Duration: 16 Nights/ 17 Days
Places to Visit: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Udaipur - Goa - Mumbai - Cochin - Marari - Kumarakom - Periyar - Madurai - Chennai

Day 1: Abroad - Delhi
Arrival late night at New Delhi International Airport
On arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, the guest will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel.

Overnight at hotel


Day 2: Delhi
This morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi - Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Drive past the Red Fort, built in 1648 and board the 'rickshaw ride' 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, and the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

This afternoon you will be taken to visit 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 Humayuns tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at the towering minaret of Qutab Minar.

Overnight at hotel

Day 3: Delhi - Agra
Morning drive to Agra (203 kms).
Upon arrival in Agra - check in to hotel.

Afternoon visit Red fort & Taj Mahal

Red Fort - lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. It was built by Akbar as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat.

Taj Mahal -This most famous Moghul 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.

Visit the pristine Taj Mahal at sunset, to see this true Wonder of the world in gentle late afternoon light.

Overnight at hotel

Day 4: Agra - Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur (221 kms), enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri - drive to the impressive sandstone fortress of Fatehpur Sikri. The fort was built in the 16th century and only occupied for a few years before being abandoned, leaving the buildings in virtually perfect conditions.

Thereafter continue drive to Jaipur.
Upon arrival in Jaipur - check in to hotel.

Late 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 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 tour of the City - "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 artefacts 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 5: Jaipur - Udaipur
Early morning transfer to airport for flight to Udaipur .

Leave: Jaipur	at 0735 hrs	by 9W-3401
Arrive: Udaipur	at 0840 hrs

Upon arrival in Udaipur, the guest will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel.

Early evening enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Pichola at sunset visiting the Jagmandir Island - in the middle of the romantic Lake Pichola. It commands a magnificent view of the City Palace, Lake Palace and Sajjangarh Fort, on its own island, and it is where Prince Khurram was given refuge in the 17th century.

Overnight at hotel

Day 6: Udaipur
Morning 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. Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at hotel

Day 7: Udaipur - Mumbai - Goa
Morning transfer to airport for flight to Goa

Leave: Udaipur	at 0920 hrs	by 9W-3401
Arrive: Mumbai	at 1105 hrs
TRANSIST
Leave: Mumbai	at 1225 hrs	by 9W-471
Arrive: Goa	at 1325 hrs

Upon arrival in Goa, the guest will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at hotel

Day 8: Goa
Full day at leisure.

Overnight at hotel

Day 9: Goa - Mumbai
Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai

Leave: Goa	at 1405 hrs	by 9W-472
Arrive: Mumbai	at 1505 hrs

Upon arrival in Mumbai, the guest will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel.

Thereafter City tour of Bombay - is a great port city with its Victorian Gothic buildings from the British Raj Era mingling with the modern. The tour includes Gateway of India overlooking the Harbour, the Tower of Silence, the Marine Drive, the Colaba Causeway - the commercial heart of Bombay and the Dhobi Ghat, the unique & colourful outdoor 'laundry'. Drive upto the Malabar Hill to the lovely Hanging Gardens and the Kamla Nehru Park from where you will get a wonderful view of Mumbai and the Arabian Sea spread out before you. Also visit Mani Bhawan, a small museum dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi, and the bustling Crawford Market.

Overnight at hotel

Day 10: Mumbai - Cochin
Morning transfer to airport for flight to Cochin

Leave: Mumbai	at 0840 hrs	by 9W-401
Arrive: Cochin	at 1025 hrs

Upon arrival in Cochin, the guest will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel.

Afternoon tour of Cochin or "Kochi" the palm green, commercial captial of Kerala which has one of the finest natural barhours & 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 Bolghatty Palace & the famous Chinese fishing nets. The backwaters extending to the east & south from the harbour, are dotted with tiny islands, formed naturally by alluvial deposits from the rivers.

Overnight at hotel

Day 11: Cochin -Marari
Late morning drive to Marari (60 kms).
Upon arrival in Marari - check in to hotel.

