|
Day 01 Abroad – Delhi
Arrive: Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 02 Delhi - Varanasi
This morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi – the former centre of Mughal Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Drive past the Red Fort, built in 1648 and board the ‘cycle rickshaw’ for a unique experience from the Red Fort, through “Chandni Chowk” or Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this very busy avenue heading west from the Fort. Later visit the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal. Also visit Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi; Drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful Humayun’s tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal.
Later in the evening we shall transfer to you to railway station to connect overnight train to Varanasi.
Day 03 Varanasi
On arrival you will be received by our representative and transfer to hotel in Varanasi
Afternoon visit Sarnath – 8 kms from Varanasi one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 B.C. Here you will witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Archaeological Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the site. The main attraction is the superb Ashokan pillar with four back-to-back lions which has been adopted as the state symbol of modern India. (The museum is closed on Fridays).
Overnight at hotel
Day 04 Varanasi – Khajuraho
Early morning take a short trip by country boat on the sacred river Ganges to see the Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions. Pilgrims flock the Ghats to have a ritual bath and perform puja to the rising sun, following centuries old tradition. Visit some of the many Hindu temples that line the river Ganges and stroll along the narrow lanes and bazaars.
Later transfer to airport for flight to Khajuraho.
Upon arrival in Khajuraho, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 05 Khajuraho – Agra
Morning visit the most important and fascinating temples of Khajuraho. The temples have been declared a 'world heritage' site by UNESCO in order to preserve the rich legacy of architecture, bequeathed to future generations by the Kings of the Chandela dynasty. These temples are famous for their intricate sculptures and erotic carvings that are one of the outstanding achievements of Indian art.
Afternoon drive to Jhansi Railway Station (170 Kms) to board train for Agra
Upon arrival in Agra, you will be met by our representative & transferred to hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 06 Agra
Early morning visit the famous Taj Mahal -This most famous Mughal monument was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal "the lady of the Taj". It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love, for the emperor was heartbroken when Mumtaz died after 17 years of marriage, during the birth of her 14th child. The central structure has four small domes surrounding the huge, central dome. Above the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are false tombs, a common practice in Indian mausoleums. (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday).
After breakfast visit the mighty Agra Fort. The 16th Century Fort (taken over from Lodhi Dynasty by Akbar the Great) is crescent shaped, with 21 meter high walls, surrounded by a moat, facing out towards the Yamuna River. The site is very important in terms of architectural history. Some of the most historically interesting mix of Hindu and Islamic architecture can be seen here.
Rest of the day free to explore Agra
Overnight at the hotel
Day 07 Agra – Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur (221 km), en route visit Fatehpur Sikri
37 kms prior to reaching Agra you stop at deserted a city predominantly in Red Sandstone. This ghost city is called Fatehpur Sikri. This town was built by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar during 1571 and 1585. He had planned this city as his capital but shortage of water compelled him to abandon the city. After this within 20 years, the capital of Mughals was shifted to Lahore. This deserted city has retained many of the old structures, because of the efforts of the Archaeological department. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the finest examples of Mughal splendour at its height and manifests culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Fatehpur Sikri Mosque is said to be a copy of the mosque in Mecca and has designs, derived from the Persian & Hindu architecture.
Thereafter continue drive to Agra and check into the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 08 Jaipur
Morning tour of the impressive Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur City. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant (subject to availability) for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families.
Afternoon city tour of Jaipur - "The Pink City" is spectacularly set within surrounding rugged hills, dotted with ancient ruined fortresses. Your tour will include the imposing City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Many antiques and artifacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. You will also visit the Hawa Mahal "Palace of the Winds", and the open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the vast astronomical instruments. Enjoy a stroll through the colourful bazaar before returning to your hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 09 Jaipur – Pushkar
Morning drive to Pushkar (150 km). Upon arrival in Pushkar – check into the hotel.
Pushkar is famous for its colourful annual fair during kartik poornima (full moon) in the November each year. At this time, this otherwise peaceful and gentle village on the banks of holy Pushkar take is thrown into colourful confusion when the desert tribes and camel caravans meet to trade cattle, camels, goat, sheep, clothes, jewellery and spices. Upto 200000 traders and 50000 cattle pour into town, along with numerous festooned camels and colourful pilgrims. After 10 hectic days of livestock dealing, camel racing and colourful festivities, on the night of the full moon (Kartik Purnima), everybody goes for a big holy dip in the lake and performs religious rituals in its waters, to the accompaniment of temple & folk music.
