Best of North India tour

Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Destinations: Cochin - Mumbai - Delhi - Varanasi - Khajuraho - Agra - Ranthambhore - Jaipur - Delhi

Mid Night arrive at Delhi, stay in hotel over night.

Day 01 : Flight Delhi To Udaipur
Afternoon proceed for a sightseeing trip to Cochin visiting Fort Cochin - Ancient capital of the Dutch, Portuguese and finally the British. The old Spice Market at Mattancherry, the antique shop on Jews Street, the Synagogue, Dutch Palace and, of course, the Church of St. Francis where the mortal remains of Vasco Da Gama was buried before it was shifted to Portugal.
Overnight at the hotel. B
Plan 1 - Taj Malabar
Plan 2 - Hilton

Day 02 : Drive to Munnar 130 Kms 3 hours
Check in at the hotel. After lunch proceed for the sight seeing of Munnar. Eravikulam National Park (15 km from Munnar) The 97 sq. km. park is situated in the Devikulam Taluk and is home to the Nilgiri Tahr. The Anamudi peak (2695 Mts) is located in the Southern region of the park.
Originally established to protect the Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiri Ibex), the Eravikulam National Park is situated in the Devikulam Taluk of the Idukki District. It was declared as a sanctuary in 1975. Considering the ecological, flora, fauna, geo-morphological and zoological significance, it was declared as a National park in 1978. It covers an area of 97 sq kms of rolling grasslands and high level sholas (evergreen forests). The park is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world. The park is divided into 3 regions - the core area, the buffer area and
the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area which is in the Rajamala region. The
Nilgiri Tahr can be observed at close quarters here.
Devikulam (7 km from Munnar)
This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.
Overnight at the hotel.
Plan 1 - Tea county / Munnar Woods
Plan 2 - Cloud Nine / Similar

Day 03: Periyar (Thekkady) 110 Kms 2 hours drive
This morning after an early breakfast drive to Periyar. Arrive & check in to your hotel.
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Lying close to the plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world's most fascinating natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread across 777 sq. km, of which 360 sq. km is thick evergreen forest, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted for its geo-morphological diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the Reserve attracts visitors from all over the world. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar river adds to the charm of the park. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar remains the large herds of wild elephants that come down to the lake's edge.
Overnight at the hotel. B
Plan 1 - Taj Garden Retreat
Plan 2 - Mutthu's

Day 04: Kumarakom, 115 Kms 2 hours drive.
After breakfast transfer to houseboat which cruises along the palm-fringed waterways of Kerala in a luxury houseboat is the most enchanting holiday experience in India today. In this world of simple pleasures, you will skim past ancient Chinese fishing nets, water lilies, lush paddy fields, coir villages, rustic homes, temples and coconut groves. A guided tour down the backwaters would provide you with a complete and most enchanting experience on the back waters of Kerala and will also reveal to you some interesting facts about the life of local village people. There is a Kerala that lives along these backwaters throbbing with its own unique culture .For you, as a visitor to Kerala it can be incredibly different experience just floating this backwater in a country craft and absorbing unusual representation.
Overnight at Boat. B/ L / D
Plan 1 - Deluxe
Plan 2 - Standard

Day 05: Kumarakom
Overnight at Boat. B/ L / D
Plan 1 - Deluxe
Plan 2 - Standard

Day 06: Kumarakom - Cochin - Mumbai
Early morning we drive to Cochin to fly to Mumbai. At the airport our executive would receive you and transfer you to the hotel. In the afternoon we will provide you with the transport and the guide will take you for a city tour.

