Duration: 28 Nights / 29 Days
Destination Covered:Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry - Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai - Periyar - Kumarakom - Cochin - Ooty - Mysore - Bangalore - Mumbai - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaipur - Ranthambhore - Agra - Delhi
Day 1: Chennai
Compass Representative will meet and assist you upon your arrival at the Chennai airport. Transfer to your hotel. Check in at hotel in Chennai.
The first British Warehouse came up in 1639 when the British acquired the sandy beach from the local Nayaks on lease. It was called Madraspatinam then. Later by 1654, the Fort St. George was built. Still later the neighboring villages were included in the city which came either as grants or gifts. Triplicane was rented from the Sultan of Golconda in 1676. In 1744 Robert Clive worked as a writer from the Fort, later to become a military man of British Army. The Fort House, which housed the Governor and his council, were added in the 17th Century, the Assembly Hall in 1910 and the Secretariat in 1925.
All the neighboring areas were merged into the city now known as Madras or as Chennai as it is officially known. Until Independence, Madras was the capital of what in British times was called the Madras Presidency, comprising nearly the whole of South India, including the Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada speaking areas.
Overnight will be at Hotel.
Day 2: Chennai
Proceed for city tour of Chennai in the morning after breakfast.
Santhome Cathedral-Built by Portuguese in the 14th and 15th century, this Cathedral is named after St. Thomas. Historically important, it is one of the pilgrimages for the Christian community.
Fort St. George, one the first few bastions built by the East India Company, marks the beginning of Chennai as a modern city. It occupies a place of pride and prominence in Chennai. This bastion achieved its name from St. George, the patron saint of England. The state legislature and the secretariat are located in Fort St. George. It houses the St. Mary's church the oldest Anglican Church in India which was built in 1680 and the tombstones in its courtyard are the oldest British tombstones in India. The Fort Museum, once a building that housed Chennai's first lighthouse, first commercial bank and first 'club', is now a well-kept repository of tangible memories of early Madras.
Kapaleeswarar Temple-Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kapaleeswarar temple has inscriptions from the 13th century A.D. The temple 'Gopuram' (tower) is in the characteristic Dravidian style of architecture. The walls and pillars of temple have very delicate and intricate carvings, which depict the scenes from Hindu mythology.
Overnight will be at Hotel.
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Day 3: Chennai/Kanchipuram/Mamallapuram
By Road: 76 km in 2 hr
After breakfast drive to Kanchipuram - is the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its silks.
Lunch at local restaurant and later drive to Mamallapuram and check in at hotel.
Afternoon visit Mamallapuram - built in 7th century, earlier called Mahabalipuram, this ancient Pallava port, is today the sight of several antique sculptural marvels. In this ancient seaside town, shrines and huge sculptures cutout of rocks more than 1200 years back during the reign of Pallava Kings in the region can be seen. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes - of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly poems in stone. The only shore temple, which remains here, is the spectacular two - spired shrine, unique because it houses both Lord Shiva and the Lord Vishnu in its sanctum sanctorum.
Overnight will be at Hotel.
Day 4: Mamallapuram - Tiruvannamalai - Pondicherry
By Road: 112km in 03hr
After breakfast drive to Tiruvannamalai a pilgrim centre with an ancient temple of Lord Shiva.
After lunch at local restaurant, proceed to Pondicherry, which carries a strong whiff of the French presence in India. This erstwhile French colony on the east coast of South India merged with the rest of the country in 1954. Legend says that Pondicherry is the place where St. Agasthaya settled down.
Overnight stay will be at the heritage hotel.
Day 5: Pondicherry - Tanjore
By Road: 160km in 04hr
Drive to visit Aurobindo Ashram, which is also known as "the City of Dawn". The place is 10 km north of Pondicherry. This ashram promotes Shri Auroindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter.
After lunch at local restaurant, drive to Thanjavur en-route visiting the Brass Factory at Kumbakonam. Tanjore once the capital of Chola Kings has the Brihadeswara Temple (or the big temple of God). The temple tower rises to a height of 15m from a square base of 29 m and then tapers off, making a total of 66m.
Overnight will be at Tanjore.
