FORTS & BEACHES DAY 01 DELHIFly from your
home country to Delhi. Arrive Delhi by midnight, garland welcome, assistance
and transfer to hotel. O/n Hotel.
DAY
02 DELHI Delhi can take you aback with its vibrancy and growth.
Less than 60 years ago the spacious, quiet and planned city of New Delhi was
still the pride of late colonial British India, while immediately to its
north the crowded lanes of Old Delhi resonated with the sounds of a bustling
medieval market.
Morning, free to relax, afternoon we make a
short drive to Shah-jahanabad, now known as Old Delhi to visit the Red Fort
and the magnificent Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India and the last
great architectural work of Shah Jahan. After the visit, further drive
towards New Delhi to visit India Gate - designed by Lutyens, it commemorates
more than 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the First World War and The
Secretariats & Rasthrapati Bhavan gates.
Further our visit
will be to Humayun's Tomb, the best example in Delhi of the early Mughal
style of tomb. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
03 DELHI TO AGRA Morning transfer to New Delhi railway station to
board Shatabdi Express train to Agra at 06.00hrs (breakfast onboard). Arrive
Agra at 08.10hrs, transfer to hotel. Lateron visit to Taj Mahal - the
romance of the world's most famous building still astonishes in its power
and beauty. Later on drive to visit the Red Fort, located on the west bank
of River Yamuna. Akbar erected the walls and gates and the first buildings
inside. Shah Jahan built the impressive imperial quarters and mosque, while
Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Evening free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
04 AGRA TO JAIPUR Early morning visit Taj Mahal once again at
Sunrise. Then the mists that often lie over the River Yamuna lift as the sun
rises and casts its golden rays over the pearl white tomb. Beautifully lit
in the soft light, the Taj appears to float on air. After breakfast drive to
Jaipur (about 237kms/05hrs), Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri - the red
sandstone capital of Emperor Akbar, one of his architectural achievements,
spreads along a ridge. The great mosque and palace buildings, deserted after
only 14 years are still a vivid reminder of his power and vision. Upon
arrival in Jaipur, check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n
Hotel.
DAY 05 JAIPUR Jaipur, the
colourful capital of a richly colourful state, is a highly distinctive
planned city, made all the more attractive by the pink wash that most
buildings are periodically given.
After breakfast we visit Amber,
ascending by elephant to see the 16th century hilltop fortress - Palace and
its richly decorated apartments. Ascend to the ancient Rajput capital of
Amber, this fort palace was begun by Raja Man Singh and used by the Rajputs
as their stronghold until Sawai Jai Singh II moved to the newly created
Jaipur. You will visit the palace and its many intricate chambers and
hallways, which has breathtaking views of the Jal Mahal (Water palace)
below.
Afternoon visit City Palace, still inhabited by Jai
Singh's descendants is a superb fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture. A
city within a city, it includes the Govind Deo Temple, the Jantar Mantar
astronomical observatory and the Maharaja's museum with his personal
collection of weaponry, miniature paintings, royal attire and jewellery. On
the periphery of the Palace stands the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, an
elaborate pink sandstone façade behind which the ladies of the court
used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. Rest of the day free
to relax or stroll around the colourful Rajasthani bazaar. O/n Hotel.
DAY 06 JAIPUR TO UDAIPUR
Morning transfer to airport to board flight to Udaipur by 9W 709 at 07.00 -
07.45hrs. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel.
Set on the shores of
Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur grew in complete contrast to
the harsh deserts of the rest of Rajasthan. As capital of the old Mewar
state it was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu allegiance in
the face of Muslim invasion. From the late 16th century, peace brought about
an era of renaissance in the arts and encouraged the building of beautiful
palaces around the lake, culminating, in the City Palace, one of the largest
palace complexes in the world. The lake itself is a romantic setting
surrounding the gleaming white Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir, a refugee of
the rebel Mughal prince, Shah Jahan, soon to be the creator of the
imcomparable Taj Mahal.
Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
07 UDAIPUR After breakfast visit to City Palace - the largest
palace complex in Rajasthan, comprising many buildings added at different
time by various maharajas. Perhaps the most beautiful are the Moti Mahal
with its mirror inlay and the Chini ka Chitra Mahal's iridescent tile work.
