Tour Duration: 17 Nights / 18 Days
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Jaipur - Amer - Agra - Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Trichy - Thanjavur - Madurai - Thekkady - Kumarakom - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Kanyakumari - Mumbai
Day 01: Arrival at Delhi
Upon your arrival at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, you'll be met by our tour executive who will assist you in transferring to the hotel and making a check in. After freshening up quickly, head out for a half tour of Old Delhi visiting historical monuments like the Red Fort and Jama Masjid. Drive back to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 02: Delhi - Jaipur
Post breakfast in the morning, proceed for a half day tour of New Delhi, paying visits to colonial magnificent buildings and impressive ancient structures, like India Gate and Qutub Minar, followed by a drive past the President's Palace. In the afternoon, you'll be journeyed by road to Jaipur - the "Pink City". After about 5 hour's drive, you'll reach Jaipur and make a check in to the hotel. Rest of the day will be at your leisure. Explore the streets nearby the hotel. Have dinner at the hotel and retire for the night.
Day 03: Jaipur - Amer - Jaipur
Begin your day with a drive to the Amber Fort in Amer. En-route, you will see the Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of Winds. Upon reaching Amer, take an elephant back ride to the Fort. At noon, head back to Jaipur to visit the City Palace and Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory. Hereafter, you'll be driven back to the hotel to spend the night. Dinner will be arranged at the hotel restaurant.
Day 04: Jaipur - Agra
Post breakfast, you will travel to the city of Agra, a 5 hour drive. En-route, you'll make a halt at Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar as his capital. On your arrival at Agra, make a check in at the hotel. Rest of the day will be at your disposal. Dinner will be served at the hotel restaurant and doze off thereafter.
Day 05: Agra
Day five will begin by paying an early morning visit to the monument of love - the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the loving memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, Taj Mahal is the epitome of love and an example of Mughal architecture at its best. After a filling visit to the Taj Mahal, you'll also visit the massive Agra Fort and the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah. Travel back to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 06: Agra - Delhi
An early morning drive will bring you back to the national capital, Delhi. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to the hotel for an overnight stay. Spend the rest of the day as you desire. Explore the nearby streets of Delhi or indulge in some street shopping and local cuisines. Head back to the hotel to spend the night.
Day 07: Delhi - Chennai
In the morning, you'll be transferred to Indira Gandhi International Airport to board a flight south to the city of Chennai. Meet, assist, and transfer to the hotel on arrival. Later in the afternoon, proceed for a half day city tour visiting some of India's oldest British monuments like Fort St George and the oldest Anglican Church in India - Garrison Church of St Mary's. End the day by returning to the hotel for dinner and rest.
Day 08: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Chennai
Head out for a full day excursion to the nearby districts of Kanchipuram, famous for its collection of temples and silk sarees, and Mahabalipuram, known for its collection of numerous historical monuments dating back to 7th and 9th centuries. By evening, you'll ride back to the hotel in Chennai. Dinner will be arranged at the hotel after which you can call it a day and retire for the night.
Day 09: Chennai - Trichy - Thanjavur
In the morning, travel to Chennai International Airport to board a flight to Tiruchirappalli (Trichy). Upon arrival, you'll be driven to the famous Rock Fort Temple (the rock on which the temple stands is believed to be 3 billion years old). St Joseph's College Church will be next. Hereafter, proceed to one of the ancient cities in India - Thanjavur. After traveling for about 2 hours, you'll reach your destination and be transferred to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 10: Thanjavur
Day 10 will begin with a visit to Brahadishwara Templem built by Raja Raja Chola in the 11th century, situated on the outskirts of Tanjore. Also known as the Big Temple, it is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. Later in the day, a visit to the temple complexes of Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram will be organized. After a wondrous tour of the ancient structures, return back to Thanjavur for overnight stay.
Day 11: Thanjavur - Madurai
In the morning post breakfast, you will be journeyed to Madurai by road, sited at about 4½ hours' drive. After you reach, make a check in at the hotel for overnight stay. After freshening up in your room and post lunch, embark on a half day's city tour, visiting the Meenakshi Temple, the ancient Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, and the Teppakkulam Tank. Head back to the hotel in the evening for dinner and night's rest.
Day 12: Madurai - Thekkady
Start your day early as you prepare to proceed towards the next destination on the tour Thekkady, about 9½ hours' drive by road. Rice paddies and tea plantations will accompany you throughout the journey. Upon your arrival, check in to the hotel. Post dinner, unwind with a good night's sleep.
Day 13: Thekkady
In the morning, you'll enjoy a boat cruise in the Periyar Lake to view the beautiful wildlife surrounding you. Snuggled in the picturesque Western Ghats range, Periyar National Park is one of the most popular sanctuaries in India and one of the best maintained tiger reserves. Please the shutterbug in you with wildlife photography of many a species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects. Head back to the hotel in the evening for dinner and stay over.
Day 14: Thekkady - Kumarakom
Day 14 will begin with a 4½ hours' drive to Kumarakom, a popular tourist destination, especially for its fascinating backwaters. On arrival, proceed to the hotel for check in. Stay at the hotel for the night. Dinner will be arranged at the hotel restaurant.
Day 15: Kumarakom - Thiruvananthapuram - Kovalam
In the morning, you'll be driven to Kovalam, at a distance of about 4½ hours' drive. As you reach, make a check in to the hotel. Freshen up and proceed for a half day tour of Thiruvananthapuram to visit the Padmanabhaswamy temple, Zoological Gardens, and Aquarium. Return back to the hotel in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 16: Kovalam - Kanyakumari - Kovalam
After an early morning meal, head for a full day's excursion to the southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari. Visit the Kanyakumari Temple, Gandhi Smarak Mandir, and Vivekanand's Rock. Later come back to Kovalam in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel.
Day 17: Kovalam - Trivandrum - Mumbai
Start the day with a 1½ hours' drive to Trivandrum. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to Trivandrum International Airport to board a flight to Mumbai. After you arrive at Mumbai, you'll be met by our tour executive who will assist you in making a check in at the hotel. If time permits, you can indulge in some last minute shopping. Enjoy the dinner at the hotel before calling it a day.
Day 18: Mumbai Departure
After a delightful breakfast, you'll be transferred to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport to board the flight for your onward journey.