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Day 6: Tanjore - Trichy - Madurai
By Road: 54 km in 02hr, 133 km in 04hr
After breakfast leave for Trichy, short name of Trichurapalli, situated on the banks of Kaveri River is a blend of history and tradition as well as pilgrim centre. It is famous for Ranganath Temple at Srirangam.
Proceed towards Madurai. Reach and check in at hotel.
Madurai's main attraction is the famous Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple a riotously baroque example of Dravidian architecture with Gopurams carved from top to bottom in a breathtaking profusion of multicolored images of Gods. Tamil & Greek documents record the existence of Madurai from the 4th Century BC. The city was known to the Greeks via Magathenes their ambassador to the court of Chandraguptha Maurya this city was popular in trade especially in spices. It was also the site the Sangam, the academy of the Tamil Poets. And Madurai is the centre of all the cities and Madurai is famous for the cotton Sungudi Saris.
Overnight will be at Madurai.
Day 7: Madurai
After breakfast go for city tour of Madurai.
The ancient city of Madurai, some 2600 years old is laid out in the banks of river Vaigai as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi temple in the centre. After lunch city tour visiting - Meenakshi Temple, King Tirumala's Palace, Great Tank and Gandhi Museum.
Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple: dated back to 2000 Years back and designed in 1560 by Vishwanatha Nayaka and built during the reign of Tirumalai Nayaka. The Temple occupies an area of six hectares. There are 12 temple towers (Gopurams). The outer towers are the landmarks of Madurai. They are:
Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam: Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam is a huge temple tank about 5 km east of the Meenakshi temple. The mandapam in the centre has an idol of Vigneshwara (Vinayaka). It is said to have been found when the earth was being dug out from here to build the Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. So, the place attained sanctity and was converted into a teppakulam (tank). This enormous temple tank is fed by water brought from the Vagai through an ingenious system of underground Channels. King Thirumalai Nayak born in 'Poosa' Star. So in commemorating the birth of the king " Float Festival" is conducted in Tamil Month 'Thai' (Jan/Feb) in the tank in a colorful way, which attracts thousands of tourists.
Gandhi Museum: The Gandhi Memorial Museum is one of the distinct places to be visited in Madurai. This Museum is one of the rare living memorial of "The Father of India". The Museum is set in relaxing grounds and has a clear historical account of India's struggle for Independence.
Thirumalai Nayak Palace: This Palace was built in 1636 by King Thirumalai Nayak with the help of an Italian Architect. The building we see today was the main Palace where the King lived. The original Palace Complex was four times bigger than the present structure. This palace consisted mainly of two parts, namely Swargavilasa and Rangavilasa. In these two parts, there are royal residence, theatre, shrine, apartments, armory, palanquin place, royal bandstand, quarters, pond and garden. King Thirumalai Nayak celebrated festivals like Scepter festival, Navarathri, Chithirai festival, Masi festival and the Float festival. He conducted daily dance and music performances in the palace. This palace was destroyed by his grandson Chokkanatha Nayak and the valuables were transferred to other places. During the British rule, in 1822, Lord Napier made several renovation works. Then the palace was utilized to house some officials of the judiciary and district administration. After independence, this palace was declared as a national monument and is now under the care of the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department.
Overnight will be at Madurai.
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Day 8: Madurai - Periyar
By Road: 133 km in 04hr
Proceed for Periyar after breakfast.
The river Periyar is the longest river in Kerala. This is the only perennial river in South India with clean water. The river occupies an important place in the history of Kerala. In the Sangam age Tamil epics such as Chilapathikaram, 'Akananuru', 'Purananuru' etc much has been said about this mighty river, formerly known as the 'Choorni Nadi' or 'Thamraparni Nadi' (Sukasandesam -stanza 66). A land route existed in the Sangam age from Mussuris (present-day Kodungalloor) to Madurai, which passed near the banks of the river Periyar. The capital of the old Chera Empire presumably existed on the banks of the river Periyar. It is believed that there was a flood in the 4th century AD that severely damaged the areas along the Periyar and the people living there had to escape to safer locations, abandoning their homes and livelihoods. The flood of AD 1341 resulted in the closing of Kodungalloor port and the opening of a new port at Kochi. The huge landslide that began in the high ranges as a result of the heavy downpours sent massive flows of mud and sand which created an Island at the 'Azhimugham' of the Periyar, which is now known as the Vyppin Islands.
