21-Day Treasures of India Tour Itinerary

Transcription

1 21-Day Treasures of India Tour Itinerary DAY 1 - DELHI ARRIVAL Today depart from either Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth for Delhi! Fly with either Cathay Pacific, China Southern Airlines, Qantas Airways or Singapore Airlines, to name a few (subject to availability). Upon arrival, meet the tour representative and receive a welcome garland at the airport. Then, travel to the first hotel. While check in is organised, a representative will also hand over the Welcome Folder documents and brief you on the tour programme. Overnight: Delhi (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 2 - DELHI CITY TOUR (B) After breakfast, start a city tour of Old and New Delhi visiting Raj Ghat (where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated); Red Fort (made famous by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan); and Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India) which has three great gateways, four angle towers and two minarets constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble. Visit Chandni Chowk, a colourful shopping bazaar in the main street of Old Delhi. Next up is Laxminarayan Temple, a site dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and good fortune. India Gate is a 42m high stone of triumph and is a war memorial. The tour continues with a visit to Rashtrapati Bhawan, the palace-like building home to the President of India. Afterwards visit the beautiful Lotus Temple, also known as the Bahai Temple. Adherents of any faith can visit, pray or meditate. Qutub Minar is a 72.5m high tower of victory, tapering from 2.75m in diameter at its peak, to 14.32m at its base and alternating angular and rounded flutings. Also, enjoy the opportunity to ride on a traditional rickshaw. Overnight: Delhi (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 3 - DELHI TO AGRA (B, D) This morning after breakfast drive to Agra. Agra is the quintessential Mughal City, where the world marvels at the epitome of love, beauty and sacrifice, The Taj Mahal one of the wonders of the world. On arrival check in at the hotel. This afternoon enjoy a city tour visiting the Taj Mahal, built by the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Besides the Taj, the Agra Fort (also called the Red Fort) makes an interesting sight. Besides the historical monuments, one can also explore Agra s rich heritage of handicrafts in its markets. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel!

2 Overnight: Agra (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 4 - AGRA, FATEHPUR SIKRI, JAIPUR (B) Today after breakfast you will make your way to Jaipur, en route you will visit Fatehpur Sikri, (37kms from Agra), made a UNESCO world heritage site due to its stunning imperial complex of pavilions and palaces spread amongst a large abandoned 'city.' On arrival into Jaipur check in at the hotel. The picturesque capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is instantly recognisable for it s pink-washed buildings, a colour associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. There is a timeless appeal to Jaipur s colourful bazaars where one can shop for Rajasthani textiles and trinkets. The beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive monuments and heritage hotels, once the residence of Maharajas are worth a look. Overnight: Jaipur (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 5 - JAIPUR CITY TOUR & AMBER FORT (B) Today enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Jaipur - the picturesque capital of Rajasthan. Begin with a morning excursion to Amber Fort. The Amber Fort is located 11km from Jaipur and was the old fort of the Kachwaha clan of Amber. Built of white marble and red sandstone, it looks even more attractive because of the Maota Lake in the foreground. The fort in itself is a beautiful sight to behold, but it's clear reflection on the lake is so beautiful, it seems like an illusion. This afternoon, enjoy a city tour visiting the City Palace, the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles. 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 royal processions without being seen. Overnight: Jaipur (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 6 - JAIPUR TO JODHPUR (B) After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur. On arrival check in at the hotel. Set at the edge of the Thar desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. The graceful palaces, forts and temples of the city bring the historic grandeur to life, while exquisite handicrafts, folk dances music and the brightly attired people lend a romantic aura to the city. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour visiting Jaswant Thada a cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II; Umaid Bhawan Palace the only 20th century palace built under the famine relief project that gave employment to the famine struck population. It was completed in 14 years. Overnight: Jodhpur (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option)

