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» Taj Mahal Tour with Kerala
Taj
Mahal Tour with Kerala
| Duration:
13 Nights / 14 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Delhi - Chennai
- Trivandrum - Cochin - Periyar - Madurai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Chennai
|
Day 01: Arrival at Delhi Company representatives
will receive you on arrival at the international airport in Delhi late in the
night or midnight. Transfer to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI, the capital
of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend
of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture
of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight
will be at Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi Breakfast will be at the
hotel.
Start a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi.
OLD DELHI
- A sight-seeing 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 Moghul Empire.
Enjoy the cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW
DELHI - An extensive sight-seeing 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, the President's Residence,
Lotus Temple and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Proceed
to see the DANCES OF INDIA show in the evening.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi - Agra Start for Agra early in the morning after
breakfast.
En-route you will visit the SIKANDRA. 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. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of
the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
TAJ
MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always
the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan,
the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument
took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect
Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj
is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and
some of the best inlay work ever seen.
Proceed for visit to the Taj Mahal,
Agra Fort and Itmadullah's Tomb with English speaking guide. Enjoy battery van
ride. Return to hotel and relax in the evening.
Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 04: Jaipur Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel.
Proceed
for a morning excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
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 it's ultimate expression.
Continue sight-seeing.
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. Their five-storey structures 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.
Relax in the evening or visit the markets. Overnight
will be at Jaipur.
Day 05: Jaipur - Delhi After leisurely
breakfast proceed for shopping.
Leave for Delhi after lunch. Reach Delhi
and you will be transferred to airport for flight with sweet memories of India
after FAREWELL DINNER.
Day 06: Delhi - Chennai Transfer to
hotel Le Meridien (near the airport)
Day 07: Chennai - Trivandrum
Transfer to Somatheeram Ayurvedic Resort
Day 08: Ayurvedic Beach Resort
Relax and enjoy the facilities at the resort including private beach,
yoga, massage, nature walks, classical music and dance programs on open-air stage,
visits to local traditional village.
Day 09: Backwaters of Kerala
From the resort drive to the pier to board a private rice boat (70 kms/2 hrs drive)
and then cruise through the narrow canals and wide lakes enjoying the scenic natural
beauty -- coconut trees, rice patties, small villages.Meals and overnight on houseboats.
Day 10: Backwaters - Cochin Morning relax on houseboat, after
lunch drive to Cochin 65 Kms/ 1 1/12 hrs.), transfer to hotel. Taj Mallabar Hotel,
overlooking the harbor, sea facing rooms.
Day 11: Cochin Full
day sighseeing: palaces, museums. Enjoy a Kathakali dance performance at Cochin
Cultural Center, arriving by 5 pm to watch the make-up. Dinner at traditional
Kerala restaurant. Taj Mallabar Hotel
Day 12: Periyar Periyar
Wild life Sanctuary Home to bison, antelopes, sambars, wild boars, monkeys, langurs,
a wide variety of birds, and some 750 elephants. Game viewing by private motor-boat
in the evening, (the best time to see wild life). Hotel Taj Garden Retreat
Day
13: Periyar - Madurai Relax at Periyar in the morning. In afternoon, drive
to Madurai (135 kms./ 4hrs. drive), "The Temple City of India." Evening
relaxed overview of the city, independent strolling. Hotel Taj Garden Retreat
in Madurai, cottages.
Day 14: Madurai Full day sighseeing:
Sri Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Palace, Tiruparankundram (rock-cut)Temple,
Alagarkoil Temple Evening fly Madurai-Madras dep 19:40 arr 20:30 arr. OR 20:40
dep.-21:30 arr. Hotel Taj Garden Retreat
Day 15: Madras Full
day sightseeing of Madras: Kapaleeshwarar Temple, San Thome Cathedral, Sri Parthasarathy
Temple, Fort St. George, the Marina. Hotel Taj Coromandel, superior room
Day
16: Drive to Kanchipuram Visit temples of Kanchipuram enroute to Mahabalipuram.
Kailasanatha Temple, Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Sri Ekambaranathar Temple, Kamakshi
Amman Temple, Devarajaswami Temple. On arrival in Mahabalipuram transfer to Hotel
FishermanÕs Cove.
Day 17: Mahabalipuram Morning relax;
afternoon sightseeing: Five Rathas, Shore Temple, ArjunaÕs Penance, Mandapams,
Krishna Mandapam.
Day 18: Madras Relax in the morning. Late
afternoon drive back to Madras (80kms./2hrs. drive). Transfer to international
airport for flight home.
Tour Ends
Taj Mahal Tour with Kerala Reservation Form