Day 07: Mumbai:
After breakfast your day starts with the sight seeing trip of Mumbai visiting the Gateway of India, Victoria Terminus, Crawford Market, a drive past the Marine drive, Jain temple and conclude the tour by a visit to Mani Bhavan, which was Mahatma Gandhi's residence in Mumbai for 14 years. We also take you to the world famous Dhobi Ghat ( open air laundry washing place )
Overnight at Mumbai. B
Plan 1 - Taj President
Plan 2 - Hilton

Day 08: We fly from Mumbai at 0525 - 0700 to Jaipur

Jaipur
The Capital of Rajasthan, this picturesque city is a symphony in Pink, a colour which symbolizes hospitality in Rajput culture. Built by Raja Jai Singh in the 18th century it is surrounded by hills topped with rugged fortresses and dotted with fairy tale palaces. Jaipur is a city of ambling camels and brightly dressed peasants, treasure trove of handloom and craft. Come visit city of Love, legends and lore.
THE splendid fort / palace of AMBER were wrested by the Kachhwaha Rajputs in the mid-12th century. The Kacchwaha rulers dominated the surrounding area for the next six centuries. Amber was also the prime site of the alliance between the Mughals and the Rajputs. The astronomer-king Sawai Jai Singh II, famous for his Jantar Mantar ascended the throne in 1699. He soon decided to build a new city in the plains: JAIPUR was designed according to the principals of the Shilpa-Shastra (Architecture)and the capital shifted here in 1727, the city attracted merchants and crafts-people that over time shaped its irresistible bazaars.Our executive would receive you at the airport and take you for the sight seeing tour of Jaipur to Amber Fort. This morning you take a ride on an elephant back as your personal guide takes you to the majestic Amber fort. You ascend the fort, the royal way. The sight seeing of Jaipur includes the visit to the most distinguished astronomical observatory and the royal city palace complex. We would like to offer you a traditional silver platter lunch at a restaurant known for its cooking demonstration and the most exclusive for us, a turban tying demonstration. There is also a turban museum there.
The evening you have an option to take a heritage walk into the illuminated bazaars of the pink city and enjoy a rickshaw ride and the treasure hunt organized especially for you.
Overnight at the hotel. B
Plan 1 - Taj Jai Mahal Palace
Plan 2 - Hilton/ Similar

Day 09 : Jaipur - Ranthambhore Tiger project ( 4 hours)
After breakfast we start for Ranthambhore. Reach the park in the afternoon. In the evening we have organized for a jeep safari in the park to watch the tiger in its natural habitat. We Offer you two game drives into the tiger project , giving you a fair chance to track the Royal Bengal Tigers, however if you are not lucky enough you may choose to take another game drive the following morning.
Overnight at the hotel. B/L/D
Plan 1 - Taj Lodge
Plan 2 - Tiger den / Similar

Day 10 : Ranthambhore
The stunning RANTHAMBORE National Park is famous for its tiger. The best season is Oct-April. The 10th -century fort witnessed Raja Hammir's valiant defeat against Allaudin Khilji . The heroic tales are given a suitable ambience by crumbling temples and mosques, crocodile infested lakes and chhatris Cenotaphs).
In the afternoon we take you around the local sights of Sawai Madhopur
Overnight at the hotel. B/L/D
Plan 1 - Taj Lodge
Plan 2 - Tiger Den / Similar

Day 11 :
This morning after breakfast we drive to the city of Agra. Enroute we visit Fatehpur Sikri the deserted capital of the Mughals.
After check in you are free for the evening. In the evening just before sunset we offer you to visit Taj Mahal by sunset.

AGRA - Taj Mahal
one of the Seven Wonders of the world built by Emperor Shah Jehan in the memory oh his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum took 22 years to complete with a work force of 20,000. Craftsmen and master builders came from all over Asia to join in the great work - from Baghdad, Shiraz, Delhi, Samarkand and Turkey. The marble, India's finest; was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur. Precious and semi precious stones were imported from distant lands : Jasper from Punjab, Jade & Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrosolite from Egypt, Amethyst from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda and Mother of Pearl from the Indian Ocean.
Overnight at the hotel. B
Plan 1 - Taj View / Sheraton
Plan 2 - Man Singh/ Holiday Inn

Day 12: Agra
- Early morning your personal guide takes you to visit Taj Mahal at the sunrise. Return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast one of the important architectural monuments in Agra - The Agra Fort built by Emperor Akbar, the maze and the courtyards; mosques and Private Chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire, Itmat Ud Daula, considered to be a fore runner of Taj and in the evening your are free for personal activities.

