|
Upon arrival in Chennai, the guest will be met by our
representative and transferred to the hotel.
Afternoon visit
Fort Museum - which has 10 galleries with many exhibits telling the
story of the East India company's activities in South India. The top floor
has some good French porcelain, clocks and glassm, and, of most interest,
some rare 19th-Century prints of Madras. The ground floor has East India
Company - memorabilia, including officers' medals, tea sets and cutlery.
Overnight
at hotel
Day 16 : Chennai Morning City tour of Madras
is the fourth largest city in India. The sprawling city which is divided in
two by the cooum River, has few tall buildings to mar the impression of an
easygoing market town. The gracefulness is present in Madras in such liberal
quantities is propriate. Visit the
Fort St. George - Still
surrounded by cannon-profwalls the fort was rebuilt several times between
1642 when its original bastions were completed and 1749 when the French
left, it remains - moats and all - pretty much today as when first made the
seat of empire. Declared a national monument in 1948, most of its buildings
have been converted into government offices, notably the Legislature and
Secretariat. At various times the fort was home of Robert Clive, Elihu Yale
and Sir Arthur Wellesley. Within the fort, visit the little
St Mary's
Church the oldest Protestant church east of the Suez and the first
Anglican one in India.
Later transfer to International airport for
flight back home.
Day 17 : Chennai - Abroad Depart
Chennai
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