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Tour
Code PT08: Discover India Tour [
Location View (MAP) ]
Duration: 51 nites / 52 days
Day 1: Delhi
Arrive
in Delhi. Check-in at hotel. Rest day free at leisure.
Overnight in Delhi.
Day 2: Delhi
Morning
at leisure. Afternoon, proceed for sightseeing of Old
Delhi, the capital of the opulent Muslim Empire, built
between the 12th & 19th centuries. Visit the 17th
century Red Fort and Jama Masjid, both built by Emperor
Shah Jahan of the Mughal Dynasty. Also walk through the
narrow, winding lanes of colourful and bustling Chandni
Chowk, followed by a visit to Raj Ghat, the site where
Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 3: Delhi
There
have been at least eight cities built over the millennia
around modern Delhi, the capital of India. This morning,
you will drive past the majestic government buildings
and wide boulevards designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1920's.
You will also see monuments built by other rulers and
invaders including the 16th century tomb of Mughal Emperor
Humayun and the 13th century Qutab Minar. In the morning,
visit the National Museum, with its exhibits of stone
sculptures, bronzes, seals, and jewellery dating back
as far as 2500 BC. Miniature painting and manuscripts
also delight the eye. At the National Crafts Museum, see
village houses and folk art from every region in India.
In-house craftsmen demonstrate their traditional craft
techniques. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 4: Delhi / Khajuraho
Transfer
to the airport to board flight for Khajuraho. Check-in
at hotel. Afternoon proceed for visit to the temples situated
in and around Khajuraho.
Day 5: Khajuraho / Varanasi
Transfer
to the airport to board flight for Varanasi. Check-in
at hotel. Rest day free at leisure. Overnight in Varanasi.
Day 6: Varanasi
Pilgrims
from all over India arrive in Varanasi, which is also
known as place of redemption to wash away the sins or
to immerse the remains (ashes) of the ancestors of the
followers of Hinduism, in the river Ganges. You will witness
some of these rituals as you take a boat-ride on the river
Ganges at the dawn. You will also visit some of the many
Hindu temples lined up at the bank of the river. Also
visit the city including Banares Hindu University, which
is prominently ranked among the other universities in
Asian Sub-continent. Your visit to some of the temples
in the city will give you the opportunity to observe the
Hindu ceremonies of worship. Later in the afternoon, visit
the excavated Buddhist city of Sarnath, situated on the
outskirts of Varanasi. It is as sacred to the Buddhist
as Varanasi to the Hindus. Here you will see the ruins
of the once flourishing Buddhist Monastery and visit to
the Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist
art, sculptures and scriptures. Overnight in Varanasi.
Day 7: Varanasi / Lucknow
Transfer
to airport to board flight for Lucknow. Check-in at hotel.
Rest day free at leisure. Overnight in Lucknow.
Day 8: Lucknow
This
day, visit one of Lucknow's most extraordinary monuments,
La Martiniere. It combines Italian, Mughal and Hindu architectural
style. A French major general, Claude Martin, built this
astonishing chateau in 1761, embellishing it with classical
statuary, giant heraldic beasts, flying walkways and other
eccentric architectural motifs. La Martiniere became an
exclusive private school; during the British rule and
was the alma mater of Kipling's family. Further visit
the Remi Gate Picture Gallery, Clock tower, Jumma Masjid,
Hussainabad, Imambara and tomb of Assafuddaula. Overnight
in Lucknow.
Day 9: Lucknow / Kolkata (formerly
Calcutta)
Day
at leisure till transfer to airport to board flight for
Calcutta. Check-in at hotel. Overnight in Kolkata.
Day 10: Kolkata
This
day you will explore the city of Kolkata. Devoid of historical
monuments, Kolkata is a metropolitan city, which took
shape during the British reign highlights of which can
be seen in its present form. Visit to the Victoria Memorial
will familiarise you with the colonial era. Further visit
St. Paul's Cathedral, Fort William, Raj Bhavan, The High
Court, which are also classic examples of colonial style
of architecture. Overnight in Kolkata.
Day 11: Kolkata
Morning
visit the Indian Museum. Rest day at leisure. Overnight
in Kolkata.
Day 12: Kolkata / Bhubaneshwar
Transfer
to airport to board flight for Bhubaneshwar. Check-in
at hotel. Afternoon you will be taken for a city tour
of Bhubaneshwar, India's Cathedral city, view the Lingaraj
Temple and visit the Parasurameshwara, Mukteshwara 7 Rajarani
Temples, widely regarded as gems of temple arts. Later
in the evening witness performance of Odissi Dances. Overnight
in Bhubaneshwar.