3 DAY 7 - JODHPUR, OSIAN CAMP, CAMEL SAFARI, BISHNOI VILLAGE, JODHPUR (B, L) Today, enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Osian and Bishnoi Village. In Osian you will visit Mahavira and Sachiya Mata Temples. Osian is a great centre of Brahmanical and Jain religions and contains the largest group of the Hindu and Jain temples in Rajasthan. Enjoy a Camel safari, visiting various villages in the remote areas and experiencing the desert wild life. Enjoy lunch at the popular huts/camps in Osian. Experience the stark beauty of this gateway to the desert. Later depart for Bishnoi village. Bishnois are strong lovers of wild animals. It is because of their protection that in Bishnoi dominated areas, deer and antelope such as blue bulls, blackbucks, chinkaras and chousinghas are seen and can be spotted easily. Enjoy a village tour visiting the shepherd s village, weaver s village and potter s village, and witness the intriguing village lifestyle. Return to Jodhpur for the night. Overnight: Jodhpur (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 8 - JODHPUR, PUSHKAR (B) This morning after breakfast, depart to Pushkar. On arrival check in at the hotel. Pushkar is characterised by a picturesque valley, mountainous regions, uncommon scenic spots and several pilgrimage sites of importance. It has one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites of India and houses the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the world. The flow of tourists to Pushkar increases during the time of the camel fair in November. The locals are very hospitable, dressing up with their best during this much-awaited event. Their colourful veils, turbaned heads and colourfully dyed skirts, with the sounds of the ektara and Rajasthani folk songs, make the nights of the Pushkar equally pleasing. Enjoy an afternoon tour of Pushkar visiting the Brahma temple, beautifully painted in shades of blue and red and was constructed using marble and stone slabs. It is believed to be almost 2,000 years old. Also visit the Pushkar lake, surrounded by almost 500 big and small temples, a parikrama of Pushkar Lake is believed to redeem your sins. The lake has 52 ghats, each of which were once the personal ghats for the 52 maharajas of Rajasthan who performed sacred rituals here. Walk through the narrow lanes of the town to see the buzzling street market and crafts. Overnight: Pushkar (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 9 - PUSHKAR TO MANDAWA (B) After breakfast, depart for Mandawa. On arrival check in at the hotel. Mandawa is a small town in the heart of the Shekhawati region. The place is known not only for its havelis (mansions) but also for its Fort Palace. The structure of the palace reminds of the cultural and social importance of this region in the past. Of the havelis, the most important are the Chokhani, Ladia, Binsidhar Newatia, and Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli. Another haveli,

4 the Binsidhar Newatia Haveli, is known for its curious paintings. The Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli is famous for its erotic images, now mostly defaced. Enjoy a late afternoon visit to the havelis to see the frescoes and paintings and enjoy their beautiful murals, here you will realize that Mandawa is like an open air art gallery with intricately crafted mansions, amazingly decorated archways and excellent paintings. Overnight: Mandawa (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 10 - MANDAWA TO DELHI This morning after breakfast depart by surface back to Delhi, on arrival check in at the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight: Delhi (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 11 - DELHI TO CHENNAI (B) This morning after breakfast you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Chennai. You will be met by a representative who will escort you by a private chauffeur driven transport to the hotel. Chennai - capital of the south-eastern state of Tamil Nadu, is one of the four major metropolitan cities in India. Situated on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, Chennai is perhaps the most peaceful and green metropolis in India. The city has its share of forts and palaces, reminding tourists the glory of bygone eras. One of the other most popular attractions is the beautiful Marina Beach, where the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal mingle with the golden sands. Overnight: Chennai (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 12 - CHENNAI CITY TOUR (B) After breakfast enjoy a half day city tour visiting, Kapaleeshwarar Temple: a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture, this ancient Shiva temple, is the biggest in Chennai. Fort St. George: located on the seashore near the harbour, was built for the East India Co. in 1960 AD. Marina Beach: the pride of Chennai is the second longest beach in the world and has a wide sandy foreshore. Other attractions are Fort Museum and St. Mary's Church and Little Mount Shrine. Overnight: Chennai (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 13 - CHENNAI, MAHABALIPURAM, PONDICHERRY (B) This morning after breakfast drive to Pondicherry, en route visit Mahabalipuram. The temples of Mahabalipuram, showcase the movement from rock-cut architecture to structural building. The mandapas or pavilions and the rathas

