Rajasthan with Kerala Tour
Duration: 9 Nights / 10 Days
Places to Visit: Delhi - Ranthambhore - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi - Cochin - Munnar - Periyar - Kumarakom - House Boat Cruise - Allepey - Cochin
Day One Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the airport in Delhi and transfer to the hotel The Park.
Day Two Delhi - Ranthambhore (by train 4 hrs)
1655 / 2036 Rajdhani Express
Start a full day sight seeing of Delhi at 0930hrs
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.
Enjoy the 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, Lotus Temple and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
In time transfer to the railway station for your train to Ranthambhore.
Upon arrival at the Sawai Madhopur railway station transfer to the hotel in Ranthambhore.
Day Three Ranthambhore
Full day game viewing.
In the morning a safari introduces you to the vivid flora and fauna of this region. You can catch a glimpse of the royal tiger in this region. Return to your hotel and relax by the pool side.
In the afternoon leave again for a safari inside the national park to spot tigers and other wild animals.
Day Four Ranthambhore - Jaipur (By train)
Start for Jaipur in the morning after breakfast by train (2hrs)
Upon arrival check in at your hotel. After lunch visit the city Palace and the observatory. Later on take a stroll in the bazaar.
Day Five Jaipur
Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort after breakfast. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
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 its ultimate expression.
Continue sightseeing.
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.
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. It is a five-storey structure 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.
In the evening visit a textile block printing factory and the gems cutting and polishing center.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day Six Jaipur - Agra
Leave Jaipur in the morning after breakfast.
Drive to Fatehpur Sikri en route. The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.
Continue drive to Agra and reach by late afternoon.
Day Seven 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 with English speaking guide.
Day Eight Agra - Delhi - Cochin
In the morning after breakfast at your hotel leave for Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi direct transfer to the airport for your flight to Cochin.
Upon arrival in Cochin transfer to the hotel.
Day Nine Cochin
In the morning proceed for a half day sight seeing of Cochin by boat.
A few interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese fishing nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow, etc. Apart from these architectural splendors, an array of restaurants serving fresh seafood is also popular among tourists. The Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles work on the principle of balance. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea. Over night stay at hotel.
Day Ten Cochin - Munnar (By Road) 130 km in 4 hr
Proceed to Munnar enjoying the scenic beauty & the marvelous waterfalls, high mountains with the low flying clouds passing by.
In the evening you can go for sight seeing of Munnar which includes the Raja Malai - a top peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain goats). Other important places are Muttupetty Dam and Indo Swiss project (you can also enjoy boating in the Lake) and witness tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometers.
Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. 1600 meter above sea level this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling Tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in the blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking. Overnight stay will be at hotel.
Day Eleven Munnar - Periyar (Thekkady) By Road 110 km in 3 hr
Morning, proceed to Periyar and check in at hotel on arrival. Periyar wildlife sanctuary is home to nomadic tribes of wild elephant, boar, deer, the great Indian tiger and more. Evening go for boat cruise in the lake to watch wild animals. Overnight stay will be at Periyar.
Day Twelve Periyar
Morning, after breakfast boating through Periyar lake - Wildlife sanctuary. You can visit the rare species of plants and animals. Afternoon visit spice plantations like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Stay the night at Periyar.
Day Thirteen Periyar - Kumarakom (By Road 130 km in 4 hr)
Early morning proceed to Kumarakom. Reach and visit the Bird Sanctuary. Proceed to the Vembanand Lake. Check in at your luxury hotel Kumarakom Lake Resort or the Coconut Lagoon.
Day Fourteen House Boat Cruise
Today also you will be cruising through the backwaters of Kerala and stay overnight in the Houseboat. The backwaters of Kerala are a unique product of Kerala and are found nowhere else in the world. Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. The backwaters of Kerala are a self supporting Eco-system teeming with aquatic life. The canals connect the villages together and are still used for local transport. Over 900 km of this labyrinthine water world is navigable. Check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat. The houseboat with all modern comforts lets you discover the countryside at your own pace. You will have lunch, dinner and breakfast in the Houseboat. A ride on the houseboat is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters. Cruise through the backwaters to Alleppy. Overnight will be at Houseboat.
Day Fifteen Allepey - Cochin
Disembark the boat at the reception of the backwater resort at Allepey. Alappuzha is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes. Alappuzha remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerala as one of the major centres for backwater boat trips. "Kuttanad" in Alappuzha is one of few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Kuttanad is a land of lush paddy fields and is called the 'Rice Bowl' of Kerala. Kuttanad stretches for 75 Km sandwiched between the sea and the hills. Check in at the resort. This resort is one of the finest one in Allepey Here you can enjoy the lively villages and backwaters. Overnight will be at Cochin.
Day Sixteen Cochin
After breakfast spend the day shopping. In the evening proceed for KATHAKALI DANCE PRESENTATION. Overnight will be at Cochin.
Day Seventeen Cochin - Departure
Breakfast will be at hotel. Visit Shiva Temple and transfer to airport/railway station according to the timings of flight/train.
