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Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands
clapped together. After immigration and custom formalities, we
are assisted and driven through the city to our hotel.
Overnight: Hotel in Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi: -
The capital of India is a true reflection of the old and new of
India. We start our morning tour with New Delhi and visit first
the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament,
Connaught Place and the Qutb Minar - a perfect minaret towering
102 meters into the sky. New Delhi is a blend of Mughal India,
Hindu India, British India and, certainly, modern independent
India. Rest of the day free to explore the city of Delhi. Our
spiritual experience begins as we visit in the afternoon the
famous Lotus and Iskcon Temples. Overnight: Hotel in Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi: -
Today we look at another part of Delhi. Old Delhi houses the
famous Red Fort. Built by Shah Jehan, this was once the most
opulent fort of the Mughal Empire. Next we visit another Mughal
majesty, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, followed by
the Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. We end our
tour with a bazaar experience at Chandni Chawlk, the street of
silver and goldsmiths. Afternoon is free. Evening we enjoy
dinner at a typical restaurant. Overnight: Hotel in Delhi.
Day
04: Delhi - Bangalore
Today we take a flight to Bangalore where, upon arrival, we are
met and transferred to our Hotel. Our tour of this clean city
covers the Botanical Garden, the Visveswariah Museum, and the
famous Mysore Arts and Craft Center. Bangalore is the capital of
Karnataka. It is called the Garden City due to its delicate
blossoms and greenery that impart a unique beauty to this lovely
city. The weather is the city's best feature, with pleasant
summers and bearable winters. Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city,
where a variety of cultures and customs thrive. Kempe Gowda
founded the city in 1537 - is today a bustling and diverse city
with ancient arts that flourish alongside the Silicon Plateau of
India.
Overnight: Hotel in Bangalore
Day 05 : Bangalore / Mysore (Drive 139 kms)
Today we are taken on a scenic drive to Mysore. Also known as
the city of Palaces, Mysore has never failed to mesmerize with
its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces,
beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady
avenues and sacred temples. Our tour includes the Maharajah's
Palace, the Shri Chamundeswari Temple and the Nadi Shiva's Mount
and a stroll through the city. Evening is free to enjoy the
Vrindavan Garden and City Palace, which is beautifully lit on
certain days.
Overnight: Hotel in Mysore
Day 06 (FRI): Mysore / Bangalore / Cochin (Flight)
14 km northeast of Mysore on the Bangalore-Mysore Highway is
Srirangapatnam, the island fortress that was once the capital of
the warrior –kings Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of
Mysore. After visiting this historical fortress we make our way
to Airport at Bangalore for our flight to Cochin. On arrival at
Cochin we are met and transferred to Hotel Overnight Hotel in
Cochin
Day 07 : Cochin
Today we tour the city, with one of the finest natural harbors
in the world. Ancient mariners from Arabia, China, Holland,
Britain and Portugal have all left their mark on this beautiful
island city, often referred to as the Venice of the East. We
visit the oldest European Church in India "St. Francis Church".
Vasco Da Gama was originally buried here 14 years later his
remains were taken back to Portugal. One can see the winding
streets with mosques and 500 year old Portuguese houses,
cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, a Jewish community with
ancient roots, a 16th century synagogue, and a palace built by
the Portuguese. In the evening we also see Kathakali Dance with
dinner.
Overnight Hotel in Cochin
Day 08 : Cochin / Alleppey (Drive 60
kms)
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Alleppey and watch
the Boat races. In the afternoon we board the House Boat. Which
takes us to the splendid tour of canals and lakes. People here
are so adapted to the water that it is not unusual to see people
talking for hours, while immersed up to their necks in water.
Canoes with huge sails still transport people and you can find
vegetable sellers, fisherman and other household materials being
brought door to door by small wooden boats. The area is
surrounded with coconut palms and lush green rice fields. The
major crop is coconut and it is said that the name Kerala
comes from the old name of coconut.
Overnight: House Boat
Day 09 : Kumarakom
In the morning our boat anckers at Kumarakom and we are
transferred to our Hotel. Situated on the Vembanad Lake this
unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald
green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with
enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. In
this small water world is has plenty of traditional country
crafts, boats and canoes that take you into the heart of the
scenic lake. The resorts offer comfortable accommodation and
exclusive leisure options like an Ayurvedic massage, yoga, and
meditation, boating, fishing, angling and swimming.
Overnight Hotel in Kumarakom
Day 10 : Kumarakom
Today we visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, The Kumarakom Bird
Sanctuary located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, an
ornithologist's paradise, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds
like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. A cruise
along the Vembanad Lake is the best way to experience the
Sanctuary.
We start with a boat ride to visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
Those adventurous enough may indulge in water sports such as
windsailing and water skiing. For those looking to relax, try a
canoe ride on the still waters.
Day 11 ): Kumarakom / Kovalam (Drive 180 kms)
After breakfast we take a scenic e drive to the beautiful
Kovalam beach situated on the Malabar Coast near Trivandrum. The
palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed
stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of
white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart
palms and the rocky promontories make this beach an incredible
paradise.
Overnight: Hotel in Kovalam
Day 12 : Kovalam / Kanyakumari /
Kovalam
Today we go for a day excursion to the "Lands End" of India:
Kanya Kumari is the southernmost tip of peninsular India where
the waters of the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the
Arabian Sea meet. A place from where one can see spectacular
sunrises and also colourful sunsets. On balmy evenings, one can
watch the sun set while the full moon is rising in another part
of the sea.
Overnight: Hotel in Kovalam
Day 13 : Kovalam
Day is free to enjoy the beautiful beaches or Optional Ayurvedic
treatments
Day 14 : Kovalam / Trivandrum / Home
Today we are transferred to Airport for our flight to onward
destination. |