Proceed for enjoying a boat cruise in Periyar Lake with lunch break. The most enjoyable part of seeing the wildlife is going around the lake in a boat. From the safety of a boat you can witness herds of wild elephants coming down to water and swim. The other prominent fauna to be seen are Tiger, Sambar, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Nilgiri Tahr, Wild Pigs, Wild dogs, Porcupine, Lion-tailed macaque, Malabar Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Sloth Bear, Gaur and Black Langur (Monkey). Tigers and Leopards seldom come to the lakeside by day.
Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at hotel in Periyar.
Day 9: Periyar - Kumarakom:
By Road: 175 km in 04hr
Breakfast will be at resort.
In the morning proceed for a Spice Plantation visit. This will be an interesting tour at one of the family farmhouses. Proceed to the Spice Market to have a look at the finished products.
Proceed towards Kumarakom enjoying the beauty of the traditional Kerala houses. You will also pass through rolling tea gardens and rubber plantations. Stop at a tea factory to see the tea - making process.
Reach Kumarakom and check in at hotel. An enchanting backwater destination, Kumarakom offers visitors many other leisure options.
An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with while lilies - this is Kumarakom.
Check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat.
The backwaters act as a vital waterway for the transport of goods, people and their produce are often the only link between isolated villages and crowded towns. In Kerala, the total expanse of backwater stretches over 1500 km, with a network of 44 rivers, lagoons and lakes from north to south. Alleppey, which forms the main part of this network, has the peculiar geographical feature of having the water in level with the land. This gives the advantage of getting a closer look at the village life on shore while on a backwater ride.
Talk to the crew and sip your tea while enjoying the backwaters and seeing life pass by. The meals and refreshments will be served on the boat.
Overnight will be at Houseboat.
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Day 10: Alleppey - Cochin
By Road: 60 km in 01hr
Cruise through the villages after breakfast. Disembark the boat at Alleppey.
Alleppey is one of the most important tourist centers in the state, with a large network of inland canals earning it the sobriquet "Venice of the East". These large networks of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline. Alleppey was one of the busiest centers of trade in the past with one of the best-known ports along the Malabar Coast. Even today it retains its charm as the centre for Coir carpet industries and prawn farming. Alleppey the ideal headquarters for backwater tourism as well as for visits to the lovely church filled town of Kottayam, and the town of Aranmula, famous for its historic Aranmula Snake Boat Race, which is an annual event.
The eventful history of this city began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw open the estuary at Kochi, till then a land locked region, turning it into one of the finest natural harbors in the world. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring visitors from all over the world and became the first European town-ship in India when the Portuguese settled here in the 15th century.
In the evening you will ring in the New Year at the hotel joining the party and gala dinner. This being a port city the all ships will hoot at 0000 hr of the 1st.
Day 11: Cochin
Breakfast will be at the resort.
Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Fort Cochin. A few interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese Fishing Nets along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow, Jewish Synagogue and Mattancherry Palace. Learn the operation of the interesting Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles, which work on the principle of balance. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea.
Feel the essence of Kerala in Kathakali Dance in evening. Overnight will be at Cochin.
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Day 12: Cochin - Ooty
By Road: 280 km in 06hr
Drive to Ooty after breakfast.
Ootacamund, Ooty or more recently Udhagamandalam, call it what you like, still translates to a little town set on the stepped slopes of the Nilgiris, the oldest mountain range in India. Located 2240 meters, above sea level, the soothing clime and rustic setting gift Ooty a charm of its own. The verdant tea gardens and the rolling hills exude a pleasantness that will calm the high-strung city dweller and soothe his senses with the fragrance of eucalyptus and sandalwood that hangs in the air. What's more, the superb 300km drive from Bangalore to the hill station takes the motorist through two dense wildlife sanctuaries. We've been there and done that and we're about to tempt you to do the same.
