Taj Mahal with Kerala Tour

Places Covered : Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Delhi - Chennai - Trivandrum - Cochin - Periyar - Madurai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Chennai
Duration : 18 Days - 17 Nights

Day 01: Arrival at Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi late in the night or midnight. Transfer to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight will be at Delhi.

Day 02: Delhi
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Start a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi.

OLD DELHI - A sight-seeing 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.
Enjoy the cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.

NEW DELHI - An extensive sight-seeing 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, Lotus Temple and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Proceed to see the DANCES OF INDIA show in the evening.
Overnight will be at Delhi.

Day 03: Delhi - Agra
Start for Agra early in the morning after breakfast.
En-route you will visit the SIKANDRA. Check in at hotel.

AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies,and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.

TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
Proceed for visit to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Itmadullah's Tomb with English speaking guide. Enjoy battery van ride. Return to hotel and relax in the evening.
Overnight will be at Agra.

Day 04: Jaipur
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel.
Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.

AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's ultimate expression.
Continue sight-seeing.
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.

JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.

HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Their five-storey structures of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
Relax in the evening or visit the markets. Overnight will be at Jaipur.

Day 05: Jaipur - Delhi
After leisurely breakfast proceed for shopping.
Leave for Delhi after lunch. Reach Delhi and you will be transferred to airport for flight with sweet memories of India after FAREWELL DINNER.

Day 06: Delhi - Chennai
Transfer to hotel Le Meridien (near the airport)

Day 07: Chennai - Trivandrum
Transfer to Somatheeram Ayurvedic Resort

Day 08: Ayurvedic Beach Resort
Relax and enjoy the facilities at the resort including private beach, yoga, massage, nature walks, classical music and dance programs on open-air stage, visits to local traditional village.

Day 09: Backwaters of Kerala
From the resort drive to the pier to board a private rice boat (70 kms/2 hrs drive) and then cruise through the narrow canals and wide lakes enjoying the scenic natural beauty -- coconut trees, rice patties, small villages.Meals and overnight on houseboats.

Day 10: Backwaters - Cochin
Morning relax on houseboat, after lunch drive to Cochin 65 Kms/ 1 1/12 hrs.), transfer to hotel. Taj Mallabar Hotel, overlooking the harbor, sea facing rooms.

Day 11: Cochin
Full day sighseeing: palaces, museums. Enjoy a Kathakali dance performance at Cochin Cultural Center, arriving by 5 pm to watch the make-up. Dinner at traditional Kerala restaurant. Taj Mallabar Hotel

Day 12: Periyar
Periyar Wild life Sanctuary Home to bison, antelopes, sambars, wild boars, monkeys, langurs, a wide variety of birds, and some 750 elephants. Game viewing by private motor-boat in the evening, (the best time to see wild life). Hotel Taj Garden Retreat

Day 13: Periyar - Madurai
Relax at Periyar in the morning. In afternoon, drive to Madurai (135 kms./ 4hrs. drive), "The Temple City of India." Evening relaxed overview of the city, independent strolling. Hotel Taj Garden Retreat in Madurai, cottages.

Day 14: Madurai
Full day sighseeing: Sri Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Palace, Tiruparankundram (rock-cut)Temple, Alagarkoil Temple Evening fly Madurai-Madras dep 19:40 arr 20:30 arr. OR 20:40 dep.-21:30 arr. Hotel Taj Garden Retreat

Day 15: Madras
Full day sightseeing of Madras: Kapaleeshwarar Temple, San Thome Cathedral, Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Fort St. George, the Marina. Hotel Taj Coromandel, superior room

Day 16: Drive to Kanchipuram
Visit temples of Kanchipuram enroute to Mahabalipuram. Kailasanatha Temple, Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Sri Ekambaranathar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, Devarajaswami Temple. On arrival in Mahabalipuram transfer to Hotel FishermanÕs Cove.

Day 17: Mahabalipuram
Morning relax; afternoon sightseeing: Five Rathas, Shore Temple, ArjunaÕs Penance, Mandapams, Krishna Mandapam.

Day 18: Madras
Relax in the morning. Late afternoon drive back to Madras (80kms./2hrs. drive). Transfer to international airport for flight home.