10 Nights / 11 Days

Delhi /  Agra / Jaipur / Bombay / Trivanduram / Allepey / Kumarakom / Cochin

Day 1 – Flight  Your Country / Delhi

Late night arrival. Welcome to India, or as we say ‘atithi devo bhava’ (the guest is an incarnation of God). Thank you for giving us the opportunity to serve you! Meeting and assistance upon arrival as our representatives welcome you and escort you to your car.
Overnight at Hotel.

Day 2 – Delhi

Following a leisurely breakfast, we proceed on a guided tour of New Delhi.
DELHI – India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its fold the ancient and the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. It is not surprising then, that what constitutes Delhi today is a conglomerate of seven cities.

Morning: Proceed for tour to Old Delhi. Visiting, Red Fort (From outside) – The old walled city from Mughal India, the chief attraction is the huge fort that contains within it palaces and impressive public buildings. Chandni Chowk – The main street of Old Delhi is the colourful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk. Jama Masjid – The great mosque of Old Delhi is both the largest in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan. Raj Ghat – On the banks of the Yamuna River, a simple square platform of black marble marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated following his assassination in 1948. The highlight of this tour would be a ride on cycle rickshaws. This is a remarkable way to explore and picture the hustle and bustle as well as the colour of the narrow winding streets bursting with people and pavement shops selling wares of all description - including a laughing set of dentures.

Afternoon: Continue to visit New Delhi, Rajpath – The Kingsway is another focus of New Delhi. It is immensely broad and is flanked on either side by Ornamental ponds. India Gate – This 42 mtr high stone arch of triumph stands at the eastern end of the Rajpath. It bears the names of 85,000 Indian Army soldiers who died in the campaigns of WWI and Afghan fiasco in 1919 Rashtrapati Bhawan – The official residence of the President of India stands at the opposite end of the Rajpath from India Gate. Qutab Minar – This is a soaring tower of victory which was started in 1193, immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. It is nearly 73 mtr high and tapers from a 15-mtr diameter base to just 2.5 mtr at the top. Humayun's Tomb  - This tomb, built in 1570, is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal
 
Overnight at Hotel

Day 3 – Delhi / Agra

After Breakfast Leave for Agra. Upon arrival check into hotel

Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most photographed monument in the world. However, there is a degree of enigma about the Taj. Once you hear about a building so much and once you see so many pictures of a building your expectations are real high; and this is the enigma about the Taj Mahal. No matter how many pictures you have seen or no matter how high your expectations are, the Taj never lets you down - the unparalleled glory and beauty of the building surpasses beyond all human imaginations.
VISIT TAJ MAHAL [ built by Shah Jehan for his queen Mumtaj Mahal ], perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the World & the construction of Taj Mahal believed to have taken 22 Years to complete with over 20,000 craftsmen working round the clock. Taj Mahal witness the spectacular monument built for love. Besides perfect symmetry in every aspect of its construction, the inlay work of semi precious stones into marble in pietra dura style is absolutely remarkable
Visit Red Fort  - Built principally as a military establishment by Akbar in 1565, the red sandstone Agra fort was partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time. Though the principal structure was built by Akbar, many more additions were made by his grandson. The colossal walls are 20 feet high and the whole fort is encircled by a fetid moat. Amar Singh gate towards the south is the only entry point in the fort. The building and structures inside the fort gives an impression of a city within the city. Many of the building inside the fort is now closed for the public. The marble pearl mosque inside the fort is one of the most stunningly beautiful mosques in India

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 4 – Agra / Jaipur

Breakfast will be at Hotel. Proceed to Jaipur enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur sikri - An emperor builds a magnificent city as an act of gratitude to a penniless saint, makes it the capital of his empire and then for inexplicable reason abandons it.

