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Cultural North India with Enchanting Kerala |
Duration: 21 Days
Destination: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Mumbai - Calicut - Kappad - Vythri - Thekkady - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Cochin
Day 1 - Arrive at Delhi:
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi late in the night or midnight. Transfer to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 2 - Delhi:
Start a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi after breakfast.
OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest Mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Mogul Empire.
Enjoy a Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence and Lotus Temple and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Spend night at Delhi.
Day 3 - Delhi - Agra:
By road
201 km in 4 hr
Start for Agra early in the morning after breakfast. Reach and check in at hotel.
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
Proceed for sightseeing.
TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.
Proceed to visit the Itmadullah's Tomb (also known as the BABY TAJ) Return to hotel and relax in the evening.
Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 4 - Agra - Jaipur:
By road
221 km in 6 hr
Drive to Fatehpur Sikri after breakfast.
The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.
Continue your drive to Jaipur.
Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan a romantic realm of resplendent palaces, mighty fortresses and regal Maharajahs that lies in the western deserts and is an utterly unique part of India. Proudly belonging to the KSHATRIYA warrior caste and fiercely independent, the Rajput princes made fearsome foes. However, many of them realized that to maintain their wealth and authority locally, it was expedient to proclaim allegiance to the central power. Thus, many enjoyed a privileged position under the Mughal emperors and also the British Raj that followed.
The bustling Rajasthan capital of Jaipur takes its name from its venerated founder Jai Singh II, who was given the title Sawai Maharaja by the Mughal. Literally translated this would mean 'one and a quarter', suggesting that the Mughal thought this emperor to be more valuable than just 'one'. Jaipur is known as the 'Pink City' on account of the distinctive colour of its buildings. This did not, however, form part of the original plan, but dates back to 1856, when the city was given a wash of pink in honor of a State Visit from Prince Albert.
Reach and check in at hotel.
This evening, visit the Birla Temple to learn more about the fascinating religious life of Jaipur. The marble structure, built as recently as 1985, houses ornate statues including one of Lakshmi (goddess of Wealth and Beauty) and Narayan dressed in gaudy robes, representing a Hindu vision of heavenly luxury. Carvings in the temple and on pillars supporting the covered walkways include images of the Hindu pantheon, as well as Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis of Assisi. Your visit will coincide with the AARTI Ceremony, which involves oil lamps being lit and waved, in order to awake and invoke the deity. Enjoy the experience and spend night at Jaipur.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 5 - Jaipur:
Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort after breakfast. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
Continue sightseeing.
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
Relax in the evening or visit the markets. Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 6 - Jaipur - Mumbai:
By Flight
Flight Number : IC 612
Airline : Indian Airlines
Departure : 0735 hr
Arrival : 0910 hr
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Take flight to Mumbai.
Its young, its lively and a confluence of varied cultural currents and cross currents have given Mumbai a unique position of the most multi-ethnic city of India. The capital city of Maharashtra State formerly known as Bombay lies in the southwestern part of India and occupies a peninsular site originally composed of seven islets lying off the KONKAN COAST of western India. Oozing with the cocksure self-confidence of a maverick moneymaker and "Bindass" (carefree) attitude, Mumbai is also country's financial and commercial hub and has a principal port on the Arabian Sea.
Yet, there's another face of Mumbai too that is of the most densely populated cities in the world. Mumbai is located on a site of ancient settlement and took its name from the local Goddess "Mumba" - a form of Parvati, the consort of Shiva, one of the principal Gods of Hinduism - whose temple once stood in what is now the southeastern section of the Mumbai city.
Reach and transfer to hotel. Spend the day sightseeing of Mumbai. You will visit among other places the following:
Mumbai Fort:The area north of Colaba is known as Mumbai Fort, since the old British fort was once located here. There are a lot of impressive buildings from Mumbai's golden period here. St. John's church, dedicated to the soldiers, who laid down their lives in the Sindh campaign of 1838, and the first Afghan war of 1843, is also worth a visit.
Marine Drive in Mumbai:Marine Drive located in the central Mumbai, built in the 1920s and 30s on land reclaimed from the sea, is Mumbai's most famous thoroughfare. It is also referred to as the Queen's Necklace because of the dramatic line of street lamps lit up at night. Recently it has come to known as Netaji Subhashchandra Bose Road with Nariman Point on one end to Babulnath, at the foot of Walkeshwar on the other.
Gateway of India: Mumbai's principal landmark, the Gateway of India is a huge archway on the water's edge at Apollo Bunder. It is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. This famous monument was built to commemorate the visit of the first ever British Monarch, King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.
