Classic Rajasthan & Kerala Tour

Our cultural tour takes us to Jodhpur, the gateway to the wonderland of Sand dunes & deserts, Udaipur – the city of lakes, Jaipur, also known as “Pink City” and land of royals, with its fading grandeur and martial glory. We enjoy two nights here. We next journey to Agra - the land of the greatest monument built as tribute to eternal love for a night, before driving to the Capital of India, Delhi. From Delhi we move onto South visiting the beautiful Kerala which is also known as “Gods own country”. An overnight stay on the Kettuvallum Houseboat, cruising through the backwater will be the highlight of the tour

Day 01, Arrival / Mumbai
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.

Mumbai is a gateway city for visitors to India and the starting point for itineraries covering the Western and Southern regions. The first glimpse of the British Empire’s “Jewel in the crown” was Bombay, and this bustling seaport is now a teeming metropolis, the heart of the country’s financial, commercial and industrial activities. Visitors to Bombay will see that this city is the symbol of modern India. Overnight at Hotel

Day 02, Mumbai
Full day city sightseeing tour of Mumbai. Half day tour visiting Kamla Nehru Park, Hanging Gardens situated on the slopes of Malabar Hill, offering a panoramic view of Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach, Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan, Dhobi Ghat, Gateway of India and drive through the Crawford Market, Marine drive and Flora fountain. Evening free time for shopping or exploring the market / town on your own. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 03, Mumbai / Jodhpur
After early breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Jodhpur. Assistance on arrival at Jodhpur airport and transfer to hotel. Jodhpur is on the eastern fringe of the Thar Desert and serves as the gateway to the wonderland of sand dunes and shrubs, rocky terrain and thorny tree Evening city sightseeing of Jodhpur visiting the colossal Mehrangarh Fort, which in words of Rudyard Kipling is "A creation of angels, fairies and giants." Later explore the markets. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04, Jodhpur / Udaipur
After breakfast drive 5 hrs to Udaipur en route visiting Ranakpur Jain Temples, one of the five most important Jain pilgrimage sites. Udaipur - ‘City of Dreams’ or ‘Venice of the East’- is perhaps the most beautiful of all Indian cities. A romantic collection of exotic gardens filled with blossoming trees and fantasy island palaces shimmering in mirror-calm lakes - that’s Udaipur. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day – 05, Udaipur
Morning city sightseeing of Udaipur. The City Palace is the largest palace in Rajasthan, situated on Udaipur’s ridge, overlooking the azure waters of the tranquil lake. But it is the island palace on the lake that takes one’s breath away, embellished with jewel-like apartments, courts, fountains and gardens. The Jag Niwas, now redesigned as the Lake Palace Hotel, is almost lyrical in its beauty, and a bird’s eye rendering of this pavilion forms the subject of many an old miniature painting. Saheliyon-ki-bari, or gardens for companions, is a celebration of the art of landscape gardening on a princely scale. In the evening sunset enjoy the boat cruise on lake Pichola. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 06, Udaipur / Deogarh
After breakfast drive 5 to 6 hrs to Udaipur en route visiting the famous Jain Temples at Ranakpur. Lunch will be arranged at Ranakpur. Udaipur – ‘City of Dreams’ or ‘Venice of the East’- is perhaps the most beautiful of all Indian cities. A romantic collection of exotic gardens filled with blossoming trees and fantasy island palaces shimmering in mirror-calm lakes – that’s Udaipur. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Evening sunset boat cruise on Lake Pichola. Overnight stay at hotel. .

Day 07, Deogarh / Jaipur
After breakfast drive 4 hrs to Jaipur. Jaipur, or the City of Victory, was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur is a marvellous synthesis of architectural influences - Hindu, Jain, Mughal. It is a well planned city of yore, built from rose-coloured terra cotta. - that has given it the name ‘Pink City’. The bazaars teem with people, camels, horses and a multitude of varied vehicles, while around them loom the magnificent palaces and buildings. On arrival stay at hotel for overnight.

Day 08, Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the region. Amber was the ancient capital of the region. Now a deserted complex, it however still recalls its heydays in the majestic ramparts rising steeply along the contoured hillsides. Here elephants still carry visitors in stately splendours to the main Palace, through unusually high gateways, obviously designed to accommodate this archaic mode of transport. In the afternoon weave through the lively streets of the Jaipur City and visit the pink sandstone Palace of Winds, City Palace with its museum and Jantar Mantar (18 centaury observatory). Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 09, Jaipur / Agra
After breakfast drive 5 hrs to Agra en route visiting the deserted palaces and pavilions of the Mughal kingdom of Fatehpur Sikri, a World Heritage Site. Fatehpur Sikri lies thirty-five kilometers from Agra on the Agra / Jaipur Road. It is Akbar’s famous ghost town, “city of victory”, Fatehpur Sikri, which was the Emperor’s capital for a short span of sixteen years. Agra is the home of the Taj Mahal - one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A mausoleum for Empress Mumtaz Mahal, built by her beloved husband Shah Jehan, the Taj Mahal is often described as a ‘dream in marble’. The city of Agra, the quintessence of the grand Mughal era, reigns to this day in the public mind as the embodiment of royal grace, imposing architecture and power. On arrival stay at Hotel for overnight.
Note: Taj Mahal remain close on Fridays

Day 10, Agra / Delhi
Early morning visit to Taj Mahal at sunrise. The Taj Mahal To the Poet Tagore it was “a tear on the face of eternity”, a building to echo the cry “I have not forgotten, I have not forgotten, O beloved”. The Taj Mahal is an enduring monument to love, with a continually fulfilling beauty.