Relax during the day and in the evening explore the small town. Overnight will be in Ooty.
Day 13: Ooty & Coonoor
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Spend day at Coonoor (hop on to the toy train) enjoying the scenery and the weather. Some of the beautiful must see spots are:
Coonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris. It stands on a lower ridge of the main plateau at an altitude of 1839 meters. Its climate is milder than Ooty. Surrounding the town are many picnic spots. In the heart of Coonoor is "Sims Park". It is a park cum botanical garden. Many species of trees and shrubs not found in Ooty are grown here. It is at an elevation of 1880 m and occupies 12 hectares of land.
Sim's Park-The Park is situated in a deep ravine on the Northern side of Coonoor Railway Station at an elevation of 1768 to 1798 m. The park can be divided into eight major sections. The natural shola with winding footpaths all over the higher slopes of the park is the most distinctive and picturesque feature of this park. This apart a number of individual tree specimens planted in a scattered fashion all over the place, lend a special charm to the park specially when they bloom in different seasons throughout the year.
Pomological Station-This is one of the three experimental fruit gardens in the Nilgiris maintained by the Horticultural Department. The other two are Burliar and Kallar on the Coonoor - Mettupalayam Ghat Road. Apples, Plums, Peaches, Lemons, Apricots and Pomegranates are grown here for the purpose of research. Surplus fruits and fruit based jams are sold to the public.
Silk Rearing Station Adjoining the Pasteur Institute- There is a Silk Rearing Station maintained by the Central Silk Board. The Sericulture experts at this station may be contacted for special assistance.
Laws Falls- The Place is a beautiful picnic spot, situated at Coonoor - Mettupalayam Road at the distance of 7 Km from Coonoor. The height of the falls is about 180 ft. It is a paradise for Naturalists.
Lamb's Rock-It is 8 Km from Coonoor on the way to Dolphin's Nose. It commands a grand view of the Coimbatore Plains. It is a favorite place for tourists.
Lady Canning's Seat- From Coonoor it is 9 Km. It is marked by a small house and commands panoramic view of the tea estates and the plains.
Dolphin's Nose -The viewpoint is 10 Km from the town. The Nose is a unique rock of tremendous proportions, which looks like a Dolphin.
The Droog- This is also a picnic spot, which is used by Tipu Sultan as an outpost. It is 15 Km from Coonoor and stands 6000 feet high overlooking the plains. Three kilometers of trekking has to be done to reach the point.
Return by the evening and overnight will be in Ooty.
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Day 14: Ooty - Mettupaliyam - Mysore
2 hr by Toy Train and 4 hr by Road
Breakfast will be at the resort.
Take the Toy Train to Mettupaliyam through the blue hills and meet your driver at the station. Drive to Mysore.
Once you enter the Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary limit, the road is almost straight, flanked on both sides by a dense forest. Seven and a half kilometers after the Bandipur reception centre, the road crosses over into Tamil Nadu and the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary.
Reach Mysore and check in at hotel.
Visit Chamundi Hills - Towering over the city, these hills are 13 km away from Mysore. Halfway up is the Nandi Bull, a 4.8 m monolith. Right on top is the 2000-year-old Brindavan Gardens 19 km northwest of Mysore is the KRS Dam and the Ornamental Brindavan Gardens. The musical fountains and colorful lights transform this palace into fairyland in the evenings.
Overnight will be in Mysore.
Day 15: Mysore - Bangalore
By Road: 150 km in 04hr
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Visit Sir Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery- Housed in the Jaganmohan Palace, this gallery has a collection of exquisite paintings dating back to 1875, the Russian Svetoslav Roerich and the traditional Mysore gold leaf style of painting.
Start for Bangalore later in the morning.
On the way visit Srirangapatnam - 16 kms before Mysore, this fort was the stronghold of Tipu Sultan, son of Haider Ali. Tipu made a last minute ditch against the British in 1799 before surrendering his kingdom. Among the many fort buildings still intact, are Tipu's airy Summer Palace and his Tomb at the Darya Daulat Bagh (garden). Here, is also the celebrated Sri Ranganatha Temple.
Reach Bangalore by evening.
