Day 1        Delhi      On arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport you will be met assisted and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 2        Delhi  : After breakfast proceed for a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi. This fascinating city has been in existence since the 6th century BC and has seen ups and downs from the rule of the Pandavas right up to the British Raj. Visit Jama Masjid, which is the largest mosque in India, commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan. The courtyard of the mosque can hold about 25,000 worshippers. Enjoy a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, the busiest market in Old Delhi…noisy, chaotic and uniquely Indian. Drive past Red Fort, President House, India Gate and several other government buildings in Edwin Lutyen’s modern Delhi before you head to Rajghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi that marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Thereafter, visit Humayun’s Tomb, commissioned by Humayun’s wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562. It was the first garden tomb built in the Indian sub-continent where the Persian architect used red sandstone on a large scale. Later in the evening visit the Qutab Minar, which is the tallest brick minaret in the world; it was commissioned by Qutbuddin Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 3 Delhi-Agra    After breakfast you will be driven to Agra (203 kms / 4hrs30mts). Today, take a half day tour of Agra, which is believed to have been founded in 1504 by Sultan Sikander Lodi, but flourished later under the Mughal Empire. Visit the Red Fort, which was commissioned in 1565 by Akbar, and subsequently embellished by other Mughal Emperors. The beautiful yet forbidding structure houses many exquisite palaces, and is a handsome example of Mughal architecture. Also visit the Taj Mahal … a mausoleum built as a symbol Emperor Shah Jehan’s devotion to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Considered an architectural marvel, its construction took thousands of workers over 21 years to complete. Overnight in Agra.

Day 4 Agra-Jaipur: After breakfast you will be driven to Jaipur (232 kms/5hrs/30 mts) enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri which literally means “The City of Victory” built by Emperor Akbar to commemorate the birth of his son. Arrive and check into your Hotel. Most famous as ‘Pink City’ for its unusual rose-colored sandstone architecture, Jaipur is a place of kings, queens and legends. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 5 Jaipur : After breakfast enjoy a full-day sightseeing trip of Jaipur, also known as the ‘Pink City’… it is famous for its colorful culture, forts, palaces, and lakes. The old city of Jaipur is painted pink, which gives it a magical glow. Visit the Amber Fort… a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The best way to explore the fort is to ride up to it on elephant back. Later, stop to photograph the beautiful Hawa Mahal, also known as the “Palace of the Winds.” This beautiful façade with its ornately carved latticework windows is made of pink sandstone. Post lunch, visit the City Palace… again, a synthesis of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. Later, visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory, comprising geometric devices for measuring time. You will also visit the Albert Hall, which was modeled on the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 6 Jaipur-Mumbai : After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport to board the flight to Mumbai. Ancient yet modern, fabulously rich yet achingly poor, Mumbai is India in microcosm activities. Arrive Mumbai & check into the hotel. Overnight in Mumbai.

Day 7 Mumbai : After breakfast proceed on a half-day tour of Mumbai. Mumbai is the commercial capital of India, and a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. Visit the Gateway of India, situated at Apollo Bunder. It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911. Next, visit the Prince of Wales Museum, which houses a priceless collection of art, sculpture, china and other antiques. Drive past the Victoria Terminus, Mumbai University and Rajabai Clock Tower. Make a photo stop at Dhobi Ghat, the open-air laundry of the city. Drive past Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach, the Parsi Towers of Silence and Malabar Hill. Visit Mani Bhavan, the old Mumbai residence of Mahatma Gandhi. It's a pretty, two-storied structure that showcases well-preserved memorabilia, including an old charkha or spinning wheel that Gandhi used to use. Overnight in Mumbai.

Day 8 Mumbai -Goa: After breakfast you will be transferred to Mumbai airport to depart by flight for Goa. On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight in Goa.

Day 9 Goa: After breakfast you will visit the Church of St Francis of Assisi. This church, originally built around 1551, by a group of Franciscan friars, was later demolished. The present church was built in 1661. After the Portuguese closed the convent in 1835, it fell into a state of disrepair. In 1964, the Archaeological Survey of India resurrected the church, and it now also houses a museum. Next you will visit the Cathedral of Bom Jesus. This Basilica has long attracted Catholics from all over the world as it houses the mortal remains of St Francis Xavier, the patron saint of Goa. His body is embalmed in glass coffin inside a silver coffin. After visiting the churches, you will walk through the old Portuguese colonies. Overnight in Goa. .

Day 10  Goa – Bangalore : After breakfast you will be transferred to Goa airport to depart by flight for Bangalore. Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka state and India’s sixth largest city. Bangalore is popularly known as the Garden City and in recent times The Pub City. On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight in Bangalore.

Day 11 Bangalore: After breakfast proceed for a half-day sightseeing tour of Bangalore, also known as ‘The Garden City’. Visit Cubbon Park, the 120-hectare park located near the Vidhan Soudha… a lush, grassy expanse of rolling lawns with colourful flowerbeds. Take a tour of the Vidhana Soudha …one of the most imposing buildings Bangalore. Built in the Neo- Dravidian style, it houses the Legislative Chambers of the state government. Also visit the Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens. Next, proceed to the famous Bull Temple, dedicated to Nandi Bull. Built in the Dravidian style, the temple houses a huge monolithic idol of Nandi. Conclude you tour with a visit to Tipu Sultan’s Fort, the summer residence of Tipu Sultan. The Palace inside the fort is a two-storied wooden structure, carved out of teakwood with decorated pillars, concave arches and balconies. Overnight in Bangalore.

