Destinations Covered: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Cochin - Thekkady - Kumarakom - Kovalam
Duration: 19 Nights / 20 Days

India a spiritual land, rich in cultural and traditions, famous in myths and legends, of untold wealth and mystical happenings where unity in diversity makes it creative, colourful and life like---welcomes you. This tour offers you the taste of India’s culture and traditions, history, colourful people and priceless gems scattered all over the Indian subcontinent. The aesthetic spirituality on the banks of Ganges at Haridwar and at the Golden temple of Amritsar, temptations of facing the Taj, being on the streets of Jaipur, soaking in the romanticism of Udaipur, feeling the pulse of Mumbai and unwinding on the golden sands of Goa are just too hard to resist!

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: New Delhi
Arrive Delhi, Meet our representative for assistance. Transfer to Hotel. Relaxed day to overcome the Jetlag. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 02: New Delhi
Full day city Tour of Delhi. Visit: Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple, Humayun's Tomb, Indira Gandhi Museum, President House, Parliament House, India Gate and Laxmi Narayan Temple in New Delhi.
Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Raj Ghat in Old Delhi. Evening free and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03: Agra
Morning drive to Agra, enroute visiting Sikandra. On arrival check into the hotel. Afternoon visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by the Moghul Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Later visit the Agra Fort containing the Pearl Mosque, the Halls of Public and Private Audience. Also visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daullah built by Empress Noorjehan in memory of her father.

Day 04: Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri (Old Deserted town of Mughal Dynasty) Jama Masjid / The Buland Darwaza / Palace of Jodha Bai/Birbal Bhawan & Panch Mahal. On arrival at Jaipur, Arrive at Jaipur. Check in at the Jai Mahal Palace or the Rambagh Palace and experience Rajput hospitality at its best. Evening visit to Chokhi Dhani, an ethnic village resort. The vitality of Rajasthani folk culture comes alive as children dance rhythmically to the loud tenor of folk songs sung by men and women, festooned in bright clothes. Gaily caparisoned camel, horses and bullock carts offer joy rides. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 05: Bikaner
After an early breakfast, depart for Bikaner, a remote town tucked away in the Thar Desert. On arrival, check in at your hotel. Take an afternoon city sightseeing tour of Bikaner. Unlike most Rajput forts, which are on hilltops, the Junagarh Fort is the only one built on the desert plains. Within the fortress lie extravagantly decorated palaces. Amongst the prominent ones are Karan Mahal, Anup Mahal, Badal Mahal. The Lalgarh Palace carved out of red sandstone is an impressive monument. Also visit the Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum. In the evening, drive to the Camel Breeding Farm & watch the return of the camels at sunset. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06: Jaisalmer
After breakfast drive to Jaisalmer. Arrive and transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Move out for the sight seeing of temples and Laxman Jhula. You can also visit Ashrams which are internationally recognized as centre of Philosophical studies, Yoga and meditation.

Day 07: Jaisalmer
After breakfast, treat yourself to a visual feast as you tour the golden city of Jaisalmer.

Day 08: Jaisalmer
After breakfast, treat yourself to a visual feast as you tour the golden city of Jaisalmer. This 12th century trading post for camel caravans journeying through the Silk Route, remains untouched by the sands of time. Rising majestically amidst the shifting golden dunes of the Thar Desert, are the bastions of the imposing 12th century Jaisalmer Fort. The fort is honeycombed with beautifully carved Jain temples and cobbled alleys flanked by the most beautiful havelis (Patwon ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli and Nathmal ki Haveli). Hewn entirely out of sandstone, the city is a tawny colour in the day and at sunset it magically morphs into honey-gold hue. Afternoon drive to Khuri, located 45 km east of Jaisalmer, a quaint village with clusters of thatch roof houses, where men sport magnificent mustaches and bright turbans, and women are swathed in gaily-hued odhinis. On the sand dunes here, take a sunset ride through the scrubland of Rajasthan on a camel safari that is a lifetime experience. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 09: Jodhpur
After an early morning breakfast, drive to Jodhpur, halting at Osian. Osian’s ancient Jain and Vaishnava temples reflect the grandeur of Indian temple architecture. Overnight stay at the Taj Hari Mahal, Jodhpur or similar.

