DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi in the evening. Upon arrival, you shall met & assisted with your baggages at the airport by our executive and transferred to your prebooked Hotel.

DAY 02 : DELHI
After breakfast, full day city tour of Delhi : India’s capital & a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys’ past.

Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658; drive past Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate, President House, Connaught Place. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple.

DAY 03 : DELHI - AGRA (210 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
Morning, leave for Agra enroute visit Sikandra - Four kilometers before Agra is the mausoleum of Mughal Emperor Akbar. This structure is a perfect blend of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Jain motifs. The tomb has three-storey-minarets on its four corners. These minarets are built in red sandstone with stunning inlay work of marble.

Afternoon, visit the highlight of the tour - The Taj Mahal - Epitome of Love, One of the Seven Wonders of the World - was built by Shah Jahan (King of the World) for his beloved Begum Mumtaz Mahal (the exalted of the Palace). Work on the mausoleum began in 1633 and 20,000 workers laboured for 17 years to build it. The most skilled architects, inlay craftsmen, calligraphers, stone-carvers and masons came from all across Indian and lands as distant as Persia and Turkey. The master mason was from Baghdab, an expert in building the double dome from Persia, and an inlay specialist from Delhi. The marble, India's finest was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur, Jasper from Punjab, the garnets from Bundelkhand, Jade & Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrysolite from Egypt, Amethyst from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda and Mother of Pearl from the Indian Ocean. Mumtaz Mahal’s final resting-place was ornamented like a queen’s jewel-box.

NOTE : TAJ MAHAL CLOSED ON FRIDAYS

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 grandsons. This massive fort is 2.5 kms long and is considered as the predecessor of the Delhi Red fort. The maze of courtyards, mosques, palaces, gardens, halls of private & public audience of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire.

Itmad-ud-daulah, which was constructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan.

DAY 04 : AGRA - FATEHPUR SIKRI - JAIPUR (240 Kms., 05-06 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Jaipur, enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri : built predominantly in Red Sandstone by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Mughals, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. Witness the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory.

Continue drive to Jaipur - The Pink City : Jaipur needed a fresh coat of paint to welcome its distinguished guest the Prince of Wales in 1905-6. The contractor inability to supply any other color in the required quantity compelled the choice of pink shade for its walls. A contractor’s compulsion famed Jaipur to Pink city. Since then the PINK color is associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. The capital city of the state of Rajasthan owes its name, its foundation and planning to the great warrior astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. The city of Jaipur has broad avenues & sits on a dry lake bed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by fortresses and crenellated walls. Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 05 : JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort enroute witness the façade of Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds which was built in 1799.
Amber Fort - The ancient capital of the state until 1727 when Jai Singh decided to move from his hillside fortress at Amber to new site on the plains. The construction of this fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar’s army. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory glittering with mirrors, Jal Mahal & temple of Kali. Ascend on elephant back, the hill, on which the fort is situated.

Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the Jantar Mantar – the observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1728 ; the City Palace which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It also has a museum with an extensive collection of art, carpets, paintings, enamel ware and weapons dating back to the 15th century.

DAY 06 : JAIPUR - MUMBAI (FLIGHT, 9W 2052 : 0810-0945 HRS)
Morning, Transfer to the airport to board flight for Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai, transfer to prebooked Hotel

Afternoon, half day city tour of Mumbai - The city was called Bombay for much of the last four hundred years. The origin of the name is obscure, but is often said to come from the Portuguese phrase bom bahia meaning "good bay". The name Mumbai has been used in the main local languages for as long, and is ascribed to the local goddess, Mumba (ai means mother in Marathi). The name of the city was changed to Mumbai by an act of the parliament in 1997. Estimated to hold about 15 million people (a census is on in the years 2000-2001), the city has grown dramatically in the last fifty years. Mumbai is called the financial capital of India: the stock exchange is the primary stock exchange of the country; most large business houses have their corporate offices in this city. It also the primary center for the arts and the entertainment industry.

