GOLDEN TRIANGLE & KERALA

Duration : 16 Days

Delhi - Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur - Mumbai - Cochin - Munnar - Periyar - Kumarakom - Kovalam - Trivandrum

Day 01 : Delhi
Arrive Delhi in the evening. Transfer to Hotel by private vehicle. The capital of modern India, Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the city's past.

Day 02 : Delhi
After breakfast, full day city tour of Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India ; the massive 17th century Red Fort ; walk through the colourful bazaars of Chandni Chowk. Rajghat, memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Drive past India Gate - a war memorial, President's House & the Parliament. Visit the UNESCO Word Heritage Sites : Humayuns Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture ; Qutub Minar, at 120 meters, is the tallest brick minaret in the world. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple.

Day 03 : Delhi - Agra (203 kms., 04 hrs.)
After breakfast, drive to Agra. Arrive Agra, check-in at prebooked hotel.

Afternoon, sightseeing of Agra. Visit the highlight of the day, The Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed until 1653.

Visit the impressive Agra Fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structures.

Day 04 : Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur (240 kms, 05 hrs.)
Morning, drive to Jaipur enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri : built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Mughals, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory.
Continue drive to Jaipur, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan also know as "Pink City" owes its name, its foundation and planning to the great warrior astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II. The city of Jaipur has broad avenues. The city sits on a dry lake bed in a wild and somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted by fortresses and crenellated walls. Upon arrival, check-in at prebooked Hotel.

Day 05 : Jaipur
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort enroute witness the façade of Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds which was built in 1799. Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the state until 1727 when Jai Singh decided to move from his hillside fortress at Amber to new site on the plains. The construction of this fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's army. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory glittering with mirrors, Jal Mahal & temple of Kali. Ascend on elephant back, the hill, on which the fort is situated.

Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the Jantar Mantar, the observatory built by Jai Singh in 1728; the City Palace which is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. It also has a museum with an extensive collection of art, carpets, paintings, enamel ware and weapons dating back to the 15th century.

Day 06 : Jaipur - Mumbai (Flight : 6E-695 : 0845 - 1035 hrs.)
Morning, transfer to the airport to board flight for Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai, transfer to prebooked hotel.
Afternoon, sightseeing of Mumbai. Visit the Gateway of India, Crawford Market, Marine drive, Hanging Gardens and Dhobi Ghat.

Day 07 : Mumbai - Cochin (Flight : 6E-223 : 1325 - 1530 hrs.)
After breakfast, excursion to Elephanta - About ten kilometers north east of Apollo Bunder lies the island of Elephanta, the gtrips to Indialorious abode of Lord Shiva. An epitome of Hindu cave culture, Elephanta consists of seven caves of which the most notable is the Mahesa-murti cave. It has a very impressive size with a main body of 27 meters square supported by rows of six columns each. The main temple consists of a large pillared mandapa (hall) and a freestanding square shrine at the west end of the hall. The pillars and reliefs in the cave are gigantic in scale. Set in various niches are a number of large reliefs depicting different aspects of Shaivaite iconography. Around the perimeter of the cave are sculptured compartments in this cave with images from the Hindu mythology. They depict Lord Shiva as Andhakasuravadha, impaling the demon of darkness, as Kalyanasundara-the gentle loving god, as Ardhanarishwara, Shiva and Shakti, male and female, Nataraja-Shiva as the cosmic dancer and as Ravana anugraha-the destroyer of enemies. Afternoon, transfer to the airport to board flight for Cochin. Arrive Cochin, transfer to prebooked hotel.

Day 08 : Cochin
Morning, sightseeing of Cochin including Asia's best preserved Synagouge, the Dutch Palace and the oldest European Church in India - the St. Francis Church where Vasco De Gama was originally buried. A leisurely walk through the Fort Cochin area which gives you a close look at the operation of the huge catileavered Chinese fishing nets introduced by Chinese traders which is still used in Kerala backwaters as a traditional way of fishing.
In the evening, witness Kathakali Dance Show.

Day 09 : Cochin - Munnar (140 kms., 3 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, leave for Munnar. Arrive Munnar and check-in at prebooked hotel.

Afternoon, sightseeing of Munnar. Visit the tea plantations, a tea factory (subject to permission being granted), the Eravikulam National Park - home of the endangered Nilgiri Thar (Ibex), followed by visit to the Mattupetty dam, the Indo Swiss Dairy farm, the Kundala Lake and other scenic spots. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 : Munnar - Periyar (100 kms., 3 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, leave for Periyar, one of the world's most fascinating Natural wildlife reserves noted for its geography, diverse wildlife and scenic beauty. Arrive at Periyar and check in at Prebooked Hotel.

Later, boat ride on the Lake Periyar where one can have a unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar, however are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.

Day 11 : Periyar - Kumarakom (140 kms, 03 hrs.)
After breakfast, leave for Kumarakom in time to board houseboat for overnight backwater trip. On arrival in Kumarakom, commence an overnight houseboat cruise, which gives one a fascinating insight into the life of a Keralan Backwater Village. As the boat glides along the backwaters one can see the daily life in the backwater villages. On the narrow strips of land, fisherman fishing, children swimming and playing in the water, women doing their daily chores, mobile shops in tiny canoes, the cultivation of paddy and it's harvesting (during harvest season), huge country barges ferrying the coconuts, rice, coir etc.
Note : The cruise commences at 1300 hrs with lunch served onboard and continues till dusk. At dusk the boat will anchor in a wide waterway or lake for the night. (The backwaters close to boat traffic at dusk as the fisherman lay their nets in the backwaters. Other boats are not allowed to ply in the backwaters after dusk.) On the following day the cruise commences again after breakfast and you will be dropped at Allepey by 1000 hrs.

Day 12 : Kumarakom - Kovalam (174 kms, 04 hrs.)
Checkout from the houseboat and proceed to Kovalam, a beach town on the Arabian Sea in Kerala. The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories, makes this beach paradise. Arrive Kovalam and check-in at prebooked hotel.

Day 13 : Kovalam
Days at leisure on the beautiful beaches : the paradise of the Sun, Sea, Surf & Sand.

Day 14 : Kovalam
Days at leisure on the beautiful beaches : the paradise of the Sun, Sea, Surf & Sand.

Day 15 : Kovalam
Days at leisure on the beautiful beaches : the paradise of the Sun, Sea, Surf & Sand.

Day 16 : Kovalam - Trivandrum
Morning, transfer to the airport to board onward/return flight.

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