India's Rich Culture, Heritage, Tea Estate & Backwater Tour 19 days

Day 1 Arrive Delhi

On arrival at Delhi airport, assistance & transfer to the hotel for check-in. O/n at the hotel.

Day 2 Delhi (B)

City tour of Delhi visiting Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Raj Gath, Humayun Tomb, Qutab Minar & Lotus Temple. Also, drive past the President's House, Parliament & India Gate, etc. O/n at the hotel.

Day 3 Delhi - Agra (204kms) (B)

Drive to Agra, check in at the hotel. Later, visit the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb. O/n at the hotel.

Day 4 Agra - Orchha (220kms) (B)

Drive to Orchha. En route, visit Gwalior Fort, known for its great architecture and rich past. Arrive at Orchha, check in at the hotel. Later visit Orchha Fort complex, which houses the fort, palaces, temples & other edifices. O/n at the hotel.

Day 5 Orchha - Khajuraho (178km) (B)

Drive to Khajuraho, check in at the hotel. Visit exceptionally well-maintained Khajuraho temples built in the short span of a hundred years from 950-1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty. O/n at the hotel.

Day 6 Khajuraho - Varanasi (flight) (B)

Transfer to the airport to board the flight for Varanasi. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Evening attend Holy Ganga Aarti, a magical ritual held at sunset on the banks of the holy Ganges. O/n at the hotel.

Day 7 Varanasi (B)

Early morning boat ride & Ghat visit. Later visit Banaras Hindu University, Bharat Mata Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple & Sarnath Temple complex, including the Great Dhamekh Stupa. If time permits, visit Ram Nagar Fort & Museum. O/n at the hotel.

Day 8 Varanasi - Mumbai (flight) (B)

Transfer to the airport to board the flight for Mumbai. On arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in. Rest time is free for personal activities. O/n at the hotel.

Day 9 Mumbai (B)

Morning excursion to Elephant Caves (Monday closed). Later, city tour visiting CST, Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan & Dhobhi Ghat. O/n at the hotel.

Day 10 Mumbai - Aurangabad (flight) (B)

Transfer to the airport to board the flight for Aurangabad. On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Later visit Ellora Caves, Grishneshwar Temple & Daulatabad Fort. Also visit Bibi ka Maqbara, Panchakki & Aurangabad Caves. O/n at the hotel.

Day 11 Aurangabad (B)

Full day excursion to Ajanta, which houses 30 rock-cut caves from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE. Drive back to Aurangabad for an overnight stay.

Day 12 Aurangabad - Cochin (flight) (B)

Transfer to the airport to board the flight for Cochin. On arrival at Cochin airport, assistance & transfer hotel for check-in. In the evening, enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance form of Kerala with lavish costumes, exotic makeup, masks, etc. O/n at the hotel.

Day 13 Cochin - Munnar (140kms) (B)

Visit Fort Cochin, St. Frances Church, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Dutch Palace & Chinese fishing nets. After sightseeing, drive to Munnar, check in at the hotel. Later tea estate visit & tea testing. O/n at the hotel.

Day 14 Munnar (B)

Visit Pothamedu, Mattupetty dam, Rajamala hill, Eravikulam National Park, Mattupedi Dairy Farm, Echo Point & Tea Museum. O/n at the hotel.

Day 15 Munnar - Thekkady (110kms) (B)

Drive to Thekkady via Ramakkalmedu, one of the windiest places in Asia. Visit Frog Rock, Turtle Rock & twin-statue Kuravan & Kurathi. Arrive at Thekkady, check in at the hotel. Evening attend Martial Arts & Kathakali Dance show. O/n at the hotel.

Day 16 Thekkady (B)

Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a boat. Sanctuary is home to tigers, elephants, rare lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards and Indian bison. Later spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, etc. O/n at the hotel.

Day 17 Thekkady - Alleppey (140kms) (B)

Transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board a houseboat and sail through the tropical countryside, enchanting backwaters. The Houseboats have generated electricity, sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a chef & driver. O/n in a houseboat.

Day 18 Alleppey - Cochin (60kms)/ Delhi (flight) (B)

Disembark from the houseboat and drive to Cochin airport to board the flight for Delhi.

On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Rest time is free and easy to relax and visit any place of your interest with your driver. O/n at the hotel.

Day 19 Delhi - Departure (flight) (B)

As per the flight schedule, transfer to the airport to board the flight for the onward destination.