16 DAYS Delhi, Agra, Fatehpuri
Sikri, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ranakpur, Mumbai, Cochin,
Kumarakom, Chennai, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram
Day 1 Sat: Depart North America
Depart North America on your exciting journey to
experience the delights of North & South India.
Day 2 Sun: Arrive Delhi
Arrive tonight in India’s bustling capital city
of Delhi, where you are greeted with a traditional
Indian welcome and escorted to LE MERIDIEN HOTEL.
Day 3 Mon: New Delhi Sightseeing
After a leisurely morning, embark on a tour of
New Delhi. Drive along Rajpath, the capital’s
broadest avenue, to view the Parliament House, the
President’s House and India Gate. Visit Humayun’s
Tomb, Qutab Minar and Birla Mandir, a colorful and
modern Hindu temple. (B)
Day 4 Tue: Old Delhi Sightseeing / Agra
This morning, tour Old Delhi. Among your stops
are Red Fort—built by Shah Jahan— Raj Ghat—a
memorial to Mahatma Gandhi—Ashoka Pillar and the
mile-long Chandni Chowk bazaar. Later in the
afternoon, drive to Agra, stopping en route at
Sikandra to visit the tomb of Emperor Akbar. Upon
arrival, check in at CLARKS SHIRAZ. (B)
Day 5 Wed: Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Jaipur
In the morning, enjoy a sunrise visit to the Taj
Mahal, the magnificent monument to love. After
breakfast, tour the exquisite 16th-century Agra
Fort. Proceed to the abandoned and nearly intact
Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, a masterpiece of
Muslim and Hindu architecture. Continue overland to
Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, also known as
the “Pink City.” Upon arrival, check in at CLARKS
AMER. (B)
Day 6 Thu: Amber Fort Excursion & Jaipur
Sightseeing
Today, you are transported back in time as you
ride royally atop elegantly draped and painted
elephants up to the mountain fortress of Amber.
Later, enjoy a tour of Jaipur City, visiting Hawa
Mahal, or “Palace of Winds,” City Palace and the
ancient observatory. (B)
Day 7 Fri: Jaipur / Udaipur
This morning, fly to Udaipur. Upon arrival you
are met and transferred to HOTEL SHIKARBADI. Later,
tour the famous “City of Lakes,” known as one of the
most picturesque and romantic cities in India and
perhaps the world. Visit City Palace, Saheliyon ki
Bari or Garden of Maids and the folklore museum
where you can see a presentation of the string
puppets typical to this area. (B)
Day 8 Sat: Ranakpur Excursion
Today’s excursion brings you to the beautiful
15th-century sculpted Jain temples of Ranakpur. The
intricately carved white marble temple of Adinath is
perhaps the most well-preserved and impressive
examples of Western Indian Temple architecture. The
temple dedicated to the Sun God is famed for its
erotic sculpture. Stop for lunch at Maharani Bagh, a
mango grove and the private gardens of the Maharajah
of Jodhpur. (B)
Day 9 Sun: Udaipur / Mumbai (Bombay)
Fly to Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India’s most
cosmopolitan city. Upon arrival, you are met and
transferred to the RAMADA INN. Your afternoon tour
of Mumbai includes the British-built “Gateway of
India,” the Hanging Gardens, Malabar Hill—where
Mumbai’s rich and famous live—the Prince of Wales
Museum, Dhobi Ghat, Marine Drive, the Gandhi
Memorial Museum and Jain Temple. (B)
Day 10 Mon: Mumbai (Bombay) / Cochin
Late this morning, transfer to the airport for
your flight to Cochin in the state of Kerala, known
for its well-balanced ecosystem. After checking in
at CASINO HOTEL, your afternoon is at leisure to
relax and pursue independent activities. (B)
Day 11 Tue: Cochin Sightseeing / Kumarakom
Tour Cochin this morning. Visit the
Portuguese-built St. Francis Church, the Jewish
Synagogue, the famed Mattancherry Palace, and see
the use of Chinese fishing nets—ingenious devices
requiring little human attention. Later depart for
Kumarakom, experiencing the rich culture and active
lifestyle that has evolved over the centuries in and
around the backwaters and waterways that thread this
region. Upon arrival, check in at ABAD WHISPERING
PALMS RESORT. (B)
Day 12 Wed: Backwaters Cruise
This morning enjoy a boat ride through the
Backwaters, a series of canals and lagoons that
snake their way through several tiny villages amidst
tropical vegetation. Not only do the backwaters of
Kerala link the state together, they are an integral
element in maintaining ecological balance and
creating harmony with nature. Your afternoon is at
leisure. You may want to experience an Ayurvedic
therapeutic massage, indigenous to this region,
which is both relaxing and healing or perhaps take
advantage of the rich waters with a bit of fishing.
(B)
Day 13 Thu: Kumarakom / Chennai (Madras)
In the morning, proceed to Cochin airport in
time to connect to your flight for Chennai (formerly
known as Madras), the fourth-largest city in India.
Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to the
GRAND HOTEL. Your afternoon is at leisure. (B)
Day 14 Fri: Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram Excursion
Today, enjoy an excursion to Kanchipuram, one of
the seven sacred cities of India, which served as a
capital for several dynasties. Visit three of the
best temples—Kailasanatha and Ekambareshwara
(dedicated to Lord Shiva) and Vaikuntaperumal
(dedicated to Lord Vishnu). Continue your excursion
to the ancient Pallavan port of Mahabalipuram,
stopping for lunch at a seaside resort. Later visit
the 7th-century rock hewn monuments. The shore
temple, the last surviving of seven temples, is a
unique example of a temple built of rock quarried
elsewhere and carried to shore. (BL)
Day 15 Sat: Chennai (Madras) Sightseeing / Depart
Chennai
This morning, your tour of Chennai takes you to
Victoria Art Gallery, Bronze Gallery and Chennai
Museum. Visits to Fort St. George, San Thome
Cathedral and Kapaleeswarar Temple complete your
visit. After an afternoon at leisure, say farewell
to unforgettable India tonight and board your
international flight home. (B)
Day 16 Sun: Arrive North America
Arrive home, filled with colorful memories of
your Voyage of Discovery.
