SPLENDORS OF NORTH & SOUTH INDIA TOUR

Day 01: Welcome to New Delhi, India

Day 02: Delhi City Tour

Day 03: Drive to Jaipur, approx 5.5 hrs journey

Day 04: Jaipur / Enjoy Elephant Ride at Amber Fort

Day 05: Drive & Enjoy Game Safari at Ranthambore National Park (approx 4.5 hrs)

Day 06: Morning Game Safari & Drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri

Day 07: Agra Sightseeing & Night Train to Varanasi, Departing at 1915 hrs.

Day 08: Arrive Varanasi at 0453 hrs. & Enjoy City tour

Day 09: Varanasi Sightseeing

Day 10: Fly to Chennai (1100 – 1325 hrs) & drive to Mahabalipuram

Day 11: Mahabalipuram Sightseeing & drive to Pondicherry, approx 02 hrs.

Day 12: Pondicherry – Kumbakonam – Thanjavur (approx 05 hrs drive)

Day 13: Thanjavur – Trichy – Madurai (approx 04 hrs drive)

Day 14: Madurai – Periyar National Park (approx 3.5 hrs drive)

Day 15: Thekkady – Kovalam (drive approx 6 hrs)

Day 16 & 17: Kovalam / Free day to practice Yoga & Meditation OR Ayurveda

Day 18: Drive approx 4.5 hrs to enjoy backwater houseboat in Alleppey

Day 19: Cochin City tour

Day 20: Cochin / Departure

Day 01: Welcome to New Delhi, India

Once you reach Delhi, our tour representative will greet you at the IGI airport and escort you to your hotel. The day is at leisure to enjoy at your own pace. You can take rest at your hotel or can wander around the streets to encounter the amazing confluence of diverse cultures and some yummy street food in Delhi. Enjoy a cozy sleep at night in the hotel. Tomorrow will bring you a new excitement.

 

Day 02: Delhi City Tour

After breakfast at hotel enjoy city tour of New Delhi & old Delhi start from Red Fort - from outside (Closed on Monday) - built in red sandstone, Constructed by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, Jama Masjid - India's largest mosque. Rajghat - crimination place of Mahatama Gandhi.  Laxmi Narayan Temple, Lotus Temple and Qutab Minar - the highest stone tower in India. India Gate - This solemn monument was built in memory of the 90,000 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives in the World War Ist. Drive past the Rashtrapathi Bhawan, Parliament House. 

 

Evening free to explore local markets at your own. Overnight at hotel.

 

Optional tour: Later in the evening one can visit Swami Akshardham Temple. Akshardham is a Hindu Temple complex also referred to as Delhi Akshardham or Swaminarayan Akshardham, the complex displays millennia of traditional Hindu & Indian culture, spirituality, and architecture. The Temple, which attracts approximately 70 percent of all tourists who visit Delhi, was officially opened on 6thNovember 2005. It sits near the banks of the Yamuna and famous for its evening fountain show. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 03: Drive to Jaipur, approx 5.5 hrs journey

After early morning breakfast, start with a scenic road trip to Jaipur. Titled as the 'Pink City',

 

Jaipur is a myriad of endless attractions. Once you reach your hotel, complete the check-in formalities and get rid of the tiredness of the journey. After taking some rest. Visit Bapu Bazar and other local markets in Jaipur to enjoy shopping. Or else, buy authentic and traditional jewelry, clothes and precious gemstone from Johari Bazaar. Buy wooden souvenirs and colorful handicrafts as souvenirs from Mirza Ismail Road.

 

Another great attraction of Jaipur is the Wax Museum. It houses lifelike wax-statues of great personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore and Albert Einstein. Night stay at hotel.

 

Day 04: Jaipur / Enjoy Elephant Ride at Amber Fort

In the morning, after breakfast you will see a colorfully decorated elephant at your service. Feel like a king and enjoy riding on the elephant's back to reach Amber Fort. Casting its dreamy reflection in the Maota Lake, the Amer Fort is an architectural wonder. The fort is also reckoned as the finest example of the Indo-Islamic architecture.

