Cultural India (18 Days)
Delhi | Agra | Jaipur | Udaipur | Mumbai | Cochin |
Thekkady | Kumarakom | Kovalam
Day 01 : Arrive New Delhi
Arrive
New Delhi airport & transfer to hotel. Delhi - An international
metropolis with excellent tourist spots, recreational facilities, and a
history that goes back to antiquity. It offers a multitude of interesting
places and attractions to the visitor. Later proceed on sightseeing tour of
Delhi. Visit Red Fort - The Red Fort with red sandstone walls, popularly
known as the Lal Qila extends for two kms and varies in height from 18
metres on the river side to 33 metres on the city side. India Gate - At the
center of New Delhi stands the 42m high India Gate, an "Arc-de-Triomphe"
like Archway in the middle of a crossroad. Almost similar to its French
counterpart war memorial. Qutab Minar - Among all the monuments in Delhi,
perhaps this is the most famous. 15 kms south of Delhi, stands the soaring
tower of victory, the Qutab Minar. The buildings in this complex, date from
the onset of Muslim rule in India. Jama Masjid - Jama Masjid or the Jami
Masjid was built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, between 1644 and 1658
and is the final architectural piece built by him. Situated in the ancient
town of Old Delhi, this pride of the Mughals was built by five thousand
artisans & Chandi Chowk. Overnight stay in Delhi.
Day 02 : Drive Delhi - Agra (203 kms)
Early today drive to Agra - In Uttar Pradesh. Located about 204 km south of
Delhi in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Agra is one of the most famous
tourist spots of the country. The city, situated on the west bank of river
the Yamuna, is known world over as home to a wonder of the world, Taj Mahal.
Late afternoon arrive & check in. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight
stay in Agra.
Day 03 : City Tour
By sunrise visit the world famous Taj Mahal (closed on Fri's) - one of the
seven wonders of the world, a mausoleum built by Emperor Shahjahan in memory
of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Return to hotel for breakfast. Later
proceed for visit to Agra Fort - The high red sandstone ramparts of this
great monument stretch for almost 2.5 km, dominating a bend in the river
Yamuna, northwest of the Taj Mahal. The foundation of this majestic citadel
was laid by the Emperor Akbar, and it developed as a stronghold of the
Mughal Empire under successive generations. Evening is free for shopping
activities. Overnight stay in Agra.
Day 04 : Drive Agra - Jaipur (240 kms)
Early breakfast drive to Jaipur - The city of Jaipur is capital to the
northern Indian state of Rajasthan, famous for its colorful culture, forts,
palaces, and lakes. The city is mirror to every thing that Rajasthan
signifies, be its culture, tradition, society, and, most important, the
people. The old city of Jaipur has neat and broadly laid-out avenues, all
painted pink, and that gives a magical glow to the city, especially in the
evenings. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri - 40 kms from Agra, the city of
Fatehpur Sikri served as the capital of the Mughal empire between 1570 and
1586 during Akbar's reign. Arrive & check in. Evening is free for
leisure. Overnight stay in Jaipur.
Day 05 : City Tour
Today
proceed for half day excursion to Amber Fort : 11 kms north of Jaipur is the
ancient capital. The fort is superb example of Rajput architecture,
stunningly situated on a hall side overlooking a lake. Here you have the
opportunity to ascend the fort on Elephant's back (depending on
availability) alternately by jeeps. Later proceed on city tour. Jaipur
offers a plethora of touristic attractions to the traveller visiting Hawa
Mahal (Palace of Winds) - Constructed in 1799 is one of the major landmarks
in Jaipur. This 5 storey building overlooking the main street is a stunning
example of Rajput artistry, with pink delicately honeycombed sandstone
windows. It was built to enable ladies of the royal house to watch the
everyday life & processions of the city. City Palace : In the heart of
the old city, it occupies divided into series of courtyards, gardens &
buildings. The Palace is a blend of Rajasthani & Mughal architecture.
Jantar Mantar : Next to the entrance to the City Palace. An observatory
begun by Jai Singh in 1728. His passion for astronomy was even notable than
his prowess as a warrior. Evening is free for leisure / shopping. Overnight
stay in Jaipur.
Day 06 : Fly Jaipur - Udaipur
Early today transfer to airport for flight to Udaipur - Is a fascinating
blend of sights, sound and experiences. Right from the medieval times, the
city has been an inspiration for poets, painters and writers. Founded in
1559 and named after Maharana Udai Singh, Udaipur became the capital of the
Sisodia dynasty whose earlier capital was Chittor. According to legend, the
Maharana was out hunting one day when he met a holy man meditating on a hill
overlooking the Lake Pichola. The hermit blessed the Maharana and told him
to built a palace at that very spot, as it would be well protected. The
Maharana followed the holy man"s advice and Udaipur came into being.
Arrive & transfer to hotel. Rest of the day is free for leisure.
Overnight stay in Udaipur.
Day 07 : City Tour
After breakfast proceed on sightseeing tour of Udaipur. Visit The City
Palace and Museum is considered as the largest palace complex in Rajasthan
and its museum has stunning collection of objects collected by different
Maharanas of Udaipur over the centuries. The Picholia Lake, Udai Sagar, and
Pratap Sagar are some of the most beautiful lakes in the state. Some other
attractions in the city are the Jagdish Temple, Saheliyon Ki Bari, Jag
Mandir, Pratap Memorial. Evening is free for leisure / shopping. Overnight
stay in Udaipur.