A major industrial and commercial center, with scientific and research activity, Bangalore is multifaceted: modern marvels, historical monuments, bustling shopping plazas, a racecourse and golf courses. Called the Silicon Valley of India for its growing software industry, it is also known as the city of draught beer. Bangalore is capital of Karnataka which harbors a diversity of interests such as the Ruins of Vijaynagar, Sculptures of Belur and Halebid, Mausoleum of Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur, golden sands of Karavalli, proud Hills of Kodagu, forests of Bandipur, Nagarhole and Bannerghatta, and Chikmagalur with its mountains and coffee plantations, majestic Mysore and the world's tallest freestanding monolith of Bahubali at Sravanabelagola.
Overnight will be in Bangalore.
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Day 16: Bangalore - Mumbai
Flight: 9W 442 (Jet Airways)
Departure: 2030 hr
Arrival: 2205 hr
Have a leisurely breakfast and proceed for sightseeing.
Lal Bagh: Hyder Ali laid out this famous botanical garden and his son added horticultural wealth to them by importing trees and plants from several countries. The garden today houses over 1000 species of flora, which include rare and enchanting collection of tropical plants, trees and herbs. The Glass House, modeled along London's Crystal Palace, is the center of attraction in this 2400-acre park. Bi-annual flower shows attracting participants from all over India is held in the Glass House.
Cubbon Park: This wooded and be-flowered park was laid out in the heart of the cantonment in 1864. Since then, fairy fountains, an august bandstand and a wealth of statuary have been added. But the most important aspect of Cubbon Park is its newer buildings that have added beauty and cultural wealth. Lush green lawns, shady flowering trees, vibrant flowerbeds, make Cubbon Park an ideal place for morning joggers and alike.
Also in the Cubbon Park are the Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall, which houses the public library, the High Court and the Jawahar Bal Bhavan. The Bhavan, with its toy train, fairgrounds and theatre, is a recreational, hobby and educational centre for children.
Government Museum: One of the important buildings, the Government Museum is one of the oldest in India (1886). A special attraction here is "the antiquities from Mohenjodaro period". Situated nearby the museum is Visveshwaraya Industrial and Technological Museum named after the great engineer-statesman. Next to the VITM is the Visveshwaraya Industrial Trade Center, the first of its kind in India. In addition to its trade promotional activities, the Center has two exhibition floors housing a permanent display of all that is manufactured in Karnataka.
Near the Museum is the K. Venkatappa Art Gallery, which has a permanent exhibition of the works of the great artist, K. Venkatappa. The Gallery does much to encourage art in the state.
Gandhi Bhavan: The Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, housed in the Gandhi Bhavan, houses a comprehensive picture gallery and other exhibits of Gandhiji, which depict the life, and times of Gandhiji. The Bhavan is open on weekdays (10:30 Am to 5:00 PM).
Ulsoor Lake: A picturesque lake with several tree-shaded islands in it is an ideal picnic spot. You can go boating or go for a swim in the nearby swimming pool that is part of the recreational complex near the lake. You can also go to the nearby Gurudwara, the largest Sikh Shrine in Bangalore.
Afternoon proceed for a half-day sightseeing. Visit the Bangalore Palace, Fort & Vidhana Soudha.
Vidhana Soudha: This splendid neo-Dravidian granite building that dominates the northern boundary of the Cubbon park, is the home of the State Legislature and the Secretariat. The massive sandalwood door of the Cabinet room is a spectacular feature of this imposing building. The Vidhana Soudha is bedecked in illuminated glory during special periods and is a sight worth viewing.
The Bangalore Palace & Fort: The Bangalore Fort was built by Kempe Gowda and expanded by Tipu Sultan. Within its walls is the well preserved 16th century Ganapathi Temple. The Bangalore Palace was built by a Wodeyar king in 1887. Inspired by the Windsor castle, this palace was built in the Tudor style, complete with Gothic windows, the foiled windows, battlements and turrets resembling the Daria Daulat Palace in Srirangapatanam, this summer palace has been constructed largely of wood and is famous for it's carving and paintings.
Proceed to the airport for flight to Mumbai. Reach and check in at hotel.