Fatehpur Sikri is a city that a emperor forgot. After just fourteen years of life, the palaces of Akbar great city of victory fell silent. Its echoing corridors still seen to wait for the king to return. The hill top city lies 37 kms from Agra. This deserted city has two distinct complexes. The first comprises the royal enclosure of the palace, the harem and official buildings and the second is the dargarh of a saint, with a mosque and lofty gateways. To wander among the red sandstone courtyard of Fatehpur Sikri is to travel back in the time when Mughal emperor Akbar rode through the gateway after a triumpant campaign, o be welcomed by his delighted subjects and the royal courts. It reflects the many faceted character of the man who inspired it. The ruthless empire builder who enjoyed all the trapping of power and as liberal enlightened man who took a passionate instant in every aspect of life, be it religion, literature or the painting of miniatures.

Later Leave for Jaipur. Upon arrival check into hotel

JAIPUR – The city blushing pink is the picturesque capital of Rajasthan, more famous as the ‘Pink City’. It was colourwashed pink when Prince Albert, the consort of Queen Victoria of England visited India in 1883 A.D.. Founded in 1727 A.D. by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, Jaipur is the first planned city designed in accordance with ‘Shilpa Shastra’ – the epochal treatise of Hindu architecture. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 5 – Jaipur / Amber / Jaipur

Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.

AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace.  Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I.  Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
We will ride up to this hilltop palace on a caparisoned, painted elephant, passing through the ancient main gate where Maharajas of Jaipur have entered for four hundred years. Our guide will elaborate on the history of this architectural masterpiece with its mirror-studded alcoves, dazzling mosaics and water-cooled swings that delight today’s visitors as they did their former royal residents.

Proceed for sightseeing of the city.

CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city.  It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
       
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country.  This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.

HAWA MAHAL( only a photo stop)  - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur.  It is a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 6 – Jaipur / Bombay

Breakfast will be at hotel. Transfer to the airport by flight for Bombay.  Check in at hotel.
Mumbai - The city of dreams.
For the day visit Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Hanging Gardens on the slopes of Malabar Hills offering nice view of Marine Lines & Chowpatty Beach, Kamla Nehru Park, Mani Bhawan (where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay) and then to Dhobi Ghat. Also visit Afgan Church, Flora Fountain (Bombay nerve centre), Colourful Crawford Market and Marine Drive.
Overnight at hotel

Day 7 – Bombay / Trivandrum

After the breakfast, transfer to domestic airport to board the flight to Trivanduram.
Trivandrum  - Thiruvananthapuram, which was previously called Trivandrum, is an ancient city with tradition dating back to 1000 BC. It is a peaceful attractive city built across seven hills, the city's old quarter clusters around the temple, while along the busy Mahatma Gamdhi Road are colonial mansions, churches and modern high-rises. The kings who ruled there have called themselves "Padmanabha-Dasa" or the "servants of LORD Anantha Padmanabha", and ruled the state as the representatives of Lord Anantha Padmanabha
Checkin at hotel. Overnight at hotel

Day 8 – Trivandrum / Allepey

Breakfast then departure in direction of Allepey, also called Alappuzha, extending along channels of coconuts and cannals
Overnight at hotel.

Day 9 – Allepey / Kumarakom

After breakfast we drive to Kumarakom and board our private Houseboat. Travel through the lush green backwaters towards Kumarakom enroute seeing various local activities of the people living along the backwaters. Our crew will cook the delicious Keralan food and show places of interest along the way. Overnight and dinner on  Houseboat

Day 10 – Kumarakom / Cochin

After the breakfast taken under the veranda of the boat. Leave for Cochin. On arrival checkin at hotel.
Cochin -  is also known as the cosmopolitan city of Kerala. There are number of islands around Eranakulam. Kochi -the Queen of the Arabian Sea is one of the most interesting island and has one of finest natural harbors in the world. The other two islands are Bolghatty island and Willingdon island. From time immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese sea fares followed the sea route to this district and left their impressions on the places around this district.

