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Trip
Duration : 22 Nights /23
Days
Places Covered :
Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Orchha -
Khajuraho - Varanasi - Bombay - Cochin - Periyar - Madurai -
Trichy - Tanjore - Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram -
Chennai
Day 01 : Arrival Delhi
Arrive Delhi. Meet assist at the airport & transfer to hotel.
Night stay in Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi
After a leisurely breakfast sightseeing tour of New Delhi where
ornate buildings recall the days when India was the Jewel in the
crown of the British Empire. Visit the 11th century Qutab Minar,
India Gate and the grand government buildings, The President's
House, Red fort, Mahatama Gandhi Memorial, Also visit Laxmi
Narayan temple popularly known as Birla Temple. Night stay in
Delhi.
Day 03 : Delhi - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur (262 Kms/5 hrs.). Arrive &
transfer to hotel. Later proceed to visit City Palace, still home
to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the
public.
Many antiques and artifacts belonging to the ruling family are
housed here. Also explore the different markets with colorful
handicrafts. Night stay in Jaipur.
Day 04 : Jaipur
After breakfast sightseeing tour of Jaipur visiting Amber Fort
Situated atop a hill overlooking the city, was the old capital
before Jaipur was built. The Palace is laid out at different
levels on the hillside and surrounded by a fortress. A ride on a
decorated elephant to ascend the hill to the Palace is a
thrilling experience for every visitor where a ride on the
elephant is highlight of the tour. After lunch visit the Pink
city because of the pink color of the buildings, is picturesquely
situated in the heart of Rajasthan surrounded on all sides except
on the south by rugged hills crowned with medieval fortresses.
Visit the Mubarak Hall, Chandra Mahal and Pothikhana, which house
a rare collection of paintings and manuscripts as well as the
museum of Arms and Armoury. Also visit Jantar Mantar - Jai
Singh's observatory and the Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds. Night
stay in Jaipur.
Day 05 : Jaipur - Agra
Early morning after breakfast drive to Agra Enroute visiting the
Deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri (250 kms/ 6 hrs), Fatehpur Sikri
-Twenty seven miles from Agra, Akbar's Capital where phantoms of
ancient pomp and splendor fill a deserted city, silent witnesses
to a vanished dream. The capital had to be abandoned by the
emperor for lack of adequate water supply. The marble tomb of the
Saint 'Salim Chisti' and the Bulland Durwaza, the highest gateway
in the world, are some of the highlights of the place. On arrival
transfer to hotel. Night stay in Agra.
Day 06 : Agra
Morning at sunrise visit the world famous Taj Mahal, built by the
Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to
enshrine her mortal remains, Also visit the Agra Fort, containing
the Pearl Mosque - the rusty and majestic red- sandstone fort of
Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna and the construction
was started by Emperor Akbar in 1566. At the Diwan-I-Khas (hall
of private audience) where marble pavilions with floral inlays
lend an ethereal ambience, the Emperor sat on his gem-studded
peacock Throne and met foreign ambassadors and rulers of friendly
kingdoms. Also visit Itmad-up-Dau's tomb, built by Noorjehan in
memory of her father. Night stay in Agra.
Day 07 : Agra - Jhansi - Orchha
Morning transfer to railway station to board the train to Jhansi
, Arrive Jhansi & drive to Orchha & transfer to hotel.
Later tour of this historical site with magnificient temples and
monuments. Some of the palaces were decorated with painted murals
which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of
painting. Night stay in Orchha.
Day 08 : Orchha - Khajuraho
After breakfast drive to Khajuraho- the legendary temples of
Khajuraho are an incomparable experience. Acknowledged as one of
the world's artistic wonders, these temples dedicated to the
Hindu pantheon of Gods are covered in carvings that are a paean
to life and love. Built within a short span of a hundred years by
the Chandela Rajputs, the 10th century temples lay forgotten
until they were discovered in the present century. Khajuraho has
achieved fame for the sensual appeal of its erotic sculptures.
Arrive Khajuraho and transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Night
stay in Khajuraho.
Day 09 : Khajuraho
The fascinating temples of Khajuraho, India's unique gift of love
to the world, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, were built between
950 and 1050 A.D. The divine sculptures in these temples, are a
tribute to Life itself, embodying everything that is sublime and
spontaneous about it. The murals depict the life and times of the
Chandelas, and celebrate the erotic state of being. They not only
testify to the mastery of the craftsman, but also to the
extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under
whose reign, these temples were constructed. The temples are
grouped into three geographical divisions : western, eastern and
southern.
Day 10 : Khajuraho - Varanasi (By Air)
After breakfast transfer to
airport to board the flight for Varanasi-said to be the India's
most sacred city situated on the western bank of the holy river
Ganga. It is also the oldest living city in the world. As a place
for devotion and worship, with hundreds of temples dotting the
city, sunrise on the river front as seen from a boat can be a
spiritually uplifting sight. It has a fascination uniquely its
own, a quality of sublime beauty, a timeless eternal appeal.
Varanasi is the city which cannot be described, only experienced.
Arrive Varanasi and transfer to hotel.
Day 11 : Varanasi - Mumbai (By Air)
Early morning boat ride on the
Holy river Ganges to view the religious activity at the bathing
Ghats for an insight into the cultural background of India. It
provides an absorbing spectacle of thousands of Hindus engaged in
their ritual bathing. Later excursion to Sarnath, 10kms. East of
Varanasi, is one of the Buddhism's major centers of India. After
attaining enlightenment, the Buddha came to Sarnath where he gave
his first sermon. Today Sarnath is considered as one of the
richest place to have antiques since the Ashoka period to the
12th century. Afternoon transfer to Airport in time to connect
flight for Bombay. Arrive, meet assist at the airport &
transfer to hotel. Night stay in Bombay.
