North to South Safari

Delhi – Varanasi – Khajuraho – Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur – Mumbai – Hyderabad – Bangalore – Mysore – Chennai – Madurai – Priyar – Alappuzha – Mararikulam – Cochin – Trivandrum
Duration:23 nights / 24 days

Day 1- Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi and meet the representative at the arrival hall and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon proceed on a tour of the capital city. The important places in Old Delhi includes the majestic Red Fort, the historical Chandni Chowk, besides Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana. In New Delhi, visit the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war; the Laxminarayan Temple, built by the Birlas, one of India’s leading industrial families; Qutab Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty; and the lotus-shaped Baha’i Temple.

Day 2- To Varanasi
Intime transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and transfer to hotel enroute visiting Sarnath, an important Buddhist pilgrimage point. Lord Buddha traveled to Sarnath to preach his first sermon.

Day 3- To Khajuraho
Enjoy a boat ride on river Ganges. There are about hundred ghats in the city Also visit The Vishwanath Temple, built by the Birlas, was planned by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. The Bharat Mata Temple houses, instead of gods and goddesses, a huge relief map in marble of the whole of Indian subcontinent. The Tulsi Manas Temple, built in 1964, is dedicated to Lord Rama. Intime transfer to airport to board flight for Khajuraho. Arrive Khajuraho and transfer to hotel. Later sightseeing tour of Khajurhao Temples. The Chaunsath Yogini, Lalguan Mahadev, Parvati, Varaha, Matangesvara, Lakshmana, Vishvanath and Nandi, Chitragupta, Devi Jagdamba and Kandariya Mahadeo temples belong to this group.

Day 4- To Agra
Morning drive to Jhansi Railway Station to board Shatabdi Express for Agra. Visit Orchha enroute, The Chaturbhuj Temple and Laxmi Narayan Temple are two other important religious attractions in Orchha. Arrive Agra and transfer to hotel.

Day 5- In Agra
Morning city sightseeing tour visiting The Taj Mahal, which is entirely made of white marble and its walls are decorated with exquisite pietra dura (stone inlay) work. Also visit The Agra Fort (also called the Red Fort) makes an interesting sight. The Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula is located in a walled garden overlooking the Yamuna. Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra, located in a large walled garden on the road to Delhi.

Day 6- To Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur visiting the deserted city of Fatehpur sikri also visit Wild life sanctuary of Bharatpur Sanctuary where you can enjoy a cycle rickshaw or a bicycle ride to see birds in their natural habitat Arrive Jaipur and check – in at hotel. There are many dinner options available to dine in any one of the finest Palace hotels that Jaipur boasts of.

Day 7- In Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort, situated just outside the city, is perhaps the most beautiful example of Rajasthani forts . You can have the unique experience of traveling on elephant back to and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur including, City Palace in the heart of Jaipur is known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Not far away is the Central Museum with its large collection of woodwork, Another monument near the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, is the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds was constructed for the royal ladies to watch the royal processions without being seen.

Day 8- To Udaipur
Morning drive to Udaipur. Arrive Udaipur and check – in at hotel. Afternoon free to take a walking tour on your own through the narrow lanes and back streets of Udaipur upto the Washing Ghats at the lake Pichola. Visit one of the fine downtown restaurants for an optional dinner.

Day 9- In Udaipur
Morning sightseeing tour of Udaipur visiting The City Palace and Museum is considered as the largest palace complex in Rajasthan Pratap Memorial has the bronze statue of Maharana Pratap, the legendary warrior king of Udaipur. Jagdish Temple is situated near the city palace. Saheliyon Ki Bari is a small ornamental garden. Later in the day enjoy a two hour boat-ride on Lake Pichola visiting many Ghats (banks) of washing, bathing etc

Day 10- To Mumbai
Intime transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai and transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Mumbai including The Gateway of India is the main attraction of Mumbai city. The Mani Bhawan or the Gandhi memorial was once used to be the residence of Mahatma Gandhi in Mumbai. Also known as Queen’s Neckless, Marine Drive, Juhu is a 5-km-long beach that attracts a large number of visitors on any day of the week. Also visit gardens like the Hanging Garden and the Kamla Nehru Garden and the Chowpatty gives you the view of one of the most happening beaches of Mumbai.

