Tour Highlights:
Dedicated English/French/German speaking guides at your service through out the trip.
- Stay in some of World's best hotels such as Oberoi's Udai Vilas, Raj Vilas or Taj Lake Palace and the premium hotels.
- Live like royalty in the splendid palaces of Rajasthan.
- Experience the magnificent Taj Mahal, seventh wonder of the world. Experience Taj's serene beauty on a night tour (available only on full moon nights).
- Free lessons in Indian Paintings, Miniatures, Frescoes and Pottery making at Jaipur, a historic city & capital of Rajasthan.
- Desert Safari on Camel back in Rajasthan .
- Heena or Mehndi application on hands and arms, a sign of a joyous occasion in Indian culture.
- Visit Amer fort, Jaipur on elephant back.
- Live performance of “Kathakali”, the stage dance – drama of Kerala.
- Backwater cruise and overnight stay in traditional moving houseboat called “Kettuvallam”.
- While on the tour, why miss on Golf? Enjoy Golfing at Delhi and Jaipur.
Day 1: Arrival Delhi
Arrive in Delhi either late 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 in 1630 A.D. to enshrine his Queen Mumtaz Mahal's mortal remains. Later, visit the Agra Fort containing the Pearl Mosque, the Halls of Public and Private Audience. Also visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daullah built by Empress Noorjehan in memory of her father.
Day 4: Agra- Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri (old deserted town of Mughal Dynasty). 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 the Jai Mahal Palace or the Rambagh Palace (both heritage hotels) and experience Rajput hospitality at its best. Evening visit to Chokhi Dhani, an ethnic village resort. The vitality of Rajasthani folk culture comes alive as children dance rhythmically to the loud tenor of folk songs sung by men and women, festooned in bright clothes. Gaily caparisoned camel, horses and bullock carts offer joy rides. 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. Built in the 1700's (A.D), it still looks futuristic. Nearby is 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 an early 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. The Lalgarh Palace carved out of red sandstone is an impressive monument. 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 12th 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 12th century Jaisalmer Fort. The fort is honeycombed with beautifully carved Jain temples and cobbled alleys flanked by the most beautiful havelis (Patwon ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli and Nathmal ki Haveli). Hewn entirely out of sandstone, the city is a tawny colour in the day and at sunset it magically morphs into honey-gold hue. Afternoon drive to Khuri, located 45 km east of Jaisalmer, a quaint village with clusters of thatch roof houses, where men sport magnificent mustaches and bright turbans, and women are swathed in gaily-hued odhinis. On the sand dunes here, take a sunset ride through the scrubland of Rajasthan on a camel safari that is a lifetime experience. 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.
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 Jharokhas (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. The drive through the countryside abounds with black bucks and chinkaras (a species of gazelle) grazing serenely and migratory birds dot the skies. 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. (Optional - lunch in the temple or at Maharani Bagh, Ranakpur at extra charge). Later in the day arrive at enchanting, medieval city of Udaipur and check-in at the Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur. Built over two and a half centuries ago 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. Walk around the fountain pavilions and cobbled gardens of the famous Jag Mandir Island Palace. 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 on the shores of Lake Pichola. The Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir is a treasure house of Rajasthani folk culture. The breathtaking beauty of the lakes- Pichola & Fateh Sagar truly make Udaipur an oasis in the desert. Return to hotel after city drive. 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. 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 :
Extra days in Delhi, Agra, Mumbai or any other selected destination.
Any other destinations can be added in India, Mauritius, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Nepal on request .
