Treasures of India
Blend the best of India’s art and culture by visiting some of the most popular destinations in North and South India. You will tour the capital city Delhi which rewards the determined sightseer with more than a thousand monuments. Next visit Bandhavgarh National Park, a premier Tiger Park in Central India. It offers exclusive prospects to see the best of the Indian wildlife, closely, in its natural habitat.
Continue your journey to discover the proud and valorous regal splendor of Rajasthan wandering around its magnificent forts and palaces, mansions and landscaped estates. Visit leading tourist destinations of Udaipur and Jaipur. Next travel to Agra to visit the stunning Taj Mahal. Journey further to Varanasi, a city as old as Babylon and Nineveh. Uncover the mysteries of the Hindu faith amid the burning ghats, antique temples and heritage of crafts along it twisting bazaar streets filled with legendary Indian silks and brocades. Fly off to south India to experience the charm of the backwaters, traditional people and picturesque natural beauty. Heading out from the historic port town of Cochin to the backwaters of Kerala, you will spend a leisurely afternoon cruising in the traditional Kettuvallom houseboats, along the waterways that form a dense network in Alleppey.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
* Visit two extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Monuments, Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar as well as Asia’s largest mosque in Delhi.
* The colorful bazaars, spice markets, flower markets, street-food stalls and chaos of Old Delhi.
* Visit premier tiger park in central India – Bandhavgarh National Park
* Exclusive games drives by open top 4WD vehicles in Bandhavgarh National Park
* Visit the City Palace in Udaipur, the most impressive of Rajasthan’s palaces
* Enjoy a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola with first-hand views of the Lake Palace
* Explore the imposing fort at Amer in Jaipur.
* Marvel at the opulence of the lives of the maharajas as you wonder through the City Palace complex in Jaipur.
* Take in the intoxicating bazaars with their profusion of colours, sights, sounds and smells!
* Holi celebrations in Jaipur (seasonal)
* Visit India’s most famous and romantic monument, the Taj Mahal.
* Explore Varanasi - the Ganges and the Ghats, and immersion into spiritual India
* Cochin – a melange of cultures centred around an ancient fort and the ocean beyond
* Serene and tranquil backwaters of Kerala
* Stay in a traditional Kerala houseboat
This journey starts in Delhi and ends in Bangalore
Meals provided indicated as breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D)
Day 1 Arrive Delhi
VIP Meet and greet assistance services on arrival at Delhi airport. You will be met at the aerobridge and assisted through immigration and baggage (VIP meet and greet services subject to being operational at the time of travel). Transfer to the hotel. (Check in time at the hotel is 1400 hrs / Check out time is 12 noon). Overnight at Maidens Hotel (or similar).
Meals – None
Day 2 Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning take a tour of Old Delhi by cycle rickshaw exploring the narrow alleys of the Chandni Chowk market. Also visit Jama Masjid – Asia’s largest mosque. Evening visit a local home for a cooking demonstration followed by dinner with the host family. Overnight at the hotel
Meals – B, D
Day 3 Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day guided tour of New Delhi visiting Humayun’s Tomb, Gandhi Smriti Museum, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, Qutub Minar. Drive through Lutyen’s Delhi, up to the Presidential Palace and down the impressive boulevard that runs from Rashtrapati Bhawan to India Gate. Dinner at Indian Accent - showcases Indian food for the 21st century with a path-breaking contemporary menu with a unique marriage of global ingredients and techniques with the flavors and traditions of India that is sure to excite the adventurous, yet satisfy traditional palates. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals – B, D
Day 4 Delhi / Jabalpur / Bandhavgarh
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport to board flight for Jabalpur. Arrive at Jabalpur and drive to Bandhavgarh National Park (200 kms, 4.5 hours). Packed picnic lunch will be provided o n this day. Arrive at Bandhavgarh and check into your lodge.
Bandhavgarh National Park is in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. This biodiverse park is known for its large population of royal Bengal tigers, especially in the central Tala zone. Other animals include white tigers, leopards and deer. The mix of tropical forest, Sal trees and grassland is home to scores of bird species, including eagles. To the south are the remains of the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort. Overnight at Mahua Kothi Jungle Lodge (or similar).
Meals – B, L, D
Day 5 Bandhavgarh
Early morning assemble for tea / coffee and then set off for a game drive by open top 4WD exclusive vehicle accompanied by English speaking lodge naturalist who sometimes is also the driver besides the local park guide. Lunch at the lodge.
After lunch, go on the afternoon game drive by open top 4WD exclusive vehicle accompanied by English speaking lodge naturalist. Dinner at the lodge. Overnight at the lodge.
Meals – B, L, D
Day 6 Bandhavgarh
Morning game drive by open top 4WD exclusive vehicle accompanied by English speaking lodge naturalist After luncy, go on an afternoon game drive, visit to the local village or take a nature walk with the lodge naturalist. Lunch and Dinner at the lodge. Overnight at the lodge.