 

Later return back to hotel and after some relax, you will start for a guided tour of Jaipur. Today, you will be visiting the City Palace – a palace with amazing cultural value and architectural excellence. There are a number of gardens, edifices and courtyards within the complex of the palace which makes it worth visiting.

 

The next stopover will be at the Jantar Mantar. Also known as the Royal Observatory, the Jantar Mantar has a collection of astronomical instruments that are meticulously designed to measure the harmony of the heaven. From Jantar Mantar, you will head towards Hawa Mahal. Translating into the 'Palace of Winds', Hawa Mahal is the most distinctive landmark of Jaipur. The exterior of this spectacular edifice presents a magnificent sight to behold. Sitting at the edge of the City Palace, this red and pink sandstone house has 953 windows on the outside walls that give the palace a honeycomb maze-like look. The palace was built as a Zenana, or women's chambers to allow the Rajput royal ladies to view the everyday street scenes.

 

Enjoy a comfortable overnight stay at the hotel. Night stay at hotel.

 

Day 05: Drive & Enjoy Game Safari at Ranthambore National Park (approx 4.5 hrs)

An early breakfast, hit the road to Ranthambore National Park in the morning. Reckoned as one of the largest national parks, Ranthambore is famous for being home to Royal Bengal Tigers. A haven for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers and nature lovers, the park lures a great number of visitors every year. Located at the confluence of the Aravalli and Vindhya Hill Ranges, it is one of the finest places to spot flora and fauna.

 

The park is surrounded by a number of water bodies that provide perfect relief during the extremely hot summer months for the forest inhabitants. You will explore a number of species of flora and fauna that reside in their natural habitat in the park. Apart from the tiger, you can see sambhar, deer, Indian Gazelle, blue or nilgai, spotted deer, monkey and multiple other diversified animals.

 

Upon arrival enjoy delicious Lunch at your resort. Rest of the afternoon reserve to fascinateyou with a game safari in Ranthambore National Park. Discover the royal Bengal tigers wandering freely in their natural habitat. After enjoying the safari, return to your resort for Dinner and Night Stay.

 

Day 06: Morning Game Safari & Drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri

This morning, you will be enthralled with a game safari in Ranthambore National Park. Discover the royal Bengal tigers wandering freely in their natural habitat. After enjoying the safari, return to your resort for breakfast.

 

Thereafter, checkout from your resort and head towards Agra. Cherish a halt en route at the Fatehpur Sikri. This 'City of Victory' was built by Emperor Akbar during the second half of the 16th-century. The ancient city served as the capital of the Mughal Empire for only a decade. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city features some of the iconic structures of the Mughal era.

 

Another sign of victory is BulandDarwaza which was built by the emperor Akbar to commemorate his victory over Gujarat in 1601. Jodha Bai Palace, Tomb of Salim Chishti and Jama Masjid are some of the famous destinations here. Jodha Bai Palace reflects a blended architectural style of the Hindu and the Mughal. Another architectural marvel in Fatehpur Sikri is Panch Mahal, a five-storied structure open on all sides and built from red sandstone.

 

After exploring the town, continue your journey towards Agra. After reaching, check-in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

 

Day 07: Agra Sightseeing & Night Train to Varanasi, Departing at 1915 hrs.

Early morning view the most cherished Taj Mahal, an epitome of love when the first rays of sun fall on the majestic wonder. The white marble mausoleum was built by Shah Jahan to honor to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Reckoned as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the monument looks truly awe-inspiring during sunrise, sunset and on a full-moon night. Twenty thousand stone carvers, masons, and artists from India Turkey and Iraq worked day and night on the bank of the river Yamuna to create this wonderful architectural monument. The Taj Mahal is an epitome of love and it is told that life remains incomplete if you have not seen Taj Mahal at least once. Take a snap with your loved one in front of the Taj and keep it as a wonderful memory forever.

