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Essence of India
Duration – 15 Days
Destinations: - Delhi,
Agra,
Jaipur,
Udaipur,
Cochin,
Kumarakom,
House
Boat, Mumbai
Day 01: - Arrive Delhi, India
Arrive at Delhi International Airport.
Delhi - A bustling metropolis and a city of 14 million inhabitants,
is also India’s capital. A near perfect blend of the
ancient and the modern, Delhi, consisting two parts Old &
New Delhi, is a city with something for everyone. From Forts
and monuments that are almost 500 years old, to modern shopping
malls, nightclubs and golf courses, Delhi truly is India’s
crown jewel.
Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met by our
representative who will present you with a welcome pack including
all necessary documentation and arrange for your transfer
to your hotel for check-in. No activity is scheduled today,
since most of the International flights arrive into India
close to midnight only. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: In Delhi
This morning you are collected from your hotel for full day
tour of Old and New Delhi.
The tour of the 17th-century old city includes the great
mosque of Jama Masjid, The main street of Old Delhi is the
colorful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk (“Moonlit
Street”). Drive past Raj Ghat, the cremation site of
Mahatma Gandhi.
The tour of New Delhi includes the Humayun's Tomb, the precursor
of the Taj Mahal. Drive down the spectacular Rajpath (“the
Kingsway,”) passing the India Gate (the memorial built
to commemorate the unknown soldiers,) the President’s
House, and the House of Parliament. Enjoy a brief respite
from the otherwise bustling city at Birla Mandir, a modern
and colourful Hindu temple.
Evening at leisure to perhaps venture out and discover the
city or its many restaurants
on your own. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Delhi –
Agra
This morning you drive to Agra (220kms/4 hrs.).
Agra - “The Land of Taj” was once the capital
of the Mughal Empire and even today it seems to linger in
the past. Not surprising, for the Mughal emperors with their
passion for building, endowed the city with some of the finest
structures in the world. Agra is an old city and it is said
that its name was derived from Agrabana, a forest that’s
finds mention in the epic Mahabharata. In more recent times
Agra came into prominence when Sikandar Lodi made it his capital
city in 1501. Later it passed into the possession of the Mughals.
It was during the time of the third emperor “Akbar”
that Agra came into its own and later on his grandson “Shah
Jehan” ornamented the city with that masterpiece of
Mughal architecture - The Taj Mahal.
Upon arrival in Agra, check in to your hotel. Afternoon,
you are collected for half day city tour of Agra visiting
The Taj Mahal - a poem, a feeling of love, in white marble,
is a fine example of the fusion of many architectural styles.
It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever
built for love. Your tour also includes a visit to the Red
Sandstone Agra Fort, seat of the Mughal dynasty in the 16th
century, lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the
heart of town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years
of 1565-1573.
Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Agra –
Jaipur
This morning you drive to Jaipur (250 kms/05 hrs.), visiting
Fatehpur Sikri en-route – often called the ghost city
, built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as
the capital of his vast empire, Fatehpur Sikri was mysteriously
abandoned 13 years later. Later continue your drive to the
Pink City of Rajasthan— Jaipur
Jaipur - Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance, and song
with the traditional arts and crafts. It's one of India's
most well planned cities, with wide, straight avenues, roads,
streets and lanes in a grid system. The great warrior/astronomer
Maharaja Jai Singh II carefully planned Jaipur's foundation.
Laid out in the 18th century, its design followed specifications
from an epochal Hindu treatise on architecture.
This "Pink City," so called because its buildings
are painted in the tones of an autumnal sunset, intersperses
the play of red and pink with white borders and motifs. The
royal family's residence at Amber is only 11 km away. The
palaces and forts of yesteryear, once witness to royal processions,
now shine amid the splendor of modern monuments, juxtaposition
accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of an amazing
people.
Upon arrival in Jaipur, check in to your hotel and rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Jaipur
This morning, you are collected from your hotel for a city
tour of Jaipur.
This tour includes a visit to the Hawa Mahal or "Palace
of Winds,” one of the major landmarks of Jaipur, although
it is actually little more than a façade. The five-story
building was originally built to enable the ladies of the
royal household to watch the everyday life and processions
of the city.
