Duration : 22 Nights / 23 Days
Destination Covered : Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Jhansi - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Mumbai - Cochin – Munnar - Periyar - Madurai - Trichy - Tanjore - Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai.
Day 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to a pre-booked hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02 : DELHI
After breakfast, city tour of New Delhi where ornate buildings recall the days when India was the Jewel in the crown of the British empire. Visit city tour of Delhi visiting 11th century Qutab Minar, India Gate, and the grand government buildings, the President's House, Red fort, Mahatama Gandhi Memorial, Also visit Laxmi Narayan temple popularly known as Birla Temple. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 03 : DELHI - JAIPUR BY ROAD 260 KMS 5 HOURS DRIVE
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. After a short rest, proceed to visit City Palace, still home to the Maharaja, although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Many antiques and artifacts belonging to the ruling family housed here. Also, explore the different markets with colorful handicrafts. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 : JAIPUR
The morning after a breakfast city tour of visiting Amber Fort Situated atop a hill overlooking the city, was the old capital before Jaipur was. The Palace is laid out at different levels on the hillside and surrounded by a fortress. A ride on a decorated elephant to ascend the hill to the Palace, a thrilling experience for every visitor. A ride on the elephant is the highlight of the tour. After lunch, visiting the Pink City because of the pink color of the buildings, picturesquely situated in the heart of Rajasthan, surrounded except on the south by rugged hills crowned with medieval fortresses. Visit the Mubarak Hall, Chandra Mahal, and Pothikhana, which house a rare collection of paintings and manuscripts, and the Museum of Arms and Armoury. Also, visit Jantar Mantar - Jai Singh's observatory and the Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds. Overnight Hotel.
Day05 : JAIPUR - AGRA VIA FATEHPUR SIKIRI BY ROAD 232 KMS 5 HOURS DRIVE
After breakfast, continue to drive towards Agra en-route visiting the Deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, Fatehpur Sikri - Twenty-seven miles from, Akbar's Capital where phantoms of ancient pomp and splendor fill a deserted city, silent witnesses to a vanished dream. The capital had to be abandoned by the Emperor for lack of adequate water supply. The marble tomb of Saint 'Salim Chisti' and the Bulland Darwaza, the highest gateway in the world, are some of the highlights of the place. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 06 : AGRA
At sunrise, visit the world-famous Taj Mahal built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Also visiting the Agra Fort, containing the Pearl Mosque - the rusty and majestic red-sandstone fort of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna and the construction was started by Emperor Akbar in 1566. At the Diwan - I - Khas (Hall of private audience), where marble pavilions with floral inlays lend an ethereal ambiance, the Emperor sat on his gem-studded peacock Throne and also met foreign ambassadors and rulers of friendly kingdoms. Later visit Itmad - up - Dau's tomb, built by Noorjehan in memory of her father. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 07 : AGRA - JHANSI BY GATIMAN EXPRESS DEP 09.55 HRS ARR 12.35 HRS
JHANSI - ORCHHA BY ROAD 20 KMSMorning transfer to the railway station to board the Gatiman Express train to, Arrive Jhansi & drive to transfer to hotel. Tour of this historical site with magnificent temples and monuments. Some of the palaces are decorated with painted murals, which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of painting. Drive to Orchha and on arrival, check in at your hotel in Orcha. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 : ORCHHA - KHAJURAHO BY ROAD 180 KMS 4 HOURS DRIVE
After breakfast, drive to Khajuraho. Khajuraho - the legendary temples of Khajuraho are an incomparable experience. Acknowledged as one of the world's artistic wonders, these temples dedicated to the Hindu pantheon of Gods are covered in carvings that are a Paean to life and love. Built within a short span of a hundred years by the Chandela Rajputs, the 10th-century temples lay forgotten until discovered in the present century. Khajuraho has achieved fame for the sensual appeal of its sculptures. Afternoon city tour of Khajuraho visiting The fascinating temples of Khajuraho, India's unique gift of love to the world, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, were built between 950 and 1050 AD. The divine sculptures in these temples are a tribute to life itself, embodying everything sublime and spontaneous about it. The murals depict the life and times of the Chandelas and celebrate the state of being. They not only testify to the mastery of the craftsman but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose reign these temples constructed. The temples are grouped into three geographical divisions: western, eastern, and southern. After visiting the Temples, return to Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 09 : KHAJURAHO - VARANASI (BY FLIGHT )
After breakfast, transfer to airport to board a short flight for Varanasi - said to be India 's most sacred city situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. It is also the oldest living city in the world. As a place for devotion and worship, with hundreds of temples dotting the city, sunrise on the riverfront as seen from a boat can be a spiritually uplifting sight. It has a fascination uniquely its own, a quality of sublime beauty, a timeless eternal appeal. Varanasi is the city that cannot be described, only experienced. Arrive Varanasi and transfer to hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing of Varanasi (the oldest and holiest city of India ) covering Temples, Aurangazeb's Mosque and one of the biggest university of India. Evening view " Aarti" ceremony on the Ghats. Overnight at hotel .
Day 11 : VARANASI - MUMBAI (BY FLIGHT )
Early morning boat ride on the holy river Ganges to view the religious activity at the bathing Ghats for an insight into the cultural background of India. It provides an absorbing spectacle of thousands of Hindus engaged in their ritual bathing. Today an excursion to Sarnath, 10 km east of Varanasi, is one of Buddhism's major centers in India. After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha came to Sarnath, where he gave his first sermon. Today Sarnath is considered one of the richest places to have antiques since the Ashoka period to the 12th century. Afternoon transfer to the airport in time to connect flight for Bombay. Arrive, meet assist at the airport, and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel .
Day 12 : MUMBAI
After breakfast, proceed for a half-day tour of Mumbai covering Gateway of India - The stone archway designed by Wittett in the 16th-century Gujarati style, Prince of Whales Museum, Chowpatty Beach, Dhobhi Ghat - a vast outdoor laundry & Marine Drive. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 13 : COCHIN – MUNNAR BY ROAD 135 KMS 04 HOURS DRIVE
The morning after breakfast, drive to Munnar. Munnar is one of the beautiful hill stations in Kerala. On arrival, check-in at Hotel. Afternoon visit the Tea Museum and Kalari Center etc. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 14 : MUNNAR
The morning after breakfast, visit the Tea plantations, Anamudi, Eravikulam National Park, Devikulam, Mattupetty, Pallivasal, Pothamedu, Attukal, etc. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 15 : MUNNAR - THEKKADY 110 KMS 03 HOURS DRIVE
After breakfast, drive to Thekkady. The Periyar Forest is one of the best wildlife reserves in India. Lying at an altitude of 900 - 1800m above sea level and spread across 777 sq. Km, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted for its geomorphology, diversity of wildlife, and scenic beauty, it's the only sanctuary in India where you can view wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. Periyar's attractions are the Herds of Elephants that come down to the water and play at the lakeside. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 16 : THEKKADY - MADURAI BY ROAD 130 KMS 4 HOURS DRIVE
After breakfast, drive to Madurai. Evening visit the Famous Meenakshi Temple, a structure in the Dravidian style of architecture. The history of the city dates back over 2,000 years when it was the capital of the Pandyas. The main feature of the Temple is its Hall of a thousand pillars. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 17 : MADURAI - TRICHY BY ROAD 172 KMS 4 HOURS DRIVE
After breakfast, drive to Trichy. Evening visit temples of Trichy, one of the very ancient towns of Tamil Nadu has many interesting relics of Pallay art in 7 century AD - only 6 miles away is the great Temple of Srirangam - an island on the Cauvery. It is a massive temple with a 100 pillar hall highly decorated with carvings. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 18 : TRICHY - TANJORE( BY ROAD 50 KMS 1 HOUR DRIVE
After breakfast, drive to Tanjore. Afternoon sightseeing of Tanjore. Also called a city of temples, Tanjore is dotted with no fewer than 74 temples - the most famous of which is the Brihadeshwara temple. Visit this fascinating temple and the Thanjavur Palace. Tanjore is once the capital of the Cholas, a powerful dynasty of kings who ruled from the 10th to the 14th Centuries AD is to this day, a well-known center of classical art and literature. Also, visit the Saraswathi Mahal Library containing rare collections of ancient books and manuscripts in various languages on various subjects. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 19 : TANJORE - PONDICHERRY ( BY ROAD 185 KMS 4 HOURS DRIVE
After breakfast, drive to Pondichery. Afternoon sightseeing of Pondicherry visiting This former French Colonial city in Tamil Nadu didn't come under Indian rule until 1954. the Ashram at Auroville, built by followers of Sri Aurobindo, a philosopher/prophet born in 1870. The International town where people of different countries reside belongs to humanity as a whole. Matrimandir, the famous Monument is constructed by the Auroville Society, which represents the flower Lotus. Also, visit 400 years old Manakula Vinayagar Temple, which has several fresco paintings on the walls telling the life story of a half-human and half-animal lord. You shall also visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram named after Sri Aurobindo, who was a National Leader famous for his integral Yoga and philosophical literary works. A French lady, Madam Mirr Richard, followed his spiritual path, and the Samadhi of both Sri Aurobindo and Mother are situated at the main premises of the Ashram. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 20 : PONDICHERRY - MAHABALIPURAM ( BY ROAD 140 KMS 4 HOURS DRIVE
After breakfast drive to Mahabalipuram is a small, quiet seaside resort with a unique 7th century Shore Temple, a lovely beach, and some of the most beautiful rock-cut temples in the world. Situated on the shore of the Bay of Bengal, Mahabalipuram was already a famous seaport in the 1st century AD. This town was a workshop for temple building. Visit the seven pagoda-style shore temples, lashed by the waves of the sea, and the seven Rathas or temple chariots, a group of monolithic monuments & animal figures carved out of the solid rock, the earliest known examples of Dravidian architecture. They were constructed in a single century-long burst of creative enthusiasm, starting in the reign of Narasimhavarman 1 (AD 63068). End the visit by photography of the beautiful Shore temples at sunset. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 21 : MAHABALIPURAM - KANCHIPURAM - CHENNAI( BY ROAD 60 KMS 1 HOUR DRIVE
Morning excursion to Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram. Kanchipuram known as the Golden City of a Thousand temples is one of the oldest towns in India. It is famous for its temples, many of them remarkably well preserved, and for its hand-woven silks. Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities of India, and it is the only one associated with both Shiva and Vishnu. Visit Ekambareshwar Temple, Kailashnath Temple, Kamakshi Temple, the Vaikunthaperumal Temple, all built in the 7th and 8th centuries. With a weaving tradition dating back to the Pallava era (when silk was the royal cloth), Kanchipuram is justly famous for its particularly fine silk saris, embellished with stunning patterns. Visit the local homes of the weavers and watch them create magic out of silk thread into saris. On arrival, check-in at Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 22 : CHENNAI
After breakfast Sightseeing of Chennai, The capital of the state of Tamil Nadu and the cultural Gateway to South India, Chennai is in some respects, unlike other Indian cities. The National Art Gallery, the Museum with some beautiful temple prizes, and the finest collection of South Indian bronzes are quite interesting. St. Mary's Church, Peoples Park, and the beautiful Marina Beach, which is the second-longest beach in the world as well as the clock towers are worth visiting and in the evening see traditional Dances. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 23 : DEPARTURE
Transfer to airport for onward journey.
