Glimpses of Rajasthan and Kerala
23 Nights / 24 Days
Delhi - Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur - Pushkar - Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur - Mumbai - Kochi -
Munnar - Periyar - Kumarakom - Allepey - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Mumbai

DAY 01  : ARRIVE DELHI
Upon arrival, you shall met & assisted with your baggages at the airport by our executive and transferred to prebooked hotel.

Delhi : India’s capital & a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys’ past.

DAY 02 : DELHI
After breakfast, half day city tour of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658; Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.

Afternoon, city tour of New Delhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate, President House, Connaught Place. The city tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir).

DAY 03 : DELHI - AGRA (203 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, drive to Agra.  Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked hotel.

Afternoon, city tour of Agra : Visit Red fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structues ; Itmad-ud-daulah, which was contructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan; the highlight of the day - The Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed until 1653.

DAY 04 : AGRA - FATEHPUR SIKRI - JAIPUR (240 KMS, 06-07 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Jaipur, enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri -  built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Moghuls, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory. Continue drive to Jaipur. 

Arrive Jaipur & check-in at prebooked hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 05 : JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride from the foothills of the Aravallis to the fort entrance. Amber Fort : At a distance of 11 kms from Jaipur, Amber was the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction of the fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's army and is a superb example of Rajput architecture.

Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace which has museum having an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamel ware and weapons; Jantar Mantar - the observatory built my Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728 and the façade of Hawa Mahal.

DAY 06 : JAIPUR - PUSHKAR (135 KMS, 02-03 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Pushkar. the holy lake of Pushkar is believed to have been created by Lord Brahma himself. It is as important as Banaras or Puri. Devout Hindus believe that it is essential to visit Pushkar at least once in their lifetime. No pilgrimage is considered complete without a dip in the holy Pushkar lake. Pushkar has as many as 400 temples and 52 ghats and the only temple in the country that is dedicated to Brahma is to be found here. While Pushkar is a heaven for the religiously inclined, it is also the venue of one of the country's most colorful cattle fairs - the Pushkar Fair.

Arrive Pushkar and check-in at prebooked hotel.

Afternoon, explore Pushkar on your own.

DAY 07 : PUSHKAR - JODHPUR (225 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Jodhpur - A flourishing trading center of the 16th century, the fortress city of Jodhpur is now the second largest city of Rajasthan. Jodhpur was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha who claimed to be descendent of Lord Rama. The massive fort Mehrangarh-came first and around it grew the city of Jodhpur protected by a high stone wall with seven gates and countless bastions.

Arrive Jodhpur and check in at prebooked hotel.

Afternoon, visit the Mehrangarh Fort which literally means “Majestic Fort”, located at the very centre of the city. There are ,in all , three gates , each built to commemorate a particular victory, as well as to reinforce the fort. It has a collection of musical instruments, palanquins, furniture & cannons on the forts’ ramparts are well preserved. Jaswant Thada : Close to the fort complex lies this white marble cenotaph, built in 1899, in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Rare portraits of Jodhpur's rulers are, also, to be seen at Jaswant Thada. Also visit the Clock Tower – the city centre.

DAY 08 : JODHPUR - RANAKPUR - UDAIPUR (275 KMS, 06-07 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Udaipur. Enroute visiting the Jain temples at Ranakpur : The cluster of temples, made of intricately sculpted white marble, come across as a marvellousfeat of architecture. It would take anyone by surprise to learn that they were built in 1460, so well preserved & sparkling is the marble. The main temple is supported on 1,444 pillars – none of which is similarly carved.

After the visit, continue drive to Udaipur - The city of Lakes, Udaipur is a lovely blend of water, lush green hills that set fire and passion in poet. Its palaces are straight out of a fairy-tale book, lakes, forts, palaces, temples, gardens, mountains and narrow lanes lines withdrawn with stalls, relives the reminisces of a heroic past, valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the Lake Pichola is excitement that defines imagination. Udaipur is one of the most romantic cities of world, also know as the Venice of East. 

Arrive Udaipur in the evening and check-in at prebooked hotel.