The City Palace, located in the heart of the old city, is
a large complex of courtyards, buildings, and gardens, and
also houses an interesting museum.
Adjacent to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, the ancient
astronomical observatory built by Raja Jai Singh, whose passion
for astronomy was even more notable than his prowess as a
warrior.
Your tour also includes a visit to the Amber fort, situated
on the outskirts of the city. Here; you are transported back
in time today, riding like royalty atop elegantly draped and
painted elephants into the high mountain fortress. Amber Fort
was the ancient capital of the State until 1728 and inside
the fort, you visit the Jagmandir or the Hall of victory glittering
with mirrors, Jai Mahal and the Temple of Kali.
Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06: Jaipur
- Udaipur
This morning you will be met by our representative and escorted
from your Hotel to the Jaipur airport in time for your flight
to Udaipur.
Udaipur - The enchanting city of Udaipur was once the lakeside
capital of Mewar. Romantic, wistful, and serene, Udaipur was
built around shimmering blue lakes that reflect the green
hills of the Aravali Ranges. Maharana Udai Singh founded Udaipur
in 1599, and this extraordinarily beautiful city has come
to be celebrated for its association with Queen Padmini and
Meera Bai, royal princesses who are linked with the fortunes
of the Sisodia family. Developed scientifically, the old city
was surrounded by fortified bastions with entry through 11
gates. Ruins of the se ancient fortifications are still in
evidence, and the more recently built palaces can still be
visited. Udaipur was also the location where the Hollywood,
James Bond blockbuster “Octopussy”was filmed.
Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for
check-in etc. The day ends with a sunset boat ride on the
shimmering waters of the Lake Pichola, within which seemingly
floats The Lake Palace Hotel. Considered one of the most beautiful
palaces in the world, arising out of the Turquoise Waters
of the Lake Pichola like an elegant fantasy in white marble.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Udaipur
This morning you are collected from your hotel for half-day
tour of Udaipur.
The tour includes a visit to the City Palace, the largest
palace complex in Rajasthan, with its scalloped arches, fretted
balconies, and cupolas. The main part of the palace is now
preserved as a museum.
Saheliyon-Ki-Bari or “Garden of the Maids of Honor”
is a small ornamental garden with fountains, kiosks, marble
elephants, and delightful lotus pools.
Jagdish Temple is an Indo-Aryan temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
It has a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe.
Rest of the day at leisure to explore the city on your own.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 08: Udaipur
– Cochin
This morning you will be met by our representative and escorted
from your hotel to the Udaipur airport in time for your flight
to Mumbai followed by a connecting flight to Cochin.
Cochin: - Cochin means harbour and even before the building
of Ancient Rome, spices, silks, ivory and sandalwood were
traded here. Cochin proudly boasts a rich cultural heritage,
but is also one of the most fast-paced and modern cities in
India. It is also one of the finest natural harbours of the
world and a major Indian port. It is its charm and a relatively
good infrastructure that make it the ideal gateway to the
state. This has been the case since 1341, the year nature
carved out Cochin's harbor with a massive flood. As a result,
Cochin became the first port of call for Arabs and came to
be known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea." This
city offers visitors Forts, palaces, museums, old churches,
cool backwaters; palm fringed lagoons, beaches and the practicality
of a contemporary metro.
Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for
check-in etc.
Your evening tour includes a Kathakali dance performance at
a local theatre. Kathakali is a traditional dance form, depicting
Indian epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata). The dancers are dressed
in very colorful and elaborate costumes. Their faces are painted
to depict various characters of the se epics. This dance has
a lot of facial expressions and brisk, yet articulate body
movements.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 09: - Cochin
This tour includes a visit to Fort Cochin – a home to
a unique community of Eurasians, commonly known as "Anglo-Indians".
The architecture of the quiet streets in this enclave is very
definitely, European with fine houses built by wealthy British
traders, and Dutch cottages with split farmhouse doors.
Mattancherry Palace -locally known as the Dutch Palace, the
two storey building was actually erected by the Portuguese,
as a gift to the Cochin Raja.
