Golden Triangle with Kerala & Mumbai Exploring Flamboyant India

Duration: 13 Nights 14 Days
Routing: Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi - Cochin - Periyar - Kumarakom - Thothapalli - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Mumbai

Tour Highlights
Delhi	Raj Ghat, India Gate, President’s House, Humayun's Tomb, Lotus Temple & Qutub Minar
Jaipur	Amber Fort, Elephant Ride, City Palace, Birla Temple, Jantar Mantar (Observatory) & Hawa Mahal ( Palace of Winds) Optional Excursion to Chokhi Dhani
Agra	Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb, Sikandara (Akbar's Tomb), Magic Show &  Fatehpur Sikri (en route),
Cochin	St. Francis' Church, Dutch Palace (Built by Portuguese), Jew Town, Jewish Synagogue, spice market, Chinese fishing nets, Kathakali Dance Show
Periyar	Wildlife Sanctuary, Boat Cruise & Spice plantation tour
Kumarakom	Backwaters & Bird Sanctuary
Thothapalli	House Boat
Kovalam	Beaches
Trivandrum	Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Shri Chitra Art Gallery & the Museum.
Mumbai	Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves , Prince Wales Museum & Marine Drive

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi

Arrive by International flight, after traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representative would assist you at airport & transfer to hotel for check in.
Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds the ancient with modern. Its strategic location was the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. In fact, more mythological cities are believed to be here, like the city of  Indraprastha from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, founded around 5000 BC. Numerous monuments were built over several centuries by different rulers like Qutub-ud-din Aibek, Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaks, Humayun & Shah Jahan, who built the Walled City Shah Jahanabad.
Later in first half of 20th century much of New Delhi was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who laid out a grandiose central administrative area as a testament to British rule in India. The division in walled city & New Delhi also marks the division in life styles.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)

Day 02 : Delhi

Today we take a guided tour of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, Visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Later we walk down or take a rickshaw ride through Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shah Jahanabad now a picturesque bazaar to reach Red Fort, built in the year 1648 by Shah Jehan.
In New Delhi, we visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. Further we drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India. We will also visit Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutub Minar & its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Optional - Sound & Light Show at Red Fort with dinner at Chor Bizarre
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)

Day 03 : Delhi - Jaipur (262km - 05hr)

Today we drive to Jaipur, popularly known as Pink City, the flamboyant & colourful capital of Rajasthan. With its rich & colourful past, resplendent with tales of valour & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in the year 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors.
Optional - Chokhi Dhani
An evening excursion to Chokhi Dhani complex, ethnic village resort located at a distance of 15 km from Jaipur. Rajasthani village atmosphere is recreated on the sprawling ground & includes the entertainment by folk dancers & musicians. Later drive back to hotel.
Overnight Hotel – Jaipur (B)

Day 04 : Jaipur

After an early breakfast, we drive 11 km to Amber, the capital of the gallant Rajputs from 1037 to 1728 AD. We ride on elephant back & reach Fort situated on hill & then visit the Fort Palace.  Later we visit City Palace, Birla Temple, Jantar Mantar Observatory & Palace of Winds. Overnight Hotel- Jaipur (B)
Optional Excursion to Chokhi Dhani:
An evening excursion to Chokhi Dhani complex, ethnic village resort located at a distance of 15 km from Jaipur. Rajasthani village atmosphere is recreated on the sprawling ground & includes the entertainment by folk dancers & musicians. Guests can move around freely & enjoy the evening. Later drive back to the Hotel for overnight stay.

Day 05 : Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (260 km - 6 hrs)

After breakfast, we’ll depart at 0900 hrs to Agra. En route we visit Fatehpur Sikri, a masterpiece in sandstone with the stunning elegance of its palaces & courts. Further proceed to Agra, upon arrival we check-in hotel at Agra. Evening at leisure.
Overnight Hotel-  Agra. (B)

Day 06 : Agra – Delhi (220km - 05hr)

Half Day Tour
Today we visit Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday), symbol of eternal love, which stands on the banks of River Yamuna. It was built by the 5th Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in the year 1631 in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was completed in 22 years. Further we visit Agra Fort, taken over from the Lodhis by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. The Fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. It was built from red sandstone, often inlaid with white marble & intricate decorations. We will also visit Sikandara, Akbar's tomb. His son Jahangir completed the construction of the tomb in the year 1613.
Further we continue our drive to Delhi, upon arrival in Delhi Transfer to Hotel.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)

Day 07 : Delhi – Cochin (By Flight)

