Day 1 : Arrival at Chennai
According to the flight schedule arrive in Chennai. Transfer to the hotel for check in after the Traditional welcome. Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu is the fourth largest metropolitan city in India. The city serves as a home to India's automobile industry and the country's second largest exporter of information technoligy.
Day 2 : Chennai/Mahabalipuram (Mamalapuram) Tour
Enjoy early morning sightseeing tour of Chennai. Visit Fort St. George founded in 1639 houses St. Mary's Church, Museum & Wellesley House. Do have a look at San Thome Cathedral a sacred place especially for the Catholic Christians. The church stands on the place where St. Thomas hard core devotee of Jesus Christ was burried and repre sents the Gothic style of architecture. Also explore the Museums which reflects the collection of Chola bronzes & stone sculptures from South India & the Deccan. Later drive to Mahabalipuram built in the 7 th century has been recognised as a World Heritage site owing to its rock-cut art. Overnight stay at the hotel in Mahabalipuram.
Day 3 : Mahabalipuram / Kanchipuram / Mahabalipuram
Soon after the Breakfast set out for a sightseeing tour which covers visit to Shore Temple built in the 7 th century, during the reign of Rajasimha contain a shrine for Lord Vishnu & for Lord Shiva. Have a glimpse of structural marvel Arjuna's Penance a bas-relief built by King Narasimha I. Also visit Five Rathas shrine that were carved during the reign of King Mahendravarman. The Five Rathas are known for Indian rock cut architecture. And then drive to the temple town 'Kanchipuram' located on the Palar River. Kanchipuram is one of the India's seven sacred cities. The city is known for its temples & silk sarees. Overnight stay at the hotel in Mahabalipuram.
Day 4 : Tours of Mahabalipuram / Tanjore
Early morning transfer to Tanjore – 'The Rice bowl of Tamil Nadu' is a centre for bronze sculpture & painting. Enjoy sightseeing of Tanjore city which includes visit to Brihadeswara Temple, a World Heritage Site is dedicated to Lord Shiva takes you back to the Chola dynasty in the 11 th century. The temple is also known as 'Big Temple'. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5 : Tanjore / Trichy / Madurai
After the early morning breakfast drive to the temple city of India i.e. Madurai via Trichy, located on the banks of the River Kaveri. It is a developing commercial center and is known for its artificial diamonds, handloom cloth, temples, and educational institutions. Enjoy the city tour at Trichy which includes visit to Srirangam Temple & Rockfort. Then reach Madurai for the overnight stay.
Day 6 : Madurai City Tour
Visit the Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple located at the heart of Madurai city is a magnificient example of Dravidian architecture in India. The temple dedicated to Meenakshi, the lovely consort of Shiva built in 13 th century. Spend the rest of the day exploring Madurai which houses many places of National importance. The city located on the banks of Vaigai River is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu. Madurai is a major commercial centre and holds a rich cultural heritage passed on from the great Tamil era more than 2500 years old. Overnight stay at the hotel in Madurai.
Day 7 : Madurai / Thekkady
Early morning transfer to Thekkady, a popular hill station & a wildlife centre. The town is an important plantation centre and the Periyar Forest of the town houses one of the finest wildlife reserves of India. Upon your arrival to Thekkady enjoy the Evening game viewing at the sanctuary by boat on lake Periyar. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8 : Periyar(Thekkady) / Cochin
After early morning Breakfast drive to Cochin. Cochin the commercial capital of Kerala is also known as Queen of the Arabian Sea. Cochin is known for its beautiful ports, islands and narrow peninsulas. Overnight stay at the hotel in Cochin.
Day 9 : Cochin City Tour
Take an early morning tour of Cochin which includes visit to Dutch Palace constructed in 1555 A.D. It is one of the oldest buildings built by Portuguese. The courtyard of the Palace contains a temple which is built in traditional style of architecture known as 'nalukettus' in Kerala. Also visit the Jewish Synagogue which was
built in 1568 and is one of the oldest synagogue, Jew Town, Spice Market where the air is filled with the smell of spices, St. Francis Church one of the first European Church in India was constructed in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars. Also have a look at Chinese Fishing Nets. Have a glimpse of Kerala's most popular evening classical dance. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10 : Cochin / Guruvayur / Mysore
Early morning transfers to Mysore via Guruvayur, the most important and sacred pilgrim centres of Kerala.Guruvayur also known as the Dwarka of South is known for The Sree Krishna Swamy Temple dedicated to Krishna. Upon arrival to Mysore check into the hotel for the further overnight stay.
Day 11 : Mysore City Tour
Mysore the cultural capital of Karnataka is the second largest city of the state. Mysore houses a number of historical and heritage buildings. Enjoy the full day tour in Mysore which includes visits to Srirangapatnam, an island town encircled by river Cauvery and is known for its high stone walls and moats enclose temples, palaces and great mosque, Tipu's Summer Palace, the Maharaja's Palace a home to the royal throne and houses the durbar, Chamundi Hill which is crowned by Durga Temple with the magnificent 5m tall Nandi, carved from a single piece of granite in year 1659, one of the largest in India. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 12 : Mysore / Bangalore / Mumbai
Early morning transfer to Bangalore the capital of Karnataka is full of historic and modern architecture. Then take a city tour which includes visit to Tipu Sultan's Palace which dates back to the year 1537 is the silent witness of the struggle of the Mysore Emperor against the British domination. The Palace also houses a museum which contains the artifact of Hyder Tipu regime. Also visit the ISKCON Temple and Lal Bagh Garden founded by Gowda Haider Ali is a well known botanical garden and it houses green lawns, flowerbeds, lotus pools, watering system of irrigation and fountains. Later drive to the airport to board a flight to Mumbai and thereafter overnight stay at the hotel in Mumbai.
