Delhi – Sikandra – Agra – Fathepur Sikri – Jaipur – Mumbai – Trivandrum – Kovalam – Alleppey – Periyar – Munnar – Cochin. |
01 Day: Arrival DelhiWelcome at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, our representative assist and escort you by a private a/c car and transfer to the pre-booked hotel. After check in, you will be given all the required documents related to your tour plan; he will explain all your queries about the entire tour plan. If you are arriving by morning flight, in the evening witness Light and Sound show at Red fort. The show projects splendid history of 5000 years old city, a truly memorable experience. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Light and Sound Show: A spectacular sound and light show at the Red Fort. Which makes the 5,000 years old history of the city come alive. Amidst the tranquility of the splendidly panoramic and historic environs of the Red Fort, select episodes from the annals of Delhi’s historic and legendary past are vividly brought to life. Special effects combine with the unique ambience to make this show a hauntingly unforgettable experience.
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02 Day: DelhiAfter breakfast, take a sightseeing tour & explore the historic city, starting with Old Delhi: (Shahajahanabad) the majestic Red Fort, a marvel in red sandstone, JamaMasjid, the largest and the most splendid mosque in India, both built by Emperor Shah Jahan of Taj Mahal fame, Rajghat, thememorial of Mahatma Gandhi, where he was cremated. Later take a cycle rickshaw ride through the bustling and colorful bazaar of Chandani Chowk. The sightseeing continues to explore the best tourist attractions of New Delhi including President House (Rashtrapati Bhawan), the regal residence of British rulers; a palace built for British Viceroys. India gate; built to honour and pay a tribute to the Indian soldiers who sacrificed themselves during the Afghan war, then visit Birla Mandir (Laxmi Narayan Temple) built by the Birla family. Humayun’s Tomb, lotus shaped Bhai’s Temple, Qutub Minar; built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty. Later return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Delhi, the towering capital city of independent and largest democratic country in the world: India. It is one of India’s modern and fastest developing cities with charismatic charm on its visitors. Delhi is located and sprawled on the both side banks of Yamuna River. The city is enriched with culture, architecture and human diversity, Delhi city is blend of ancient past of India with vibration of modern world. Delhi houses finest museums, historical monuments, sightseeing places, and temples in the country. Delhi is designed by the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) & is tree-lined & spacious. Legend has it that the Pandavas of epic Mahabharata, the august heroes, founded Delhi, in the ancient time around 1200 BC the name of the city was Indraprastha, Delhi is developed and construed time to time on 7 ancient cities of the old age.
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03 Day: Delhi – Mathura / Vrindavan – Agra (210 kms: 4 – 5 hrs)After breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Agra, en route visit to Mathura i.e. this temple city is known as birth place of Lord Krishna, visiting Dvarkadhish Temple, Vishram ghat, Potara kund and Rangbhumi and other temples in and around Vrindavan. Followed by other temples in and around Vrindavan (15 kms from Banke Bihari Temple, Radha Vallabh Temple, Sri Radha Raman Temple, Shahji Temple, Rangaji Temple and ISCON Temple. After visit continue to drive to Agra, on the way stop over to visit the Sikandra to see the Tomb of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Then continue to Agra, upon arrival transfer to the hotel. In the evening one should visit Oswal Emporium to watch the replica of Taj Mahal it took 10 years for the artists to build this artistic epitome, also enjoy light and sound show “Mohabbat-the-Taj: the saga of love”, the only show of its kind in India! Later return to the hotel for overnight stay in Agra.
Mathura: is the nucleus of Brajbhoomi. This is the place where Lord Krishna was born in a prison cellar. The city, today, is famous for its many temples dedicated to the Lord. Located at Katra, Keshav Deo, the temple is thronged by pilgrims from all over the world. The Dwarkadesh Temple, built by Seth Gokul Das of Gwalior in 1814, is situated in the heart of the city. It is adorned with some exquisite paintings depicting the entire life of Krishna. The Vishram Ghat on the bank of Yamuna is the place where Krishna rested after killing Kansa.