5 or shrines shaped as temple chariots are hewn from the granite rock face. The famed Shore Temple, so named as it overlooks the Bay of Bengal, is a UNESCO world heritage site. Next visit Pondicherry; a French settlement situated around 200km south of Chennai. Today, Pondicherry is a union territory where the French connection on the architecture and culture of the place is strongly visible a result of the centuries-old relation with the French power. Overnight: Pondicherry (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 14 - PONDICHERRY, THANJAVUR (B) Today after breakfast drive to Thanjavur. On arrival check in at the hotel. Thanjavur is famous for many reasons since the time of Cholas. The name itself has many interesting legends related to it. One of the legends attributes the name of the city to Tanjam, a demon who was haunting the locality and was destroyed by the God Vishnu. However, apart from these legends Thanjavur also has a sound history of different dynasties that ruled over it. Overnight: Thanjavur (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 15 - THANJAVUR, MADURAI (B) This morning after breakfast drive to Madurai. On arrival check in at the hotel. Madurai is called the temple city of India, which makes it one of the most visited religious destinations of southern India. Madurai is also the modern industrial city of the state. The political capital of the Pandyan and the Nayakan dynasties, Madurai has also been the centre for learning and the heart for South Indian culture and tradition for the last 2,500 years. The magnificent gopuras of the Meenakshi Temple are the first and main attraction of the city. Spread across six hectares of area, the temple is situated in the middle of the town. Apart from the massive Meenakshi temple, the Mariamman Teppakulam, Tirumalai Nayak Mahal, Gandhi Museum, Thirupparankunram, Azhagar Koil and Koodal Alagar Temple are some of the other important sites to visit in Madurai. Overnight: Madurai (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option)

6 DAY 16 - MADURAI, THEKKADY (B) After breakfast drive to Thekkady. On arrival check in at the hotel. Thekkady, the pride of Kerala is a testimony to nature's splendour, human innovation and the home of The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is situated on the banks of the Periyar lake - an artificial lake. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are clothed in dense evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. Below this thick green canopy roam herds of elephants, sambars, tigers, gaurs, lion tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs. Enjoy a cruise on the lake and a trek to the ruined Mangaladevi temple - a beautiful old stone temple situated in the heart of the Thekkady forest, this sanctuary offers the unique opportunity to watch and photograph wild elephants at close quarters. Later visit a Spice Plantation. Evening walk through the bustling Spice Market in the Kumily village. Overnight: Thekkady (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option)

7 DAY 17 - THEKKADY, KUMARAKOM (B) This morning after breakfast drive to Kumarakom, en route visit a tea, coffee and cocoa plantation. On arrival check in at the hotel. Kumarakom is a must visit place of Kerala. The main attraction includes the Kumarakom bird sanctuary set in 14 acres of woods. The sanctuary has a large variety of migratory birds and offers a visitor the options of sailing in its backwaters. Sailing in the houseboats out here is a once in a lifetime experience. Poled by local oarsmen, the houseboats are generally furnished with a living room, a bedroom, a private sit-out for the passengers. Kumarakom is also famous for its old churches and the exceptionally popular Ayurveda treatment. Overnight: Kumarakom (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 18 - KUMARAKOM, ALLAPPUZHA (B, L, D) After breakfast you will board your air conditioned houseboat. Enjoy the cruise on the backwaters with Lunch. With the Arabian sea on the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, Allappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. Referred to as the Venice of the East by travellers from across the world, this backwater country is also home to diverse animal and bird life. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Allappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. Overnight: House Boat (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 19 - ALLAPPUZHA, COCHIN (B) After breakfast enjoy the cruise on the backwaters. Later disembark by 11:00am and drive to Cochin. On arrival check in at the hotel. Cochin is popularly known as the Queen on the Arabian Sea and is the oldest European settlement in India. Surrounded by backwaters, this city has always managed to attract voyagers to travel to Kerala, India. Overnight: Cochin (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) DAY 20 - COCHIN (B) After breakfast half day city tour of Cochin visiting Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese known for its murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and dresses and palanquins used by Cochin's erstwhile rulers; Koonan Kurishu Shrine which is a small chapel, Jewish Synagogue which has a number of copper plates inscribed in the Hebrew script; Fort Kochi, St Francis Church, the oldest one to be constructed by Europeans in India; Santa Cruz Basilica with a beautifully painted ceiling, and Chinese Fishing Nets near the harbour's entrance of Cochin. Overnight: Cochin (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option)

8 DAY 21 - COCHIN, AUSTRALIA (B) After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board your flight home for Australia. DAY 22 - ARRIVAL IN AUSTRALIA