St. Francis Church - this Protestant church was originally
built by the Portuguese in 1510 A.D. It is considered to be
India's oldest European church. Today it is governed by the
Church of South India (CSI). Vasco Da Gama was buried here
before his remains were taken back to Portugal 14 years later.
Jewish synagogue - dates from 1568 and is adorned with fine
glass lamps and floor tiles.
Bolghatty Island - This is a beautiful island lying close
to Ernakulam. Built by the Dutch in 1774, Bolghatty Palace,
the home of the former British Resident of Kochi is situated
here. At the end of your tour visit the harbor near Vasco
da Gama Square, where you can watch fishermen hoisting their
catch from the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets that line
the shore.
Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: -
Cochin - Kumarakom
This morning you drive to Kumarakom (85 kms/02 hrs.)
Kumarakom: The enchanting backwater destination of Kumarakom
is a small village that is a cluster of little islands on
the Vembanad Lake in Kerela. Kumarkom strengthens Kerala’s
reputation for being God’s own country with its unbelievably
beautiful mangrove forests, coconut groves and emerald green
paddy fields interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals
adorned with while lillies. It is part of the Kuttanad region,
and the bird sanctuary here spread across 14 acres of any
ornithologist's paradise. This enchanting backwater destination
offers visitors many leisure options. From wandering into
the depths of its wildlife sanctuary to cruising down the
back waters and fishing, Kumarkom is perfect for a lazy and
laid back holiday. The best way to watch the birds of the
Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands, as hundreds
of swaying verdant coconut palms lining the rivers lean to
brush the tops of your heads. Kumarkom is an example of nature
at her bountiful best in the fragrant flowers, the riot of
multi coloured birds, the surrounding greenery and the clear
waters.
Upon arrival check-in to the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure
to enjoy the Nature’s beauty on your own. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 11: - Kumarakom
Day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: -
Kumarakom – House boat
House Boat – A highlight of any trip to Kerala is a
night spent onboard a houseboat, or a rice barge. These converted
rice barges or "Kettuvallams" sail along shallow,
palm-fringed lakes and narrow canals where coconut and cashew
is loaded onto dugouts. You pass villages built on narrow
spits of land, stopping to visit local markets, or to marvel
at craftsmen engaged in centuries-old boat-making tradition.
The boats offer one or two cabins with a small sitting room
and a crew of 2 staff and a chef. The food is authentic Kerala
cuisine, purchased fresh along the way. For most of the journey,
the boat is poled, sailing only between dawn and dusk. Although
the accommodation on board is basic, this is an unforgettable
experience.
Overnight on board Houseboat.
Day 13: - House
boat – Allepey – Mumbai
After breakfast, disembark the houseboat in Alleppey and
drive to Cochin (64 kms/02 hrs.) airport intime to connect
with the flight for Mumbai.
Mumbai: Mumbai or Bombay as it was known earlier is the commercial
capital of India, a city of entrepreneurs, concrete towers,
clubs and discos, cricket, Bollywood and more. In 1661, Charles
II of England received the islands of Bombay as dowry when
he married Princess Catherine of Braganza. The British Government
leased the islands to the East India Company, who developed
it into a thriving trading port.
Today, Mumbai is the country's financial and cultural capital.
It is also home to India’s thriving film industry. It
is seen, to the teeming masses that flock there to live and
work, as a place where opportunities abound. Its inhabitants,
an amalgam of great wealth and abject poverty, are swept into
the endless maelstrom of activity that characterises this
city of dreams.
Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for
check-in etc. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Mumbai.
Day 14: - Mumbai
This morning you are collected from your hotel for half-day
tour of Mumbai. This tour includes a visit to the Gateway
of India -- a grand ceremonial arch built to commemorate the
visit of King George IV, Mani Bhavan – where the father
of our Nation resided for 15 years, the Marine drive, the
Prince of Wales museum -- considered as one of the best museums
in the country, the Hanging gardens & Victoria rail station.
Rest of the day at leisure to perhaps venture out and discover
the city or its many restaurants on your own. Overnight in
Mumbai.
Day 15: - Depart Mumbai
Met by our representative and escorted from your hotel to
the Mumbai airport in time for your flight home.
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