Day
1 -
Delhi
DELHI ARRIVAL
Upon your arrival at the airport, you are welcomed and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight: Delhi
Day
2 -
Delhi
DELHI: CITYTOUR (B)
Begin your day with a guided tour of the Old City of ‘Shahjahanabad’. Your introduction to the city will be with a visit to the Raj Ghat – the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. On your way, drive past the Red Fort, the magical monument in red sandstone built at the pinnacle of the Mughal Empire. Stroll through the bustling narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India built by Shahjahan. In the afternoon continue with your sightseeing tour of New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. You will visit the Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India built to establish the might of Islam and onset of Muslim rule in India. The tour also includes a drive past the imposing India Gate(War Memorial Arch), the Parliament buildings and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the President’s residence).
Overnight: Delhi
Day
3 -
Agra
DELHI – AGRA (B)
After breakfast, check out and drive towards Agra. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. In the afternoon visit the world renowned Taj Mahal. Referred to as one of the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal in Agra is the epitome of tourism in India and is celebrated for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty. A symphony in white marble, a tribute to eternal love, it was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. There are tombs of Mumtaz and Shahjahan within the mausoleum. Continue to visit Great Fort of Agra, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture and the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. Originally planned as an impregnable military structure by Akbar, the Agra Fort, over a period of time, acquired all the elegance, lavishness and majesty of an imperial palace. End the tour with a visit to Agra's local market and witness the marble inlay work demonstration.
Overnight: Agra
Day
4 -
Agra
AGRA: EXCURSION TO CHAMBAL (B, L)
The Chambal Ravines are the product of centuries of soil erosion by flood and rain waters. They form an incredible maze of intertwining mud cliffs, with tropical dry scrub forest vegetation, that provide shelter for numerous birds, mammals and reptiles. This morning enjoy a River Safari. The calm and gentle waters of the Chambal River are best explored on boats and the River Safari provides spectacular opportunities to view the wildlife. The Chambal Safari boatmen are exceptionally skilled at cutting the boat engines, and manoeuvring as close to the birds and animals as possible without disturbing them. Lunch is then served at the lodge. Afterwards, enjoy the Camel Safari to the Fort Ater and back. Camels remain an important mode of transport for man and goods alike. They are also an ideal means for exploring the wildlife. Be transported back in time as you amble along long forgotten trails and pathways on these haughty beasts, with their snootily upturned noses and disdainfully curled lips. Enjoy a guided tour of Fort Ater as well.
Overnight: Agra
Day
5 -
Jaipur
AGRA – JAIPUR (B)
This morning, drive to Jaipur with en-route visiting Akbar’s abandoned capital, Fatehpur Sikri. Built by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1571 in honour of the Sufi saint, Sheikh Salim Chisti, it was the Mughal capital for 14 years after which it was abandoned due to paucity of water. It is made of red sandstone and combines influences from both Hindu and Mughal architecture. Even to this day, the entrance to the fort is through the road that Akbar built which leads to the Buland Darwaza, a huge 54 metres gateway. Other inspiring monuments in Fatehpur Sikri are the Hiran Minar that Akbar built in memory of his favourite elephant, Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti, Birbal's House and the Diwan-i-Khas. Continue to Jaipur. On arrival you will check into your hotel and the rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight: Jaipur
Day
6 -
Jaipur
JAIPUR: AMBER FORT – ANOKHI MUSEUM – CITYTOUR OF JAIPUR (B, D)
Drive in the morning to the ancient capital of Amer to see the fabulous Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur city. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Continue then to the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing, to observe the consuming and exhausting method of hand-block printing in entirety, from carving of wooden blocks to transformation of raw fabric into a piece of art. Enjoy then a CityTour of Jaipur on a quirky Tuk-Tuk. Start your tour at the Pink City, an “abode of rajahs”. The highlights of the tour include a visit to the City Palace Museum, which has a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes. Continue to the awe inspiring Jantar Mantar Observatory, a stone astrological and astronomical Observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century. Also enjoy a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) - a five-storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal façade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires. Your dinner will be served tonight at a special place: inside the famed Amber Fort! The seating is split invarious small sections, decorated with chandeliers, silk rugs and silver furniture. Not one of the most crowded places, the highlight includes Thaali meals in an exotic ambience.
Overnight: Jaipur
Day
7 -
Kochi
JAIPUR – DELHI – KOCHI (B)
Before you leave Jaipur enjoy an elephant safari at Dera Amer. It is going to be a unique opportunity to enjoy an interesting insight into the countryside and rural life of Rajasthan. With a beautiful wooden howdah on its back, the elephant and his mahout welcomes you and the safari starts. The elephants take you through farms, agricultural fields, hills and ancient monuments tucked away in the countryside. The atmosphere is peaceful and all you can hear is the ringing of bells that are a part of the ornaments your elephant wears, occasional dialogue between the mahouts and the elephants and sometimes the cheers of excited children from the villages who gather and follow the elephants enjoying this rare sight. Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast afterwards, before you drive back to Delhi. Catch your flight to Kochi in the evening.
Overnight: Kochi
Day
8 -
Kochi
KOCHI: SIGHTSEEING (B)
Enjoy a free morning on your own. In the afternoon, visit some of the highlights of this captivating port, taking in the myriad styles that attest to Arab, Jewish and European influences. View the remarkable cantilevered Chinese Fishing Nets and help fisherman pull catch of the day; explore the 16th century Portuguese built Mattancherry Palace, Church of St Francis and the oldest living Jewish Synagogue in the world. Enjoy a walk through Fort Kochi region – the area still retains its old world charm with European style quarters. Later, visit the Kathakali dance studio for a traditional dance performance. The striking feature of this dance form is the elaborate face make up and costumes
Overnight: Kochi
Day
9 -
Munnar
KOCHI – MUNNAR (B)
Leave Kochi in the morning and drive towards Munnar. Upon arrival, visit the Tata Tea Museum – a charming tea estate. Brain child of Tata Group, this museum was added to the scenic hill station as a contribution to the flourishing tea industry. It houses the photographs, machineries and informative of the eventful stories of transformation of desolate stretch of forest land into a plantation town. Enjoy a guided tour of the working tea factory, where you observe the various stages of tea processing. Tea tasting is also available for visitors to sample different varieties of tea.
Overnight: Munnar
Day
10 -
Thekkady
MUNNAR – THEKKADY (B)
Continue your trip today to Thekkady. In the afternoon, take part at a Spice Plantation Tour. Later witness the region's pivotal role in the global spice market, one must get a glimpse of the Kumili spice market of Thekkady at the end.
Overnight: Thekkady
Day
11 -
Kumarakom
THEKKADY – KUMARAKOM (B)
Upon arrival in Kumarakom, the rest of the day is free at leisure.
Overnight: Kumarakom
Day
12 -
Alleppey
KUMARAKOM – ALLEPPEY (B, L, D)
From Alleppey, board the houseboat for your relaxing overnight cruise. Lunch and dinner will be served while you can enjoy the great view from the waterside.
Overnight: Alleppey
Day
13 -
KOCHI
ALLEPPEY – KOCHI DEPARTURE (B)
After breakfast, check out from your houseboat and drive back to Kochi. Here, you can catch your flight back home or keep on travelling.