Agra, is famous as being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World the Taj Mahal. A pleasant town with comparatively slow pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by craftsmen who are descendant of those who worked under the Mughals. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes. Agra, and the nearby city of Fatehpur Sikri, is conveniently close to Delhi. Besides the Taj Mahal is Agra Fort, Sikandra, Ram Bagh and Itmad-Ud-Daulah.-35 kms away are the imperial ruins of the Mughal city, Fatehpur Sikri. Agra is an old city and it is said that its name was derived from Agrabanad, a forest that finds mention in the epic Mahabharata.
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04 Day: Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Jaipur (240 kms: 4 hrs)Early morning visit world’s most popular and beautiful monument: Taj Mahal with its’ fabulous view at the time of sunrise. Taj Mahal, beautiful architectural monument among the 7 wonders of the world; this historical masterpiece is illustration of the fusion of diverse architectural styles. Taj Mahal is crown of all the loveliest buildings in the world, a symbol of eternal love. The tour continues to visit Agra Fort, was built in 1576 AD., by great Mughal Emperor Akbar, structured and designed with red stoned barricaded; in the fort you will find most splendid Pearl Mosque and various other classic example of art: Jahangir Mahal, Moti Masjid, Macchhi Bhawan, Nagina Masjid, Diwan-i-Khas, Sheesh Mahal, Diwan-e-Am, Meena Bazaar and Musamman Bhurj. After Lunch drive to Jaipur, enroute visit to Fatehpur Sikri, the old deserted town of the Mughal kingdom, built in red sandstone in honour of Saint Salim Chisti who blessed birth of 3 sons to Emperor Akbar, is an example of robust stability combined with originality. After sightseeing continue to proceed to Jaipur, on arrival transfer to hotel. In the evening you can explore the bustling market of Jaipur by cycle rickshaw ride to explore colourful market of Jaipur. Which is paradise for shopping lovers, Jaipur is worldly famous for hand woven carpet, precious stones, handicraft, marble, textile, blue pottery, handmade papers. Overnight at the hotel.
Note: Taj Mahal is closed on every Friday.
Jaipur widely known as the ‘Pink City’ of India. The entire walls houses and buildings of the city were washed with pink colour for a grand and royal welcome of Prince Albert and Queen Victoria from Britain, who visited Jaipur in 1853 A.D. This splendid city as was founded in 1727 A.D by one of the greatest ruler Jai Singh II. Jaipur is surrounded by hills on three sides. Jaipur is the only city in the world, which is designed accordance of Hindu architecture science called Shilpa Shastra, the town is had been designed in rectangular shape of 9 blocks, depicting the 9 partition of universe. This fascinating city houses majestic forts, grand palaces, lavish gardens, havelis and museums, while visiting these places you will have a true vision of Royal golden past of Rajasthan.
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05 Day: JaipurToday after breakfast explore the Pink City with an excursion to splendid Amber Fort, situated just outside the city, built in the 15th Century by Rajput King Man Singh. Later visit another mighty and majestic Nagargarh fort, close to Amber fort. Later drive back to the main city to visit the imperial City Palace – present residence of the royal family of Jaipur, the palace is a miraculous representation of the real Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The incredible Jantar Mantar wasinnovated and constructed by Jaipur King Swai Jai Singh. Amongst the 5 observatories built by him, Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is one of them. The splendid Hawa Mahal, also known ‘Palace of Winds’ was built with a concept for the woman of royal families to speculate the royal ceremonies and festivals being hidden from the public eyes. The afternoon is free for relaxation. In the evening visit the modern & artistic, Birla Temple, with its white shimmering marble glittering in the night. You can also visit to Amber fort to see the Light and Sound Show: holds the history of a citadel, pulsating with a legendry past of 600 years & 28 kings of the Kachhwaha dynasty, before their capital moved to Jaipur. Through their unique diplomacy of strategic alliances & their valour & strength, the rulers not only established a long dynasty but, in time, also played a part in changing the destiny of Medieval India. Later return to the hotel for overnight stay.
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06 Day: Jaipur – Mumbai (By Air)After breakfast, you may opt for shopping in Jaipur, as Jaipur is known as paradise of shopping, afterward you are transferred to the airport to board the schedule flight for Mumbai, assistance on arrival at Mumbai and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the evening is free for leisure and relaxation. You may also opt to visit to the local market/night club/ restaurants of Mumbai. Overnight at the hotel in Mumbai.
