DAY - 01 ARRIVE
DELHI
Arrive Delhi by International flight.
A
history which encompasses all the various kings and emperors who
fixed their royal citadels here - Indraprastha, Lal Kot, Quila Rai
Pithora, Siri, Jahanpanah, Tughlakabad, Ferozabad, Dinpanah, Delhi
Sher Shahi or then Shahjahanabad. but, combined and integrated into
one, these 'new cities' have always been called Delhi and howsoever
many names it may have acquired, Delhi has always been intrinsically
identified with power and imperial sway.
You will be met on
your arrival by the representative of Exotique Expeditions with
fresh flower garlands. You will then be transferred to your hotel.
In the afternoon you will be given the city tour of Old &
New Delhi.
Old Delhi - Visit the former centre of Moghul
Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and
bustling bazaars. Drive past the vast Red Fort, built in 1648, the
Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by
Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the Raj Ghat, the
simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. A unique experience of taking '
rickshaw
ride' from the
Red Fort, through "
Chandni Chowk"
or Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this very
busy avenue heading west from the Fort. Chandni Chowk - literally
means "moonlit crossroads" and an area which best
represents the "super-Oriental" - the glory and the guile;
the grandeur and the grime, with its crowded bazaars, twisting
lanes, maze of small streets strange aromas, the pungent odour of
Oriental spices, the cries of shopkeepers, coolies and "rickshaw-walas"
and the clatter and whirr of furious industry.
New Delhi -
drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era
designed by Lutyens, including the
India Gate & the
Presidential
Palace. Continue onto the beautiful Humayuns tomb of the Mughal
era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at
the towering minaret of
Qutab Minar, Akshardham Temple, Lotus
Temple, Birla Mandir ( laxmi Narayan Temple ).Overnight
accommodation at the hotel.
DAY - 02 DELHI -
JAIPUR (265 Kms/165 Miles)Leave Delhi for Jaipur by air
conditioned vehicle.
The historic city of Jaipur or "
The
City of Vicotory" was founded in 1727 A.D. by the great
Kachhawah ruler Sawai Jai Singh II (1700 - 1747 A.D.), and named
after him. The monarch was not only a great builder, but also a poet
and an astronomer. Under his aegis, the city was designed by his
talented architect Vidyadhar, who gave shape to the creative
aspirations of Sawai Jai Singh in the form of the dream city of
Jaipur
Arrive Jaipur and check in at the hotel.
This
afternoon you will be given the city tour of Jaipur.
Tour of
the Pink City - Your tour will include the imposing City Palace,
still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now
open to the public. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the
ruling family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry.
You will also visit the Hawa Mahal, "Palace of the Winds",
and the open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the vast
astronomical instruments. Enjoy a stroll through the colourful
bazaar before returning to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY
- 03 JAIPUR - AGRA ( 235 Kms/147Miles)
This
morning you will be given excursion to Amber Fort.
Tour of
the impressive Amber Fort - situated on a ridge just outside
Jaipur City. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned
elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making
your entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in
the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now,
although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle
of the Moghul ruling families
Later leave Jaipur for Agra by air
conditioned vehicle.
Agra has a rich historical background,
which is amply evident from the numerous historical monuments in and
around the city.
Though the heritage of Agra city is linked
with the Mughal dynasty, numerous other rulers also contributed to
the rich past of this city. Modern Agra was founded by Sikandar
Lodhi (Lodhi dynasty; Delhi Sultanate) in the 16th century. Babar
(founder of the Mughal dynasty) also stayed for sometime in Agra and
introduced the concept of square Persian-styled gardens here.
Agra
came to its own when Shahjahan ascended to the throne of Mughal
Empire. He marked the zenith of Mughal architecture, when he built
the Taj in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
En-route
visit Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri - Impressive
sandstone fortress of Fatehpur Sikri. The fort was built in the 16th
century and only occupied for a few years before being abandoned,
leaving the buildings in virtually perfect conditions. Continue
drive to Agra. Upon arrival in Agra - check-in at the hotel.
Thereafter, visit the Red Fort, which was built by Akbar as his
citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style
Arrive
Agra and check at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY
- 04 AGRA - DELHI (202 Kms/126 Miles)This morning you will
be given the city tour of Agra.
Red Fort - lies on the
bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar
built it as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest
architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red
sandstone and a moat.
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 it's
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.
Leave Agra for Delhi by
air conditioned vehicle.
Arrive Delhi and check in at the
hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY - 05 DELHI
- COCHIN - KUMARAKOMYou will be met by the representative
of Exotique Expeditions at the hotel and transferred to the airport,
in time to connect your onward flight for Cochin.
At Cochin
Airport meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to Kumarakom.
Check into hotel. Kumarakom. , An unbelievably beautiful paradise of
mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves
interspersed with enchanting watch ways and canals adorned with
white lilies. . The melting sun has painted the horizons in orange
and crimson hues. Clad in the soft warmth of the golden yellow rays,
the placid backwaters reveal the effervescent nature in all its true
glory. At a distance, the dark silhouettes of the coconut palms are
seen dancing to the rhythms of the gentle breeze.
Overnight at
hotel.
DAY - 06 KUMARAKOMFull Day at
leisure to explore the backwater land. Evening go for a sunset
cruise.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY -
07 KUMARAKOM - HOUSEBOAT ( ALLEPPEY)
Morning, proceed to
Alleppey
on board the
Houseboat (on board time is around 12:00 Hrs).
A houseboat is about 67 feet in length and has a width of around 13
feet in the middle. The materials that go into the making are local
and ecofriendly; bamboo poles, coconut fiber, ropes, bamboo mats,
carpets etc. The main wood used is "Anjili". There are
houseboats with fully furnished single room, double room and triple
rooms. All of them have sundeck, private balcony with comfortable
chairs, kitchen and toilet with w.c. In addition there is a separate
rest room for the crew. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The
crew includes a chef, and two oarsmen. The cuisine is of traditional
Kerala flavor.
Overnight on the houseboat.
DAY
- 08 ALLEPPEY - COCHINAfter breakfast proceed to Cochin is
the commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of
Kerala.Cochin is also known as the Queen of Arabian Sea. After
cheack in the hotel go for half day city touir of Cochin visiting
Jewish Synagogue,the Dutch Palace,St.Francis Church and Chinese
fishing nets etc.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY - 09
DEPARTURE ALLEPPEY / COCHIN After Breakfast transfer to Cochin
Airport in time to connect your onward flight.