Day 12 Bangalore – Puttaparthi: After breakfast drive to Puttaparthi. (152 Kms/4 Hrs approx).  On arrival check in at hotel. Visit to Shri Satya Sai Baba Ashram. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Puttaparthi. 

Day 13 Puttaparthi – Tirupati: After breakfast drive to Tirupati (240 Kms/5 hrs drive approx). On arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Tirupati.

Day 14 Tirupati - Chennai: After breakfast visit to various temples like Sri Venkateswara Temple, Sri Govindrajaswamy Temple, Sri Kodandaramaswami Temple, Sri Kapileswaraswami Temple,and Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple. Later drive to Chennai (150 Kms / 3 Hrs drive approx). On arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Chennai.

Day 15  Chennai : After breakfast enjoy a half-day tour of Chennai. Formerly known as Madras, the city of Chennai is nourished by its rich traditions… classical music, architecture, art and dance form an indigenous part of the city's identity. Visit Fort St George… built in the 17th century, this fort houses St. Mary's Church and a museum. St. Mary's Church is the oldest Anglican Church in India. Visit the Kapeeleshwara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Gopuram, or entrance tower, has a profusion of sculptured images depicting stories from Puranic legends. Next, visit the San Thome Cathedral, named after St Thomas, the doubting discipline of Jesus Christ.  Located at the southern tip of Marina Beach, it features a beautiful stained glass window at the basilica, depicting the story of St Thomas. Later, drive past Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world. Overnight in Chennai.

Day 16 Chennai – Cochin : After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport to board the flight to Cochin. On arrival transfer to hotel. Evening, witness a Kathakali dance performance which is the most recognized dance drama form in Kerala. It dates back to the seventeenth century and is deeply rooted in mythology, taking it themes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. A traditional Kathakali performance began at dusk continued through the night, culminating at the auspicious hour of dawn, when Good finally conquers Evil. Now, of course, shorter performances are more the norm! Costumes and makeup are dramatically characteristic of the dance, and the technique involves highly intricate gestures and expressions. Overnight in Cochin.

Day 17 : Cochin – Alleppey : After breakfast you will visit Cochin City. You will visit Fort Cochin with its wealth of colonial architecture. The extraordinary Chinese fishing nets are a sight to behold. These unusual, elegantly balanced, shore operated fishnets are 10m high and rumored to be of Chinese origin, possibly introduced by Zhang He. A visit to the St Francis Church is also important, since it is the oldest European church in India built in 1503. Vasco de Gama was originally buried here, before he was moved to Lisbon. The Jewish synagogue in Cochin was built in 1568 and is of great historical importance. No visit to Cochin is complete without viewing its attractive collections. You will also visit the Mattancherry or Dutch Palace. It was constructed by the Portuguese and gifted to the Raja of Kochi in 1555. Later proceed to Alleppey (60 Kms /1 Hr drive approx) . On arrival board your houseboat and have lunch on board. On the houseboat you will experience the serene pace of life in the backwaters and also appreciate the beauty of the water birds. You will have dinner and spend the night on the houseboat. Overnight in Houseboat.

Day 18 Alleppey – Kumarakom: Arrive Kumarakom and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Kumarakom.  

Day 19 Kumarakom: After breakfast visit to the bird sanctuary of Kumarakom located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, the bird sanctuary is spread across 14 acres. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian stork, egret, da rter, heron and teal.

A visit to the bird sanctuary, set within the lush acres of wooded land nearby, acquaints you to the variety of migratory birds that flock in thousands, some from the Himalayas, some even from as far as Siberia. In addition, you can get thrilled of the native kingfishers ablaze in psychedelic colours, experience a walk under rookeries of egrets and night herons or lone golden-backed woodpeckers and even delight in the acrobatics of the paradise fly-catchers. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Kumarakom.

Day 20 Kumarakom– Kovalam : After breakfast head to the stunning beaches of Kovalam. The name Kovalam means ‘grove of coconut trees’ and the name does not disappoint. The beaches of Kovalam with their endless expanse of coconut groves are truly idyllic. On arrival you will have free time to unwind yourself at the beaches of Kovalam. Overnight in Kovalam.

Day 21 Kovalam

You can spend the day enjoying the fun and relaxation that the beaches of Kovalam have to offer. Swimming, surfing and Ayurvedic treatments are popular ways to spend you days at Kovalam.

Day 22 Kovalam – Trivandrum

Today you will head to Trivandrum airport to board your flight home.

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HOTELS ENVISAGED OR SIMILAR

VALIDITY : 01^ST MAY – 30^TH SEPTEMBER 2011 

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VALIDITY : 01^ST OCTOBER 2011 – 31^ST MARCH 2012 

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*** RATES ARE NOT VALID FROM 15 DEC’11/15 JAN’12