Day 11- To Hyderabad
Intime transfer to airport to board flight for Hyderabad. Afternoon City sightseeing tour. Including The Charminar occupies the center of the city and dominates its landscape. The Hussain Sagar is a large tank whose blue water provides a pleasant backdrop to the city’s landscape. Salar Jung Museum is one of the best-known museums in India where you can find private collections of the Nizams.

Day 12- To Bangalore
Intime transfer to airport to board flight for Bangalore. Arrive Bangalore and transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Bangalore visiting Tipu Sultan’s Palace, originally built in mud in 1537 and rebuilt by Haider Ali a couple of centuries later; Bull Temple enshrining a massive bull carved out of a single piece of Grey granite; Lalbagh gardens laid out by Haider Ali in the 18th century; Cubbon Park laid out by the British in the 19th century. Vidhan Soudha built in granite incorporates features of traditional Indian architecture.

Day 13- To Mysore
Morning drive to Mysore enroute visiting Srirangapatanam, which was the capital of the warrior king Hyder Ali & his son Tipu Sultan, having magnificent monuments. Arrive Mysore and check – in at hotel. Later city tour including Maharaja’s Palace built as recently as 1897, which is one of the biggest in India; St Philomena’s Church etc; Sri Jauyachamarajendra Art Gallery housed in the Jagmohan Palace, which has a collection of exquisite paintings, and, Brindavan Gardens, which are illuminated 3 days a week.

Day 14- To Chennai
Morning visit Chamundi Hill. On the top of the hill stands the temple dedicated to the Goddess Chamundeshwari, the royal family’s patron deity. In the afternoon transfer to Railway Station to board ‘Shatabadi Express’ train for Chennai. Arrive Chennai and transfer to hotel.

Day 15- In Chennai
Morning sightseeing tour of Chennai including Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world. The St. George Fort, built in 1653, is currently used as the state government’s secretariat. Santhome Cathedral was built around 14th/15th century and is another colonial structure worth visiting. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Kapaleeshwar Temple is the oldest temple in Chennai. Another important temple in the city dedicated to Lord Krishna is Parthsarthy Temple. The Snake Park has a large collection of snakes and many other reptiles,

Day 16- In Chennai
Day return excursion to Mahabalipuram & Kancheepuram. The places to be visited are Arjuna’s Penance, Krishna Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam, Five Rathas and Shore Temples. Later visit Kancheepuram, one of the seven sacred cities of India and also home to the famous silk and cotton weaving industry.

Day 17- To Madurai
Intime transfer to airport to board flight for Madurai. Arrive Madurai and transfer to hotel. Later visit Meenakshi Temple, where the 1,000-pillared hall has stone figures carved on the pillars, some of which sound like metal when hit with an object. Also visit Tirumalai Nayaka Temple and the Temple Art Museum.

Day 18- To Periyar
Morning drive on a scenic route dotted with plantations of rubber, cardamom, cocoa, green pepper and areca nut, to the wildlife reserve at Periyar. Arrive Periyar and check – in at hotel. Enjoy a boat ride in the afternoon on Lake Periyar.

Day 19- To Alappuzha
Morning drive a short distance before switching over to a boat for a through many canals and waterways up to Alleppey. The backwater cruise in a country boat is the best way to explore the villages and rural life. In Alleppey you will be taken aboard your floating houseboat, a different boat with a bedroom and en-suite rest room for your comfort.

Day 20- To Mararikulum
Morning drive to Mararikulam, a quaint beach resort. Arrive Mararikulam and check in at a beach resort.

Day 21- In Mararikulum
Day free for independent activities.

Day 22- To Cochin
Morning drive to Cochin. Arrive Cochin and check – in at hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Cochin including The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry is renowned for its wall murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana. The Jewish Synagogue at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town. The St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. The Santa Cruz Basilica, originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese. The Chinese fishing nets are huge cantilevered fishing nets believed to have brought to Kochi by Chinese traders. Finally, the Willingdon Island, named after Lord Willingdon, is the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command of India.

Day 23- To Trivandrum
Intime transfer to Railway Station to board train for Trivandrum. Arrive Trivandrum and transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Trivandrum visiting The ancient temple of Sri Padmanabhaswamy is one of the major attractions in the city of Thiruvananthapuram. Napier Museum was built in 1880 and shows a harmonious blending of Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian architectural styles. Sri Chitra Art Gallery has a good collection Tanjore, Mughal, and Rajput schools of art. The Zoo in Thiruvananthapuram has many shady and delightful walks.

Day 24- Leave Trivandrum
You will be accompanied by a   representative to airport to board flight for onward destination.