DAY 1- ARRIVE DELHI
Fly into Delhi where you will be met by the ITP representative at the arrival hall and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon proceed on a tour of the capital city. The important places in Old Delhi include the majestic Red Fort, the historical Chandni Chowk, besides Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana. In New Delhi, visit the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys and current residence of the President of India; the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war; the Laxminarayan Temple, built by the Birlas, one of India’s leading industrial families; Qutab Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty; and the lotus-shaped Baha’i Temple.
DAY 2- TO VARANASI
Transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi. Arrive in Varanasi and transfer to hotel enroute visiting Sarnath, an important Buddhist pilgrimage point. Lord Buddha travelled to Sarnath to preach his first sermon.
DAY 3- TO KHAJURAHO
Enjoy a boat ride on river Ganges where you can see about hundred ghats that are along the river. Also visit The Vishwanath Temple, built by the Birlas that was planned by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. Instead of gods and goddesses, the Bharat Mata Temple houses a huge relief map in marble of the Indian subcontinent. The Tulsi Manas Temple, built in 1964, is dedicated to Lord Rama. Transfer to the airport to board flight for Khajuraho. Arrive in Khajuraho and transfer to hotel. Later take the sightseeing tour of Khajurhao Temples. The Chaunsath Yogini, Lalguan Mahadev, Parvati, Varaha, Matangesvara, Lakshmana, Vishvanath and Nandi, Chitragupta, Devi Jagdamba and Kandariya Mahadeo temples belong to this group.
DAY 4- TO AGRA
In the morning drive to Jhansi Railway Station to board Shatabdi Express for Agra. Visit Orchha enroute, The Chaturbhuj Temple and Laxmi Narayan Temple are two other important religious attractions in Orchha. Arrive in Agra and transfer to hotel.
DAY 5- IN AGRA
In the morning take the city sightseeing tour that includes a visit to The Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world which is entirely made of white marble and its walls are decorated with exquisite pietra dura (stone inlay) work. Also visit The Agra Fort (also called the Red Fort) that makes an interesting sight; the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula that is located in a walled garden overlooking the Yamuna and Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra which is located in a large walled garden on the road to Delhi.
DAY 6- TO JAIPUR
In the morning drive to Jaipur visiting the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. Also visit Wild life sanctuary of Bharatpur where you can enjoy a cycle rickshaw or a bicycle ride to see birds in their natural habitat. Arrive in Jaipur and check- in at hotel. There are many restaurant options available at any one of the fine Palace hotels that Jaipur boasts of.
DAY 7- IN JAIPUR
Take the morning excursion to Amber Fort, situated just outside the city, which is perhaps the most beautiful example of Rajasthani forts . You can have the unique experience of traveling on elephant back to and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated. In the afternoon take the sightseeing tour of Jaipur including City Palace in the heart of Jaipur that is known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture; Central Museum with its large collection of woodwork; Jantar Mantar, the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh; The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds that was constructed for the royal ladies to observe the royal processions without being seen.
DAY 8- TO UDAIPUR
In the morning drive to Udaipur. Arrive in Udaipur and check-in at hotel. The afternoon is free to take a walking tour on your own through the narrow lanes and back streets of Udaipur that lead to the Washing Ghats at Lake Pichola. Visit one of the fine downtown restaurants for an optional dinner.
DAY 9- IN UDAIPUR
Take the morning sightseeing tour of Udaipur that includes The City Palace and Museum that is considered as the largest palace complex in Rajasthan; Pratap Memorial that houses the bronze statue of Maharana Pratap, the legendary warrior king of Udaipur; Jagdish Temple that is situated near the city palace and Saheliyon Ki Bari which is a small ornamental garden. Later in the day enjoy a two hour boat-ride on Lake Pichola visiting many Ghats (banks) that are used for of washing, bathing etc
DAY 10- TO MUMBAI
Transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai. Arrive in Mumbai and transfer to hotel. Take the afternoon sightseeing tour of Mumbai including The Gateway of India which is the main attraction of the city; The Mani Bhawan or the Gandhi memorial that was once used as the residence of Mahatma Gandhi in Mumbai; Marine Drive or the Queen’s Necklace; Juhu, a 5-km-long beach that attracts a large number of visitors everyday; Hanging Garden; Kamla Nehru Garden and Chowpatty that will give you a feel of one of the most happening beaches of Mumbai.
DAY 11- TO HYDERABAD
Transfer to airport to board flight for Hyderabad. In the afternoon take the city sightseeing tour including The Charminar that occupies the center of the city and dominates its landscape; The Hussain Sagar is a large tank filled with blue water that provides a pleasant backdrop to the city’s landscape; Salar Jung Museum is one of the best-known museums in India where you can find private collections of the Nizams.
