Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Destinations covered: – Delhi – Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Jaipur – Cochin – Munnar – Periyar – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Kovalam – Trivandrum
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
On arrival at International airport, the guest will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Delhi, capital city of the Federal Republic of India is one of India’s fastest growing cities. The city has two distinct parts, Old Delhi & New Delhi. Old Delhi reflects shades of Mughal Emperor whereas New Delhi shows the legacy of what British left behind.
The streets of Old Delhi are narrow & bustling. The beauty & serenity lies inside the courts of the main buildings. Delhi has some of the finest museums in the country. Its boutiques and shopping arcades offer access to a wealth of traditional and contemporary crafts, from all over the country. New Delhi was proclaimed the capital of India by the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944), & is tree-lined & spacious.
Day 02:Delhi
After breakfast proceed for day sightseeing of Delhi covering the following areas of New Delhi and Old Delhi
Rajghat – A memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, also known as Bapu (Father of Nation)
Red Fort (Lal quila) – Old Delhi is centered on the Red Fort built by Emperor Shah Jahan between 1636 & 1658, when the mougal empire was on its peak.
Jama Masjid (Mosque) – Work on the Jama Masjid mosque was begun in 1650 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to complement his palace at the Red Fort. More than 5,000 workers toiled for six years to complete the largest mosque in India.
Qutub Minar – is the tallest stone tower in India. Some believe it was erected as a tower of victory to signify the beginning of the Muslim rule in India. Others say it served as a minaret to the muezzins to call the faithful to prayer
India Gate – Built as a memorial to commemorate the 70,000 India soldiers killed in World War, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931.
Built from sandstone, the arch also houses the Eternal Flame, a gesture in memory of the Indian soldiers who laid their lives in the 1971 war with Pakistan.
Rashtrapati Bhawan – Formely the Viceregal Lodge, the building is the highlight of Lutyen’s New Delhi and was completed in 1929 at a cost of 12,53,000 pound sterling. Located in an area of 130 hectares, the palace has 340 rooms
Overnight in Delhi – we will be happy to recommend places for an evening stroll or a restaurant for dinner tonight.
Day 03: Delhi – Agra (201 kms – 4 hours drive by road)
After breakfast start for Agra by road. Check in at hotel.
Agra- Heritage of Agra city is linked with the Mughal dynasty, numerous other rulers also contributed to the rich past of this city. Modern Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi (Lodhi dynasty; Delhi Sultanate) in the 16th century.
Babar (founder of the Mughal dynasty) also stayed for sometime in Agra and introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here. Emperor Akbar built the Agra fort and Fatehpur Sikri near Agra. Fatehpur Sikri remained his capital for around fifteen years after which the city was left isolated in mysterious circumstances. Jahangir beautified Agra with palaces and gardens despite spending most of his time in Kashmir with which he was passionately attached.
Evening proceed for Taj Mahal sightseeing
Taj Mahal For centuries, the Taj Mahal has inspired poets, painters and musicians to try and capture its elusive magic in word, colour and song. It is one of the most flawless architectural creations of the world. Since the 17th century, travellers have crossed continents to come and see this ultimate memorial to love, and few have been unmoved by its incomparable beauty. The Taj Mahal in Agra India is considered one of the best examples of Mughal architecture in India. The history of the Taj Mahal is one of the great love stories of the world. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan ruled from 1628 to 1658 and was married to Arjumand Bano Begum in 1612 A.D. He called his wife Mumtaz Mahal or Crown of the Palace. Her dying wish to Shah Jahan was that he should “build a tomb in her memory such as the world had never seen before.” The history of the Taj Mahal begins with Mumtaz Mahal’s tragic end.
Overnight at Agra.
Day 04: Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Jaipur (235 kms-6 hours drive by road)
After breakfast at hotel, drive to Jaipur. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri – The city of victory beautifully preserved. The sandstone mansions of Sikri are experiments in art and architecture and to a great extent uphold Akbar’s ideals and visions.
Later continue your drive to Jaipur, transfer to hotel.
Rest of the day free. Evening optional visit to Raj Mandir cinema hall famous for its beautiful interiors or “Chokhi Dhani” – A five star ethenic village Resort for dinner on direct payment basis.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 05: Jaipur
After breakfast proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort. 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.
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 Mughal ruling families.
Continue sightseeing.
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 – 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.
Evening leisure for shopping or one can visit Birla temple to explore the religious side of Jaipur. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Jaipur-Cochin (2442 kms 4 hours by Air)
After breakfast start for airport to catch flight for Cochin
Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as ‘God’s Own Country‘. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala
Arrive Cochin and check in at hotel.