Day 10: Jodhpur
After the breakfast at the hotel, leave for a sightseeing tour of the erstwhile Marwar capital. From the imposing Mehrangarh fort to the delicate wrought jharokhas of the havelis, the citadel has some of the finest examples of Rajput masonry. At the foot of the fort, lies the Jaswanth Thada, a richly carved white marble cenotaph. Take an afternoon jeep safari to the picturesque Bishnoi villages to experience rustic Rajasthani life. The drive through the countryside abounds with black bucks and chinkaras grazing serenely and migratory birds dot the skies. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 11: Udaipur
After breakfast leave for Udaipur. En route visit the Jain temples of Ranakpura, famous for their intricate friezes and sculptures. Dating back to the 15th century, the temple’s 29 halls are supported by 1444 pillars, none of which are similar. (Optional - lunch in the temple or at Maharani Bagh, Ranakpur at extra charge). Arrive at enchanting, medieval city of Udaipur and check-in at the Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur . Built over two and a half centuries ago by Maharana Jagat Singh II, this fairytale palace is probably one of the most romantic hotels in the world. Enjoy a leisurely late afternoon cruise on the shimmering waters of Lake Pichola. Walk around the fountain pavilions and cobbled gardens of the famous Jag Mandir Island Palace. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 12: Udaipur
Let the glorious sunrise dazzle you at breakfast. Morning excursion to the famous temple complex of Eklingji & Nagda , which enshrines the deity of the Mahranas of Mewar. Spend the rest of the day exploring this charming lake city by car. Wander through the opulent City Palace grounds and the museum, which are a testament to the valour and chivalry of the Mewar rulers. Visit the Jagdish temple on the shores of Lake Pichola. The Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir is a treasure house of Rajasthani folk culture. The breathtaking beauty of the lakes- Pichola & Fateh Sagar truly make Udaipur an oasis in the desert. Return to hotel after city drive. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Udaipur – Mumbai - Cochin
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for Onward flight to Trivandrum via Mumbai.Arrive at Cochin Airport/Station and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure. In the evening, watch a captivating performance of Kathakali, a ritualistic dance drama or enjoy a sunset cruise in the backwaters. Overnight at the hotel, Cochin.

Day 14: Thekkady
After breakfast at the hotel, depart for a sightseeing city tour of Cochin - Fort Cochin, Spice Markets, Antique shopping, Synagogue and Chinese Fishing Nets. Return to the hotel for lunch. After lunch, depart to Thekkady by road. Arrive at the hotel, Thekkady, in time for dinner.

Day 15: Thekkady
After breakfast in the hotel go for a Spice Plantation Tour in the morning. After lunch at the hotel, enjoy a boat ride in the beautiful Periyar Lake. Return to the hotel for a screening of wildlife movie, followed by dinner.

Day 16: Kumarakom
Early morning, trek to the jungle followed by breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, depart by road to Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom. Afternoon, free to enjoy the facilities at the hotel. You can swim, fish, go boating or opt for a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage (at an extra cost). In the evening - a Sunset Cruise along the backwaters. Dinner at the hotel. Night fishing option at no extra cost.

Day 17: Houseboat stay
After B.fast,check out from the hotel. Check into the traditional “ Kettuvallam”,the moving houseboat.Enjoy a relaxing backwater cruise.All meals shall be served on board

Day 18: Kovalam
After breakfast transfer to Kovalam. Kovalam offers you some unique beaches in the range of colours from white to black sands. Its palm-fringed beaches enchants you and enhance the pleasure in your life. The beaches that expectedly waits you are : Samudra beach, Aluwa beach, Lighthouse beach and Ashok Beach. Today Kovalam beach is known as the "Paradise of the South". Accommodation in Grove Chalets, beach side cottages of Le Meridien.

Day 19: Kovalam
Relaxed days at the beach with local sightseeing.

Day 20: Kovalam–Trivandrum– onward Journey
After B.fast, depart for the Trivandrum airport for flight to Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai, you can go for a shortsightseeing tour of Mumbai, if you have time before the onward flight.
Tour Ends