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| OVERVIEW |
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ITINERARY |
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PRICING |
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WHAT'S INCLUDED |
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An Escorted Adventure through India
21 days / 20 nights
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| Day Number of Tour |
| Day No. |
Location |
Program |
B |
L |
D |
| 1 |
Arrive Delhi |
National Museum
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B |
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D |
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Arrive Delhi very early this morning, and transfer to the Meridien Hotel. The morning will be at leisure to rest up from the flight, or if you wish, for exploration or shopping. The hotel is located in the bustling Connaught Circus area, close to the Janpath Market. Nearby is the magnificent Imperial Hotel, a colonial gem. A stroll around the hotel, or cup of tea in one of the lounges will take you back to old British India. This afternoon, we will visit Delhi's National Museum, an excellent introduction to this fascinating country. Collections include Pre-historic Archaeology, Archaeology, Jewellery, Paintings, Decorative arts, Manuscripts, Central Asian Antiquities, Arms and Armour, etc., and the magnificent Red Fort built of red sandstone dating from the very peak of Mughal power. Return to the hotel for dinner and evening at leisure.
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| 2 |
Delhi |
Old Delhi, New Delhi
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B |
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D |
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Delhi is India's capital and a bustling metropolis, which combines the ancient with the modern. Today will be a full day of sightseeing, visiting Old and New Delhi.
This morning, visit Old Delhi - the 300 year old walled city built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1648 as his capital and named after him; Jami Masjid, the most elegant mosque in India and the peaceful garden where Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated in 1948. Return to the hotel at mid-day for a rest. This afternoon, visit Qutub Minar and the ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam Mosque, with its uncorroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century and Humayun's Tomb built in 1565 by his grieving widow Haji Begum. Drive past the Presidential Palace, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Secretariat Buildings - continue along Rajpath, to the World War I Memorial Arch, India Gate and the High Court Building.
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| 3 |
Delhi / Agra |
Itmad-ud-daulah: The Baby Taj
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B |
L |
D |
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Depart by road early this morning for Agra, stopping for lunch enroute.
Before arriving in Agra, visit Itmad-ud-daulah, known as The Baby Taj. On arrival, check into the Trident Hotel.
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| 4 |
Agra |
Mother Teresa's Orphanage, Agra Fort, Taj Mahal
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B |
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D |
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This morning, make a stop at Mother Teresa's Orphanage, before proceeding on the day's sightseeing. (Donations of books, disposable diapers and used children's clothing are much appreciated at the orphanage.)
Then explore the Agra Fort - behind its forbidding red sandstone battlements lie palaces that tell the story of the Mughal Empire.
This afternoon, set off by 'Tonga' or horse carriage for the Taj Mahal - the greatest monument to love ever built. Emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj as an ode to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took 22 years and 20,000 men to build this magnificent structure.
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| 5 |
Agra / Jaipur |
Fatehpur Sikri, Bharatpur
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B |
L |
D |
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This morning, depart by road for Jaipur, enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri - an epic poem in red sandstone, built in 1569 and deserted 14 years later because its water supply failed. Stop for lunch at Bharatpur - a 29 square kilometre marshland and fine bird sanctuary. Enjoy a 1-hour rickshaw ride through the sanctuary, before continuing on to Jaipur. Arrive in Jaipur this evening, and check into the Trident Hotel.
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| 6 |
Jaipur |
Palace of the Winds, Amber Fort, City Palace
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B |
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D |
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This morning, see the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), an elaborate building covered with delicate honeycomb screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies (confined to their quarters) could view the outside world. Next, visit the Amber Fort, which has been described as "the sleeping beauty of Rajasthan". Explore the royal apartments, which open on to striking views of the gorge. The fort also possesses a Chamber of Mirrors and the Hall of Victory presents an array of decorative art with panels of alabaster and fine inlay work in soft hues.
Return to the hotel with free time for lunch.
This afternoon, have a city sightseeing tour of Jaipur, including the City Palace, an intricate complex of palaces, courtyards and gardens, and Jai Singh's Observatory, built in the 17th century by the founder of Jaipur who, besides being a prince, was also a soldier, astronomer and builder.
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| 7 |
Jaipur / Jodhpur |
Samode Palace
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B |
L |
D |
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This morning, check-out of the hotel and travel out of Jaipur City to visit the lovely Samode Palace and explore Samode Village. Enjoy lunch at the Palace, and have some free time before transferring to the airport for departure to Jodhpur, gateway to Thar, the Great Indian Desert. Jodhpur sits on sandstone hills surrounded by a 6-mile long strong wall.
On arrival, transfer to the Ajit Bhawan Palace, the first Heritage Hotel in India, and your home for the next 2 nights.
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| 8 |
Jodhpur |
Meherangarh Fort, Bazaars, Camel Ride
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B |
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D |
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This morning, take a sightseeing tour of Jodhpur city, and the Meherangarh Fort. Within are a number of palaces and temples built by successive rulers, with priceless jewels and a dazzling collection of arms. This afternoon, we will take a walk through the old city and bazaars and enjoy a camel ride in the desert - a true Rajasthani experience!
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| 9 |
Jodhpur / Udaipur |
Ranakpur Temple
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B |
L |
D |
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Depart Jodhpur by road this morning for Udaipur. Enroute, visit the stunning Ranakpur Jain Temple, every inch of which is superbly carved, with its 1444 pillars. Enjoy lunch at the Fateh Bagh Retreat. Continuing on to Udaipur, on arrival, check-into the Trident Hotel.
