Day 01 Delhi

Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi late in the night or midnight.

A history which encompasses all the various kings and emperors who fixed their royal citadels here-- Indraprastha, Lal Kot, Quila Rai Pithora, Siri, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad, Ferozabad, Dinpanah, Delhi Sher Shahi or then Shahjahanabad. But, combined and integrated into one, these 'new cities' have always been called Delhi and howsoever many names it may have acquired, Delhi has always been intrinsically identified with power and imperial sway.

Transfer to your hotel. Relax. Overnight will be at Delhi.

Day 02: Delhi

Breakfast will be at the hotel. Start a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi.

Old Delhi - Visit the former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Visit the vast Red Fort, built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

New Delhi - drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful Humayun’s tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at the towering minaret of Qutab Minar
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03: Delhi – Agra Tajmahal Tours

Breakfast at the hotel. Later leave for Agra by surface.
Agra has a rich historical background, which is amply evident from the numerous historical monuments in and around the city. Though the heritage of Agra city is linked with the Mughal dynasty, numerous other rulers also contributed to the rich past of this city. Modern Agra was founded by Sikandar Lodhi (Lodhi dynasty; Delhi Sultanate) in the 16th century. Babar (founder of the Mughal dynasty) also stayed for sometime in Agra and introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here. Agra came to its own when Shahjahan ascended to the throne of Mughal Empire. He marked the zenith of Mughal architecture, when he built the Taj in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Upon arrival at Agra, check in at the hotel. Afternoon you will be given city tour of Agra which includes visit to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.

Visit TAJ MAHAL (Closed on Fridays) - located on the bank of Yamuna River, the most extravagant monument ever built for love. Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from it's stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.

Red Fort - lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04: Agra – Jaipur

After breakfast leave for Jaipur by surface. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri - It was founded in the year 1569 by the Mughal emperor Akbar to honor the Muslim saint Shaikh Salim Chishti, who had foretold the birth of Akbar's son and heir, Jahangir. The city was Akbar's capital until 1584. By 1605 it was largely deserted because of the inadequate water supply. A masterpiece of Muslim architecture, the city is unique in India as a nearly intact Mughal city.
Continue your drive to Jaipur

The historic city of Jaipur or "The City of Victory" was founded in 1727 A.D. by the great Kachhawah ruler Sawai Jai Singh II (1700 - 1747 A.D.), and named after him. The monarch was not only a great builder, but also a poet and an astronomer. Under his aegis, the city was designed by his talented architect Vidyadhar, who gave shape to the creative aspirations of Sawai Jai Singh in the form of the dream city of Jaipur

Upon arrival at Jaipur check in at the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel

Day 05: Jaipur Historical Tours

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning you will be given excursion to Amber Fort alongwith Elephant ride.
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 slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time honored fashion. 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 city tour of Jaipur.

Tour of the Pink City - Your tour will include the imposing City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. You will 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 colourful bazaar before returning to your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06: Jaipur - Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel. Late morning leave for Delhi by surface. Upon arrival at Delhi you will be transferred to your hotel.
Rest of the day free for shopping.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07: Delhi – Chennai (by air)

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will be transferred to the domestic airport in time to connect your flight for Chennai.

A city of Contrasts and diversities, Chennai is the forth-largest city in India. Known world wide as Madras until recently, the city was renamed Chennai, evolved from the age-old name, Chennapattinam. The city grew into modern day Madras City merging all neighboring areas. In the 19th century the city became the seat of Madras Presidency, the southern division of British Imperial India. After independence in 1947 it became the capital of Madras State that was renamed Tamil Nadu. Recetly Madras was renamed Chennai.

Day 08: In Chennai

Breakfast at the hotel.
City tour of Chennai visiting Museum to see the art and bronze gallery (Closed on public holidays). Drive through the Flower & Fruit Market, High Court, Fort Museum, Marina Beach, San Thome cathedral.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09: Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram

Breakfast at the hotel.
Later leave for Mahabalipuram by surface. En route visit Kanchipuram.
Kanchipuram, the Golden City of a thousand temples, is the capital of the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Rayas of Vijayanagar. During the 6th and 7th centuries, some of the best temples in the city were built by the Pallavas. The city was also a great seat of learning. Sri Sankaracharya, Appar, Siruthonder and the great Budddhist Bhikku lived, and worked here. Today, it is known not only for its temples, but also for its hand-woven silk fabrics.
Continue your drive to Mahabalipuram.

Mahabalipuram (or Mamallapuram, its ancient name) is one of history's intriguing enigmas. Situated just 60 km off Chennai on the Bay of Bengal coast in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Mahabalipuram was a flourishing port town of the Pallava rulers of South India who chiselled in stone a fabulous open-air museum of sculptures under the vault of a burning sky. Its sculptural extravaganza is a living testament of the virile artistic temperament of the Pallavas who were trendsetters in South Indian art.
Upon arrival at Mahabalipuram, check in at hotel. Later you will be given city tour of Mahabalipuram.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry

Breakfast at the hotel.

Later leave for Pondicherry by surface.
All the French tradition, the quiet atmosphere of the town influenced by the Ashram of Aurobindo and the beach, make a whole to give to Pondicherry an attractive destination. The Union Territory of Pondicherry includes 4 enclaves located in three states of South India. It includes the coastal towns of Pondicherry and Kerala in the Tamil Nadu, Yanam in Andhra Pradesh and Mahe in Kerala. The old French colony has retrieved its Indian character, but the scent of the French influence in "Pudicheri" as we call now, can be found again in the red kepis of the police officers,

French spelling on signboards and traffic signs and some buildings and old stones.
Upon arrival at Pondicherry, check in at hotel. Later you will be given city tour of Pondicherry.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Pondicherry – Trichy

Breakfast at the hotel.
Later leave for Trichy by surface.