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Day 17: Mumbai
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Mumbai.
Its young, its lively and a confluence of varied cultural currents and cross currents have given Mumbai a unique position of the most multi-ethnic city of India. The capital city of Maharashtra State formerly known as Bombay lies in the southwestern part of India and occupies a peninsular site originally composed of seven islets lying off the Konkan Coast of Western India. Oozing with the cocksure self-confidence of a maverick moneymaker and "Bindass" (carefree) attitude, Mumbai is also country's financial and commercial hub and has a principal port on the Arabian Sea.
Yet, there's another face of Mumbai too that is of the most densely populated cities in the world. Mumbai is located on a site of ancient settlement and took its name from the local Goddess "Mumba" - a form of Parvati, the consort of Shiva, one of the principal Gods of Hinduism - whose temple once stood in what is now the southeastern section of the Mumbai city.
You will be visiting among other things, the following:
The Elephanta Island is the site of the magnificent Elephanta Caves, containing beautiful carvings, sculptures, and a temple to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. These caves are located at a distance of 11 km from Mumbai and are now designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island of Elephanta, being a commercial, military and religions centre for centuries has traces of early Buddhist culture.
The Elephanta caves are thought to date back to the Silhara kings belonging to the period between 9th - 12th centuries. With the Brahminical resurgence during the reign of Gupta dynasty in 3rd century AD, these great cave dedicated to Lord Shiva exploded into existence at Elephanta. Legends and history suggest that the great warrior prince of Chalukya dynasty Pulkesin II raised the shrine to celebrate his victory. Some historians also suggest that these caves were built by the Kalahari King Krishna raja in 6th century AD.
Marine Drive: Marine Drive located in the central Mumbai, built in the 1920s and 30s on land reclaimed from the sea, is Mumbai's most famous thoroughfare. It is also referred to as the Queen's Necklace because of the dramatic line of street lamps lit up at night. Recently it has come to known as Netaji Subhashchandra Bose Road with Nariman Point on one end to Babulnath, at the foot of Walkeshwar on the other.
Gateway of India: Mumbai's principal landmark, the Gateway of India is a huge archway on the water's edge at Apollo Bunder. It is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. This famous monument was built to commemorate the visit of the first ever British Monarch, King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.
Hanging Gardens: Also known as Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, the Hanging Gardens were built in 1880 and renovated in 1921. These gardens are popularly known as Hanging Gardens, because of their location on the slope of a hill. The terrace garden looks south from Malabar Hill towards Colaba, and affords a panoramic view of the city or a breathtaking sunset. It is built over three reservoirs, which store 30 million gallons of water pumped here for cleaning before being supplied to the town.
Overnight will be at Mumbai.
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Day 18: Mumbai - Udaipur
By Flight No: CD 7472
Airlines: Indian Airlines
Departure: 08.45 hr
Arrival:09.55 hr
After breakfast drive to Domestic Airport for flight to Udaipur.
The City of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the Aravallis. A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the Lake Pichola is an enticing sight.
Udaipur is the jewel of Mewar -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years. Relax in the afternoon.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 19: Udaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.
Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the Local Folk Museum.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 20: Udaipur to Jodhpur
By Road: 260-km/6 hr
Proceed for Jodhpur after breakfast.
Stop at the beautiful Jain temples of Ranakpur.
Ranakpur Temples, dating back to the 15th century. 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Continue drive to Jodhpur and reach Jodhpur by late afternoon.
Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125m above the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
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Day 21: Jodhpur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for morning sightseeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert beyond, home of the Rathors of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh Fort, rising up a hilly scarp, built on the advice of a hermit, overlooking the city in the image of a long sentinel. Inside the Fort are a number of palaces added by successive rulers. In this palace you would see different miniature paintings & cradle room. After this you would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial.
Afternoon go for a village safari in the jeep and have a rare glimpse into the rich culture and true essence of India. Abundant wildlife (game) and memorable moments of the great desert landscape fascinates one while driving along the countryside.
Relax in the evening or proceed for shopping.
Overnight will be in Jodhpur.
Day 22: Jodhpur - Jaipur
By Road: 280-km/6 hr
After breakfast drive to Jaipur.