Day 13: Bhubaneshwar
Proceed
for a full day excursion to Puri and Konarak, including
a stop at Pipli village to see characteristic regional
appliqué work. Puri is one of the Hinduism's holiest
places of pilgrimage. The Lord Jagannath temple is the
famous site for the summer time cart festival, which brings
thousands of devotees for worship. View the temple by
the nearest vantage point. Further drive to the Sun Temple,
Konark, set among sand dunes. Overnight in Bhubaneshwar.
Day 14: Bhubaneshwar / Chennai (formerly
Madras)
Transfer
to airport to board flight for Chennai. Check-in at hotel.
Rest day free at leisure. Evening witness Bharatnatyam
dance performance. Overnight in Chennai.
Day 15: Chennai
Morning
proceed for excursion to Mahabalipuram. Pallava rulers
in the 7th & 8th centuries built the stone temples
in the form of chariots on the shores of Bay of Bengal.
Also in the vicinity is the gigantic bas-relief depicting
the myth of how the holy river Ganges came down to earth.
Lunch will be at Fisherman's Cove, a peaceful resort overlooking
the Bay of Bengal. Rest day at leisure. Overnight in Chennai.
Day 16: Chennai
Early
morning proceed to Kalashetra and attend the prayer ceremonies.
In the afternoon, explore Chennai, which is a home of
mixture of Christian, British and Indian cultures. Visit
the Indian Art Gallery & Museum with its outstanding
collection of Indian sculptures; the Cathedral of St.
Thomas associated with the Apostle of St. Thomas and Mylapore
Temple. Also visit Fort St. George. Overnight in Chennai.
Day 17: Chennai / Tiruchirapalli
/ Tanjore
Transfer
to airport to board flight for Tiruchirapalli. In Tiruchirapalli,
visit Srirangam Temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. Summits
of the many shrines of this and other Dravidian temples
are crowned with rows of pots. Further
drive to Tanjore. Check-in at hotel. Overnight in Tanjore.
Day 18: Tanjore
Morning
visit the Brihadeshwar Temple, one of the finest examples
of Chola architecture. In front of the temple you will
see a beautifully carved massive black granite sculpture
of Nandi (the Bull). Rest day at leisure. Overnight in
Tanjore.
Day 19: Tanjore / Madurai
Morning
drive to Madurai. Check-in at hotel. Rest day free at
leisure. Evening experience the temple ceremonies. Overnight
in Madurai.
Day 20: Madurai
Morning
visit the famous Meenakshi temple where Dravidian architecture
may be seen in its exuberant baroque phase. Its hall of
thousand pillars is fabulous and is filled with worshipers
at all hours of the day. Further drive to Tirumal Nayak's
Palace, which is built in a highly decorative style and
was once compared to the ancient monuments of Thebes.
Rest day free at leisure. Overnight in Madurai.
Day 21: Madurai / Thekkady
Morning
drive to Thekkady. Check-in at hotel. Later in the afternoon,
enjoy the boat-ride on Periyar Lake and witness wildlife
in the vicinity. Overnight in Thekkady.
Day 22: Thekkady / Kumarakom
Morning
is free to visit the Spice Gardens. Later in the afternoon,
drive to Kumarakom. Check-in at hotel. Overnight in Kumarakom.
Day 23: Kumarakom
Day
free at leisure to plan your own sightseeing in and around
Kumarakom. Overnight in Kumarakom.
Day 24: Kumarakom / Allepey / Cochin
Morning
take the backwater cruises, which is also known as "Venice
of the East". You will pass the lined palm trees,
canals and lagoons where most of the activities of this
busy yet charming city takes place. Further visit a coir
factory where the mats are made by the colourful dyed
and dried coconut fibres. Arrive at Allepey and further
drive to Cochin. Check-in at hotel. Evening witness the
Kathakali, classical dance performance. Overnight in Cochin.
Day 25: Cochin
Because
of its position on the southwest coast of India, Kerala
has absorbed influences from many foreign cultures. In
the morning visit the Jewish Synagogue, built over 400
years ago by the large Jewish colony, which existed then.
We also stop at St. Francis church the first European
church in India. Rest day at leisure. Overnight in Cochin.
Day 26: Cochin / Ooty
Morning
drive to Ooty. Check-in at hotel. Rest day free at leisure.
Overnight in Ooty.
Day 27: Ooty
Day
free at leisure to plan your own sightseeing in and around
Ooty (Car and Driver will be made available). Once exclusive
summer retreat of the South Indian royalty and the "Heaven
Born" of Indian civil services of the old Madras
Presidency, Ooty today is a bustling town mainly favoured
by the Honeymooners. You can also visit the vast Tea Estates.