 

Later return back to hotel for a lavish breakfast and after some relax & checkout from the hotel continue your Agra city tour, explore the Agra Fort. It is a historical fort in the Agra city and was the main residence of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638. This famous landmark of the city dates back to the 16th-century. The 2.5km long walls of this grand fortress depict the imperial dignity of the Mughal rulers.Itimad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb, described as a “Jewel Box in Marble”. The small yet elegant tomb of the Lord Treasurer of the Mughal Empire was built in 1622 by his daughter, Nur Jehan, who was Emperor Jehangir’s favorite wife.

 

In time you will be transfer to the railway station, where our representative will assist you to board on train to Varanasi. Night stay in Train.

 

Day 08: Arrive Varanasi at 0453 hrs. & Enjoy City tour

Early morning arrive at Varanasi railway station. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed at the platform and transferred to your hotel for check in.

 

Varanasi - At the confluence of two tributaries of the Ganges River, Varanasi is a city with a history of more than 3,000 years. It reached its zenith as a center of religion and learning in the 7th century BCE. It is a city steeped in spiritual sanctity and knowledge where three great world religions – Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism, thrive. It is a place of homage. Later named Benares, the city saw the establishment of the Benaras Hindu University, a pre-eminent center of Sanskrit language, culture, philosophy and learning. As a thriving trade post for centuries, Benaras was also an important center for crafts and culture under the patronage of various rulers. It is world-renowned for its Benaras silk weaving motifs, metal and brass work, and for its wrestling tradition! Today, Varanasi’s riverbanks, known as ghats, with their temples, shrines and the sacred waters of the Ganges, draw millions of pilgrims seeking spiritual salvation.

 

After check-in and some relax at hotel visit Sarnath, a great center of learning where the Buddha preached his first sermon on the Dharmachakra – his code of conduct. Today, an ancient Bodhi tree commemorates Buddha’s initial moment of enlightenment. You may also visit the Archaeological Museum that houses a well-preserved and broad range of Buddhist relics and artifacts related to Buddhism.

 

Afternoon enjoy a walk to discover Varanasi through the twisted by-lanes of markets with a plethora of interesting shops selling flowers, spices and street food and more. Explore the secular trail with traces of every faith, every philosophy. History resonates in the old and new structures alike and monuments draw worshiper from far and wide. Learn the history behind the Kashi Vishvanath Temple, dedicated to the creator of the Universe, the Aurangzeb Mosque built during the Mughal era and the Jain temple consecrating one of the philosophers of the faith. 

 

This evening witness the Aarti ceremony on the banks of the River Ganges. No trip to Varanasi is complete without a visit to the banks of the mythical River Ganges. Just before sunset, you will be guided to the steps that lead down into the river to witness this ceremony, which is an evening ritual that includes lighting lamps against the darkness and offering prayers to the river deity. Night stay at hotel.

 

Day 09: Varanasi Sightseeing

You wake up early and drive to the riverside, where a boat waits to take you on a cruise. As you head downriver, you have a perfect vantage point to watch the ghats come to life with pilgrims in bright orange robes and elderly women in colorful saris offering prayers as they pour water from little copper pots into the river, sadhus meditating or lighting lamps. Your morning river experience will be accompanied by a live musician on board the boat. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

 

Rest of the day assigned to visit the Benaras Hindu University, one of the oldest educational institutions in existence that has mentored many great scholars. If time permits, you can stroll through the beautiful gardens of Malaviya Bhavan or visit the Vishwanath Temple. The campus is also home to the Bharat Kala Bhawan, a museum which houses a priceless collection of art and artifacts, with over 100,000 pieces today.

 

You can make an optional visit to textile weavers’ homes. Encounter the traditional silk weavers of Benares, the source of the famous Benaras Silk and brocade, where a group of Muslim families working on traditional looms. They have practiced their craft of weaving very fine silk for decades. Saris from Benares are among the finest in India and are known for their gold and silver brocade or zari (embroidery with metallic threads), fine silk and opulent embroidery. The definitive Mughal inspired design – with intricate motifs of gold or silver threads – indicates the period of time when the Benaras brocade gained major recognition from the nobility and later became popular among the masses.