Day 08 : Fly Udaipur - Mumbai
Today transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai - India's finance centre,
the economic powerhouse of the nation & the heart of Hindi film industry
" Bollywood ". The islands that now form Mumbai were first home to
fisher folk as far back as the 2nd century. The Portuguese did little to
develop, the British government took possession in 1665 & leased for 03
yrs to East India Company. Arrive & transfer to hotel. Rest of the day
is free to relax / explore the city on own. Overnight stay in Mumbai.
Day 09 : City Tour
Today
after breakfast proceed on a half day city tour, visit the Prince of Wales
Museum built in grand Indo Saracenic style, Gateway of India, drive past
Marine Drive, Mumbai's most popular seaside promenade, and see the Kamla
Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens on the slopes of the Malabar hills, offering
a nice view of the marine lines and the Chowpatty beach. Visit the Jain
temple, Mani Bhawan where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay, and the Dhobi Ghat.
Also, drive past the Flora Fountain, the colourful Crawford Market and
Victoria Terminus train station. Evening is free for your own. Overnight
stay in Mumbai.
Day 10 : Fly Mumbai - Cochin
After breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Cochin - Located in the
beautiful state of Kerala, Cochin was built by the Portuguese and is today
the busiest port of the country and an important tourist destination of the
state. Arrive & check in. Evening attend the Kathakali Dance Performance
- A unique dance which has a 2000 year old history with more than 100
different 'mudras' or gesture depicting deities, demons, heroes, heroines
and kings - each based on episodes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the
two epic Indian myths.. Overnight stay in Cochin.
Day 11 : City Tour
After breakfast visit the Bolghatty Palace - The palace is situated in the
Bolghatty island and was built by the Dutch. St. Francis Church - The Church
of St. Francis is another place that tourists must visit during their trip
to the beautiful city of Cochin. Jewish Synagogue - The Jewish Synagogue was
built in 1568 and is extremely beautiful. It is exquisitely ornate by
Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Mattancherry Palace is also known as
the Dutch palace, however, it was originally built by the Portuguese.
Evening is free. Overnight stay in Cochin.
Day 12 : Drive Cochin - Periyar (Thekkady)
After breakfast drive to Periyar - a landlocked district, is one of the
most nature rich areas of Kerala. High ranges & wooded valleys are
girded by three main rivers. As a tourist destination it offers diverse
attractions like wildlife sanctuaries, hill stations, spice plantation
tours, mountain treks & Elephant rides, etc. Arrive & check in.
Evening is free to rejuvenate yourself with ayurvedic massage. Overnight
stay in Thekkady.
Day 13 : In Periyar
Early
today proceed on wildlife cruise on Periyar lake. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
- lying close to the plantations, in the rich jungle of Periyar in Thekkady
is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves & is
declared as Tiger Reserve in 1978. Later return to hotel. Afternoon proceed
on spice plantation tour covering cardamom, pepper, coffee & tea
plantations. Evening is free for leisure / relax. Overnight stay in
Thekkady.
Day 14 : Drive Periyar - Kumarakom
After breakfast, drive to the coast and this melodically named town of
Kumarokam nature's best with its virgin forest backwaters on the banks of
lake Vembanda. An enchanting backwater destination offer visitors many other
leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at Kumarokam.
Arrive & check into your backwater resort. Evening walk through the
village near by. Overnight stay at Kumarokam.
Day 15 : In Kumarakom
Day at leisure to relax at the resort. The resort offers comfortable
accommodation and exclusive leisure options like Ayurvedic message, yoga,
meditation, boating, fishing, angling and swimming or a cruise along the
Vembanad Lake to experience the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. At this idyllic
retreat, one can look forward to practicing the 'Art of Doing Nothing'.
Day 16 : Drive Kumarakom - Kovalam
Today drive to Kovalam - A groove of coconut trees. This is a combination
of three small beaches, the sheltered natural bay, the azure blue waters and
the sumptuous spread of green palm groves, reefs and shoals, leisurely
sailing wooden canoes, clear waters at dawn, corals, shells, marine life,
foliage and rejuvenating herbal and body toning massages make it a tropical
paradise. Arrive & check in. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay
in Kovalam.
Day 17 : In Kovalam
Time at leisure to relax / ayurvedic activities at your resort. Enjoy the
beautiful surroundings and lavish comfort and pampering at spa. Overnight
stay in Kovalam.
Day 18 : Departure
After breakfast transfer to Trivandrum airport for flight to onward
destination.
End of a memorable tour !!!
Tariff Chart :
| Destination |
Standard Hotels |
Tour cost per person
Validity : May to Sep 2008
Request for rates valid Oct 2008 onwards |
Us $ 1400
(twin sharing basis) |
| New Delhi |
Central Plaza |
| Agra |
Howard Park Plaza |
| Jaipur |
Om Tower |
| Udaipur |
Paras Mahal |
| Mumbai |
Suba Palace |
| Kochi (Cochin) |
Abad Plaza |
| Thekkady |
Tree Tops |
| Kumarakom |
Coco bay |
| Kovalam |
Isola Di Cocco |
Package Includes :
- Accommodation for 17 days / 16 nights in well appointed double room
- Daily breakfast at all hotels on tour
- Transportation by air conditioned Tata Indica car as per itinerary
- Services of local English speaking guide during sightseeing tour
- Elephant / jeep ride to Amber Fort - Jaipur
- Services of Naturalist for visit to spice plantation, Thekkady
- Wildlife Cruise on lake Periyar, Thekkady
- Driver allowances, fuel, parking interstate permits, toll charges &
Govt taxes
Package Excludes :
- Any air / train fare to destination on tour
- Meals other then specified
- Entrance fees to monuments
- Items of personal nature viz, laundry, tele con, mineral water,
insurance, etc
- Anything not specifically mentioned under package includes section
