Golden Triangle tour

Day 01 :- Arrive Delhi

Arrive Delhi. On arrival, meet assistance and transfer to the hotel.
Morning visit Raj Ghat - the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi, Jama Masjid and drive past Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. Afternoon visit Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch), Lakshminarayan Temple - a modern Hindu Temple. Also drive past President's House, Parliament-House, Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught Place shopping centre. Evening dances of India show followed by dinner in a local Indian restaurant. Overnight Delhi.

Day 02 :- Delhi to Agra by Road

Morning drive to Agra, On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight Agra.

Day 03 :- Agra

Morning visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by the Moghul Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains & also visit Agra Fort containing the Halls of Public and Private Audience. On this day you will be experiencing a short Tonga ride to Taj Mahal. Afternoon free. Overnight in Agra. Taj Mahal is closed on Friday.

Day 04 :- Agra to Jaipur

Morning drive to Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri is 40 Kms from Agra and built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other Palaces. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 05 :- Jaipur

Morning visit the Amber Fort - the ancient capital of the State (Ascend the fort on elephant back). Visit the Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors. Afternoon tour of Jaipur. Jaipur - the capital of Rajasthan was given a colour coat of pink a century ago in honour of a visiting Prince. Built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer, this city is 260 years old. Visit Maharaja's City Palace, the Observatory & Ram Niwas Gardens. Drive past Hawa Mahal & through the pink rose residential & business areas. Evening cultural evening at Narayan Niwas Palac followed by dinner. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 06 :- Jaipur to Delhi by Road

Morning drive to Delhi & transfer to hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight Delhi.

Day 07 :- Delhi to Onward Destination

In time transfer to Delhi International airport to board the flight for onward destination.

South India Tour 1

Trivandrum - Kovalam - Alleppey - Kumarakom - Periyar - Munnar – Cochin

All National Parks are closed from 01 June to 30 September every year.

Day 01 :- Arrive Trivandrum

Arrive Trivandrum. Transfer to hotel. Overnight Trivandrum.

Day 02 :- Trivandrum

Morning tour of Trivandrum. Visit Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Rebuilt in 1733, it ia an excellent example of South Indian architecture. Visit the Zoological Park (closed on MonDays), Napier Museum with its bronze collection, Sri Chitra Art Gallery with paintings from various schools; from countries like China, Japan, Java and Bali. (Closed on Mon/Wed mornings.) Overnight Trivandrum.

Day 03 :- Trivandrum to Cape Comorin (Kanya Kumari) Trivandrum

Full Day excursion to Cape Comorin. Also called Kanya Kumari is the land's end of India where the water of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet. An important pilgrim centre of India, it is famous for the Amman Temple-a symbol of unity and sanctity-dedicated to the virgin Goddess, Kanya Kumari. To its South-East lies the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial, a blend of all the architectural styles of India. Overnight Trivandrum.

Day 04 :- Trivandrum to Kovalam

Morning drive to Kovalam. Kovalam is one of the most beautiful beaches of the world. The surf here is ideal for surf-riding and the water invites the visitor to ride the -Catamaran- or log, with the fisherman, or to take a cool swim. Nearby is the Beach Centre of aquatic sports. At the Yoga and Health Centre, Yoga classes and transcendental meditation are held. Ayurvedic oil massages and oil bath are given by experts. Overnight Kovalam.

Day 05 :- Kovalam

Drive free in Kovalam.

Day 06 :- Kovalam to Alleppey

Drive to Alleppey. Board an houseboat (rice boat). Overnight on board. The coastal town of Alleppey on the Arabian Sea is the Venice of the East, for the numerous canals that meander through the town. Bathing in the backwaters on the Vemband Lake is refreshing. This town holds a thrilling event of snake-boat race every year in August. It is also known for its cashew nuts, coir trade, rice, pepper crops & coconuts.

Day 07 :- Alleppey to Kumarakom (Kottayam)

Arrive Kumarakom by boat. Check-in to a hotel. Kumarakom is the loveliest Village in Kerala, blessed with nature's rare gifts is on the Eastern side of the vast Vembanad Lake. The lake provides facilities for boating, yachting, fishing, surf riding & swimming. Ideal picnic spot accessible by boat from here is Pathiramanal (Midnight Sands) a lonely island in the lake. You could Cruise along the back-waters enjoying the bracing climate & green magic of nature. Overnight Kumarakom.

Day 08 :- Kumarakom to Periyar

Drive to Periyar National Park. Free time in for game viewing. Set up in 1934,it extends to 777 square kms & forms part of the high mountain ranges, the Western Ghats. Wild life can be seen while cruising on Periyar Lake in a motor boat. Amongst the animals which can be seen are elephants, wild boar, sambar, tiger, leopard, wild dog, langur monkeys, etc. Evening free for game drive. Overnight Periyar.