Meals – B, L, D
Day 7 Bandhavgarh / Jabalpur / Delhi
Morning game drive by open top 4WD exclusive vehicle accompanied by English speaking lodge naturalist (this will be a short drive). After the morning safari, quick wash and change and transfer to Jabalpur airport (with packed breakfast) to board flight for Delhi. Arrive at Delhi airport and transfer to the hotel close to the airport.
Dinner at Monsoon Restaurant – explore India's abundant cuisines and flavors in an atmosphere of relaxed opulence. This restaurant aims at creative use of locally sourced ingredients to produce a unique fusion of Indian flavors. Overnight at Roseate House (or similar)
Meals – B, L, D
Day 8 Delhi / Udaipur
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport to board flight for Udaipur. Arrive at Udaipur and transfer to the hotel. Dinner at Royal Repast – this restaurant from the royal house of Bedla, a speciality restaurant and is an attempt to link and reconcile food with history and heritage. It attempts to show you a glimpse of traditional Mewar style of cooking that is counted among the legends of this glorious land. Overnight at the Trident Hotel (or similar).
Meals – B, D
Day 9 Udaipur
Breakfast at the hotel. Today take a tour of the city visiting the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and Saheliyon ki Bari. Evening enjoy a boat ride at Lake Pichola at sunset (on shared basis). Overnight at the hotel.
Meals – B
Day 10 Udaipur / Jaipur
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport to board flight for Jaipur. Fly to Jaipur. Arrive at Jaipur and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon take a tour of the city visiting the City Palace Complex that comprises of palaces, pavilions, gardens and temples. Also visit the observatory Jantar Mantar and drive past the Hawa Mahal. End you day strolling through the markets in the Old city that that sell everything from shoes to jewelery. Overnight at Trident Hotel (or similar).
Meals - B
Day 11 Jaipur
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit the imposing hilltop fort of Amber. Afternoon will be at leisure. Vehicle will be at disposal for local run. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals – B
Day 12 Jaipur
Breakfast at the hotel. Experience the most vibrant Hindu festival of colors – Holi. Join a fun filled party, enjoy authentic snacks and lunch as well as live traditional music, while you throw herbal colors and water balloons at each other. * Please note festival times should be booked far in advance. If a festival is not going on, a half day tour will be arranged. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals – B, L
Day 13 Jaipur / Agra
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Agra. Arrive at Agra and check into your hotel. Afternoon visit the Agra Fort and Idmat-ud-Daulah tomb.Dinner at Pinch of Spice – a favourite with the locals, bet known for its rich and wholesome North Indian cuisine. Indulge yourself in rich curries and succulent tandoori kebabs. Overnight at Trident Hotel (or similar)
Meals – B, D
Day 14 Agra / Delhi / Varanasi
Early morning you will visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise to experience the surreal effects caused by the reflections of the Sun rising from behind the white marble clad Taj Mahal. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Later drive to Delhi (210 Kms, 4 hours) and board flight for Varanasi Fly to Varanasi. Arrive at Varanasi and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at Taj Ganges (or similar)
Meals – B
Day 15 Varanasi
Early morning boat ride on the Ganges – it’s a wonderful way to start the day and watch the city awaken. Return to the hotel for a late breakfast. After breakfast, tour of the city visiting the Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple, Banaras Hindu University. Afternoon musical exploration of Varanasi. Evening attend the ‘aarti’ – worship ceremony on the banks of the river Ganges. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals – B
Day 16 Varanasi / Mumbai / Cochin
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport to board flight for Mumbai. En route guided visit to the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Sarnath. Fly to Mumbai. Arrive at Mumbai airport and change flight for Cochin. Fly to Cochin. Arrive at Cochin airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at Taj Malabar (or similar).
Meals - B
Day 17 Cochin
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning city sightseeing tour of Cochin visiting the Jewish Synagogue, St Francis Church, Dutch Palace and the Chinese fishing nets. Evening watch a Kathakali dance performance - the classical dance form of Kerala. Dinner at Fort Cochin Restaurant – indulge in the ‘catch of the day’ at this exceptional seafood haven. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals – B, D
Day 18 Cochin / Alleppey (90 kms, 2 hours)
Breakfast at the hotel. Later drive to Alleppey jetty to embark on your houseboat. On board the houseboat, you will cruise through the backwaters getting glimpses of everyday life as you pass through villages along the canals. Lunch and dinner on board the houseboat. Overnight on Lakes and Lagoons Houseboat.
Meals – B, L, D
Day 19 Alleppey / Cochin / Bangalore
After breakfast, you will get off the houseboat. You will then be transferred to Cochin airport to board flight for Bangalore. Fly to Bangalore. Arrive at Bangalore airport and transfer to your hotel close to the airport. Overnight at the Taj Bangalore
Meals – B
Day 20 Bangalore / Departure
Today you will be transferred to the airport in time to board international flight back home.
Price upon request. Please note that this is a suggested itinerary. We are happy to customize your India expedition to suit your travel needs, interests and budget.