Overnight in Ooty.
Day 28: Ooty / Nagarhole
Morning
drive to Nagarhole. Check-in at hotel. Nagarhole is situated
on the foothills of Nilgiri Hills, mountain ranges of
South India. You shall be able to witness Tigers, Leopards,
Elephants and many other mammals as well as multitude
of exciting birds many of which are unique to the southern
India. Apart from this array of wildlife and the landscape,
you shall also get an opportunity to see some of India's
rich cultural heritage in and around Mysore. Travelling
first into the remote part of Central India, visit one
of the famous parks of Asia, Kanha fabled tiger country,
very much part of the region celebrated by Kipling in
his book "Jungle Book". Overnight in Nagarhole.
Day 29: Nagarhole
This
day is exclusively for game viewing safaris. Overnight
in Nagarhole.
Day 30: Nagarhole / Mysore
Morning
drive to Mysore. Check-in at hotel. Afternoon visit the
Somnathpur temple. It was built in 13th century in the
exquisite Hoysala temple architecture. Hoysala is a highly
intricate and detailed form of art. The temple is set
on a chiselled plinth guarded by Elephants. Overnight
in Mysore.
Day 31: Mysore
Morning
visit the Maharaja of Mysore's opulent palace, the Brindavan
gardens, Chamundi hills were you are welcomed by a large
colourful statue of Mahisasura, the demon king after whom
the city of Mysore is named. Rest day free at leisure.
Overnight in Mysore.
Day 32: Mysore / Srirangapatnam
/ Bangalore
Morning
drive to Bangalore en-route visiting the summer palace
of Tipu Sultan at Srirangapatnam. Check-in at hotel. The
modern city of Bangalore displays the distinct British
flavour. Bangalore is also the home to the 18th century
palace of Tipu Sultan, ' Tiger of Mysore' who died fighting
with the British. Later in the afternoon, you will explore
the city of Bangalore, which is also known to be the 'City
of Gardens'. Overnight in Bangalore.
Day 33: Bangalore / Goa
Transfer
to the airport to board flight for Goa. Check-in at hotel.
Rest day free at leisure. Overnight in Goa.
Day 34: Goa
Morning
explore Goa which is prominently situated on the western
coast of India. Goa is known for serene Palm Groves, Calm
seaside beaches, soothing atmosphere and water sports.
It was a Portuguese colony and still retains the colonial
flavour, You shall visit some of its lovely beaches, and
then drive to Old Goa where you will see beautiful old
churches amidst lush tropical settings creating a very
picturesque scene. Rest day for relaxation on the beach.
Overnight in Goa.
Day 35: Goa
Day
at leisure to enjoy Goa on own preferences.
Day 36: Goa / Mumbai (formerly Bombay)
Day
at leisure till transfer to airport to board flight for
Mumbai. Check-in at hotel. Overnight in Mumbai.
Day 37: Mumbai
This
morning you will take a pleasant one-hour boat ride from
the Gateway of India to the Elephanta Caves. The British
erected gateway of India in 1927 as ceremonial entrance
to Mumbai harbour. Elephanta Caves, situated on the Gharapuri
Island, is carved out of a rock hillock, and the carvings
located in several caves, dating as far as 5th and 10th
centuries, are dedicated to Hindu God Shiva. After the
sightseeing of the caves return by boat to the Gateway
of India and resume sightseeing of Mumbai city which has
spectacular skyscrapers, skylines and colonial buildings,
washer man's ghats (the traditional laundries). Originally
a group of islands inhabited by the fisher folks, Mumbai
is today one of the most important commercial hub and
busiest ports of India and is known for it's affluence,
industrial status and variant shades of life. Overnight
in Mumbai.
Day 38: Mumbai
Day
free at leisure and for shopping activities on own arrangements.
Overnight in Mumbai.
Day 39: Mumbai / Aurangabad
Morning free till transfer to airport to board
flight for Aurangabad. Check-in at hotel. Rest day free
at leisure. Overnight in Aurangabad.
Day 40: Aurangabad
This day is spent exploring Ajanta caves, famous
for their wonderful, vivid and colourful caves paintings
depicting scenes from the lives of the Buddha. They show
the unimaginable richness of the culture and religion
of about 2000 years ago. Overnight in Aurangabad.