At the nearby, Jagdish Temple, there is an impressively carved image of Lord
Vishnu, to whom the temple is dedicated. Also visit to the ornamental
gardens of the Maids of Honour or Sahelion ki Bari. Rest of the day free to
relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 08 UDAIPUR TO MUMBAI
The day free to relax or stroll around the city, late evening transfer to
airport to board flight to Mumbai by 9W 3406 at 19.25 - 21.10hrs. Upon
arrival, check into the hotel, rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 09 MUMBAI After breakfast drive to
Gateway of India, this Indo-Saracenic-style is modeled in honey-coloured
basalt's of 16-th century Gujarati work. Proceed to 9 nautical miles across
the sea from the Gateway of India lies Elephanta Caves. Visit this green
island for the wonders of the 7th century, the painstakingly hewn rock-cut
cave temple dedicated to Shiva. Afternoon back to Mumbai and visit Prince of
Wales Musuem. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
10 MUMBAI TO PUNE After breakfast drive to Pune (about
160kms/04hrs), the early home of Shivaji, Pune became the Maratha capital in
1750. After a period under the Nizam of Hyderabad's rule it came under
British control in 1817, who then developed it as a summer capital for
Mumbai and as a military cantonment.
Upon arrival, check into the
hotel. Afternoon drive towards southwest is the Oleh David Synagogue,
sometimes known locally as the 'Red Mandir', and Sir David Sassoon's Tomb.
St. Mary's Church to the south was consecrated by Bhisop Heber, who toured
the country extensively in the 1830's. Moving back to the west by the river
are Visram Bagh, a very attractive Maratha Palace. Rest of the day free to
relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 11 PUNE TO MUMBAI TO COCHIN
After an early breakfast drive back to Mumbai airport to board flight to
Cochin by 9W 403 at 12.50 - 14.35hrs. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Rest
of the day free to relax in the hotel located on the Old Fort Kochi area.
O/n Hotel.
DAY 12 COCHIN Today we start
our visit of Kochi (Cochin), one of South India's most interesting towns,
still largely comprises low rise, picturesque buildings. Most of the
historic buildings listed here are in Fort Kochi. We start our sightseeing
with Mattanchery Palace, built by the Portuguese (1557) as a gift for the
Raja of Kochi in exchange for trading rights, it was largely rebuilt by the
new occupants, the Dutch. Further visit Jewish Synagogue adjascent to the
Palace. This gem of a synagogue dating from 1568 (rebuilt in 1662) at the
heart of what is called locally Jew Town, now a fascinating mixture of shops
(some selling antiques), wareshouses and spice auction rooms. Lateron drive
to Fort Kochi beach area to visit St. Francis Church originally dedicated to
Santo Antonio, the patron saint of Portugal, St. Francis Church is the first
to reflect the new, European influenced tradition. Vasco da Gama died on the
site in 1524 and was originally buried in the cemetery. Fourteen years later
his body was removed to Portugal. Our final visit will be to huge Chinese
Fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour mouth. Chinese traders are
believed to have originally introduced them in the late 14th century
although, today, parts of the nets are know by Portuguese names. Evening we
watch the dance drama of Kerala - the Kathakali in a local theatre in Kochi.
O/n Hotel.
DAY 13 COCHIN TO KOVALAM
Morning transfer to railway station to board express train to Trivandrum at
06.00 - 10.50hrs. Upon arrival, transfer to Kovalam (about 13kms) and check
into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax on the beach. O/n Hotel.
DAY
14 KOVALAM The day at leisure. O/n Hotel.
DAY
15 KOVALAM TO ALLEPPEY After breakfast drive to Alleppey (about
160kms/04hrs), to board our houseboat that comprises twin rooms, with
attached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in which to relax and
enjoy the sights on the shore. We start our sail through scenic backwaters,
passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done
below sea level. The houseboat will cruise through the Chambakulam area by
mid-morning and anchor to explore the boat yard, which displays the
traditional long snake boats used in races. Visit St. Mary's Church,
established by St. Thomas in 1721. In the evening, catch a glimpse of
village life along the backwaters and experience a way of life unique to
this region. The boat will pass through picturesque stretches of the
backwaters of Alleppey and moor up for overnight in Vemabanadu Lake. O/n
Houseboat.