Trichy (Also know as Tiruchirappalli), situated on the banks of the river Cauvery is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. It was a citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. Trichy is a fine blend of tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort. Apart from the Fort, there are several Churches, Colleges and Missions dating back to the 1760s. The town and its fort, now in Trichy were built by the Nayaks of Madurai. This city has given great Tamil scholars whose contributions to the Tamil literature have been very significant.

Arrive Trichy and check in at the hotel.

In the afternoon, you will be given the city tour of Trichy.
Visit the Rock Fort Temple in Trichy (Tiruchirapalli) and the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam - This superb temple complex is surrounded by seven concentric walls with 21 gopurams and is probably the largest in India. Most of it dates back from 14th to 17th centuries. The largest gopuram was completed as recently as 1987, and now measures an astounding 73 meters.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: Trichy – Madurai

Breakfast at the hotel.

Later leave for Madurai by surface.
Madurai with 2500 Years old history is the oldest city in Tamilnadu both historically and mythologically. Legend says Madurai was originally called a forest Kadambavanam. Once a merchant saw INDRA, the king of Devas worshipping a Swayambhulingam under a kadamba tree in the forest. This incident was informed by Dhananjayan (the merchant) to the king Kulasekara Pandian. The king immediately cleared the forest and built a temple around the lingam. And a city was planned around the temple. On the day the city built by the king was to be named Lord Shiva made his appearance. Drops of nectar from his hair fell on the town so the place was named Madurai, the nectar city - Mathuram means sweetness in Tamil.

Arrive Madurai and check in at the hotel.
In the afternoon you may like to visit the Meenakshi temple to witness the evening ceremony.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: In Madurai

Breakfast at the hotel.
This morning you will be given the city tour of Madurai - Visit Madurai’s main attraction – Sri Meenakshi temple which attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India. The temple is named after the daughter of a Pandyan King. Designed in 1560 by Vishwanatha Nayak, the present temple was substantially built during the reign of Tirumalai Nayak (1623-55 AD), but its history goes back 2000 years to the time when Madurai was the capital of Pandya Kings.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14: Madurai – Periyar

Breakfast at the hotel.
Later leave for Thekkady by surface.
Thekkady - is of historical importance for more than one reason. It has been and still is an important spice plantation area. Thekkady is one of the finest known natural wildlife sanctuaries and it has a history dating back to the year 1934, when the then state government took initiative to establish the Nellikampathy Sanctuary.

This wildlife sanctuary was later developed into the 780 square kilometer Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary by the year 1950.
Upon arrival at Periyar, check in at the hotel.
Afternoon game viewing by boat at the park.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15: Periyar – Alleppey

After breakfast leave for Alleppey by road.
Alleppey, now Alappuzha is a Land Mark between the broad Arabian Sea and a net work of rivers flowing into it. In the early first decade of the 20th Century the then Viceroy of the Indian Empire, Lord Curzon made a visit in the State to Alleppey. Fascinated by the Scenic beauty of the place, in joy and amazement, he said, “Here nature has spent up on the land her richest bounties”. In his exhilaration, it is said, he exclaimed, “Alleppey, the Venice of the East”. Thus the sobriquet found its place in the world Tourism Map. The presence of a port and a pier, criss - cross roads and numerous bridges across them, a long and unbroken sea coast might have motivated him to make this comparison.

You will be dropped at Alleppey where you will be enjoying the back-water cruise.

Overnight at the houseboat.

Day 16: Alleppey – Kumarakom

Breakfast at the houseboat.
Disembark from the Boat at Alleppey and continue your drive to Kumarakom.

KUMARAKOM - When nature is all you need to recuperate, Kumarakom is undoubtedly the most invigorating, fascinating paradise in Kerala, God's own country. The slender coconut palms standing here, there and everywhere, its never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties can peacefully calm and invigorate your mind with renewed inspiration for your vocation and life. That is the pristine beauty of Kumarakom. Kumarakom the charming emerald peninsula jutting into the ever-effervescent Vembanad Lake takes you into the heart of the scenic lake where you'll come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes. The fresh water of the lake runs into the mainland making a labyrinth of lagoons, brooks, canals and waterways. The backwater houses a variety of species of both fauna and flora. They are rich with marine life namely the exclusive 'Kumarakom Karimeen' (pearl spotted fish), Konju (tiger prawns), Njandu (crabs), Chemeen (prawns) and many more.

Upon arrival at Kumarakom, check in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 17: In Kumarakom

Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day is at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 18: Kumarakom – Trivandrum

Breakfast at the hotel.

Later leave for Trivandrum by surface.
Thiruvananthapuram which was previously called Trivandrum, is an ancient city with tradition dating back to 1000 BC. Thiruvananthapuram became the capital of Raja of Travancore in 1750. The name is derived from 'Tiru Ananta Puram', the abode of the sacred serpent Ananta, upon whose coils Vishnu lays in the main temple. It is a peaceful attractive city built across seven hills, the city's old quarter clusters around the temple, while along the busy Mahatma Gandhi Road are colonial mansions, churches and modern high-rises. Thiruvananthapuram had managed to retain some of the ambience characteristics of Kerala such as red tiled roofs, narrow winding lanes and intimate corner cafes.

Upon arrival at Trivandrum, check in at.
This afternoon you will be given the city tour of Trivandrum.

Overnight at the hotel.

Day 19: Depart Trivandrum

Breakfast at the hotel.

Today you will be transferred to the airport in time to connect your flight for onward destination.