Day 41: Aurangabad / Udaipur
Morning drive to Ellora caves. Dramatic sculptural
relief's carved in the 34 caves temple built by Buddhist,
Hindus, Jains dating back to the 7th-12th centuries, make
Ellora one of the most impressive art historical sites
in India. The 16th cave, a temple of Kailashnath is a
gigantic sculpture that would almost certainly have taken
200000 tons of rocks to be removed and nearly 7000 workers
skills spanning about 150 years to complete. After the
sightseeing, transfer to airport to board flight for Udaipur.
Check-in at hotel. Overnight in Udaipur.
Day 42: Udaipur
Udaipur was built in the 16th century as the
capital of Mewar, one of the major powerful kingdoms that
once thrived in the present state of Rajasthan. This morning
take a tour of this magnificent city of elegant palaces
and gardens, including the city palace, which was once
the home of the rulers of Mewar. Its mirror-patterned
walls with marble balconies and stunningly handsome doors
introduce you to the elegantly opulent style of the Rajasthani
culture and traditions. Later in the afternoon take a
boat ride on Lake Pichola, to visit Jagmandir Palace.
Overnight in Udaipur.
Day 43: Udaipur / Ranakpur / Jodhpur
Morning drive to Jodhpur en-route visiting the
famous Jain temples of Ranakpur. These temples date back
to the 15th century. Lunch will be arranged at the Royal
Retreat, Maharanibagh. Further drive to Jodhpur. Check-in
at hotel. Overnight in Jodhpur.
Day 44: Jodhpur
Morning proceed for the village safaris by jeeps.
Rural Rajasthani homes are designed to be defensive units
and therefore built at close distances. Mostly the houses
have flat roof and walls made of mud packed rocks. After
lunch at the courtyard, return to Jodhpur. Rest day free
at leisure. Overnight in Jodhpur.
Day 45: Jodhpur
Morning visit the almost impregnable 15th century,
Meherangarh fort built on a rocky bluff 400 feet above
the city. All of Rajasthan is dotted with such forts,
which have been the site of many battle and siege, and
the tales of Rajputs (brave warriors) and their fanatical
deeds of valour, are still narrated. You shall also visit
Jaswant Thada where cenotaphs of white marble commemorate
the rulers of Jodhpur. Rest day free at leisure. Overnight
in Jodhpur.
Day 46: Jodhpur / Jaipur
Day at leisure till transfer to railway station
to board train for Jaipur. Enjoy your journey on one of
the trains of world's largest railway network, the Indian
Railways. Check-in at hotel. Rest day free at leisure.
Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 47: Jaipur
Morning visit to the famous Amber fort, situated
atop a hillock on the outskirts of Jaipur. Amber is known
to be the former seat of the Rajput rulers in Jaipur.
You shall enjoy ascend to the fortress in royal style
- seated on royally decorated elephants. Later wander
through the temple and beautiful palaces inside the walls
of the fort. After visit to the Amber fort, proceed for
sightseeing of Jaipur city. Visit the 'Jantar Mantar'
(the observatory), City Palace and Museum. Overnight in
Jaipur.
Day 48: Jaipur
Day free at leisure. Puppet Show, Folk &
Classical Dances, visit to the remote villages or ethnic
style meals can be arranged on request. Overnight in Jaipur.
Day 49: Jaipur / Agra
Morning drive to Agra en-route visiting Fatehpur
Sikri, the deserted Red Sand stone city built by Mughal
emperor Akbar in the 16th century. The Muslim king who
married many Rajput princess in order to win over his
Hindu subjects. On arrival at Agra check-in at hotel.
Overnight in Agra.
Day 50: Agra
Agra is an ancient city in India's heartland,
and it came into prominence in medieval times when the
lavish patronage of the Mughal rulers created forts, tombs
and palaces in red sand stone and marble inlaid with precious
and semi precious stones. This day you shall visit the
massive Agra fort where the ageing Emperor Shah Jahan
was imprisoned by his son, and watched from a distance
the fulfilment of his life's dream - the building of 'Taj
Mahal', the 'Monument of Love' and one of the Seven Wonders
of the World. The high point of your day will be a visit
to this truly magnificent monument. Later in the afternoon,
drive to Sikandra, the 16th century mausoleum of emperor
Akbar. Across the river Yamuna you shall witness the Itmad-Ud-Daullah,
the tomb of a Persian nobleman in emperor Akbar's court.
Once again you shall return to Taj Mahal to witness the
sunset, a picturesque opportunity. Overnight in Agra.
Day 51: Agra
Early morning, you may choose to visit the Taj
Mahal by sunrise. Rest day free at leisure. Optional full
day visit to the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. Overnight in
Agra.
Day 52: Agra / Delhi
Day free till transfer to airport to board flight
for Delhi. On arrival in Delhi straight proceed to international
airport to board flight for onward destination.
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