Day 13 : Mumbai / Udaipur
Enjoy a full day tour of Mumbai today. Visit the Gateway of India built in 1927, the Prince Wales Museum built to commemorate the Prince Wale's visit to Mumbai in 1905 and representing the ancient and medieval architectural styles of western India. Also visit the Elephanta Caves - a world heritage site.The caves are about 30 – 45 minutes by boat off the coast of Mumbai. The most important sculpture of Elephanta caves is of Trimurti Sadasiva. Upon your return enjoy a drive through the
famous Marine Drive – built in 1920. It is around 5 kms long and runs through Arabian Sea from Nariman point along Chowpatty to the foot of Malabar hills. Later transfer to the airport to board a flight to Udaipur and check in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 14 : Udaipur City Tour
Take an early morning tour of the 'City of Lakes' i.e. Udaipur, the tour includes the visit to City Palace a heritage building as it reflects the Rajput culture and the arts also it is a mixture of European & Chinese architecture, Garden of the Maids located on the banks of Fateh Sagar Lake is a small ornamental garden and was a popular relaxing spot of royal ladies. Also visit Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal established by Padma Shri Devi Lal Samar in 1952 as it still preserves art and culture of Udaipur. In the evening at sunset a cruise on Lake Pichola is planned. Overnight stay at the hotel in Udaipur.
Day 15 : Udaipur / Jaipur
Spend the whole day relaxing at the hotel and exploring the hotel and its surroundings. Later in the evening transfer to the airport to board a flight to Jaipur. Upon arrival to Jaipur check in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 16 : Jaipur City Tour
Early morning drive to Amber 11 km from Jaipur. Take the royal elephant ride to the Amber Fort situated on a crafty hill looks amazing in its white marble and red sandstone built. The fort was built by Raja Man Singh l in 1592. Later visit the City Palace built by Maharaja Jai Singh reflects the traditional Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. The Palace houses many structures like Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Badal Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum. Also have a look at Birla Temple, Jantar Mantar Observatory and the Palace of Winds known as Hawa Mahal was built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh with red and pink sandstone.Overnight stay at the hotel in Jaipur.
Day 17 : Jaipur / Agra
Early morning drive to Agra and in between visit to Fatehpur Sikri, a world heritage site contains one of the largest mosques in India, Jama Masjid. It was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar during 1571 and 1585 and represents the great Mughal architecture. Fatehpur Sikri contains palaces and courts. Upon arrival to Agra check in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 18 : Agra & Taj Mahal Tour
Start your day in Agra, city on the banks of Yamuna River with a stunning view of the sun rise over the dome like structure of the magnificient Taj Mahal. And then enjoy the full day sightseeing by visiting Agra Fort a world heritage site which houses mosques & palaces in red sandstone and white marble. Emperor Akbar laid the foundation of the fort which lies near the gardens of the Taj Mahal. Complete your visit of Agra by visiting Taj Mahal which is the best example of Mughal architecture so it is also known as the jewel of Muslim art. It is also a world heritage site. Spend the rest of the evening exploring the surroundings. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 19 : Agra / Khajuraho
After an early morning breakfast transfer to airport to board a flight to Khajuraho. Upon your arrival check in to the hotel for the further overnight stay.
Day 20 : Khajuraho Tour - Varanasi
Khajuraho the temple city of India is well known for its carved temples in stone. Enjoy the early morning sightseeing tour of the Khajuraho city by visiting the city temples built in between 950 and 1050 AD. Take an evening flight to transfer to Varanasi.
Day 21 : Varanasi / Delhi
Varanasi, the famous holy city of Hindu also known as Kashi or Benares is situated on the banks of the river Ganga. It is a city of cultural and religious importance. Before breakfast take an early morning boat ride at the river Ganges. Later visit to the holy city Sarnath 12 kms from Varanasi is planned where Lord Buddha deliver his first sermon, after attaining Nirvana. Every Buddhist Pilgrim endeavors to be blessed with a visit to this holy city in his life time. Sarnath is famous for its Stupas, excavated ruins of monasteries, the Museum for the Ashoka Pillar with the four sided lions head, which is India’s National Emblem. Later in the evening transfer to Delhi for the overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.
Day 22 : Delhi City Tour
Take an early morning breakfast at the Coffee shop. Relax for a while before setting to a guided tour of Delhi which includes sightseeing to Old Delhi and visit to the monuments like Red Fort a world heritage site. It was built by Shah Jahan in 1648 AD. Also visit the largest mosque Jama Masjid and the Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat. Last but not the least visit the India Gate which is made to pay tribute to the Indian soldiers who died in World War l and the Afghan Wars. In their memory Amar Jawan Jyoti (holy fire dedicated to the fallen heroes) is burning since 1971. Have a glimpse of President's House, Humayun's Tomb, Lotus Temple and Qutub Minar. Later transfer to the train station / airport for your onward travel.
END OF TOUR !!!
