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Taj Mahal with Kerala

Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Places to Visit: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Delhi - Cochin - Periyar - Munnar- Kumarkom - Alleppey - - Kovallam - Mumbai

DAY 01 DELHI
Arrive Delhi, receive upon arrival and straight drive to hotel. Night stay at Delhi.

DAY 02 DELHI
Delhi - Breakfast at hotel.

Proceed for day tour of Old & New Delhi.

OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.

Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.

NEW DELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.

Evening will be at leisure. Overnight Delhi.

DAY 03 DELHI - AGRA - DELHI
Delhi - Agra - By road covering 201 km in 4hr.

Proceed by surface for Agra after breakfast. ENROUTE VISIT SIKANDRA.

Reach Agra and check into hotel.

Badal Singh established the city of Taj in 1475. Agra finds mention in the Mahabharat as Agraban. This city in those days was considered to be the sister-city of Mathura, which was more prominent than Agraban. Agra came into its own when the Lodhi Kings chose this place beside the RIVER YAMUNA to be their capital city. Sikander Lodhi made Agra his capital but Babar defeated the Lodhis to capture not only Agra but also laid the foundation of the Mughal empire.

The coming of Babar heralded a new era, which was to see Agra at its zenith during the reign of Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jahan. It was during Akbar's period that Agra became the center of art, culture and commerce and learning. This trend reached its height when Shah Jahan became the ruler.

In the Mid 16th century and earlier 17th century Agra witnessed a frenzied building activity and it was during this time when the symbol of love Taj Mahal was built. The buildings made during this era were purely in the contemporary Mughal style and of very high quality. The same is still reflected in whatever monuments remain in Agra. The narrow lanes of Agra filled with aroma of Mughlai cuisine, the craftsman who are busy in crating master pieces with their skill all remind of the Mughal royalty which this city had once experienced. Today whatever remains, has become a major tourist attraction which has taken Agra again to the heights of glory but this time as a major tourist destination of India.

Proceed for sightseeing.

Visit the TAJ MAHAL - one of the Seven Wonders of the World was built by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651AD. Taj Mahal - The symbol of Love was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal (Shah Jahan' s second Wife).

AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.

In the evening drive back to Delhi. Night stay at Delhi.

DAY 04 - DELHI- COCHIN
Morning after breakfast transfer to the domestic airport, board flight to Calicut. Arrive Calicut, direct transfer to Kasargod (about 195kms/ 04hrs), check into the hotel.  Formed for its natural harbour, one of the finest in the world, Cochin has earned the sobriquet "Queen of the Arabian Sea". Here you can see the oldest churches in India. The ancient temples, churches and synagogues. >From time immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British and Portuguese sea farers followed the sea route to Cochin and left their impressions on the town.

Morning we make a short drive to visit the Mattancherry 'Dutch' Palace was built by Portuguese in 1557 and presented to the Cochin Raja, Kerala Varma. Afterthat move to the Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568. The great scrolls of the Old Testament and a number of copper plates inscribed in the Hebrew script are preserved in this synagogue. Later on to St. Francis Church, this Protestant church was built originally by the Portuguese in 1510 AD and it is believed to be the first church built by the Europeans in India. Vasco-da-Gama was buried here. Evening visit the Fort Kochin, the entrance of the harbour is dotted by the Chinese Fishing Nets. Silhouetted against the sunset, they present a spectacular sight of Cochin's waterfront. O/n Hotel.

DAY 05 COCHIN TO MUNNAR
Morning after breakfast drive to Munnar (about 145kms/03hrs) is a beautiful, peaceful hill station covered with unending expanse of tea plantations, with an altitude ranging from 1600 to 1800 metres from sea level. Check into the hotel. Afternoon drive to the nearby Eravikulam wildlife Sanctuary, the home of the largest population of Ibex existing in the world now. O/n Hotel.

DAY 06 MUNNAR TO THEKKADY
Morning after breakfast drive to Thekkady (about 105kms/03hrs), the drive to Thekkady itself is enchanting as the road winds through rich plantations and jungles. Check into the hotel. Afternoon we will do a spice walk through various plantations. The rest of the day to relax. O/n Hotel.

DAY 07 THEKKADY
Periyar Wild Life Sanctuary is one of the India's major sanctuaries, with elephant, monkeys and wild boar in abundance, as well as some other elusive but occasionally spotted species such as tigers. The sanctuary offers a lovely and comfortable way to see the animals, via boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife areas encircle. Explore the sanctuary by cruising. O/n Hotel.

DAY 08 THEKKADY TO KUMARAKOM
Morning drive to Kumarakom (about 140kms/03hrs), the drive gives you a breathtaking views laid out in its glory along the road which winds from Periyar to Kottayam through the tranquil countryside, plantations of rubber, tea, coffee, cardamom and pepper. Check into the hotel. The rest of the day free to relax or visit the Bird sanctuary nearby known for local varieties. O/n Hotel.

 DAY 09 KUMARAKOM
Morning after breakfast we make a drive to Aranmula, the heritage village in India, is also famous for its metal mirrors and the only ritual snake boat race of Kerala, which take place every year during Onam season. Visit the Vijnana Kala Vedi, a cultural centre has been introducing foreign visitors into Indian arts since 1977, when it was created by Ms. Louba Schid, a European artist living in Kerala since 1968, studying and performing Kathakali. Aranmula is world famous for its metal mirrors, "Aranmula Kannady", unique for its alloy and its ancient method "lost wax" and polishing techniques. The proportion of the alloy is a secret, known only to the manufacturers, i.e. only to the members of a family who had been passing on this secret from generation to generations. We arrange a visit to the metal mirror workshops and the school for traditional architecture and mural painting. Back to the hotel. O/n Hotel.

DAY 10 KUMARAKOM TO ALLEPPEY
Morning we make a small cruise towards Alleppey, washed by the silvery waves of the Arabian Sea, interlocked with a large number of canals and bridges. Board a houseboat from the Finishing point boat jetty, cruise through the enchanting backwaters and lagoons. O/n Houseboat.

DAY 11 ALLEPPEY TO KOVALAM
Morning after breakfast disembark from the houseboat, drive to Kovalam (about 180kms/04hrs) India's most spectacular beach. Enroute visit the Napier Museum, an absolute gem of architectural exuberance. Visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Check into the hotel. The rest of the day to relax. O/n Hotel.

DAY 12 KOVALAM
The boundless blue of the Arabian Sea and the unwinding mile of fine sand washed by a surf which roars and hisses at the feet of coconuts palms, Kovalam is a sheltered natural bay.. You can sunbathe on the silver sands, the whole day on the beaches. O/n Hotel.

DAY 13 KOVALAM TO MUMBAI
Morning free to relax. Afternoon transfer to the Trivandrum domestic airport, board flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival, we will have the dinner from a good local restaurant, transfer to the Mumbai International airport to board flight to your home country.

DAY 14 MUMBAI TO EUROPE
WISH YOU A HAPPY JOURNEY

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