 

Night stay at hotel.

 

Day 10: Fly to Chennai (1100 – 1325 hrs) & drive to Mahabalipuram

After a early breakfast & checkout, you will transfer to airport to begin your journey to South India, starting from Chennai.

 

On arrival at Chennai airport, meet our representative who’ll guide you on a sightseeing tour of Chennai. The major tourist attractions in Chennai include the Fort St. George, St. Thomas Mount, San Thome Cathedral, Kapaleeswar Temple and the National Art Gallery.

 

Continue your drive to Mahabalipuram; The 7thcentury former port city is famous for its rock-cut shore temples. On arrival, check-in to your pre-booked hotel. The rest of the day is to be spent at leisure. Night stay at hotel.

 

Enroute to Mahabalipuram you will be stop to visit Dakshina Chitra Museum - DakshinaChitra is an exciting cross cultural living museum of art, architecture, lifestyles, crafts and performing arts of South India. The main mission is to exhibit, promote and preserve aspects of the broader, more inclusive cultures of the states and to bring these arts to the public in a participative, enjoyable and engaging way. DakshinaChitra Heritage Museum , a project of Madras Craft Foundation an NGO was opened to the public on December 14th 1996. The Museum is located overlooking the Bay of Bengal, at Muttukadu, twenty five kilometers south of Central Chennai, on the East Coast Road to Mamallapuram

 

Day 11: Mahabalipuram Sightseeing & drive to Pondicherry, approx 02 hrs.

After breakfast, move out on a sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram.  The major attractions to visit include the Shore and the Five Ratha temples, Arjuna’s Penance and the Tiger caves. After the visit leave for Pondicherry.As on reaching Pondicherry, check-in at your pre-booked hotel. Rest and relax for the day.In the evening you may take a leisurely walk to the local market of Pondicherry. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

 

Day 12: Pondicherry – Kumbakonam – Thanjavur  (approx 05 hrs drive)

Post breakfast, set out to explore the Pondicherry for its diverse attractions like the coastline of 32 Kms, palm-fringed beaches, backwaters and fishing villages.Later in the afternoon visit Aurbindo Ashram and Auroville.

 

After visit drive to Tanjore. Stop midway to visit Chidambaram, and GangaikondaCholapuram.On reaching Tanjore, transfer to your pre-booked hotel.

 

Day 13: Thanjavur – Trichy – Madurai (approx 04 hrs drive)

Tanjore is known as the city of temples as it has many famous temples in and around the city including the Navagraha temples. After an early breakfast set out on a city tour of Tanjore including major tourist destinations like the Vijayanagar Fort, Shiva Ganga Garden, Aalangudi temple, Brahadeshwara temple and the Chandra Bagawan Temple.

 

Later drive to Madurai via Trichy. The city located on the banks of River Kaveri has numerable attractions. The first stopover of the day is the famous Ranganath Temple which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Seeks blessings at the temple and spend some time in serenity. Also, pay a visit to the temples at Jambukeshwar and Srirangam.

 

Continue your drive to Madurai which is the City famous for Meenakshi Temple. Upon your arrival at the Madurai, you will have an assisted transfer to the hotel. Later in the evening witness the ceremony at Meenakshi Temple. Night stay at hotel.

 

Day 14: Madurai – Periyar National Park (approx 3.5 hrs drive)

After an early breakfast & checkout you will embark on the half-day sightseeing trip in which you will cover Tirumala Palace and the Gandhi Museum. You will also get an opportunity to visit the Meenakshi Temple and explore the intricate designs and beauty of the temple.

 

Later in the afternoon drive to Thekkady. (Periyar National Park) - Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, in Kerala, is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a perennial source of water for the local wildlife. Herds of elephant and sambar, gaur and wild pigs wander down to the lake-side and can be observed from the launches that cruise the lake.

