Beauty of India (17 Nights / 18 Days)
Destination: Delhi – Agra – Jaipur – Jodhpur – Ranakpur – Udaipur – Bombay – Goa -Cochin – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Kovalam – Trivandrum – Delhi
Overview
Beauty of India is an absolute tour enduring you with the best destinations showcasing India’s diversity. From north to south, this package will lead you to the best of what India has, from divine ancient temples of Ranakpur and Trivandrum to magnificent cultural heritage of Agra and Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi fully metro cities to Udaipur and Jodhpur rural cities, from architectural wonders of central India to natural beauty of south India, from beaches of Goa to spectacular backwaters of Alleppey and Kumarakom, it has it all, words are less to characterize this package so one has to witness it in person.
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Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Welcome to India! On arrival, you will meet our VTS representative & transfer to hotel. Where we will be holding the rooms on ready occupancy basis, after traditional welcome check in into hotel. Overnight hotel.
Day 02: In Delhi
After breakfast Visit Old Delhi – A sight-seeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat – the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; DRIVE PAST the majestic Red Fort, a marvel in red sandstone Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India. The heart of Old Delhi lies in the area around Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest market areas in India and certainly one of the busiest.
New Delhi – An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutub Minar, and a drive along the ceremonial avenue – Raj path, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, and the President’s Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 03: Delhi – Agra
Morning breakfast depart by surface to Agra. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel.
Later sightseeing tour of Agra witness one of most beautiful among the Seven Wonders of the World: Taj Mahal, (Friday Closed) the architectural modern day wonder of the world; this monument is a fine example of the fusion of many architectural styles is one of the wonders of the modern world. Taj, endowed it with some of the loveliest buildings in the later drive to Delhi upon Arrive in Delhi, transfer to Delhi Airport to connect the flight for onward destination.
Afternoon Visit Agra Fort, designed and built by Akbar in 1565 A.D., built with barricaded wall of red sand stone; it houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and numerous palaces including the Jahangir Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Am, Macchhi Bhawan, Nagina Masjid, Meena Bazar, Moti Masjid, Sheesh Mahal, Musamman Burj where from Taj Mahal is visible in all its beauty from one side of the fort. Overnight stay in Agra.
Day 04: Agra – Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri- a perfectly preserved red sandstone ?ghost town? which was the estranged capital of mughal emperor Akbar, built in 1569 and deserted when its water supply failed. Arrive Jaipur & transfer to hotel. Night stay in Jaipur.
Day 05 : Jaipur
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 climb to the main gate. 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 Pink City will include 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 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 colorful bazaar before returning to your hotel. Night stay in Jaipur.
Day 06: Jaipur – Jodhpur
Morning drive to Jodhpur (290 kms) – transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Night stay in Jodhpur.
Day 07: Jodhpur
After breakfast proceed for city sight seeing tour of Jodhpur. Jodhpur – the stronghold of the fierce Rathore clan, was founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill. Within the fort, visit Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph, built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant singh II around 1899 and Umaid Public gardens. Night stay in Jodhpur.
Day 08: Jodhpur-Ranakpur-Udaipur
After breakfast drive to Udaipur enroute visiting Ranakpur ,the most magnificent 15th century Jain temples. The most distinctive features are the 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, of which no two are exactly alike. Continue drive to Udaipur, Arrive & transfer to hotel. Night stay in Udaipur.
Day 09: Udaipur – Bombay
After breakfast proceed for city sight seeing tour of Udaipur. The city is built in 1559 A.D. by Maharaja Udai Singh and has been described as the most romantic spot on the continent of India by Col. James Todd. Visit the City Palace museum, the Jagdish temple, Sahelion Ki Bari ( Queen’s resort for their friends) Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir ( Folk art museum) and the Pratap Memorial. Later in the evening transfer to airport to board the flight for Bombay. Arrive Bombay & transfer to hotel. Night stay in Bombay.
Day 10: Bombay
Morning half day city tour of Bombay, political capital of Maharashtra, and commercial capital of India, Mumbai is many cities in one. As the world’s largest textiles market, a major industrial centre and the country’s busiest port handling over 40 percent of India’s maritime trade, it contributes around 50 percent of the national exchequer. Bombay’s colonial legacy is the Gateway of India. Built to commemorate the royal visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911 but only completed in 1924, the gateway is a combination of European and Indian ceremonial architecture. The last British troops marched out through this gate when India became independent in 1947. Today it is a favorite haunt of tourists. Night stay in Bombay.
Day 11: Bombay – Goa
After breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Goa. Arrive Goa & transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Night stay in Goa.
Day 12: Goa
After breakfast, proceed on a half day sightseeing tour of Goa, visiting Miramar Beach, Basilica of Bom Jesus and the city of Panjim-bustling with shops and tourists. The afternoon is at leisure to relax on the beach. Laze on the beach, go for swim, explore the shops for cashewnuts, buy holiday wear. Night stay in Goa.
Day 13: Goa- Cochin
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 – Kumarakom
Early morning depart for kumrakoram, one of the most beautiful area of kerala. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. In the evening a boat ride on the back waters of kerala discovering various villages and the life of the locals. Night stay in Kumarakom.
Day 15: Kumarakom – Alleppey
After a relaxed breakfast transfer to your floating houseboat, a different boat with a bedroom and en-suite rest room for your comfort. Enjoy unlimited surfing on backwaters, sip a coconut, get disturbed by only the chirping of birds and occasional ripples in water and savor mouthwatering delicacies prepared in front of you by your Kitchen crew. Spend the night on board the houseboat. Enjoy a cruise on the backwater through a maze of canals and lagoons and enjoy freshly caught fresh water fish cooked to your taste on board. Night stay in Alleppey.
Day 16: Alleppey – Kovalam
Morning drive to Kovalam & transfer to hotel. Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach of Kerala, with three adjacent crescent beaches. Kovalam has been a favorite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful Bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse – sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programs, Catamaran cruising etc. Evening enjoy the beach. Night stay in Kovalam.
Day 17: Kovalam – Trivandrum – Delhi
Morning drive to Trivandrum & visit The ancient temple of Sri Padmanabhaswamy, one of the major attractions in the city of Thiruvananthapuram. Napier Museum was built in 1880 and shows a harmonious blending of Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian architectural styles. Sri Chitra Art Gallery has a good collection Tanjore, Mughal and Rajput schools of art. Later in the afternoon transfer to airport to board the flight to Delhi.
Day 18: Delhi – Departure ( Hotel checkout time : 1200 Hrs)
Transfer to airport for onward flight.