Flora Fountain/ Hutama Chowk: This fountain situated in the heart of the city was erected in 1869 in honour of a British Governor of Bombay. Sir Brtle Frere. Flora Fountain marks a junction of five streets and known as the 'Picadilly Circus 'of Mumbai, which is decorated at its four corners with mythological figures, the Fountain is a structure in dull stone with a figure the Roman Goddess of flowers, at the top.
Juhu Beach: Juhu is one of the largest and frequently visited beaches of India. Located 18-km north of the city centre, it's a beckoning beach on the shores of Arabian Sea and is one of the posh localities of Mumbai where one can find the bungalows of the famous film personalities. Many shootings are held here too.
Hanging Gardens in Mumbai: Also known as Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, the Hanging Gardens were built in 1880 and renovated in 1921. These gardens are popularly known as Hanging Gardens, because of their location on the slope of a hill. The terrace garden looks south from Malabar Hill towards Colaba, and affords a panoramic view of the city or a breathtaking sunset. It is built over three reservoirs, which store 30 million gallons of water pumped here for cleaning before being supplied to the town.
In the evening spend time in the CHOWPATTY BEACH and enjoy the local flavor.
Chowpatty Beach: Chowpatty beach situated at the end of Marine Drive has a moderate expanse of sand and is the only beach in the central part of Mumbai. One can witnesses many Hindu religious ceremonies taking place at Chowpatty like the Annual Thread-Tying Ceremony initiating young boys into the Brahmin caste, 'Nariel Purnima' towards the end of the monsoons and 'Ganesh Chaturthi' immersions.
Overnight will be in Mumbai.
Day 7 - Mumbai - Calicut (Kozhikode):
By Flight
Flight Number : IC 657
Airline : Indian Airlines
Departure : 0840 hr
Arrival : 1140 hr
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed to the airport for flight to Calicut.
Reach Calicut, now known as Kozhikode where Vasco da Gama landed. Upon arrival transfer and check into the hotel.
In the afternoon, city tour of Calicut, visiting the Pazhassiraja Museum, the Art Gallery, the Krishna Memon Museum and the market.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 - Calicut - Kappad:
By road
121 km in 3 hr
In the morning, drive to Kappad after breakfast.
This historic beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. This is the place where the Portuguese Navigator Vasco da Gama landed in 1498. Upon arrival you will check in at the hotel. In the afternoon, visit Beypur, one of the ancient ports of Kerala. The boat-building yard here is famous for the construction of Uru or Country Craft, which used to sail to Gulf countries with heavy luggage. The technique of this boat building is now available with few families. It is also a major fishing harbor.
The rest of the day would be spent at leisure.
Stay overnight at the resort.
Day 9 - Kappad - Vythri:
By road
80 km in 2 hr
Breakfast will be at the resort.
In the morning, drive to Vythiri and check into a hotel. The rest of the day would be spent at leisure.
Stay overnight at the hotel. (TREE HOUSE)
Day 10 - Vythri:
Breakfast will be at the resort.
The day would be spent at leisure to enjoy the Eco-Friendly nature at its best. The hotel is situated close to the Pookode Lake, evergreen forests with perennial steams and stunning waterfalls.
Stay overnight at the hotel. (TREE HOUSE)
Day 11 - Vythri - Calicut:
By road
201 km in 4 hr
Calicut - Cochin:
By Train
250 km in 6 hr
Breakfast will be at the resort.
In the morning, drive to Calicut to board a train for Cochin. Reach by evening.
The city is now known as Kochi which with its wealth of historic associations and its setting of a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas perfectly reflects the eclecticism of Kerala.
Upon arrival transfer and check into the hotel.
The evening would be spent at leisure. Enjoy a sunset harbor cruise. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 - Cochin:
Breakfast will be at the resort.
In the morning, enjoy a city tour. Visit the Mattancheery Dutch Palace where the superb series of murals painted on the wooden walls are its main attraction. Also visit the 16th century Jewish Synagogue and the Church of St. Francis. Vasco da Gama was originally buried in the Church''s cemetery. Walk around the Fort Cochin area and admire the Chinese Fishing Nets. Chinese traders are believed to have introduced them in the late 14th century.
The afternoon would be spent at leisure. In the evening, there would be a Kathakali Dance show.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 - Cochin - Houseboat:
By road
50 km in 1 hr
The morning would be spent at leisure.
