Rajasthan & Kerala

Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the airport in Delhi and transfer to the hotel.

Start a full day sightseeing of Delhi at 0930hrs

A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat   - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.

An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President’s Residence, and Lotus Temple and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.

After breakfast, drive to Agra. On arrival proceed for a sightseeing tour of Agra.

Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favourite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously.  A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.

TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.   

Proceed for visit to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Itmadullah’s Tomb with English speaking guide. Return to hotel and relax in the evening.

Drive to Fatehpur Sikri after breakfast. The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its  "ruins" are in pristine condition...  it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.

Continue drive to Jaipur and reach by late afternoon.  Upon arrival proceed for the local bazaar in Jaipur. Overnight will be at hotel.

Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort after breakfast. 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.

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.

In the evening visit a textile block printing factory and the gems cutting and polishing center.

Overnight will be at Jaipur.

After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur. On arrival check into your hotel and relax.

Overnight will be in Jodhpur.

Drive up to the majestic Mehrangarh fort: the stronghold of the Rathore princes from 1453AD. We see the superb collection of paintings and arms and ammunitions. The view of the city from the rampart walls is breath taking.

Post lunch session introduces you to the fabulous spice market of Jodhpur the 2nd largest city in Rajasthan. Walk along the market to feel the odours of the spices filling the air around you. Then go to Mandore gardens the then capital of Marwar to view some of the fabulous cenotaphs and the hall of local heroes of the wars. Drive back to Jodhpur and retire to your hotel.

Leave Abu and reach Ranakpur another big pilgrimage centre for the Jains. Just four hours drive from Mount Abu is the eternal Jain pilgrimage centre of Ranakpur. Admire the workmanship from the 16^th century. The temples are built out of marble and the main shrine of Adinath with 1444 columns is awe inspiring and none of these are similar. Also see the sun temple and the other temples in the campus. Proceed towards Udaipur and on the way stop by the fields to see the local way of farming and irrigation. Walk into the villages to mingle with the locals around to know more about their lifestyle. Reach Udaipur by late evening and check into your hotel

Visit the City Palace the richest palace museum in the entire Rajasthan. See the peacock square. In the evening enjoy the sunset boat cruise on Lake Pichhola. Return to your hotel and relax.

Overnight will be in Udaipur.

Transfer to airport to catch your flight for Cochin. On arrival at Kochi (Cochin) meet and assist at the airport by our representative and transfer to your hotel for overnight stay.
 

Proceed for a half day sightseeing of Cochin. A few interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese fishing nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow, etc. Apart from these architectural splendours, an array of restaurants serving fresh seafood is also popular among tourists. The Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles work on the principle of balance. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea.

Later drive to Munnar. On arrival in Munnar check into your hotel and relax. Overnight will be in Munnar.

Morning, after breakfast, go for sightseeing of Munnar which includes the Raja Malai - a top peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain goats). Other important places are Muttupetty Dam and Indo Swiss project (you can also enjoy boating in the Lake) and witness tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometres.

Also visit tea plantations, Anamudi, Eravikulam National Park, Devikulam, Muttupetty, Pallivasal, Pothamedu, Attukal etc. Rest of the day will be at leisure. Overnight will be in Munnar.

Morning, proceed to Periyar and check in at hotel on arrival. Periyar wildlife sanctuary is home to nomadic tribes of wild elephant, boar, deer, the great Indian tiger and more. Evening go for boat cruise in the lake to watch wild animals.

You can visit the rare species of plants and animals. Afternoon visit spice plantations like 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 stay will be at Periyar.

Early morning proceed to Kumarakom and check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat. The houseboat with all modern comforts lets you discover the countryside at your own pace. You will have lunch, dinner and breakfast in the Houseboat. A ride on the houseboat is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters. Cruise through the backwaters to Alleppey. Overnight will be at Houseboat.

Drive to Kovalam. On arrival in Kovalam, check into your hotel and relax. Rest of the day is free to relax on the beach. Overnight will be in Kovalam.

Full day is at leisure to relax on the beach. Overnight will be in Kovalam.

Transfer to airport to catch your flight back home....