Visit the most famous Brahma Temple, said to be one of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity. It’s marked by red spire, and over the entrance gateway is the hans, or goose symbol, of Brahma, who is said to have personally chosen Pushkar as its site.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10 Pushkar – Jodhpur
Morning drive to Jodhpur (230 km). Upon arrival in Jodhpur – check into the hotel.
Afternoon city tour of Jodhpur the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur, Jodhpur stands at the edge of the Thar Desert. It was founded by Rao Jodha, the chief of the Rajput clan of Rathore. The tour includes Meherangarh Fort one of the most impressive & formidable fort in the whole of fort studded Rajasthan. It is situated on a high natural rock bluff from where you can look down on the wonderful panorama of the bustling city below. Also visit Jaswant Thada the Royal Cenotaphs.
Overnight at hotel
Day 11 Jodhpur – Udaipur
In the morning drive to Udaipur (280 Kms) enroute visit Ranakpur Jain temples
Ranakpur Temples: Magnificent 15th century Jain temples situated in the deep secluded valley of the Aravalli Hills. Though over 500 years old, these temples are superbly preserved and are in a near-perfect condition. In the centre is the main “Chaumukha temple” dedicated to Adinath. The most distinctive features are the 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, of which no two are exactly alike. Every conceivable surface is carved and every corner and angle is engraved with Jain images.
Thereafter continue drive to Jodhpur and upon arrival, check-in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 12 Udaipur
In the morning enjoy, city tour of Udaipur, one of India's most romantic cities and famed for its lovely palaces and lakes. Begin by visiting the City Palace and wandering through its beautiful rooms and apartments, then continue on to the Garden of Maidens "Sahelion-ki-bari” and the Folk Art Museum, to view the interesting collection of puppets & paintings.
Late afternoon enjoy a cruise by boat on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the lake you have a wonderful view of the City Palace stretching along the east bank, while the south bank has pleasant gardens running down to the waterside.
Day 13 Udaipur – Cochin
After a very early breakfast you will be transferred to airport for your flight to Cochin via Mumbai
On arrival our representative will meet you at the airport for transfer to the hotel.
The afternoon will be free for relaxation and independent activities.
In the evening you will be taken for a show of Kathakali Dances. Kathakali is the most famous dance form of Kerala. Artists with colourful make up (that looks less like make up, but more like masks) perform the dance drama depicting stories from famous Indian Epics like Mahabharata etc.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 14 Cochin
After buffet breakfast at the hotel proceed for Morning sightseeing tour of Cochin or "Kochi" the palm green, commercial capital of Kerala which has one of the finest natural harbours & is known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea". From time immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British & Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Kochi & left their impression on the town. Modern Kochi is thus a splendid mosaic of these myriad influences. Visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, the Church of St. Francis & the famous Chinese fishing nets.
Rest of the day free to explore the city
Overnight at the hotel
Day 15 Cochin - Kumarakom
After breakfast drive from Cochin to Kumarakom and check-in at the hotel
Kumarakom slumbers on the banks of the famous Vembanad Lake, which is a part of Kuttanad ('granary' of Kerala). The Vembanad Lake with its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. The gorgeous green of the fringed palms ripple in the blue waters and blend into wavelets.
Rest of the day has been kept free for relaxation at the resort by the lake.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 16 Kumarakom - Periyar
In the morning drive through the winding "Ghats" lined with prosperous tea plantations & then arrive at the picturesquely beautiful Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary (165 Kms). You have the option to en route visit tea & spice plantation.
Periyar - Sprawling across 777 sq. kms. of the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats, Thekkady is the home to one of the largest wildlife reserves in India. Alive with exotic flora and vibrant wildlife, it is the perfect getaway tucked away among hills.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is an 800 sq mtr sanctuary in Thekkady on the border of Tamil Nadu and is one of the most important National Parks in India. It boasts of elephants, bison, antelopes, sambar wild boars and if one is lucky, even tigers. Periyar is the best sanctuary in India for watching and photographing elephants at close quarters. What makes Periyar fairly unique as a forest is that game viewing takes place either by small boats through the lake or even on foot.
In the afternoon enjoy boat cruise on the Lake of the famous Periyar wildlife sanctuary to see wild life. Periyar an artificial lake or reservoir created by a dam on Periyar River is the heart of the Wildlife Sanctuary where wild elephants, Asiatic Deer, Black Buck and even Tigers come to shores of the lake to drink water.