After breakfast city sightseeing of Agra visiting Agra fort. Agra Fort on the Western bank of the River Yamuna, Akbar’s magnificent fort dominates the centre of the city. The site was originally used be the son of Sher Shah, but the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first building inside. Later drive 4 hrs to Delhi.

Delhi, Capital City of independent India rewards the determined sightseer with more than a thousand monuments and two old capital buildings complexes-including the present seat of Government, designed by the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. Cosmopolitan hotels, shopping, and fine restaurants abound. Delhi also offers a glimpse into the real India: the labyrinthine street bazaars of Old Delhi, and the temples and monuments of Indian’s chequered colonial past. In the deepest sense, from Old Delhi’s Red fort and Jama Masjid mosque to New Delhi’s chic art galleries and nightclubs, Delhi is profoundly Indian city. On arrival check into your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 11, Delhi
Full day sightseeing to discover the many faces of Delhi.

Many cultural events take place here; the latest plays, classical Indian music and dance performances and sports. Delhi also has number of wonderful museums including the 4 National Museum, the Museum of Modern art, the Museum of Natural History and the Arts and Crafts Museum where artisans can be seen at work.

In Old Delhi, which is a dense network of narrow alleys and tightly packed markets and houses, we will visit Red Fort, Jama Masjid and the Chandni Chowk Bazaar by cycle rickshaw.

The New Delhi visits will include its wide tree-lined avenues and solid colonial buildings, has been the seat of the central government since 1931. At this hub the royal mall, Rajpath, runs from the palatial Rashtrapati Bhawan, in the east, to the India Gate war memorial, in the west. Rashtrapati Bhavan is the former Viceregal Lodge, now the official residence of Indian’s President. We will also visit Humayun’s tomb and the Qutab Minar. Overnight at Hotel

Day 12, Delhi / Cochin
Morning transfer to domestic airport to board flight to Cochin via Mumbai. You will be met on arrival at Cochin International Airport and transferred to your hotel. Afternoon proceed for city tour of Cochin. During the tour with your well experienced guide, you will visit The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry, known for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana, The Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church - the oldest European church in India and built by the Portuguese in 1557 and The Chinese fishing nets. Overnight at Cochin.

Day 13, Cochin
After breakfast city sightseeing tour of Cochin accompanied by your English speaking guide and chauffer driven car. You will be visiting Chinese Fishing Nets, Mattancherry, Jewish Synagogue and Fort Kochi. Evening visit a nearby theater for a spectacular Kathakali dance performance, a famous dance form of Kerala. Overnight stay at Hotel .

Day 14, Cochin / Kumarakom
After breakfast drive 2 hrs to Kumarakom. Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom offers visitors many other leisure options. One can also visit the bird sanctuary here spread across 14 acres. Egrets, darters, herons, teals, waterfowls, cuckoo, wild ducks and the migratory bird, Siberian Stork can be seen here. The panoramic backwaters here offer an ideal retreat to enjoy nature at its best. On arrival check into one of the backwater resorts for overnight stay.

Day 15, Kumarakom / Alleppey
After breakfast check out of the resort and check into your Kettuvallum houseboat. Lunch and dinner will be served on the houseboat. Whole day it will cruise through the rivers, lake and lagoons and the amazing natural beauty. This is the best way to explore the villages and rural life of Kerala. Enjoy the chirping of birds and occasional ripples in water and savor mouth watering delicacies prepared in front of you by your Kitchen crew. It will be air conditioned and comfortable with all the necessary facilities. Overnight stay on houseboat.

Day 16, Alleppey / Cochin / Mumbai / Departure
Morning check out of the houseboat and say god bye to the houseboat staff who has looked after you for the past 24 hrs. At this point a car will pick you up and drive you to Cochin airport for your flight to Mumbai .
On arrival at Mumbai, transfer to International airport to board flight to back home.

Our Cost Inclusions: Accommodation in two double room / cottage as per the lodges / hotels as per the itinerary or available alternatives

• Accommodation on 01 Double room at the hotels mentioned above or similar
• Daily breakfast at all hotels
• All meals on the houseboat
• All transfers, excursions and sightseeing tours by air-conditioned deluxe car
• Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers
• Local English-speaking guides will be provided as per the itinerary
• Entry fees to monuments and sites as per the itinerary
• Sunset boat cruise on Lake Pichola
• Day excursion to Elephanta caves
• Kathakali dance show in a theatre
• All presently applicable taxes.
• Our quote is valid from 01 October 2011 to 15 April 2012 (not valid between 20 Dec to 05 Jan 2012)

• Check-In, Check-out time in hotels is 1400 NOON
• Prices are subject to change with any increase in the cost
• Rates include only those items specified in your itinerary
• In case of any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to adjust the tour price accordingly
• Flight schedule is subject to change without notice

All visitors to India require a valid passport. A visa for entry to India is required by most nationalities.