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07 Day: MumbaiMumbai is a cluster of Seven Islands and derives its name from Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the koli fisher folk, its oldest inhabitants. Mumbai pulsates with activity. It is a city that is disciplined by no time frame neither day nor night. It is also the country’s financial powerhouse, the nation’s industrial heartland, and its economic nerve center. Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sport activity, nightclubs & discotheques, theatre & music, gourmet restaurants and interesting sightseeing. It offers visitors a heady mix of all this and more.
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08 Day: Mumbai – Trivandrum ( By Air) – Kovalam (20 kms: 30min by road)After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport to board the schedule flight for Trivandrum, assistance on arrival and drive to Kovalam and check in to the the famous Beach Resort. Rest of the day is free for beach activities and leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Kovalam.
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09 Day: Kovalam – Kanyakumari (85 kms: 2 – 3 hrs one-way) KovalamAfter breakfast check out of the hotel and drive to Kanyakumari. Enroute take a sightseeing tour of Trivandrum city, (16 kms) the capital of the state of Kerala is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. The famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy Swami Temple is dedicated to Vishnu and is a landmark in the city. If time permits, also visit Horse Palace, Sree Chitra Art Gallery, and Padmatheertha Kulam (Temple Pond). Later drive to Cape Camorin also known as Kanya Kumari, this place is at the tail tip end of India, one can see the 3 seas meet over here (Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean & Bay of Bengal. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Visit Kumari Amman Devi Temple, Vivekananda Rock & Ashram, enjoy sunset over here. Later return back to Kovalam for overnight stay. Overnight at the beach resort.
Kanyakumari – Referred to by the British as Cape Comorin, Kanyakumari in the state of Tamil Nadu is located at the southernmost tip of the peninsular Indian. The small temple dedicated to Kanyakumari, or the youthful form of the primeval energy Shakti (Mother Goddess) is located on the seashore, in the town known by the same name. Kanyakumari is the point of confluence of three oceans – the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. This well-known Hindu pilgrimage center is famous for its beautiful sights of sunrise and sunset over the waters.
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10 Day: KovalamToday morning after breakfast enjoy the beach actives swimming at the Kovalam beach is the rejuvenating and a relaxing experience. Water skiing is just like the snow skiing where you the vast space to enjoy and Kovalam beach is the good option to try to water skiing. You may opt to enjoy Angling, Para-sailing and Surfing at the beach. You can also experience world famous Ayurveda massage and treatment offers at the resort, this is not merely to relax you, also rejuvenates your mind, body and soul. Overnight at the beach hotel in Kovalam.
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11 Day: Kovalam – Alleppey (160 kms: 3 hrs) Backwaters tours through sailing boat)Today morning after an early breakfast, check out the hotel and drive to Alleppey, is known as the “Venice of the East”, situated on the Vembanad Lake. On arrival board the kettuvalam (traditional houseboat). The day for the journey of backwaters in the boat, through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters of Alleppy by regattas (snake boats) for which Kerala is very famous, while sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. The Chinese fishing nets, the reminiscent of our past trade links, are also found on the way. Flocks of duck swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures reflecting the charm of this tourist land, you also enjoy fishing from the houseboats. The Houseboats have generated electricity; sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a Chef, and Srank (Driver). Dinner and overnight at the houseboat.
Alleppey situated in south of Cochin, is the center for backwater cruises in Kerala. It has a large network of canals, which passes through the town, provides its lifeline & has a long sandy beach. It is also the center of the famous coir products of Kerala. Nehru Trophy Boat Race – the most colorful snake-boat race in Kerala – is held here on the second Saturday of August every year.
