Taj Mahal with Kerala Backwaters
Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Places Covered:: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Delhi - Chennai - Trivandrum
- Cochin - Periyar - Madurai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Chennai
Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi by international flight. Meeting and assistance on arrival and
transfer to the hotel. Check-in time is 12 Noon. Overnight at the hotel
Day 02 - Delhi - Sightseeing
Full day sightseeing tour of New Delhi and Old Delhi New Delhi visit includes
Qutab Minar, one of the earliest remains of Imperial Delhi (13th century AD
) Humayun's Tomb-the fine monument believed to be
forerunner of Taj Mehal, India Gata, the 42 metre high arch was raised as a
memorial to soldiers, drives past Parliament House, President's House, Secretariat
Building, Laxminarayan Temple and The Connaught Place. Delhi is just not a city
but it is a book-- a book which narrates the history of India. The city was
built and destroyed seven times and has been witness to the various events which
has brought India through the history books. Seven times this city went through
the pain of being built and rebuilt. Today as the capital of India Delhi is
the seat of administration and the monuments which tell the saga of a bygone
era stand there. These icons are testimony to the grandeur of past and also
an attraction for the tourists. With an area of 1483 sq. Kms, Delhi is all set
to acquire full statehood. The charm of Delhi has attracted Emperors, Conquerors
and poor in equally. It is correctly said that Delhi is a land of 'Dilwalas'
or for people with heart. This phrase acquires a true colour when one goes around
the lanes of 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. Overnight will be at Agra.
Taj Mahal
One of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the
memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum took
22 years to complete with a work force of 20,000 craftsmen and master builders,
who came from all over Asia to join in this great work from Baghdad, Shiraz,
Delhi, Samarkand and Turkey. The marble, India s finest; was quarried at Makrana
near Jodhpur. Precious and semi precious stones were imported from distant
lands : Jasper from Punjab, Jade & Crystal from China, Turquoise from
Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrysolite from Egypt, Amethyst
from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda
and Mother of Pearl from the Indian Ocean. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04: Jaipur 
Morning drive to Jaipur (221 kms), upon arrival in Jaipur - check into the hotel.
Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel. Jaipur, the vibrant capital of Rajasthan,
is popularly known as the ' Pink City ' because of the pink-coloured buildings
in its old city. It sits on a dry lake bed in a somewhat arid landscape, surrounded
by barren hills surmounted by forts and crenellated walls. This buzzing metropolis
is certainly a place of wild contrasts and a feast for the eyes. All through,
Jaipur has retained its strong Rajputana flavour tempered by several influences
- the mughal being the most prominent. The region's strong cultural heritage
is distinctly evident even today. The city is a visitor's delight. From the
intricate, delicate looking Hawa Mahal to the graphic forms of the Jantar Mantar
- an open air observatory of outsized astronomical instruments, the Badi Chaupar
lined with shopsand business establishments on both sides to the majestic fort-palace
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 the airport for flight to Chennai. On arrival, transfer to the
hotel.
Day 07: Chennai - Trivandrum
Transfer to Somatheeram Ayurvedic Resort Thiruvananthapuram which was previously
called Trivandrum, is an ancient city with tradition dating back to 1000 BC.
Thiruvananthapuram became the capital of Raja of Travancore in 1750. The city
gets its name from the word, Thiru-anantha-puram, meaning the city of Anantha
or the abode of the sacred Serpent Anantha on which Lord Vishnu, the preserver
of the Hindu trinity, reclines. Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the state
of Kerala is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. It is located on
the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland spreading over
a total of 2,192sq.km.
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. Discover the Secret of Eternal Youth, athe
Ayurvedic Rejuvenation Centre in Somatheeram. This exclusive programme is based
on the Vedic Science - Ayurveda and is directed towards strenghtening your immune
system and preventing disease. The rejuvenation program for each individual
is drawn out by the ayurvedic physician after a thorough evaluation. Get to
know more of this majestic, mysterious land. Set off on a fascinating tour experience
with visits to nearby palaces and monuments.
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.
Kochi is known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea and the Queen of the Adriatic.
It is also referred to as the Gateway of South India. Over the centuries , the
princely state of Kochi came under numerous empires. The original local rulers
were dominated by the Portugese, Dutch , British and even the Zamorin of Kozhikode
(Calicut). Around 1530 AD , under the Portugese, Kochi grew into a prosperous
town. The ruler of Kochi gave the Portugese, permission to build a fort at Kochi
called 'Manuel Kotta' - which is the first European fort in Kochi .
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.
Periyar: One of the well known wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar
sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers every year. Also called the
Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the animals in
their natural habitat.
The forest here, slopes into the manmade lake at the bottom of the hill. This
lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to drink or
take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can be spotted here.
There are boat services which takes the visitor around the lake. The best season
to visit the park is between October and June. Spread over 777 sq.km of the
Cardamom Hills of Western Ghats, the Periyar sanctuary is located 137 km from
Madurai.
Although an excursion on the splendid artificial lake is the standard way to
experience the sanctuary, you can also walk around with the local guide in a
small group. Wild Elephant herds come to the lake to frolic in the water.
Other attractions of the sanctuary are the Sambhar, Bison, Spotted Deer, Tigers,
Leopards, Malabar Flying Squirrels, Stripe necked Mongooses, etc. There are
over 260 species of birds here, including Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, blue-winged
Parakeets, White bellied Tree Pies, laughing Thrushes and Fly Catchers.
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.