Over night stay at the hotel

Day 11 – Cochin / Your Country

Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing tour Cochin
Cochin – It is Kerala’s commercial center, it has a fine natural harbour. Cochin(Kochi) gateway for Kerala is famous for Mattanchery Palace, Fort Cochin, Vasco Da Gama Square, St. Francis Church, Wellington Island, Bolgatty Island, Dutch Palace, Chinese Fishing nets and Jewish Synagogue. Watch Kathakali Dance in Cochin the well known dances of  India.
Kathakali -  Kerala owes its transnational fame to the nearly 300-year-old classical dance form of Kathakali, which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and pantomime. It is said to have evolved from other performing arts like Kootiyattam and Ramanattam.

Transfer to the international airport for your onward flight back home with the sweet memories of India.

Hotel Proposed - LUXURY

Delhi- The Imperial/ The Grand/ The Park/ The Claridges/ Hotel Taj Palace / The Oberoi/ The Taj Mahal/ The Manor/ The Metropolitan Hotel Nikko
Agra- Jaypee Palace/ Taj View/ The Trident Hilton
Jaipur- The Raj Palace/ Le Meridien/ Samode Haveli/Jai Mahal Palace/ The Trident Hilton
Mumbai (Bombay)- Le Royal Meridien, Hotel Marine Plaza, Park Plaza Royal Palms
Trivanduram- Travacore Heritage/ Muthoot Plaza
Allepey- Lake Palace
Cochin- Brunton Boatyard, The Trident Hilton, Le Meridien

Hotel Proposed - DELUXE

Delhi- Hotel Marina/ The Connaught/ Hotel Dee Marks/ Hans Plaza
Agra- Howard Park Palza/ Utkarsh Vilas/ The Grand Imperial/ Hotel Mansingh Palace
Jaipur- Alsisar Haveli/Park Plaza/ Shahpura House/ Holiday Inn/ Megh Niwas
Mumbai (Bombay)-  Hotel Fariyas/ Hotel Shalimar/ Hotel Ritz/ Suba Palace/ The Gordon House/ Kohinoor Continental/ Holiday Inn
Trivanduram- Fortune Hotel The South Park/ Somatheeram Ayurvedic Beach Resort/ Manaltheeram Beach Resort/ Kadaloram Beach Resort
Allepey- Coir Village Lake Resort/ Shantitheeram Heritage Lakeside resort/ Keraleeyam/ Waterscapes Backwater Resort/ Laguna Kumarakom resort and Spa
Cochin- Hotel Casino, Fort Heritage, Fort Cochin, The Avenue Regent, Abad Plaza, Abad Atrium Hotel, Abad Airport Hotel

Hotel Proposed - ECONOMY

Delhi- Hotel Metro Heights/ Hotel Metro City/ Hotel Singh Sons/ Hotel Singh Palace
Agra- Hotel Amar/ Hotel Atithi / Hotel Royal Regency
Jaipur- Hotel Arya Niwas/ Hotel Mandawa Haveli / Tara Niwas/ Comfort in hawa mahal
Mumbai (Bombay)- Hotel Heritage
Trivanduram- Saj Lucia/ Pearl Regency/ Hotel Rockholm/ Mascot Hotel
Allepey- Keraleeyam Ayurvedic Resort/ Kayaloram Lake Resort/ Tharavad  Heritage Resort
Cochin- Wyte Fort, Hotel renaissance, Abad Metro, Hotel Abad Fort Cochin

Tour Package Includes:
❂ Hotel accomodation as per the itinerary with daily breakfast.
❂ Surface Travel by airconditioned car
❂ All airport, railway station, other transfers & sightseeing as per the itinerary.
❂ Local English speaking guides.
❂ Elephant ride in Amber Fort, Jaipur (Subject to availability),
❂ Boat ride in Udaipur (common Boat).
❂ All applicable taxes, parking fees, driver allowances etc.

Tour Package does not include:
❂ International or domestic flights.
❂ Airport taxes, Visa Charges, Insurance.
❂ Entrance fee to monuments.
❂ Minibar, Tips, laundry.
❂ Any item not shown in Cost Includes.

Notes:

• There will be a supplement for Christmas / New Year / Pushkar festival time.
• There can be some variation in the price according to the hotels finally booked.