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12 Day: Alleppey – Periyar (120 kms: 3 – 4 hrs)Today morning after breakfast disembark the house boat at Alleppy and drive to Periyar. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Then visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, discover the park, animals found here include elephant, gaur and wild boars and birds like ibis and grey heron. The visit is done in a boat at Periyar lake to view animals with a bit of extra luck we may be able to see the rare tiger as well. Later in the evening take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Overnight at the hotel.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India’s biggest wildlife sanctuaries covering 777 sq. Km (300 Sq.miles) is a Tiger Reserve. Its centerpiece, the man-made Periyar Lake at the height of 2000 ft. covers 26 sq. km, running through the forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala. The lake is an important source of water for the many wild animals. The Best time to visit Periyar is between OCTOBER and MAY. The best chance of watching animals is during the hot months of march, April and May, when water gets low and the grass dries out, animals especially elephants come down to the Periyar lake to bath & frolic in the water with the young ones.
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13 Day: Periyar – Munnar (110 kms: 3 hrs)After breakfast, check out the hotel and drive to Munnar. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Munnar is located at the Idukki district of Kerala State in India. The word “Munnar” means three rivers. 3 mountain streams (Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala) are joining together here. During the British rule in India, Munnar was the summer resort of the Government officials. The natural beauty, calmness and mild cold climate throughout the year make it the favorite tourist places. There are about 30 tea plantations in and around Munnar. The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar range expose its beauty. The Munnar hills are covered by tea plants, which make Periyar the feeling of seeing a wide green carpet. Later visit at Eravikulam National Park (15 km from Munnar,) The Nilgiri Tahr can be observed at close quarters here. This park is established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiri Ibex). The park is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world. Enjoy the tea plantation and Munnar Lake site. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Munnar, the erstwhile ‘summer capital of the British’, has become the most sought after holiday destination in South India. It is the luxuriant gift of nature to the Western Ghats, the eastern border of Kerala, 5000ft above sea level. Dense forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and major cash crop plantations cover most of this region. Munnar abounds in animals like elephants and Nilgiri Thar and rich biodiversity teeming with flora and fauna.
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14 Day: MunnarToday morning after breakfast visit to Pothamedu which offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and Long Mountain walks. Visit the tea factory and the museum here. Later visit at Devikulam (7 km from Munnar). This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience. Also take sightseeing towards Mattupetty Side, where you can visit the Photo point, Mattupetty Dam, Echo point (The natural Echo phenomenon is always happening here), Shooting point and the Kundale Lake. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
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15 Day: Munnar – Cochin (130 kms: 4 hrs)Today morning after breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Cochin, en route stop over at the speculative Cheyyappara Waterfalls, later proceed and on arrival transfer to the hotel. After refreshments, take a city tour of the Cochin city; Fort Cochin is famous for Chinese fishing nets, scenic beaches and architectural style of ancient buildings. At St. Frances Church see the town of Vasco da Gama. The Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568 in the old part of Mattancherry Town, is one of the oldest lively synagogues. Mattancherry “Dutch” Palacehas an incomparable collection of huge Kerala Temple murals, exhibits & portraits. You may also visit thefamous Hill Palace Museum, the largest archaeological and heritage museum in Kerala. Bolgatty Palace is the oldest living Dutch palaces outside Holland, now converted into a heritage hotel. Willingdon Island: is a man-made island created in 1933 with wonderful walkways and jetty’s. In the evening if time permits, enjoy the Kathakali Dance, one of India’s most famous Classical dances with lavish costumes, exotic makeup & Masks intensifying the beauty of the dancer’s intricate moments. Overnight at the hotel.
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. From time immemorial, the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left indelible marks on the history and development of Cochin. This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Its proximity to the equator, the sea and the mountains provide a rich experience of a moderate equatorial climate. Kochi is the arguably the ideal starting point for exploring the unfathomable diversity and beauty of Kerala, rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler’s ’50 greatest places of a lifetime’.
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16 Day: Cochin – Home Town (By Air)Today the day is free for individual activities, If wish to buy for yourself as souvenir or a gift for someone back home, then visit the enchantingly quaint little curio shops in Kochi city of Kerala. These shops sell small knick-knacks, which are characteristic of the South Indian city. Since Kochi is well known for its handicrafts, you will find a unique assortment of items like figurines, colourful bead jewellery, mat, bangles all made from coir, wood, bamboo, shells, brass, ivory and sandalwood. Later check out the hotel and transfer to the Cochin Airport to board the scheduled flight for hometown, on departure the tour concludes with happy memories.
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