In the afternoon proceed to Aleppey and check into a Houseboat and depart for a cruise through the scenic backwaters and canals.
Enjoy the endless stretch of water running miles to nowhere; its banks lined with swaying palms fanning the lush green rice fields below dancing in rhythm with the gentle sea breeze carrying a medley of flavors of fish, coconut and spice.
Lunch, evening tea / coffee and snacks will be on board.
Take a walk in the village along the paddy fields and dinner will be served by 9 PM. You can spend some time with the chef in the boat trying your hand at authentic Kerala Cuisine.
Stay overnight on the Houseboat.
Day 14 - Houseboat - Thekkady:
By road
150 km in 3 hr
Breakfast will be at the houseboat.
Sail through the scenic villages and watch children go to school and as most of the activities are along the water you would be able to see the ordinary village life.
In the morning, reach Kottayam and proceed for Thekkady - drive through tea estates, spice gardens and wild forests. Arrive at Thekkady after a memorable drive of approx. 4 hours. In-between stop to visit a tea factory.
Check in at hotel.
The river Periyar is the longest river in Kerala. This is the only perennial river in South India with clean water. The river occupies an important place in the history of Kerala. In the Sangam age Tamil epics such as Chilapathikaram, 'Akananuru', 'Purananuru' etc much has been said about this mighty river, formerly known as the 'Choorni Nadi' or 'Thamraparni Nadi' The capital of the old Chera Empire presumably existed on the banks of the river Periyar. It is believed that there was a flood in the 4th century AD that severely damaged the areas along the Periyar and the people living there had to escape to safer locations, abandoning their homes and livelihoods. The flood of AD 1341 resulted in the closing of Kodungalloor port and the opening of a new port at Kochi. The huge landslide that began in the high ranges as a result of the heavy downpours sent massive flows of mud and sand which created an Island at the 'Azhimugham' of the Periyar which is now known as the Vyppin Islands.
In the evening visit Kumily market to buy the best spices available. Overnight will be at Thekkady.
Day 15 - Thekkady:
Today you can visit the rare species of plants and animals. Afternoon visit spice plantations like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices.
Enjoy a boatride at the lake watching wild animals and birds.
Overnight will be at Thekkady.
Day 16 - Thekkady - Kumarokom:
By road
160 km in 4 hr
In the morning proceed to Kumarokom after breakfast.
Arrive at Kumarokom, after a journey of approx. 5 hours enjoying the beauty of the traditional Keralian houses.
The village of Kumarokom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live there in flocks are a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarokom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.
An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarokom offers visitors many other leisure options. Boating and fishing facilities are available at Kumarokom. Holiday packages on the houseboats, traditional Kettuvalloms, are an out-of-this-world experience at Kumarokom.
An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with while lilies - this is Kumarokom.
Check in at Hotel. Overnight will be at Kumarakom.
Day 17 - Kumarokom - Kovalam:
By road
200 km in 5 hr
After breakfast proceed to visit BIRD PARK of Kumarokom.
Drive to the Kovalam beach. Check in at the beautiful hotel on the beach.
Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach of Kerala, with three adjacent crescent beaches. Kovalam has been a favorite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful Bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse - sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programs, Catamaran cruising etc.
The rest of the day would be spent at leisure on the beach. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 18 - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Kovalam:
Breakfast will be at the resort.
Relax at the beach in the morning.
In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour of Trivandrum, visiting the Padmanabhaswamy Temple where the corridors are lined with 368 sculpted stone pillars and adorned with murals and ornamentation, the Museum, the Handicrafts Institute and the Art Gallery.
Return to Kovalam and stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 19 - Kovalam - Aleppey
By road
175 km in 4 hr
In the morning, transfer to the Trivandrum and continue drive to Aleppey.
Alleppey is known as the rice bowl of Kerala. Here you can enjoy the lively villages and backwaters. It is located on the banks of the backwater and you can witness various types of traditional activities like coir making, fishing, etc.
Enjoy your stay at a LAKESIDE VILLA. Overnight will be in Aleppey.
Day 20 - Aleppey - Cochin:
By road
50 km in 1 hr
Cochin - Delhi:
By Flight
Flight Number : IC 166
Airline : Indian Airlines
Departure : 1030 hr
Arrival : 1455 hr
Drive to Cochin after breakfast for flight to Delhi.
Reach and proceed to the hotel. Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at the hotel in Delhi.
Day 21 - Delhi - Home:
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Spend the day shopping. Proceed to the airport in time for your flight home with sweet memories of India.
TOUR ENDS
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