DAY 16 ALLEPPEY TO KUMARAKOM
After breakfast disembark from the houseboat at Kumarakom, a small
picuteresque village located on the banks of Vemabanadu Lake. Check into the
hotel, rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
17 KUMARAKOM TO THEKKADY After breakfast drive to Thekkady (about
140kms/03 ½ hrs), the road to the hills rises from the plains through
tropical evergreen forests, rubber and spice plantations, pepper on the low
land gives rise to tea and cardamom plantations. It is an interesting drive
with superb views down the east side of the Ghats onto the Tamil Nadu
plains. Upon arrival, check into the hotel, rest of the day free to relax or
stroll around the small spice market of Kumily. O/n Hotel.
DAY
18 THEKKADY Set on attractive Periyar Lake side, is in a beautiful
setting and was designated a part of Project Tiger in 1973, though Tigers
are very rarely seen and it is better know for its elephants, which are very
likely to be seen until Mar/Apr. Most bull elephants here are tuskless.
Bison, Sambar, Wild boar and the barking Deer are fairly common. In addition
to 246 species of birds, there are 112 species of butterfly. The sanctuary
offers a lovely and comfortable way to see the animals via boat rides on the
man-made lake, which the wildlife area encircles. Rest of the day free to
relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 19 THEKKADY TO MADURAI
After breakfast drive to Madurai (about 155kms/04hrs), check into the hotel.
Afternoon visit the alive and bustling temple of Meenakshi (fish eyed
goddess). It has occupied a vital place in the history of Tamil Nadu state
for over 2000 years, an on any day up to 15,000 people pass through its
gates. O/n Hotel.
DAY 20 MADURAI TO PONDICHERY
Early morning we start our long drive to Pondichery (about 320kms/06hrs), by
covering typical Tamil Nadu villages, either sides of the road will be
dotted with cultivation fields and mango groves etc.. Upon arrival, check
into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
21 PONDICHERY Pondichery still enjoys a hint of its French colonial
atmosphere in the grid pattern streets, distinctive police uniforms and the
occasional colonial building. Yet despite its invigorating seafront and
relaxing atmosphere the town is visited above all for he Sri Aurobindo Asham
which draws visitors from all over the world.
After breakfast visit
Aurobindo Ashram and rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
22 PONDICHERY TO MAHABALIPURAM TO CHENNAI After breakfast drive to
Chennai (about 160kms/04hrs), Enroute explore the coromandel coast of Tamil
Nadu, by visiting the enormous 29 metre Arjuna's Rock and Shore Temple dates
back to the second half of the 7th century. Upon arrival, check into the
hotel, rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
23 CHENNAI TO HYDERABAD After breakfast transfer to airport to
board flight to Hyderabad by DN 119 at 09.15 - 10.45hrs. Upon arrival,
transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
24 HYDERABAD After breakfast sightseeing to Old City, visit Char
Minar which built between 1591 and 1612 by Sultan Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah as
a showpiece at the centre of his beautiful city. Further visit Mecca Masjid,
built of enormous black granits slabs quarried nearby it has tall pillars,
stucco decorations and red bricks on its entrance arches believed to have
been made from clay from Mecca mixed with red colouring. Afternoon we drive
11kms further to visit Golconda, one of the most accessible of great
medieval fortresses in India, was the capital of Qutb Shahi kings who ruled
over the area from 15.7 to 1687. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 25 HYDERABAD TO GOAAfter breakfast
transfer to airport to board flight to Goa by 9W 458 at 10.00 - 13.00hrs.
Upon arrival, transfer to hotel located on the beach area. Rest of the day
free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 26 GOA
After breakfast we drive to Old Goa, on the crest of a low-lying hill on the
south bank of the Mandovi, may be regarded as the spiritual heart of
Portuguese Goa. After visiting famous churches around, we drive back to
hotel for relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 27 GOA
The day at leisure. O/n Hotel.
DAY 28 GOA TO
MUMBAI Morning free to relax, afternoon transfer to airport to
board flight to Mumbai by 9W 472 at 14.05 - 15.05hrs. Upon arrival, transfer
to hotel located near to the int'l airport for wash and change. Late night
transfer to int'l airport to board flight to your home country.
DAY
29 MUMBAI Early morning board your flight.
India