Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days Places Covered: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Delhi - Chennai - Trivandrum
- Cochin - Periyar - Madurai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Chennai Day 01: Arrival 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 02: Delhi
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Start a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi.
OLD DELHI - A sight-seeing 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 Moghul Empire.
Enjoy the cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sight-seeing 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, Lotus Temple and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic
Enclave.
Proceed to see the DANCES OF INDIA show in the evening.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi - Agra
Start for Agra early in the morning after breakfast.
En-route you will visit the SIKANDRA. 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.
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.
Proceed for visit to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Itmadullah's Tomb with
English speaking guide. Enjoy battery van ride. Return to hotel and relax
in the evening.
Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 04: Jaipur
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel.
Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort. 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 it's ultimate expression.
Continue sight-seeing.
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. Their five-storey structures 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 05: Jaipur - Delhi
After leisurely breakfast proceed for shopping.
Leave for Delhi after lunch. Reach Delhi and you will be transferred to airport
for flight with sweet memories of India after FAREWELL DINNER.
Day 06: Delhi - Chennai
Transfer to hotel Le Meridien (near the airport)
Day 07: Chennai - Trivandrum
Transfer to Somatheeram Ayurvedic Resort
Day 08: Ayurvedic Beach Resort
Relax and enjoy the facilities at the resort including private beach, yoga,
massage, nature walks, classical music and dance programs on open-air stage,
visits to local traditional village.
Day 09: Backwaters of Kerala
From the resort drive to the pier to board a private rice boat (70 kms/2 hrs
drive) and then cruise through the narrow canals and wide lakes enjoying the
scenic natural beauty -- coconut trees, rice patties, small villages.Meals
and overnight on houseboats.
Day 10: Backwaters - Cochin
Morning relax on houseboat, after lunch drive to Cochin 65 Kms/ 1 1/12 hrs.),
transfer to hotel. Taj Mallabar Hotel, overlooking the harbor, sea facing
rooms.
Day 11: Cochin
Full day sighseeing: palaces, museums. Enjoy a Kathakali dance performance
at Cochin Cultural Center, arriving by 5 pm to watch the make-up. Dinner at
traditional Kerala restaurant. Taj Mallabar Hotel
Day 12: Periyar
Periyar Wild life Sanctuary Home to bison, antelopes, sambars, wild boars,
monkeys, langurs, a wide variety of birds, and some 750 elephants. Game viewing
by private motor-boat in the evening, (the best time to see wild life). Hotel
Taj Garden Retreat
Day 13: Periyar - Madurai
Relax at Periyar in the morning. In afternoon, drive to Madurai (135 kms./
4hrs. drive), "The Temple City of India." Evening relaxed overview
of the city, independent strolling. Hotel Taj Garden Retreat in Madurai, cottages.
Day 14: Madurai
Full day sighseeing: Sri Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Palace, Tiruparankundram
(rock-cut)Temple, Alagarkoil Temple Evening fly Madurai-Madras dep 19:40 arr
20:30 arr. OR 20:40 dep.-21:30 arr. Hotel Taj Garden Retreat
Day 15: Madras
Full day sightseeing of Madras: Kapaleeshwarar Temple, San Thome Cathedral,
Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Fort St. George, the Marina. Hotel Taj Coromandel,
superior room
Day 16: Drive to Kanchipuram
Visit temples of Kanchipuram enroute to Mahabalipuram. Kailasanatha Temple,
Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Sri Ekambaranathar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple,
Devarajaswami Temple. On arrival in Mahabalipuram transfer to Hotel FishermanÕs
Cove.
Day 17: Mahabalipuram
Morning relax; afternoon sightseeing: Five Rathas, Shore Temple, ArjunaÕs
Penance, Mandapams, Krishna Mandapam.
Day 18: Madras
Relax in the morning. Late afternoon drive back to Madras (80kms./2hrs. drive).
Transfer to international airport for flight home.
INCREDIBLE TOURISM