Mararikulam- is one of the picturesque fishing villages that dot the lovely coastline of Kerala. This private, shallow beach is fringed with unending lines of coconut palms.

Overnight at hotel

Day 12: Marari - Kumarakom
Morning drive to Alleppey (40 kms), and then take a Motor-launch to Kumarakom.

Kumarakom-is a beautiful backwater village on the shores of the enchanting Vembanad Lake, criss crossed with meandering waterways and ancient cottages.

COCONUT LAGOON-Rest of the day to relax in this unique backwater resort surrounded by the Vembanad Lake on two sides, swinging paddy fields on one side and a bird sanctuary on the other. A traditional Kerala village has been created at the resort with rooms that are 100 years old wooden houses of Kerala, carefully transplanted and rebuilt by skilled craftsman.

Rest of the day to relax in this unique backwater resort.

Overnight at hotel

Day 13: Kumarakom - Periyar
Morning visit the superb Bird Sanctuary in adjacent wooded marshland - which boasts of egrets, tree pies, black headed orioles, bee-eaters & a whole host of herons.

Thereafter drive to Periyar (130 kms)

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.

Upon arrival in Periyar- check in to hotel.

Spice Village Resort is situated just outside the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This unique and deluxe village resort is set in a spice garden - with 37 cottages of thatched roofs which blend well with the surrounding greenery.

Afternoon, boat cruise on the Periyar Lake in the cool surroundings and the panorama spreads around tropical jungle, wild elephants, Indian gaur, monkeys, spotted deer, barking deer, wild boar and birds of myriad varieties. With an area of 777 sq. km the wildlife sanctuary lies at an elevation of 914 meters to 1828 meters above sea level on the Periyar Lake in the hills of Western Ghats.

Overnight at hotel

Day 14: Periyar - Madurai
Morning drive to Madurai (180 kms).
Upon arrival in Madurai - check in to hotel.

Evening visit of the Meenakshi temple - Leave the hotel for the temple by cycle rickshaws. At 9 PM, attend the night ceremony at the temple. This is a ceremony that takes place every evening when the temple bronze of Lord Shiva is carried to the bed chamber of Parvati. The procession is accompanied by religious prayer and temple music.

Overnight at hotel

Day 15: Madurai - Chennai
Morning tour of Madurai - It's one of the most pleasant Indian cities, and has a charming situation on the River Vaigai, fringed by lush paddy fields and coconut groves. Visit to Meenakshi temple - this is Madurai's greatest landmark, a city within a city that includes not only temples but a fascinating bazaar that is bustling from dawn to nightfall. See the famous 'Hall of a thousand Pillars' - a testimony to the exuberance of Dravidian architecture, the Shiva temple; the musical pillar, and 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.

Thereafter transfer to airport for flight to Chennai

Leave: Madurai	at 1320 hrs	by IC-672
Arrive: Chennai	at 1415 hrs

Upon arrival in Chennai, the guest will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel.

Afternoon visit Fort Museum - which has 10 galleries with many exhibits telling the story of the East India company's activities in South India. The top floor has some good French porcelain, clocks and glassm, and, of most interest, some rare 19th-Century prints of Madras. The ground floor has East India Company - memorabilia, including officers' medals, tea sets and cutlery.

Overnight at hotel

Day 16: Chennai
Morning City tour of Madras is the fourth largest city in India. The sprawling city which is divided in two by the cooum River, has few tall buildings to mar the impression of an easygoing market town. The gracefulness is present in Madras in such liberal quantities is propriate. Visit the Fort St. George - Still surrounded by cannon-profwalls the fort was rebuilt several times between 1642 when its original bastions were completed and 1749 when the French left, it remains - moats and all - pretty much today as when first made the seat of empire. Declared a national monument in 1948, most of its buildings have been converted into government offices, notably the Legislature and Secretariat. At various times the fort was home of Robert Clive, Elihu Yale and Sir Arthur Wellesley. Within the fort, visit the little St Mary's Church the oldest Protestant church east of the Suez and the first Anglican one in India.

Later transfer to International airport for flight back home.

Day 17: Chennai - Abroad
Depart Chennai

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