Day 09 :- Periyar to Munnar

Drive to Munnar. Munnar - breathtakingly beautiful - a haven of peace and tranquility - the idyllic tourist destination in God's own country.Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial Days. Unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air - yes! Munnar has all these and more. Overnight Munnar.

Day 10 :- Munnar

Day free in Munnar.

Day 11 :- Munnar to Cochin

Drive to Cochin and transfer to hotel. Overnight Cochin.

Day 12 :- Cochin

Morning tour of Cochin. Cochin is the natural harbour created by the famed underwater Malabar mud-banks whose quality ensures that the rougher the seas are outside the calmer the waters are within the Harbour. Vasco-de-Gama placed it on the world map. It has a Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, mosques & Hindu temples. Watch the Chinese Fishing Nets. Afternoon free. Overnight Cochin.

Day 13 :- Cochin

Day free in Cochin. Later transfer to airport. Departure the following day.

South India Tour 2

Chennai (Madras) - Trichy (Tiruchirapalli) - Madurai - Periyar (Thekkady) - Cochin (Kochi) - Bangalore - Mysore - Chennai (Madras)

Day 01 :- Arrive Chennai (Madras)

Arrive Chennai (Madras). Transfer to Hotel.

Day 02 :- Chennai to Trichy (Tiruchirapalli)

Full day tour of Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram (Checkout from the hotel at 1200 hrs). Kanchipuram (64 kms from Chennai) is the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks. The city of Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples which are the examples of Dravidian style of Architecture. Evening transfer to rail-station for Trichy night train. Night on board.

Day 03 :- Trichy

Morning arrive Trichy and transfer to hotel. Afternoon tour of Trichy. Trichy was the citadel of the Chola dynasty in the medieval period. In the 18th century it witnessed the Carnatic wars fought between the French and the English. Lord Robert Clive's house is still there to see and so is the Danish Church. The Rock-Fort is the landmark of Trichy. A climb of 434 steps leads to the ancient temple of Ganapati on top and a further climb to a Shiva temple. Overnight Trichy.

Day 04 :- Trichy to Madurai

Morning drive to Madurai visiting Tanjore enroute. At Tanjore, the beautiful Chola Temple of Brihadeshwara is capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single granite block weighing 80 tons which was taken to the top with the help of a 6 km long ramp, an old technique used by the Egyptians for building pyramids. Its bronzes and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of a visit to South India. Overnight Madurai.

Day 05 :- Madurai

Morning visit the great Meenakshi Temple dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva with its towering gopurams (rising high above the surrounding country side). Later, visit the Tirumala Nayak Palace - A gracious building in the Indo saracenic style, famous for the Stucco work on its domes & arches. Also visit the Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple. Afternoon free. Overnight Madurai.

Day 06 :- Madurai to Periyar (Thekkady)

Morning drive to Periyar National Park. Free time for game viewing. Set up in 1934,it extends to 777 square kms & forms part of the high mountain ranges, the Western Ghats. Wild life can be seen while cruising on Periyar Lake in a motor boat. Amongst the animals which can be seen are elephants, wild boar, sambar, tiger, leopard, wild dog, langur monkeys, etc. Overnight Periyar.

Day 07 :- Periyar to Cochin (Kochi)

Drive to Cochin. Overnight Cochin.

Day 08 :- Cochin

Morning tour of Cochin. Cochin is the natural harbour created by the famed underwater Malabar mud-banks whose quality ensures that the rougher the seas are outside the calmer the waters are within the Harbour. Vasco-de-Gama placed it on the world map. It has a Jewish synagogue , Portuguese churches, mosques & Hindu temples. Watch the Chinese Fishing Nets. Afternoon free. Overnight Cochin.

Day 09 :- Cochin to Bangalore and Mysore

Morning transfer to airport for Bangalore flight. Arrive Bangalore and drive directly to Mysore. Free time. Overnight Mysore.

Day 10 :- Mysore to Belur, Halebid and Mysore

Full day excursion to Belur and Halebid. The Chenna Kesava temple of Belur built 900 years ago is an exquisite example of Hoysala art. Halebid's 12th century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples are master pieces of Hindu art. On the return, if time permits, visit Sravanbelgola. At Sravanbelgola, hewn out of a single rock and visible from a distance of 25 kms is the statue of Lord Gomteshwara which is bathed with milk and honey once every 12 years. Overnight Mysore.

Day 11 :- Mysore

Morning visit the palace of the Maharaja built in 1911 - 1912. The palace is of harmonious syntheses of the Hindu and saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are magnificent. Visit the Art Gallery; drive upto Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, see the Nandi Bull. Afternoon free. Overnight Mysore.

Day 12 :- Mysore to Chennai

Transfer to rail-station for Chennai train. Arrive and transfer to Hotel. Overnight Madras.

Day 13 :- Departure

Morning transfer to airport for return flight.