Overnight at hotel
Day 17 Periyar – Madurai
After breakfast, drive from Periyar to Madurai (180 Kms). On arrival check-in at the hotel
In the afternoon, visit the Meenakshi temple one of the biggest temple complex in India – it is 46 ft. long by 790 ft broad and was built in the 17th Century. It is a rectangular twin shrine: the southern temple dedicated to Meenakshi (the consort of Shiva) and the other to Shiva. The high point of the Meenakshi temple is Hall of a "Thousand Pillars", built in the 16th C which is as great a work of structural engineering as it is of art. Also visit the palace of Tirumala Nayak which is an example of the architectural mastery of the Nayaks a blend of Hindu and Saracen architecture. Its enormous roofed arcade supported by 48 foot high stoned pillar still stands.
In the evening attend the night ceremony at the temple at 9 P.M. This is a ceremony that takes place every evening when the temple bronze of Lord Shiva is carried to the bedchamber of Parvati. The procession is accompanied by religious prayer and temple music.
Overnight at hotel
Day 18 Madurai – Trichy - Tanjore
After an early breakfast drive from Madurai to Trichy (128) Kms and enjoy a city tour of Trichy - visit the ‘Rock Fort Temple’ which rises abruptly to a height of 273 ft. A steep staircase cut into the rock leads upto the Fort. At the first level are the remnants of a huge hall blasted into ruins in 1772. The next storey is the Mathrubhuteshwarer Shrine dedicated to Shiva. Finally at the top of the hill, the 'Uchhi Pillayar Koil' - a Ganesh Temple offering a commanding view of the city.
Thereafter continue your drive to Tanjore (54 Kms) and check in at the hotel
Overnight at the hotel
Day 19 Tanjore
After breakfast enjoy a sightseeing tour of Tanjore – Once the capital of the Chola Empire from the 10th to the 14th centuries. A Chola king, Raja Chola, who held the throne from 985 to 1016, built the greatest of the empire's 74 temples; the Brahadeeswarar temple is an outstanding example of the Chola architecture. Guarding the inner shrine of the temple is the gigantic statue of Nandi, the Bull. The courtyard walls of the sanctum are covered with wall paintings from the Chola and Nayak periods, comparable to the famous Ajanta cave frescoes. The Art gallery in Thanjavur has a superb collection of bronze statues from the 9th to 12th centuries.
Rest of the day free for relaxation and independent activities
Overnight at the hotel
Day 20 Tanjore – Pondicherry
After breakfast drive from Tanjore to Pondicherry (180 Kms) enroute visit Chidambaram
Chidambaram (155 kms from Trichy) has a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the enthralling form of the Cosmic Dancer Nataraja. It is one of the few, which allows non-Hindus to visit the inner shrine. The peculiarity of the temple is its presiding deity - the Akasha Lingam or the ether lingam. The four tall entranceways have carvings of the famous South Indian dance, Bharatanatyam.
Thereafter continue your drive to Pondicherry. On arrival check-in at the hotel
Pondicherry - This is charming and well-restored former French colony that displays a Mediterranean aura, with its beautiful streets and whitewashed houses. Owing to its French heritage, there are numerous restaurants serving French cuisine. Lots of boutiques offer fine handicrafts, leather and pottery items and exotic fragrances.
In evening visit the Eglise De Sacre Coeur De Jesus dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, this church is noted for its gothic architecture and stained glass panels which depict the entire life of Jesus Christ.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 21 Pondicherry – Mahabalipuram
In the morning visit the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram whose founder Sri Aurobindo emerged as a new type of thinker, one who combined in his vision - alacrity of the West with illumination of the East. Visit Auroville or the ‘City of Dawn’ - Designed by a French architect Roger Arger, it is a universal city-in-the-making whose purpose is human unity in the broadest sense of the word.
Thereafter drive to Mahabalipuram (95 Kms). On arrival check-in at the hotel
In the afternoon enjoy a sightseeing tour of the Chariot Temples and Arjuna’s Panance
Mahabalipuram Famous for its unique 7th century Shore Temple located at this lovely are some of the most beautiful rock cut temples in the world. Situated on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, Mahabalipuram was already a famous seaport in the 1st century AD. This town was a workshop for temple building. Visit the seven pagoda style shore temples, lashed by the waves of the sea and the seven rathas or temple chariots, a group of monolithic monuments & animal figures carved out of solid rock, the earliest known examples of Dravidian architecture. They were constructed in a single century long burst of creative enthusiasm, starting in the reign of Narasimhavarman 1 (AD 630 68).
Rest of the day has been kept free to relax at the beach.
Overnight at hotel
Day 22 Mahabalipuram
Morning free for relaxation
Check-out at 1200 hours
In time transfer to Chennai airport to connect flight to your onward destination
|
