Day 1: Arrival Delhi
Arrive in Delhi either previous night or early morning. Meet our representative at airport for assistance & transfer to hotel. Spend a relaxed morning to overcome jet-lag. In afternoon visit Indira Gandhi Museum, President House, Parliament House and later enjoy a night view of India Gate under lights. Overnight stay at the Hotel.
Day 2: At Delhi
Enjoy a full day city tour of Delhi. Visit: Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple, Humayun's Tomb, and Laxmi Narayan Temple in New Delhi. Optional golf in the evening.
Day 3: Delhi – Agra
Morning drive to Agra en-route visiting Sikandra. Sikandra houses Emperor Akbar's Mausoleum and is just 4 kms from Agra. On arrival in Agra, check into the hotel. In afternoon, visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by the Moghul Emperor Shahjehan. to enshrine his Queen Mumtaz Mahal's mortal remains. Later, visit Agra Fort & the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daullah.
Day 4: Agra – Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri. See the beautiful Jama Masjid / The Buland Darwaza, palace of Queen Jodha Bai, Birbal's (a Minister) Palace. On arrival at Jaipur, check in at your hotel and experience Rajput hospitality at its best. Evening visit to Chokhi Dhani, an ethnic village resort & enjoy folk art performances. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5: Jaipur
Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel and leave for a half-day sightseeing tour to the hilltop fortress at Amer. Ascend the imposing fort on a painted elephant. In the afternoon, tour the old walled city of Jaipur. Founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II, this ‘pink city’ is meticulously constructed on the lines of the Shilpa-Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. Visit the unique Jantar Mantar Observatory situated in the heart of the city. Later visit the ornate Hawa Mahal (the palace of winds). The old City Palace & its museum display a rare fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture, and house a rare collection of paintings, Rajasthani armory and costumes. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 6: Jaipur - Bikaner
After breakfast, depart for Bikaner, a remote town tucked away in the Thar Desert. On arrival, check in at your hotel. Take an afternoon city sightseeing tour of Bikaner. Unlike most Rajput forts, which are on hilltops, the Junagarh Fort is the only one built on the desert plains. Within the fortress lie extravagantly decorated palaces. Amongst the prominent ones are Karan Mahal, Anup Mahal, Badal Mahal. Also visit the Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum. In the evening, drive to the Camel Breeding Farm & watch the return of the camels at sunset. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 7: Bikaner - Jaisalmer
After breakfast drive to Jaisalmer. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 8: Jaisalmer
After breakfast, treat yourself to a visual feast as you tour the golden city of Jaisalmer. This 12 th century trading post for camel caravans journeying through the Silk Route, remains untouched by the sands of time. Rising majestically amidst the shifting golden dunes of the Thar Desert, are the bastions of the imposing Jaisalmer Fort, built in 12 th century AD. The fort is honeycombed with beautifully carved Jain temples and cobbled alleys flanked by the most beautiful havelis. Take a sunset camel safari ride on the sand dunes, a lifetime experience for most tourists. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 9: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
After an early morning breakfast, drive to Jodhpur, halting at Osian. Osian’s ancient Jain and Vaishnava temples reflect the grandeur of Indian temple architecture. Overnight stay at the Taj Hari Mahal, Jodhpur or similar.
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Day 10: Jodhpur
After breakfast at the hotel, leave for a sightseeing tour of the erstwhile capital of Marwar, the south-western region of Rajasthan. From the imposing Mehrangarh fort to the delicate wrought windows of the havelis, the citadel has some of the finest examples of Rajput masonry. At the foot of the fort, lies the “Jaswanth Thada”, a richly carved white marble cenotaph. Take an afternoon jeep safari to the picturesque Bishnoi villages to experience rustic Rajasthani life. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11: Jodhpur – Udaipur
After breakfast leave for Udaipur. En route visit the Jain temples of Ranakpura, famous for their intricate friezes and sculptures. Dating back to the 15th century, the temple’s 29 halls are supported by 1444 pillars, none of which are similar. Later in the day arrive at enchanting, medieval city of Udaipur and check-in at the Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur. Built by Maharana Jagat Singh II, this fairytale palace is probably one of the most romantic hotels in the world. Enjoy a leisurely late afternoon cruise on the shimmering waters of Lake Pichola. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 12: Udaipur
Let the glorious sunrise dazzle you at breakfast. Morning excursion to the famous temple complex of Eklingji & Nagda, which enshrines the deity of the Mahranas of Mewar. Spend the rest of the day exploring this charming lake city by car. Wander through the opulent City Palace grounds and the museum, which are a testament to the valor and chivalry of the Mewar rulers. Visit the Jagdish temple & the Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir, a treasure house of Rajasthani folk culture. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Udaipur – Mumbai – Cochin
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for onward flight to Trivandrum via Mumbai. Arrive at Cochin Airport and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening, watch a captivating performance of Kathakali, a ritualistic dance drama or enjoy a sunset cruise in the backwaters. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14: Cochin – Thekkady
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a sightseeing city tour of Cochin. You will cover Fort Cochin, Spice Markets, Antique shopping, Synagogue and Chinese Fishing Nets. Return to the hotel for lunch. After lunch, depart to Thekkady by road. Arrive at the hotel in Thekkady, in time for dinner.
Day 15: Thekkady
After breakfast in the hotel, leave for a Spice Plantation Tour in the morning. Post lunch, enjoy a boat ride in the beautiful Periyar Lake. Return to the hotel for a screening of wildlife movie, followed by dinner.
Day 16: Kumarakom
Early morning, trek to the jungle followed by breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, depart by road to Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom. Afternoon, free to enjoy the facilities at the hotel. You can swim, fish, go boating or opt for a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage (at an extra cost). In the evening - a Sunset Cruise along the backwaters. Dinner at the hotel. Following dinner, enjoy optional night fishing at Kumarakom (no extra cost).
Day 17: Houseboat stay
After breakfast, check out from the hotel. Check-in into the traditional “ Kettuvallam”, a moving houseboat. Enjoy a relaxing backwater cruise. All meals shall be served on board.
Day 18: Kumarakom – Kovalam
After breakfast transfer to Kovalam. A popular sea-side beach resort, Kovalam offers unique beaches in a range of colors ranging from white to black sands. Some popular beaches are: Samudra beach, Aluwa beach, Lighthouse beach and Ashok Beach. Accommodation in Grove Chalets, beach side cottages of Le Meridien.
Day 19: Kovalam
Relaxed day at the beach with local sightseeing.
Day 20: Kovalam–Trivandrum– onward Journey
After breakfast, depart for the Trivandrum airport for flight to Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai, you can go for a shortsightseeing tour of Mumbai, if you have time before the onward flight.
Optionals
1. Extra days in Delhi, Agra, Mumbai or any other selected destination
2. Any other destinations can be added in India, Mauritius, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal on request
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