Day 12 : Mumbai
After breakfast proceed for half day tour of Mumbai covering
Gateway of India - The stone archway designed by Wittett in the
16th century Gujarati style, Prince of Whales Museum, Chowpatty
Beach, Dhobhi Ghat- a vast outdoor laundry & Marine Drive.
Night stay in Bombay.
Day 13 : Mumbai - Cochin (By Air)
Morning transfer to airport to
board the flight for Cochin. Arrive Cochin & transfer to
hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Cochin covering The Dutch
Palace at Mattancherry 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. Finally, the Willingdon Island,
named after Lord Willingdon, is the headquarters of the Southern
Naval Command of India. Night stay in Cochin.
Day 14 : Cochin - Periyar
After Breakfast drive to Periyar (185 Kms/5 hrs). The Houseboat
will cruise at a leisurely pace along palm-fringed waterways,
giving a panoramic view of Kerala Village Life. Night stay in
Periyar.
Day 15 : Periyar
Morning Drive to Periyar (130Km drive).The Periyar Forest is one
of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Lying at an altitude of
900 - 1800m above sea level and spread across 777sq.Km, the
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978.
Noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife and scenic
beauty, it's the only sanctuary in India where you can view
wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake.
Periyar's biggest attractions are the Herds of Elephants that
come down to water and play at the lakeside. Night stay in
Periyar.
Day 16 : Periyar - Madurai
After breakfast drive to Madurai (137 kms/4.5 hrs). Evening visit
the Famous Meenakshi Temple , a structure in the Dravidian style
of architecture. The history of the city dates back over 2,000
years when it was the capital of the Pandyas. The most
interesting feature of the temple is its Hall of a thousand
pillars. Night stay in Madurai.
Day 17 : Madurai - Trichy
After breakfast drive to Trichy (316 Kms/8hrs). Evening Visit
Temples of Trichy one of the very ancient towns of Tamil Nadu,
has many interesting relics of Pallay art (7th century A.D.) -
only 6 miles away is the great temple of Srirangam - an island on
the Cauvery. This is a massive temple with a 100 pillar hall
highly decorated with carvings. Night stay in Trichy.
Day 18 : Trichy - Tanjore
After breakfast drive to Tanjore (54 kms/2 hrs) . Afternoon
sightseeing of Tanjore. Also called a city of temples, Tanjore is
dotted with no fewer than 74 temples - the most famous of which
is the Brihadeshwara temple. Visit this fascinating temple and
the Thanjavur Palace. Tanjore is once the capital of the Cholas,
a powerful dynasty of the kings who ruled from the 10th to the
14th Centuries A.D. is to this day, a well known center of
classical art and literature. Also visit the Saraswathi Mahal
Library containing rare collections of ancient books and
manuscripts in various languages on various subjects. Night stay
in Tanjore.
Day 19 : Tanjore - Pondicherry
After breakfast we drive to Pondicherry (177 kms/ 6hrs).
Afternoon sightseeing of Pondicherry visiting This former French
Colonial city in Tamil Nadu didn't come under Indian rule until
1954. Pondicherry otherwise known a Puducherry means a "New
Hamlet" which is located on the Coromandal Coast. Here people
speaking 55 different languages reside and inspite of Linguistic
plethola there is no restlessness but absolute harmony. It's main
attraction is actually outside of town: the ashram at Auroville,
built by followers of Sri Aurobindo, a philosopher/prophet born
in 1870. The International town where people of different
countries reside belongs to humanity as a whole. Matrimandir the
famous monument is constructed by the Auroville Society which
represent the flower Lotus. Night stay in Pondicherry.
Day 20 : Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram
After breakfast drive to
Mahabalipuram (100 kms/3 hrs). Afternoon brings you to the shore
temples lashed by the sea. This is one of the early temples to be
constructed in this area. The "Five Rathas", a group of
monolithic monuments and animal figures carved out of solid rock
are almost like an artist's experiment in variety of form. Later
on relax on the beach. Night stay in Mahabalipuram.
Day 21 : Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram -
Chennai
Kanchipuram known as the Golden City of a Thousand Temples, is
one of the oldest towns in India. It is famous for both its
temples, many of them remarkably well preserved and for its
hand-woven silks. Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities
of India and it is the only one associated with both Shiva and
Vishnu. Visit Ekambareshwar Temple, Kailashnath Temple, Kamakshi
Temple, the Vaikunthaperumal Temple, all built in the 7th and 8th
centuries. With a weaving tradition dating back to the Pallava
era (when silk was the royal cloth), Kanchipuram is justly famous
for its particularly fine silk saris, embellished with stunning
patterns. Visit the local homes of the weavers and watch them
create magic out of silk thread into saris. Mahabalipuram is a
small, quiet seaside resort with a unique 7th century Shore
Temple, a lovely beach and some of the most beautiful rock cut
temples in the world. Situated on the shore of the Bay of Bengal,
Mahabalipuram was already a famous seaport in the 1st century AD.
Night stay in Chennai.
Day 22 : Chennai
After breakfast Sight seeing of Chennai The capital of the state
of Tamil Nadu and the cultural Gateway to South India, Chennai is
in some respects unlike other Indian cities. The National Art
Gallery, the Museum with some beautiful temple prizes and the
finest collection of South Indian bronzes are quite interesting.
St. Mary's Church, Peoples Park and the beautiful Marina Beach
which is the second longest beach in the world as well as the
clock towers are worth visiting and evening see traditional
Dances. Night stay in Chennai.
Day 23 : Departure
Transfer to airport for the onward journey.
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