Itinerary

Day 1 – Mumbai

Upon arrival at the airport in Mumbai, you will be met by our representative, assisted through formalities and transferred to your hotel.

Day 2 – Mumbai

Enjoy a day of leisure in Mumbai. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 3 – Mumbai

After breakfast, visit the Elephant Caves, also known as the Gharapuri in the local language meaning fortress city. These rock cut caves belong to the ninth century and are dedicated to Lord Shiva. In the afternoon, we will take the guests for a City tour of Mumbai including visits to Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach, Malabar Hill, Hanging Gardens, Dhobi Ghat, the Towers of Silence, Mahalakshmi Temple, the Tomb of Haji Ali and Mani Bhavan. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 4 – Mumbai / Cochin

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight for Cochin. Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be transferred to your hotel. In the evening, you will be taken to a Kathakali dance centre where you will witness the most elaborate of the dance forms in southern India. Kathakali explicates ideas and stories from the Indian epics and Puranas. Presented in the temple precincts after dusk falls Kathakali is heralded by the Kelikottu or the beating of drums in accompaniment of the Chengila (gong). Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 5 – Cochin / Periyar

After breakfast, drive to Periyar. In the afternoon, proceed to Periyar National Park to view the wildlife by boat. Situated within the confines of the Western Ghats in the southern Indian state of Kerala, Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world. Herds of elephant and sambar, gaur and wild pigs and wander down to the lakeside and can be observed from the launches that cruise the lake. Periyar also harbours the leopard, wild dog, barking deer and mouse deer. Return to the hotel after your boat ride for overnight. (B)

Day 6 – Periyar

Enjoy a day of leisure exploring Periyar. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 7 – Periyar / Kumarakom

After breakfast, drive to Kumarakom, known as the \'Venice of the East\'. Palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields, and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 8 – Kumarakom / Alleppey

Today, you will embark on your houseboat from Kumarakom boat jetty which will sail down gently on the backwaters of Kerala. The backwaters are a chain of brackish lagoons and lakes lying parallel to the Arabian Sea coast. Houseboats are also known as the \"Ketuvallam\" or the Rice Boat. Overnight aboard your houseboat. (BLD)

Day 9 – Alleppey / Cochin

After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat at the Alleppey Jetty and drive to Cochin. Visit the Chinese fishing nets. The cantilevered fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour mouth. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the 14th century. Your next stop will be St. Francis Church, originally named after Santo Antonio and dedicated to him as the Patron Saint of Portugal, St. Francis Church is the first church to have been in the new European influenced tradition. Return to your hotel for overnight. (B)

Day 10 – Cochin / Udaipur

In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for your flight to Udaipur via Mumbai. You will be transferred to your hotel upon arrival. Here are lakes that come as a surprise in sandy Rajasthan, and forested hills where wildlife still abounds. (B)

Day 11 – Udaipur

After breakfast, visit Udaipur city covering City Palace, a majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by crenellated walls. Also visit Saheliyon ki Bari, a small ornamental garden which has fountains in its four delightful pools chiseled kiosks and marble elephants. Continue to Jagdish Temple, built in 1651 A.D. by Maharana Jagat Singh, this temple is the largest and the most beautiful temple in Udaipur with noteworthy sculpted images. In the evening, enjoy a boat ride in Lake Pichola (subject to sufficient water level in the Lake). Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 12 – Udaipur / Jodhpur

After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur, known as the Sun City for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year. In the afternoon, visit Mehrangarh Fort, the most majestic and one of the largest forts in India. The walls of the fort are up to 36 m high and 21 m wide; they enclose some exquisite structures. The fort museum houses an exquisite collection of palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniatures, musical instruments, costumes and furniture. Continue to Jaswant Thada, a white marble memorial built in 1899 in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 13 – Jodhpur / Jaisalmer

After breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer, the \"Golden City\", which is located on the westernmost frontier of India in the state of Rajasthan.  Arrive and check-in at the hotel. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 14 – Jaisalmer

After breakfast, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer covering the Fort, Havelis & Gadi Sagar. The city is dominated by the Jaisalmer Fort. Unlike most forts in India, the Jaisalmer Fort is a living fort. There are shops, hotels, age old Havelis (homes) inside the fort area. In the afternoon, take an excursion to Sam Sand dunes located 40 kms from the Jaisalmer to witness the sunset. Enjoy camel ride on the dunes. Return to your hotel for overnight. (B)

Day 15 – Jaisalmer / Bikaner

After breakfast, drive to Bikaner, a district in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan in northern India. En route, visit Deshnoke Temple, a pilgrim centre of Karni Mata. In the afternoon, visit Junagarh Fort, one of the most interesting forts in Rajasthan, with its sumptuously decorated interiors.  Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 16 – Bikaner / Mandawa

In the morning, drive to Mandawa and visit the various Havelies with painted frescoes. Later visit Havelis in Dundlod and Nawalgarh. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 17 – Mandawa / Jaipur

Today, drive to Jaipur. Jaipur is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan in Northern India. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy some time of leisure. (B)

Day 18 – Jaipur

After breakfast, proceed for an excursion to Amber Fort. Enjoy an elephant ride at the site, subject to availability. On the way back to the hotel, drive past Hawa Mahal (The Palace of Winds). It is five-storey facade, decked with no less than 593 finely screened windows and balconies. In the afternoon, visit City Palace, a classic example of Mughal and Rajput architecture. Continue to the Observatory, with its complex instruments, whose setting and shapes are scientifically designed, represent the high points of medieval Indian astronomy. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 19 – Jaipur / Agra

Today, drive to Agra. En route stop at Fatehpur Sikri for sightseeing of the abandoned capital city of the Mughal empire. Overnight at your hotel in Agra. (B)

Day 20 – Agra / Delhi

In the morning, visit the infamous Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. The Taj Mahal, built by Emperor Shah Jehan as a tribute to his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal, it is the ultimate tribute to love ever transcribed in stone. In the afternoon, drive towards Delhi, the capital of India. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 21 – Delhi

After breakfast, proceed for a combined sightseeing of Old and New Delhi including a visit to Jama Mosque and drive past the Red Fort. Later drive past India Gate, Parliament House and President’s House. Also visit Humayun’s Tomb and Qutab Minar during the sightseeing tour. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 22 – Delhi

Enjoy a day of leisure in Delhi. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 23 – Delhi / En Route

Transfer to the airport for your return flight.