DAY 09 : UDAIPUR
After breakfast, visit the romantic city of Udaipur. Visit the City Palace which is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan ; Jagdish temple, a fine Indo Aryan temple built in 1651; Sahelion ki Bari or Garden of the Maids of Honour, which is a small garden with its fountains, kiosks, marble elephants & lotus pool.

Afternoon, free. In the evening, boat ride on Lake Pichola.

DAY 10 : UDAIPUR-MUMBAI (FLIGHT, 9W 3401, 0840-1020 HRS)
Early morning, transfer to the airport to board flight for Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai and transfer to prebooked hotel.

DAY 11 : MUMBAI
After breakfast, excursion to Elephanta caves. Afternoon, half day city tour of Mumbai.

DAY 12 : MUMBAI-KOCHI (FLIGHT, 9W 401, 1035-1220 HRS)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board flight for Kochi. Arrive Kochi and transfer to prebooked hotel. In the evening, witness Kathakali Dance Show.

DAY 13 : KOCHI - MUNNAR (140 KMS, 03 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, half day sightseeing of Cochin including Asia's best preserved Synagouge, the Dutch Palace and the oldest European Church in India - the St. Francis Church where Vasco De Gama was originally buried. A leisurely walk through the Fort Cochin area which gives you a close look at the operation of the huge catileavered Chinese fishing nets introduced by Chinese traders which is still used in Kerala backwaters as a traditional way of fishing.

Afternoon, leave for Munnar. Arrive Munnar and checkin at prebooked hotel.

DAY 14 : MUNNAR
After breakfast, sightseeing of Munnar. Visit the tea plantations, a tea factory (subject to permission being granted), the Eravikulam National Park - home of the endangered Nilgiri Thar (Ibex), followed by visit to the Mattupetty dam, the Indo Swiss Dairy farm, the Kundala Lake and other scenic spots.
 
DAY 15 : MUNNAR - PERIYAR (100 KMS, 03 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Periyar. Periyar has one of the world's most fascinating Natural wildlife reserves noted for its geography, diverse wildlife and scenic beauty. Arrive at Periyar and check in at  prebooked hotel.

Later, boat ride on the Lake Periyar where one can have a unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar, however are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.

DAY 16 : PERIYAR - KUMARAKOM (140 KMS, 03-04 HRS DRIVE) - OVERNIGHT BACKWATER TRIP TILL ALLEPEY
After breakfast, leave for Kumarakom in time to board houseboat for overnight backwater trip till Allepey.

On arrival in Kumarakom, commence an overnight houseboat cruise to Allepey, which gives one a fascinating insight into the life of a Keralan Backwater Village. As the boat glides along the backwaters one can see the daily life in the backwater villages. On the narrow strips of land, fisherman fishing, children swimming and playing in the water, women doing their daily chores, mobile shops in tiny canoes, the cultivation of paddy and it's harvesting (during harvest season), huge country barges ferrying the coconuts, rice, coir etc.
Note : The cruise commences at 1300 hrs with lunch served onboard and continues till dusk. At dusk the boat will anchor in a wide waterway or lake for the night. (The backwaters close to boat traffic at dusk as the fisherman lay their nets in the backwaters. Other boats are not allowed to ply in the backwaters after dusk.) On the following day the cruise commences again after breakfast and you will be dropped at Allepey by 1000 hrs.

DAY 17 : ALLEPEY-KOVALAM (174 KMS, 04-05 HRS DRIVE)
Checkout from the houseboat and proceed to Kovalam. Arrive Kovalam and check in at prebooked hotel.

DAY 18 : KOVALAM
Day free to relax on the beach.

DAY 19 : KOVALAM
Day free to relax on the beach.

DAY 20 : KOVALAM
Day free to relax on the beach.

DAY 21 : KOVALAM
Day free to relax on the beach.

DAY 22 : KOVALAM
Day free to relax on the beach.

DAY 23 : TRIVANDRUM-MUMBAI (FLIGHT, 9W 337, 1335-1535 HRS)
After breakfast, free. Afternoon, transfer to Trivandrum airport to board flight for Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai and transfer to prebooked hotel.

DAY 24 : DEPART MUMBAI
Transfer to the airport to board flight back home.