DAY 12- TO BANGALORE
Transfer to airport to board flight for Bangalore. Arrive in Bangalore and transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Bangalore visiting Tipu Sultan’s Palace, originally built in mud in 1537 and rebuilt by Haider Ali a couple of centuries later; Bull Temple enshrining a massive bull carved out of a single piece of Grey granite; Lalbagh gardens laid out by Haider Ali in the 18th century; Cubbon Park laid out by the British in the 19th century and Vidhan Soudha built in granite that incorporates features of traditional Indian architecture.
DAY 13- TO MYSORE
In the morning drive to Mysore enroute visiting Srirangapatanam, which was the capital of the warrior king Hyder Ali & his son Tipu Sultan, which still has magnificent monuments. Arrive in Mysore and check-in at hotel. Later take the city tour including Maharaja’s Palace built as recently as 1897, which is one of the biggest in India; St Philomena’s Church etc; Sri Jauyachamarajendra Art Gallery housed in the Jagmohan Palace, which has a collection of exquisite paintings, and, Brindavan Gardens, which are lit up thrice a week.
DAY 14- TO CHENNAI
In the morning visit Chamundi Hill. On the top of the hill stands the temple dedicated to the Goddess Chamundeshwari, the royal family’s patron deity. In the afternoon transfer to Railway Station to board Shatabadi Express train for Chennai. Arrive in Chennai and transfer to hotel.
DAY 15- IN CHENNAI
In the morning take the sightseeing tour of Chennai including Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world; the St. George Fort, built in 1653, is currently used as the state government’s secretariat; Santhome Cathedral was built around 14th/15th century and is another colonial structure worth visiting; the Kapaleeshwar Temple is the oldest temple in Chennai and is dedicated to Lord Shiva; another important temple in the city dedicated to Lord Krishna is Parthsarthy Temple and the Snake Park has a large collection of snakes and many other reptiles.
DAY 16- IN CHENNAI
Day excursion to Mahabalipuram & Kancheepuram. The places to be visited are Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam, Five Rathas and Shore Temples. Later visit Kancheepuram, one of the seven sacred cities of India and also home to the famous silk and cotton weaving industry.
DAY 17- TO MADURAI
Transfer to airport to board flight for Madurai. Arrive in Madurai and transfer to hotel. Later visit Meenakshi Temple, where the 1,000-pillared hall has stone figures carved on the pillars, some of which sound like metal when hit with an object. Also visit Tirumalai Nayaka Temple and the Temple Art Museum.
DAY 18- TO PERIYAR
In the morning, drive down the scenic route dotted with plantations of rubber, cardamom, cocoa, green pepper and areca nut, to the wildlife reserve at Periyar. Arrive in Periyar and check-in at hotel. Enjoy a boat ride in the afternoon on Lake Periyar.
DAY 19- TO ALAPPUZHA
Morning drive a short distance before switching over to a boat for a cruise through many canals and waterways up to Alleppey. The backwater cruise in a country boat is the best way to explore the villages and rural life. In Alleppey, you will be taken aboard your floating houseboat, a bigger boat with a bedroom and en-suite rest room so you can relax in comfort.
DAY 20- TO MARARIKULUM
In the morning drive to Mararikulam, a quaint beach resort. Arrive in Mararikulam and check in at a beach resort.
DAY 21- IN MARARIKULUM
Day free for independent activities.
DAY 22- TO KOCHI
In the morning drive to Kochi. Arrive in Kochi and check-in at hotel. In the afternoon take the sightseeing tour of Cochin including The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry which is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana; the Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town; the St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India; the Santa Cruz Basilica, originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese; the Chinese fishing nets are huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese traders and finally, the Willingdon Island, named after Lord Willingdon, which is the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command of India.
DAY 23- TO THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (FORMERLY KNOWN AS TRIVANDRUM)
Transfer to Railway Station to board train for Trivandrum. Arrive in Trivandrum and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon take sightseeing tour of Trivandrum visiting the ancient temple of Sri Padmanabhaswamy which is one of the major attractions in the city of Thiruvananthapuram. Napier Museum was built in 1880 and shows a harmonious blend of Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian architectural styles. Sri Chitra Art Gallery has a fine collection of Tanjore, Mughal, and Rajput schools of art. The Zoo in Thiruvananthapuram has many shaded and delightful walks.
DAY 24- LEAVE THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
You will be accompanied by the ITP representative to airport to board flight for onward destination.
End of our services……………
Accommodation in all the hotels on single/twin/triple sharing basis, as per the list above. .jpg)