DAY 07 : MUMBAI - COCHIN (FLIGHT, G8 162 : 1640-1830 HRS)
After breakfast, excursion to Elephanta - About ten kilometers north east of Apollo Bunder lies the island of Elephanta, the glorious abode of Lord Shiva. An epitome of Hindu cave culture, Elephanta consists of seven caves of which the most notable is the Mahesa-murti cave. It has a very impressive size with a main body of 27 meters square supported by rows of six columns each. The main temple consists of a large pillared mandapa (hall) and a freestanding square shrine at the west end of the hall. The pillars and reliefs in the cave are gigantic in scale. Set in various niches are a number of large reliefs depicting different aspects of Shaivaite iconography. Around the perimeter of the cave are sculptured compartments in this cave with images from the Hindu mythology. They depict Lord Shiva as Andhakasuravadha, impaling the demon of darkness, as Kalyanasundara-the gentle loving god, as Ardhanarishwara, Shiva and Shakti, male and female, Nataraja-Shiva as the cosmic dancer and as Ravana anugraha -the destroyer of enemies.

Afternoon, transfer to the airport to board flight for Kochi. Arrive Kochi and transfer to prebooked hotel.

DAY 08 : COCHIN
After breakfast, full day sightseeing of Cochin including Asia's best preserved Synagouge, the Dutch Palace and the oldest European Church in India - the St. Francis Church where Vasco De Gama was originally buried. A leisurely walk through the Fort Cochin area which gives you a close look at the operation of the huge catileavered Chinese fishing nets introduced by Chinese traders which is still used in Kerala backwaters as a traditional way of fishing.

In the evening, witness Kathakali Dance Show.

DAY 09 : COCHIN - MUNNAR (140 KMS, 04 HRS DRIVE)
After breakast, leave for Munnar. Arrive Munnar and checkin at prebooked hotel.
Afternoon, sightseeing of Munnar. Visit the tea plantations, a tea factory (subject to permission being granted), the Eravikulam National Park - home of the endangered Nilgiri Thar (Ibex), followed by visit to the Mattupetty dam, the Indo Swiss Dairy farm, the Kundala Lake and other scenic spots. Overnight at the hotel.

DAY 10 : MUNNAR - PERIYAR (100 Kms., 03-04 HRS DRIVE)
Morning, free.

Afternoon, leave for Periyar. Periyar has one of the world's most fascinating Natural wildlife reserves noted for its geography, diverse wildlife and scenic beauty. Arrive at Periyar and check in at prebooked hotel.

DAY 11 : PERIYAR
After breakfast, leave for Jungle Walk The forest provides specially trained guides who can be hired at the hotel for early morning treks into the jungle. The treks are of a duration of 03-04 hrs. These treks are an ideal way to really feel the forest and to experience it closely.

Afternoon, boat ride on the Lake Periyar where one can have a unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar, however are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.

DAY 12 : PERIYAR - KUMARAKOM (140 kms., 03-04 hrs. drive) - OVERNIGHT BACKWATER TRIP TILL ALLEPEY
After breakfast, leave for Kumarakom in time to board houseboat for overnight backwater trip till Allepey.

On arrival in Kumarakom, commence an overnight houseboat cruise to Allepey, which gives one a fascinating insight into the life of a Keralan Backwater Village. As the boat glides along the backwaters one can see the daily life in the backwater villages. On the narrow strips of land, fisherman fishing, children swimming and playing in the water, women doing their daily chores, mobile shops in tiny canoes, the cultivation of paddy and it's harvesting (during harvest season), huge country barges ferrying the coconuts, rice, coir etc.

Note : The cruise commences at 1300 hrs with lunch served onboard and continues till dusk. At dusk the boat will anchor in a wide waterway or lake for the night. (The backwaters close to boat traffic at dusk as the fisherman lay their nets in the backwaters. Other boats are not allowed to ply in the backwaters after dusk.) On the following day the cruise commences again after breakfast and you will be dropped at Allepey by 1000 hrs.

DAY 13 : ALLEPEY - KOVALAM (174 KMS, 05-06 HRS DRIVE)
Checkout from the houseboat and proceed to Kovalam - a beach town on the Arabian Sea in Kerala. The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories, makes this beach paradise. Arrive Kovalam and check in at prebooked hotel.

DAY 14,15,16,17,18 : KOVALAM
Day at leisure

DAY 19 : TRIVANDRUM - DELHI (FLIGHT, IC 166 : 0615-1030 HRS)
Early morning, transfer to the airport to board flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to prebooked hotel. Afternoon, free.

DAY 20 : DEPART DELHI
Transfer to the airport to board flight back home.

This itinerary can be modified as per your requirements. For any modification, please mail us