 

On arrival, check in at hotel. After wash and change at hotel enjoy Spice Plantation Tour - The aromatic spice plantations in Kerala are a must see while on a Kerala Tour. There are various kinds of spices cultivated in Kerala. Some of the spices that Kerala is famous for and which you can see in the spice plantations of Kerala are pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, and nutmeg. The spice plantations in Kerala are captivating farms to wander in, since different spices are cultivated in different sections of each plantation. While exploring the Kerala spice plantations, you can go for nature walks, bird watching treks, taste the various spices and breathe in the fragrant air.

 

Later in the evening visit to watch traditional Kerala Kathakali dance Show. Overnight at hotel.

 

Kathakali dance – It is Kerala's very own, much celebrated dance drama. Kathakali evolved in the 8th century from 'Ramanattam' a dance drama created by KottarakkaraThampuran, a great admirer and promoter of traditional art forms. Kathakali draws its theme from the wealth of Indian mythology and folklore. The performer is assisted by vocal and percussion accompaniments while the dancer through 'hasta mudras' or hand gestures expounds the theme. Expressions of face and eyes hold the key to perfection. Unique among the Indian dance forms, Kathakali ranks high among the Indian dance forms. Noted for its archaic costumes, weird make up, the elaborately painted faces often mistaken for masks and grand headgears, Kathakali is perhaps the only dance form in India in which the masculine aspect of the dance is preserved in its elemental vigor.

 

Day 15: Thekkady – Kovalam (drive approx 6 hrs)

Early morning enjoy boat safari to explore wild life inside the park. Later after breakfast & checkout from the hotel enjoy your scenic drive toward the beach town Kovalam. Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing.

 

Upon arrival check-in at hotel. Rest of the day free at your own. Night stay at hotel.

 

Day 16& 17: Kovalam / Free day to practice Yoga & Meditation OR Ayurveda

Morning breakfast at hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. You can enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating therapy and treatment at a popular Ayurveda centre or at your resort’s spa. You can also visit the crescent-shaped Kovalam beach (Hawah beach, Lighthouse beach and Samudra beach) where you can indulge in activities of your interest. Night stay at hotel.

 

Day 18: Drive approx 4.5 hrs to enjoy backwater houseboat in Alleppey

Today, after breakfast, begin your road journey to Alleppey, the hub of backwaters of Kerala. As you reach Alleppey, check-into a houseboat, which is traditionally known as Kettuvallam. Enjoy leisurely laid-back cruise ride in a well-equipped houseboat. This is going to be an overnight houseboat journey so that rooms and kitchen would be fully loaded, and you would be accompanied by a rower and a chef. Savor lip-smacking delicacies during all meals. Admire the pristine green surroundings. Spot colorful birds flying and locals indulged in their work. Overnight stay onboard the houseboat.

 

Day 19: Cochin City tour

Have your breakfast while treating your eyes to the mesmerizing views followed by check- out formalities. Thereafter, start driving to Cochin. Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as 'God's Own Country'. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala.

 

On arrival, check-in at your pre-booked hotel. After relax at hotel enjoy city tour including Kerala Folklore Museum, Mattancherry Palace -The Dutch Palace exhibits beautiful mural paintings thatdepict the scenes from Ramayana. Fort Kochi -Fort Kochi is inhabited by Anglo-Indian community. The whole of the region presents a different aura and ambience. The culture is quite unique and represents the Eurasian culture. The Dutch Cemetery, St Francis Church -This church was built by the Portuguese in the year 1503 A.D. It is said that Portuguese explorer Vasco-da-Gama was originally buried here and his remains were later brought to Lisbon. Santa Cruz Basilica -Built by the Portuguese around 500 years back, the Santa Cruz Basilica is known for its Gothic exterior with soaring spires. Also visit Chinese fishing net.

 

Evening free at leisure. Night stay at hotel.

 

Day 20: Cochin / Departure

In time, transfer to airport to board on flight to Delhi. Upon arrival transfer internally from domestic airport to International airport to board your home bound flight with the happy memory of our incredible nation.

 

 

 

Note: This is just a suggested itinerary indicative of what could be possible. We tailor holidays for your specific needs. Contact us if you want modifications so that we could tailor a holiday to suit your need for an unforgettable India tour.