Day 13: Khajuraho
After breakfast we board the fastest train in India to reach Jhansi. We will drive from Jhansi to Khajuraho. In the afternoon we will stop for lunch and on our way to Khajuraho we will visit the fort at Orccha. Reach late afternoon to Khajuraho.
Afternoon we begin the tour of Khajuraho temples.
Khajuraho

The temples at Khajuraho were built during the Chandela dynasty, which reached its apogee between 950 and 1050. Only about 20 temples remain; they fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions - Hinduism and Jainism. They strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The Temple of Kandariya is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art.
Overnight at the hotel. B
Plan 1 - Chandela
Plan 2 - Holiday Inn

Day 14 :
We will this morning visit the rest of the temples and drive to airport for our flight to Varanasi.
In the afternoon we take you for a rickshaw ride in the downtown area and than head to the ghats of river Ganges for a boat ride and witness the Ganga Aarti (the Brahmin priest offer prayers to the holy Ganges for bestowing them the life and wisdom.
Overnight at the hotel. B
Plan 1 - Taj Ganges
Plan 2 - Radisson
Varanasi

The venerable and ancient city Varanasi is the religious centre of the world for Hindus. It is a magnificent city, with myriad attractions, both as an exalted place of pilgrimage and a microcosmic centre of faith. Thousands of pilgrims visit the city from all parts of India and from across the world. Varanasi is a unique city where the past
and present, eternity and continuity lives side by side. The life and activities in the city revolves around the holy river. Life on the banks of the Ganga begins before dawn when thousands of pilgrims -men, women and children, come down to the river to wait for the rising sun.

Day 15 : Varanasi
You day starts by a sunrise visit at river Ganges followed by a walk through the narrow lanes of the city to feel the life & culture of the holiest city of the country. Return back to the hotel for breakfast.
On the way to the airport, visit to Sarnath 10 Kms
This fabled place bears testimony to its great past where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples expounding the principles of Buddhism. There are remains dating as far back as the 3rd century B.C. when Emperor Ashoka founded various institutions, stupas, monasteries and pillar edicts. The ruins at Sarnath and the art collection in the Archaeological Museum are representations/ examples of the glorious past of Sarnath.
Late afternoon internal flight from Varanasi to Delhi.
Check in at the hotel.

Day 16: Delhi
In the afternoon your tour starts with sightseeing of Old Delhi. The tour guide escorts you to Jama Mosque built in 1650 AD, followed by a drive past the breathtaking Red Fort (1639-1648) built by Shah Jahan, creator of the Taj Mahal. Then we proceed on to Raj Ghat, which is the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of the largest wholesale market in India .Time permitting also visit special sites in New Delhi.
Overnight at the Hotel. B
Plan 1 - Imperial
Plan 2 - Park / similar

Day 17 : Delhi
New Delhi begins with the drive past Safdarjang's Tomb (1753 AD) on the way to Qutab Minar (1193 AD) this striking medieval tower of victory of Persian World is 73 m high. Within the Qutab complex, amidst the ruins of Quwat-ul-Islam mosque, stands the Iron pillar which has stood the vagaries of weather and has not rusted over 1500 years. Then drive through New Delhi includes the Embassy area (Diplomatic enclave), Government buildings, India Gate, Sikh Temple (Bangla Sahib Gurudwara), Birla Temple and Connaught Place, New Delhi's main shopping area. Visit Humayun's Tomb - considered to be the fore runner of Taj Mahal.
Free for the afternoon for your personal activities and recollect the fond memories of the country and your tour.
Evening we transfer you to the airport for your flight back home.

*Single Supplement Available for 35% Extra.
* Kindly put in a Rate request for The Tour cost of Four Star hotels.Cost includes: All breakfasts.
Lunch and dinner as mentioned in the itinerary.
All internal flights: Mumbai - Cochin - Delhi -Varanasi - Khajuraho
Air-conditioned transport at all the places.
Services of guides and escorts.
All entrances at all the monuments except camera and video camera.
All the hotels are 5 star category in the plan 1
All the hotels are 3/4 star category in the plan 2
Single supplement available for 35% extra.