India culture History,Culture of India,Ancient Culture of India,Indian Ancient Culture,Book for India Culture Tour

India- Culture, History, Wildlife and Backwaters

Duration : 19 Days / 18 Nights
Destinaions Covered : Delhi - Agra - Bharatpur - Jaipur - Delhi- Chennai- Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry- Trichy - Trivandrum- Thottapally - Alleppey - Kottayam - Kalkatty- Cochin - Mumbai

Lotus Temple, New Delhi

Day 01 : Arrive in Delhi
Arrive in Delhi where you will be met at the airport by our representative, who will assist you with the transfer to your hotel. Day at leisure to acclimatise to India and relax, overnight in Delhi.

Day 02 : Delhi
Today you can take a sightseeing tour of New and Old Delhi. There is much to see in Indias capital city including India Gate, Parliament House, President House, Lotus Temple, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid and Red Fort before an evening at leisure and overnight in Delhi.

Day 03 : Delhi - Agra
Drive to Agra and take a tour of the Fort. There are many artisans working around Agra some of whom create beautiful marble inlay work in the style used to create the Taj Mahal. You will have the option to see these craftsmen at work if you wish. Evening free to relax and overnight in Agra.

Day 04 : Agra - Bharatpur
The best time of day to view the Taj Mahal is at dawn and immediately after. The rising sun creates an ever shifting array of colours across the marble faces of this magnificent edifice and this sight will live with you for many years. After breakfast, drive towards Bharatpur, enroute stopping at Fatehpur Sikri. This majestic sandstone city was briefly the capital of the Mughal Empire in the 16th Century and is wonderfully preserved. Bharatpur is very near to the famed Keoladeo Ghana National Park, which has the largest concentration and variety of bird life in all of Asia. Take an evening Rickshaw ride to the Park for twilight bird-watching. Overnight in Bharatpur.

Day 05 : Bharatpur - Jaipur City Palace, Jaipur

For serious bird enthusiasts, a second visit to the National Park will be a must as dawn is an excellent time to view the many colonies coming to life to greet the new day. After breakfast, drive to Jaipur. The Pink City as it is known is the modern day capital of Rajasthan and home to an astounding array of markets and bazaars. These are easily explored from your hotel. You have the option for an evening visit to Chokhi Dhani for Dinner, an ethnic village resort located at a distance 15 km from Jaipur. Evenings at Chokhi Dhani are very special. A Rajasthani village atmosphere is recreated on the sprawling ground and includes the entertainment by folk dancers and musicians. You can move around freely and enjoy the evening. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 06 : Jaipur
There is plenty to take in on a full days sightseeing around the city. You will visit the Amber Fort, ascending the ramparts on elephant back and taking a guided tour before returning a short distance to Jaipur to see the City Palace, Birla Temple, Jantar Mantar Observatory and the Palace of Winds. The evening is free and overnight in Jaipur.

Day 07 : Jaipur - Delhi - Chennai - Mahabalipuram
Arise early for your flight to Delhi. Connect in Delhi onto your flight to Chennai, where on arrival our representative will meet you and you will drive 90 minutes to Mahabalipuram. Evening at leisure where you might like to enjoy one of the many seaside restaurants serving freshly caught fish from local waters. Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Day 08 : Mahabalipuram

Today enjoy a full day at leisure to enjoy the beach at Mahabalipuram and explore the town.

Day 09 : Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry
In the morning enjoy a leisurely exploration of the UNESCO World Heritage listed monuments of Mahabalipuram- the 7th Century Shore Temple, the Five Rathas, carved from a single piece of rock and Arjunas Penance- the largest bas- relief carving in the world. After lunch, drive to the French enclave of Pondicherry and overnight here.

Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram

Day 10 : Pondicherry - Trichy
In the morning explore Pondicherry enjoy a small slice of Gallic charm here in the midst of southern India! Later drive to Trichy and overnight here.

Day 11 : Trichy
Today you will visit Srirangam temple, one of the largest temple complexes in all of Asia, Ammamandapam and Rock Fort temple. This evening you are at leisure to explore the markets around Rock Fort and overnight in Trichy.

Day 12 : Trichy - Trivandrum
Transfer to the airport for your late morning flight to Trivandrum where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure and overnight in Trivandrum.

Day 13 : Trivandrum
Option for a day relaxing on the beach or take an excursion to Kanyakumari. Here the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent meets 3 bodies of water- the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean. On the way back, visit the magnificent Teak Palace at Padmanabapuram. Overnight in Trivandrum.

Day 14 : Trivandrum - Thottapally
Check in and board the houseboat at 1pm. Spend a relaxing and tranquil afternoon cruising the backwaters as your crew cook your meals and give you a taste of this unique environment. Overnight aboard the houseboat.

Day 15 : Houseboat - Alleppey
You will (reluctantly!) disembark your houseboat after breakfast and drive to Alleppey. Overnight in Alleppey.

Houseboat, Alleppey

Day 16 : Alleppey - Kottayam
As you drive through the hills of the Western Ghats, you will see a huge variety of spices as well tea and coffee, growing in abundance. Upon arrival at Kalkatty Resort, you can take a jeep ride through the estate and see the cultivation of spices at close quarters. Overnight at Kalkatty Estate.

Day 17 : Kalkatty - Cochin
Drive back down to the coast to the historic port city of Cochin. A trading port for many centuries, the influences on Cochins religious, cultural and commercial life comes from Dutch, British, Portuguese, Chinese, Arab and Jewish merchants. Afternoon at leisure and in the evening, an opportunity to see a traditional Keralan Kathakali dance performance in the comfort of an air-conditioned auditorium. Overnight in Cochin.

Day 18 : Cochin
Full day of sightseeing in Cochin visiting the oldest synagogue in India, Jewtown, where trade has been conducted for centuries, St Francis church, the Chinese Fishing Nets and more. Overnight in Cochin.

Day 19 : Cochin - Mumbai
Transfer to the airport for flight to Mumbai and then to make international connection home. The tour can be extended by one or more days to take in the sights of Mumbai and its surrounding area.

NOTE : Please note that this, and all other itineraries on this website, are suggested programmes only and can be modified to suit your individual needs and interests.