Tour Day 1 - Arrive Delhi
Traditional welcome on arrival at Delhi international airport by our
Representative to transfer to hotel for immediate check-in.
Tour Day 2 - Delhi
After breakfast, guided tour of historic city of Delhi. The city where one
can experience the influence of the many rulers who ruled this region, a city
built and destroyed and re-built over seven times. The guided tour takes to
the monuments that depict the different eras. The tour includes the
magnificent Red Fort, the Jama Masjid, on of Asia's largest mosque, Rajghat -
the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi - the "Father of the Nation". Afternoon tour of
New Delhi to include Humanyun Tomb, Birla Mandir, Bahai Temple, Qutab Minar,
India Gate, President'' House and drive through Connaught Place. Evening, see
Son-et-Lumerie at Red Fort (optional). Overnight at hotel.
Tour Day 3 - Delhi - Jaipur (260kms/ 5 hrs)
After breakfast, drive in air-conditioned tourist car to Jaipur - the Pink
City of Rajasthan. Upon arrival in Jaipur, transfer to the hotel for wash 'n'
change. Later, a guided half-day city tour of Jaipur covering Hawa Mahal
(Palace of Winds), City Palace, Jantar Mantar (Royal Observatory). Evening at
leisure for enjoying the real charm of this royal city to stroll in the local
bazaars to see some handicrafts and artisans. Overnight at hotel.
Tour Day 4 - Jaipur Agra (232 kms / 4.5 hrs)
Enjoy a royal breakfast at hotel. Then guided excursion to the majestic
Amber Fort - the erstwhile capital of the Kachwahas Rajputs before they moved
to their newly built capital in Jaipur. This is the only fort where one can
still go by the elephant back even today like a Maharaja. Afternoon drive to
Agra via Fatepur Sikri; a World Heritage Site. Assisted by a guide visit this
world famous complex of monuments and temples built in a uniform architectural
style. Proceed to Agra. Agra is a treasure trove for all the tourists from
India and abroad. Even though Agra is synonymous with the Taj, the city stands
in testimony to the great amount of architectural activity of the Mughals.
Evening visit bazaar (shopping area). Overnight at hotel.
Tour Day 5 - Agra Orchha (240 kms / 6 hrs)
After breakfast, visited the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort. The Taj Mahal of
Agra is a monument built by emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of her wife
Mumtaz Mahal while the Agra Fort was built by Emperor Akbar. Built with red
sandstone the Fort is a mixture of the Islamic and Hindu styles of
architecture. After Lunch proceed to Orchha. Check into hotel. Overnight at
hotel.
Tour Day 7 - Khajuraho
Breakfast followed by a guided tour of Chandela dynasty temples famous for
their spectacular sculptures and carvings. Visit the Northern, Eastern and
Southern group of temples. Evening for leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Tour Day 8 - Khajuraho Varanasi (air)
Breakfast. In the afternoon transfer to the airport to catch a flight to
Varanasi. On arrival, check into hotel. Spend the evening on the ghats of the
Ganges. Overnight at hotel.
Tour Day 9 - Varanasi Patna (rail)
Breakfast. Transfer to the railway station to catch a train to Patna.
Arrive Patna in the evening, check into hotel. Evening free. Overnight at
hotel.
Tour Day 10 - Patna
After breakfast take a guided excursion to Vaishali where Lord Buddha
preached his last sermon announcing his approaching Nirvana. Visit stupas
holding urns containing ashes of Buddha and Ashok pillar erected by Emperor
Ashoka to mark places sanctified by Buddha. The place is also known now for
famous Madhubani paintings. Overnight at hotel.
Tour Day 11 - Patna Kolkata (air)
Breakfast. In the afternoon transfer to the airport to catch a flight to
Kolkata. On arrival, check into hotel. In the evening, drive around this once
colonial city built in the 18th century. Like Mumbai and Chennai, which we
later visit, Kolkata originated largely due to the expansionist ambitions of
the European powers, especially the British Raj. Little wonder, Kolkata has
some of the finest Raj edifices built in a variety of styles. Overnight at
hotel.
Tour Day 12 - Kolkata Chennai (air)
Breakfast followed by a full-day guided tour of Kolkata visiting the
Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Fort William, Kali Mandir and Belur Math, in
the evening transfer to the airport to catch a flight to Chennai. On arrival,
check into hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Tour Day 13 - Chennai
Breakfast at hotel. Then a full day guided visit to Fort St. George, War
memorial, St. Mary's Church, the Basilica of Saint Thomas, believed to have
been built by St. Thomas, the apostle, Snake Park ending the day on Marina
Beach. Overnight at hotel.
Tour Day 14 - Chennai - Kanchipuram Mahabalipuram (175 kms)
After breakfast, drive to Kanchipuram (1 hr.) the erstwhile capital of the
Pallavas and Cholas. Visit the temples dedicated to various gods and
goddesses. Also visit the shopping area, as it is also home of weavers of the
famed Kanchipuram silks. Lunch at Kanchipuram. Evening drive to Mahabalipuram
(Mamallapuram), a World Heritage Site and check into the hotel. Overnight at
hotel.
Tour Day 15 - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (134 kms / 3.5 hrs)
Breakfast at hotel. Mahabalipuam, too was part of the Pallavas dynasty and
exhibits some of the most outstanding examples of the Dravidian style of art
and architecture. A full day guided tour of Arjunas Penance, the rock cut
caves, the Krishna Mandapam, the famous rathas and the Shore Temple. Afternoon
drive to Pondicherry and enjoy this quaint French town. Evening free on own to
explore the city on your own. Overnight at hotel.
Tour Day 16 - Pondicherry
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for a half-day sightseeing tour visiting
Auroville and Aurobindo Ashram. Overnight at hotel.
Tour Day 17 - Pondicherry Madurai (324 kms / 7 hrs)
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Madurai. On arrival, check into hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Tour Day 18 - Madurai Trivandrum (265 kms / 5 hrs)
Breakfast followed by a half day guided programme of Meenakshi temple
built in the Dravidian style and Teppa Kulu, a tank with an island temple and
Tirumalai Nayak Palace. Afternoon, drive to Trivandrum. Check into a beach
resort. Overnight at resort.
Tour Day 19 - Trivandrum Mumbai (air) Aurangabad (air)
Breakfast. Morning free to spend time on the beach. Afternoon transfer to
the airport to catch a flight to Mumbai and an evening flight to Aurangabad.
Overnight at hotel.
Tour Day 20 - Aurangabad
Breakfast. Followed by a full day guided excursion of the ancient Ajanta
and Ellora Caves, a world heritage site. The 30 odd Buddhist caves at Ajanta
are full of sculptures and frescoes of life of Lord Buddha. The Ellora Caves,
is where one can see Buddhist, Jain and Hindu shrines dating back to 4th to
9th century A.D. Overnight at hotel.
Tour Day 21 - Aurangabad Mumbai (flight)
Early breakfast. Catch a flight back to Mumbai. On arrival, check into
hotel for wash-n-change followed by a full-day guided sightseeing of Mumbai
covering Hanging Garden, Marine Drive, Dhobi Ghat, Vidhan Sabha, Malabar Hill
and Prince of Wales Museum. Evening free. Overnight at hotel.
Tour Day 22 - Mumbai onward destination
Breakfast. Transfer to the airport to catch a flight to connecting
destination.