Relax for the rest of the day. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Cochin
After breakfast proceed for a guided tour of Fort Cochin and the Jew Street in Mattancherry. Visit the synagogue, century’s old churches and palaces, colonial buildings, Chinese fishing net etc. Spend your evening on the near by Fort Cochin beach or ferry across to Cherai Beach which is half an hour away. Come back to the hotel or visit Ernakulam city for souvenir and other shopping on Mahatma Gandhi Road. Over night stay at the hotel.
Day 8: Cochin – Munnar (140 Kms, 4 hours drive by road)
After breakfast drive to Munnar. Throughout the journey enjoy beautiful streams small water falls, Rubber, Pepper cardamom and Tea plantations and thick forests.
Munnar – breathtakingly beautiful – a haven of peace and tranquility – the idyllic tourist destination in God’s own country. Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations – pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests – aroma of spice scented cool air.
Arrive Munnar and check in at resort.
Day 9: Munnar
After breakfast start for a full day sightseeing of Munnar watch beautiful mist kissing romantic green meadows- mind-blowing hills sleeping under green carpet (Tea Gardens) visit Mattupetty Lake & Dam, Echo Point, Kundale Lake, Blossom Garden, Rajamalai, Eravikulam Wildlife sanctuary & Tea Plantation. Overnight stay at Munnar.
Day 10: Munnar – Thekkady (120 kms, 4 hours drive by road)
After breakfast start for Thekkady. Drive through panoramic western Ghat hills covered with spice plantations and occasional view of water falls and streams.
Thekkady – one of India’s most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, where you can watch wildlife at close range. The vegetation, the flora and fauna and the birds of Thekkady are uniquely rich, vast and varied that it does not bear semblance to any other wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Even a casual visitor to this place will not fail to observe the special ecological pattern of Thekkady.
On arrival at Thekkady check into Hotel.
Afternoon experience the mind bowing view of calm crystal clear Periyar lake to view the wildlife. Overnight stay at Thekkady
Day 11: Thekkady – Kumarakom (145 kms, 4 hours drive by road)
After breakfast start for Kumarakom.
Kumarakom – When nature is all you need to recuperate, Kumarakom is undoubtedly the most invigorating, fascinating paradise in Kerala, God’s own country. The slender coconut palms standing here, there and everywhere, never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties can peacefully calm and invigorate your mind with renewed inspiration for your vocation and life. That is the pristine beauty of Kumarakom.
Arrive Kumarakom and check in at resort.
Visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. In the evening canoe down the narrow canals. Join the evening sunset cruise or enjoy the beauty of backwater by just relaxing near Vembanadu Lake. Overnight stay at the resort.
Day 12: Kumarakom (Houseboat)
Breakfast at resort. Morning at leisure at resort, 1230 hrs check in at houseboat. Rest of the day at leisure on the House Boat. Sit back and relax while the boat cruises through the narrow serene backwater canals. Lunch, Evening Tea/Coffee with snacks, dinner and enjoy your evening on the sundeck away from polluted cities and maddening crowd. Overnight stay on House Boat.
Day 13: Kumarakom-Alleppey (38 kms, 40 minutes drive by road)
After breakfast start for Alleppey.
Arrive Alleppey and check in at Houseboat and enjoy an over night cruise cum stay in your houseboat. Food will be served in the houseboat. Enjoy the unique experience of a day on backwaters in a houseboat, and meander through the labyrinth of canals, that makes Kumarakom a top world destination. The backwater ride paints vivid picture of the traditional country life in all its natural beauty.
Over night stay at the houseboat.
Day 14: Alleppey-Kovalam (158 kms 3.5 hours drive by road)
After breakfast start for Kovalam.
Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and true to its name the village offers an endless sight of coconut trees. Azure water and favourable climate make Kovalam a favorite year-round spot for swimming. Sea here is pacific and shallow where you can take a dip in the saline waters. Surfing and swimming are among the other water sports possible in Kovalam beach. Many people from different countries and cultures intermingle with each other and get together in this paradise of the South and spend their leisure time joyfully.
Check-in at hotel at Kovalam. The rest of the day is kept for a leisure at the Kovalam Beach. Overnight stay at Kovalam.
Day 15:Kovalam – Trivandrum (16 Kms, 20 mins drive by road)
After breakfast start for Trivandrum.
Thiruvananthapuram (known as Trivandrum) the capital of Kerala. Located at the South Western tip of India, is bounded by the Arabian sea on the West and Tamil Nadu on the East. The wooded highlands on the Western Ghats in the Eastern and North Eastern borders give some of the most enchanting picnic spots, a long shoreline, with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make this district a much sought after tourist destination.
Arrive Trivandrum and check in at hotel.
In the afternoon visit Museum Complex, Padmanabha Swami Temple, Science and Technology Museum, Veli Tourist village.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 16: Trivandrum
After breakfast drive to International airport to board flight for destination ahead with sweet memories of Kerala, Gods own country.