Morning transfer to airport to board the flight for Cochin, Upon arrival our representative would meet & assist you at the airport & to our hotel for check-in.
Cochin always had a very popular & historical sea trade connection with Middle East, Mediterranean Europe, Dutch & British. It has one of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian coastline. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings & structures representing different regions of the world. It is one of the few places in the world where one can see a Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, architecture, mosques, temples & Chinese fishing nets, all in one city. A city of peninsulas & islands, today it is Kerala's commercial hub.
Later in the afternoon we leave for a half Day city tour of Cochin, with visits to St. Francis' Church, Dutch Palace (Built by the Portuguese), Jew Town, the Jewish Synagogue built in the year 1568, spice market, where the air is filled with the pungent smell of spices, & Chinese fishing nets. In the evening we see Kerala's most popular classical dance, Kathakali.
Overnight Hotel- Cochin (B)

Day 08 : Cochin - Periyar (160 km - 04hrs)

Today we leave at 0900 hrs to Periyar. Upon arrival at Periyar, we assist you to check in at our hotel. Set on an attractive lakeside, its South India's most popular Wildlife Sanctuary,a nice place to cruise on  lake & have an opportunity to see wildlife. Its home to tigers, leopards, elephants, bison (gaur),sambhar antelopes, wild boar, money & wide variety of birds. Late afternoon at 1500 hrs we shall take you on a guided Spice & plantation tour in one of Spice Garden Plantations for which this region is famous.
Overnight Hotel- Periyar (B)

Day 09 : Periyar- Kumarakom (135 km-3 hrs)

Early morning before breakfast at 0630 hrs we go for wildlife viewing of the sanctuary on lake Periyar by boat cruise. After two hours of wildlife viewing we get back to the hotel for breakfast.

Later we leave for Kumarakom known for its backwaters, huge Vembanad Lake & famous Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Late in the afternoon we visit the Bird sanctuary. There are two seasons for birds: between October & February there are cormorants, teals, & other ducks & from February to July there are darters (snake birds), night herons, egrets, & Siberian storks. It also has golden backed woodpecker, crow pheasant, white-breasted water hen & tree pie.
Overnight Hotel- Kumarakom (B)

Day 10 : Kumarakom - Thothapalli (Overnight Houseboat)

Morning at leisure. In the afternoon embark the houseboat, locally called Kettuvallam, & cruise around backwaters of Alleppey, observe & experience the daily life of the villagers along the backwaters. Overnight stay at the houseboat.(B, L, D)

Day 11 : Thothapalli - Kovalam (85 km- 2 hrs)

Arrive Thothapalli, next we head for Kovalam, South of Trivandrum, one of India's best beaches & famous for water sports in Southern India. Day is invested in exploring unbounded beauty of this place.
Overnight Hotel- Kovalam (B)

Day 12 : Kovalam – Trivandrum – Kovalam (16 km - 30 mins. Oneway)

Today we leave for an excursion to Trivandrum, located on the Southwestern tip of India. Famous for its long shorelines with glorious beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches & rich cultural heritage, Trivandrum undoubtedly makes an ever-popular destination. We spend half Day here covering Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Shri Chitra Art Gallery & Museum. Later we drive back to Kovalam
Overnight Hotel- Kovalam (B)

Day 13 : Kovalam - (16 km - 30 mins) Trivandrum – Mumbai (By Flight)

Morning post breakfast on-time transfer to the airport to board the flight for Mumbai. Upon arrival at Mumbai Airport, assistance & transfer to hotel for check-in.
Later in the afternoon we leave for a half Day sightseeing tour covering the Gateway of India, the entrance to the port of Mumbai. It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V in 1911. Historically the Gateway holds greater significance as the last of the British troops, which left independent India by sea, marched through its portals. If time permits then we would visit Prince WalesMuseum & Marine Drive which runs along the shore of the Arabian Sea from Nariman Point past Chowpatty Beach to the foot of Malabar Hill.
Overnight Hotel- Mumbai (B)

Day 14 : Depart Mumbai

Our tour concludes: We thank you for your patronage & ensures a punctual transfer to the International airport for your onward travel.

Cost includes:

• 13 nights accommodation on twin sharing basis.
• Breakfast.
• All meals in Houseboat.
• A/C transportation as per the itinerary (No transportation on leisure days).
• Local English speaking guide for Golden Triangle, Cochin & Trivandrum, Mumbai tour.
• Elephant ride in Jaipur.
• Kathakali dance show in Cochin.
• Boat safari in Periyar.
• Spice & plantation tour in Periyar.

Cost does not includes:

• Any airfare or airport tax.
• Expenses of personal nature.
• Monument charges.
• Any other expenses not mentioned in the cost includes.
• All presently applicable taxes.