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| 10 |
Udaipur |
City Palace, Boatride on Lake Pichola
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B |
L |
D |
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Your full day of sightseeing in Udaipur will take you on a walk through the Old City to the City Palace, now a museum, but once the home of Mewar's rulers. It consists of several flawlessly integrated palaces, which overlook Lake Pichola. This afternoon, take a boatride around Lake Pichola, and have lunch at the magnificent Lake Palace Hotel. After lunch, drive around Fateh Sagar Lake, excavated in the late 17th century by Maharajah Jai Singh, and visit the crafts village of Shilpgram. Here, are preserved the traditional architecture, music and crafts of the tribal people of western India.
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| 11 |
Udaipur / Cochin |
Kathakali Dance Performance
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B |
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D |
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Transfer to the airport this morning for departure via Mumbai to Cochin - a commercial city set amidst lagoons, backwaters and palm trees. Cochin is been a trading port which has been dominated over the years by the Portuguese, Dutch and British.
On arrival, check-in to the Brunton Boatyard Hotel, in Fort Cochin. The balance of the afternoon is at leisure to relax or explore - from the hotel, you can take a walk through the old town of Fort Cochin, or stroll the beach, which is lined with picturesque Chinese fishing nets. If the fresh seafood, which abounds in Cochin beacons to you, there are plenty of stalls on the beach ready to cook up the day's catch!
This evening, attend a Kathakali Dance Performance, a unique Keralan experience.
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| 12 |
Cochin |
Mattancherry, Fort Cochin, Sunset Cruise
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B |
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D |
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This morning, set off by boat to visit ancient Mattancherry with its old houses, docks and Jewish Quarter. Visit the oldest Jewish Synagogue in India, built in 1568, with its exquisite interior. Next, take a walking tour of Fort Cochin, India's first European settlement and stroll the fishing dock with quaint fishing boats and Chinese fishing nets. Later this afternoon, relax on a backwaters cruise until sunset.
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| 13 |
Cochin / Munnar |
Scenic drive to Munnar
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B |
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D |
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Depart by road this morning for Munnar, an old British Hill Station, set amidst spectacular tea estates. Check into your guesthouse, Windermere Estate, located on a cardamom plantation in a lovely setting above the town.
Balance of the day at leisure to relax or explore the area.
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| 14 |
Munnar |
Leisure day in Munnar
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B |
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D |
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Today is at leisure to visit the town, a local tea museum, trek on the estate, or just relax and enjoy your surroundings. Munnar town is a long walk down the hill, but in the morning, you will likely have the company of the local school children on their way to class. Alternatively, you can flag down an auto-rickshaw - especially for the ride back up! If you are feeling energetic, you may wish to take a trek through the plantation, where you can see cardamom cultivation and processing, or walk through nearby tea estates.
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| 15 |
Munnar / Periyar |
Spice Garden, Leisure Time
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Depart by road this morning for Thekkady, adjacent to Periyar Wildlife Reserve, a Project Tiger Sanctuary. Check into the Spice Village Hotel. There will be an optional visit to a local spice garden this afternoon, or you may enjoy walking from the hotel into town for some shopping, or just relax and enjoy your surroundings. There will also be an opportunity to have a cooking lesson before dinner.
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| 16 |
Periyar |
Leisure day in Periyar
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B |
|
D |
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A day at leisure to enjoy the many optional activities offered by the hotel, including a boat ride on Periyar Lake, and a number of trekking options in the sanctuary. (To be booked and paid directly at Spice Village.)
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| 17 |
Periyar / Backwaters |
Rice Boat
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B |
L |
D |
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Depart Periyar this morning for the drive to Kottayam, where you board a Rice Boat for an overnight journey. Relax as you slip through the backwaters of Kerala - short stops may be made to visit tiny villages, local churches or perhaps take a stroll through a rice field. The crew will cook you wonderful meals, so you just need to sit back, relax and enjoy.
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| 18 |
Backwaters / Kovalam |
Leisure
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B |
|
D |
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Depart this morning by road for Kovalam. 'Kovalam' means 'a grove of coconut trees' and true to its name the village offers an endless view of coconut trees. The crescent-shaped beach has three parts. The southern-most beach, and the most popular, is Light House Beach. It offers an amazing view of Vizhinjam Mosque. The northern beach, Samudra is a laid-back one and time seems to stand still here. The middle, Hawah Beach, in the early day, is a beehive of activity with fishermen setting out for sea. With a high rock promontory and a calm bay of blue waters, this beach paradise creates a unique hue on moonlit nights. On arrival, check into the hotel and balance of the day at leisure.
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| 19 |
Kovalam |
Leisure
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B |
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D |
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| 20 |
Kovalam |
Leisure
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B |
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D |
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| 21 |
Trivandrum / Mumbai / Depart |
Trivandrum City Tour, Depart Mumbai
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B |
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D |
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Depart this morning for Thiruvananthapuram (known as Trivandrum), the capital of Kerala. Located at the South Western tip of India, it is bounded by the Arabian sea on the West and Tamil Nadu on the East. The wooded highlands on the Western Ghats in the Eastern and North Eastern borders give some of the most enchanting picnic spots. A long shoreline, with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage make this district a much sought after tourist destination. Enjoy a short city tour of Trivandrum, before proceeding to the airport for departure to Mumbai.
On arrival in Mumbai, you will be met and transferred to your airport hotel. Later this evening, transfer to the airport for international departure.
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