Ultimate India

DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI

On arrival at Delhi airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Three nights at your HOTEL in Delhi.

DAY 2: DELHI

After breakfast, tour Old Delhi visiting the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Afterwards, enjoy a rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk. (B)

DAY 3: DELHI

After breakfast, you will be taken on a tour of New Delhi, visiting Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Raj Ghat, Connaught Place and the local markets. (B)

DAY 4: DELHI – VARANASI

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Varanasi. In the evening you will be taken to the banks of the River Ganges to witness the ‘Ganga Aarti’ ceremony that is performed with lighted lamps by Hindu priests every evening at sunset. Two nights at your HOTEL in Varanasi. (B)

DAY 5: VARANASI

Early this morning enjoy a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the World’s largest religions. In the afternoon you will be taken on an excursion to Sarnath, the place where Buddha preached his first sermon on attaining Nirvana. (B)

DAY 6: VARANASI – AGRA

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight from Varanasi to Agra. Two nights at your HOTEL in Agra. (B)

DAY 7: AGRA

Today you will be taken on a sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal. After your tour you will be taken back to your hotel for breakfast. Afterwards, you will visit the Agra Fort, tomb of Itimad and a marble inlay factory. (B)

DAY 8: AGRA – JAIPUR

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Jaipur, via Fatehpur Sikri, the famous ghost city. Jaipur is one of the finest planned cities in India and is one of the most important tourist stops in Rajasthan. Two nights at your HOTEL in Jaipur. (B)

DAY 9: JAIPUR

After breakfast, you will be taken to the ancient capital of Amber to visit the Amber Fort. The Amber Fort is one of the principal tourist attractions of the area. In the afternoon, you will be taken on a tour of the city. You will visit the City Palace, which is an incredibly beautiful complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards. You will also visit the ‘Palace of the Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. Today you will also have the opportunity to wander about the local markets. (B)

DAY 10: JAIPUR – UDAIPUR

After breakfast, you will be taken to the airport for your flight to Udaipur. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your HOTEL for your two-night stay. (B)

DAY 11: UDAIPUR

After breakfast, you will be taken on a city tour visiting the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and an elegant garden called Saheliyon-ki-Bari, situated in the north of the city. In the evening, enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola. (B)

DAY 12: UDAIPUR – MUMBAI

Early this morning, you will be taken to the airport to board your flight to Mumbai. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a Mumbai city tour visiting the Prince of Wales Museum, and Mani Bhavan, a small museum where wax miniatures depict scenes from Mahatma Gandhi’s life and India’s freedom struggle. Afterwards, drive along Marine Drive, visiting the Rajabai Clock Tower, Mumbai University and Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Terminus. (B)

DAY 13: MUMBAI

After breakfast, you will be taken on an excursion to the Elephanta Caves. The caves contain a collection of rock art. In the afternoon return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. (B)

DAY 14: MUMBAI – KOCHI

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Kochi. On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. In the evening enjoy a spectacular cultural Kathakali dance performance. Two nights at your HOTEL in Kochi. (B)

DAY 15: KOCHI

After breakfast, tour Kochi visiting the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue and Mattancherry. (B)

DAY 16: KOCHI – ALLEPPEY

After breakfast, you will be transferred by private vehicle to Alleppey to board your houseboat (kettuvallams), for a cruise through the palm-fringed backwaters of Kerala. Overnight on-board your HOUSEBOAT. (B, L, D)

DAY 17: ALLEPPEY–KOCHI–CHENNAI–PUDUCHERRY

After breakfast, you will disembark your houseboat and head to Kochi airport for your flight to Chennai. On arrival you will be met and transferred by road to Puducherry. Three nights at your HOTEL in Puducherry. (B)

DAY 18: PUDUCHERRY

After breakfast you will be taken on a tour of Puducherry visiting Sri Aurobindo Ahsram, the most popular attraction in Puducherry. (B)

DAY 19: PUDUCHERRY

Today is at your leisure to explore the city of Puducherry, with its colonial buildings, Catholic churches and temples. (B)

DAY 20: PUDUCHERRY – CHENNAI

After breakfast, you will be transferred by private vehicle to Chennai, en route visiting Mahabalipuram, famous for its ancient rock temples. Overnight at your HOTEL in Chennai. (B)

DAY 21: DEPART CHENNAI

After breakfast, you will be taken on a city tour of Chennai City. Drive past the High Court that was built in the late 19th Century in the Indo Saracenic style and visit the local markets. In the evening you will be transferred to the airport to board your onward flight. (B)