Stop at the Kishangarh Phool Mahal Palace for lunch. Continue drive to Jaipur. Reach and check in at hotel.
Jaipur - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. It is popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.
Reach Jaipur and check in at hotel. Shopping and relax in the evening.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
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Day 23: Jaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel. Morning excursion will be taken to the Amber Fort. Enjoy the fort ascent on elephant back in a royal manner.
Amber Fort Palace - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur visiting.
City Palace - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
Jantar Mantar - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
Hawa Mahal - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure of sandstone-plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
Free in the evening. Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 24: Jaipur - Ranthambhore
By Road: 180 km/3 hr
Drive to Ranthambhore after breakfast.
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, at the junction of the Aravallis and the Vindhyas, is a unique example of natural and historical richness, standing out conspicuously in the vast, arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan, barely 14 kilometers from Sawai Madhopur. Get in tune with nature for a luxury holiday in the heart of the jungle. It has come to be known as "The land of the Tiger", where most of the documented footage of this majestic beast has been recorded.
It spreads over a highly undulating topography varying from gentle to steep slopes from flat topped hills of the Vindhyas to the conical hillocks and sharp ridges of the Aravalis, from wide and flat valleys to narrow rocky gorges. An important geological feature the 'Great Boundary Fault' where the Vindhya plateaus meet the Aravali Hill Ranges meanders through the Reserve. The National Park is bound by the rivers Chambal in the south and Banas in the north.
Proceed for the afternoon game drive into the forest. Overnight will be at Ranthambhore.
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Day 25: Ranthambore
Wake up early morning and leave for your safari into the National Park. Track the tigers and other wildlife through the morning.
Return to the resort / lodge by 1000 in the morning and have breakfast. Freshen up and either spend time at the pool or visit the town. You could also go for a nice visit to the temple on top of the fort.
In the afternoon have lunch and then leave again for you afternoon safari. The safari will be till evening 1700 - 1800 hr and then return to the resort / lodge.
Dinner will be at the resort and retire early for the night. Overnight will be at Ranthambhore.
Day 26: Ranthambhore - Agra
By Road: 221 km/5 hr
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Drive to Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri en-route.
The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition. It's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.
Continue your drive to Agra and on arrival check-in at Hotel.
Agra: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously.
Overnight will be in Agra.
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Day 27: Agra
Visit Taj Mahal at sunrise.
Taj Mahal: The fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, built it in 1631 in the memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. She died while accompanying her husband in Behrampur in a campaign to crush a rebellion, after giving birth to their 14th child. Her death so crushed the emperor that all his hair and beard were said to have grown snow white in a few months. When Mumtaz Mahal was still alive, she extracted four promises from the emperor: first, that he build the Taj; second, that he should marry again; third, that he be kind to their children; and fourth, that he visit the tomb on her death anniversary. He kept the first and second promises. Construction began in 1631 and was completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work on it. An Iranian architect designed it and it is best appreciated when the architecture and its adornments are linked to the passion that inspired it. It is a "symbol of eternal love".
Having buried her down at Behrampur, it was time for the emperor to keep his promise and build a tomb there itself. But by and by, it was felt that it was virtually impossible to transfer all the marble there, as it would cost an entire fortune and an entire lifetime. So, when Agra was chosen as the only alternative, astonishingly her grave was uprooted and brought to Agra, only to be finally transferred to the monument, completed twenty-two years later.
Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Proceed to Agra and visit Agra Fort, which was built by Akbar In 1525 AD. After Agra Fort we will visit Baby Taj - The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj.
Visit Taj Mahal at sunset. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 28: Agra - Delhi
By Road: 201 km/4 hr
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed to Delhi and stay overnight.
Delhi, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. Delhi is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land and a window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Proceed for shopping in the evening. Overnight will be at Delhi.
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Day 29: Delhi
Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi after breakfast.
Old Delhi - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Mughal Empire.
Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandini Chowk.
New Delhi - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House and the President's Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
In the evening meet up and have Farewell Dinner together. Enjoy the Dances Of India Show in the evening.
Take evening flight home with sweet memories of India.
Tour Ends.
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