28 Days Discover India Tour

Arrive Delhi by flight Meeting upon arrival by our representative and transfer to Hotel. Rest of the time at leisure Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Old Delhi and New Delhi

In Old Delhi visit Jama Masjid, Chandini Chowk, Red Fort, Raj Ghat – Gandhi Memorial

Jama Masjid – Built by Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid was begun in 1650 and it took hard work of six years of more than 5000 workers to build the largest mosque in India. It was customary for the emperor and his courtiers to go to the mosque every Friday for attending ‘Jumme Ki Namaaz’, the congressional prayers.

Chandini Chowk – The living legacy of Delhi is Shahjahanabad. Created by Shahjahan, the builder of TajMahal, this city, with the Red Fort as the focal point and Jama Masjid as the praying center, has a fascinating market planned to shine under the light of the moon and thus is called Chandini Chowk.

Red Fort (Lal Quila) – One of the most spectacular pieces of Mughal Architecture is the LalQuila or the Red Fort. Built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648, the Red Fort has walls extending up to 2 kms. in length with the height varying from 18 mts. on the river side to 33 mts. on the city side. (Closed on every Mondays)

Raj Ghat – The Raj Ghat is the last resting place of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. The place is not far away from the banks of River Yamuna. Mahatma Gandhi was cremated here on 31st January 1950 following his assassination on 30th January 1950 by Nathu Ram Godse. The memorial stone is a simple square platform made of black stone. The last words uttered by Mahatma “Hey Ram” are inscribed near the black platform. An eternal flame keeps burning in a copper urn in the Raj Ghat. Thus the first item on the agenda of a foreign dignitary on a state visit to India is to visit Raj Ghat. They the memorial is set in a garden with fountains and a variety of exotic trees. The Gandhi Memorial Museum is just across the road. It houses many belongings of Gandhi and photographs from his life.

In New Delhi visit Birla Temple, India Gate, Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple and Humayun Tomb

Birla Temple - (Lakshmi-Narayan Mandir) a Hindu temple which came up alongside with New Delhi and has therefore been pegged with it. Popularly known as the Birla Mandir, it is the first of the temples built across the country by the industrial family of Birla. Located just off Connaught Place on Mandir Marg, it is dedicated to Vishnu, the second of the Hindu Trinity of creator-preserver-destroyer, and his consort Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth.

India Gate is the pride of Delhi. An imposing structure, the gate was built in memory to the of the 90,000 Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during World War I. Situated at the at the end of Rajpath, the India Gate is 42 meters high

Photo stop at Presidential Palace and Indian Parliament House.

Baha’i Temple (Lotus Temples) in Delhi is often compared to the Sydney Opera House. Popularly known as the Lotus Temple, Baha’i Temple is a major feature of Delhi and is well known for its appearance. There is no doubt that in years to come the temple will prove to be a mecca for the visitors. Baha’ism is considered to be a syncretism of the nine great religions of the world and traces its genesis to its prophet Baha’u’llah, born in Persia in the twentieth century. (Closed on every Mondays)

Qutab Minar, one of the most visited places in Delhi. The unique architectural structure of the monument attracts many visitors from all across the world. The construction of Qutab Minar began in the 12th century and it was completed in the 13th century. Beautiful calligraphy of the magnificent tower adorns the adjacent edifices. The Minar rises over 230 feet and can be ascended by a circular stairway for a breathtaking view.

Humanyu’s Tomb – The last refuge of Mughal Emperor Humayun reminds rather of a luxurious palace, than a tomb located in the eastern part of Delhi. Humayun’s tomb is one of the best preserved Mughal monuments. This spellbinding mausoleum is the first example of Mughal architecture in India. After a century from its construction Humayun’s tomb inspired the construction of the more famous TajMahal. It was built thanks to the initiative of his widow HamidaBanu Begum, who commenced the construction of a mausoleum for her deceased husband in 1565, nine years after his death in 1572. The architecture of the tomb is strongly influenced by Persian architecture, the architect of the building Mirak Mirza Ghiyas himself was of Persian origin, constructed the tomb in the center of a Persian-style chaharbagh garden (translated from Farsi – four gardens) with quadrilateral form. The mausoleum stands on a massive platform which has a height of up to 7 meters, the building is constructed from red sandstone, while the tomb itself is made of yellow and black marble.

Return to your hotel

Overnight at hotel.

Early morning with packed breakfast in time transfer to railway station to connect train for Amritsar

Depart Delhi by Shatabadi train at 0720 hrs. Arrive Amritsar at 13:25 hrs.

Later proceed for visiting Amritsar’s Local Village and Interact with Village People, Take a ride of Tractor across streams, walking tour of the Vegetable farm, Stroll among Onion, Potato, Carrot, Radish, Green Peas, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Brinjal, Capsicum or Other Seasonal Vegetables, short visit to a dairy farm and Milking cows & buffaloes followed by traditional lunch.

Evening return to hotel.

Overnight at hotel

Morning after breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Amritsar visiting Golden Temple and Jalianwala Bagh

Golden Temple or known as Sri Harimandir Sahib, Amritsar is not only a central religious place of the Sikhs, but also a symbol of human brotherhood and equality. Everybody, irrespective of cast, creed or race can seek spiritual solace and religious fulfillment without any hindrance. It also represents the distinct identity, glory and heritage of the Sikhs. The four entrances of this holy shrine from all four directions, signify that people belonging to every walk of life are equally welcome. Beginning early in the morning and lasting until long past sunset, these hymns are chanted to the exquisite accompaniment of flutes, drums, and stringed instruments. Echoing across the serene lake, this enchantingly beautiful music induces a delicate yet powerful state of trance in the pilgrims strolling leisurely around the marble concourse encircling the pool and temple.

Jalianwala Bagh – The 1919 Amritsar massacre, known alternatively as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre after the Jallianwala Bagh (Garden) in the northern Indian city of Amritsar, was ordered by Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer on Sunday April 13, 1919, which happened to be ‘Baisakhi’, one of Punjab’s largest religious festivals, fifty British Indian Army soldiers, commanded by Dyer, began shooting at an unarmed gathering of men, women, and children without warning. Dyer marched his fifty riflemen to a raised bank and ordered them to kneel and fire, soldiers were ordered to reload their rifles several times and shoot to kill. Official British Raj sources estimated the fatalities at 379, and with 1,100 wounded. Baisakhi is a Sikh festival, commemorating the day that Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa Panth in 1699, and also known as the ‘Birth of Khalsa.’

Evening proceed for witness Beating Retreat Ceremony at Wagah Border

Wagah Border is the border line running along the Grand Trunk Road between Amritsar in Punjab, India, and Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan. People from all across the country visit this place to witness the Beating Retreat Ceremony that is held every day before sunset. This ceremony includes the closing of the international gates and lowering the flags of both the countries. The flag ceremony is conducted by the Indian Border Security Force and Pakistan Rangers sincea 1959. The Wagah Border is located at a distance of 22 km from Lahore and 30 km from Amritsar. Every evening, just before the sunset, the soldiers from the Indian and Pakistan military meet at this border post to engage in a 30-minute display of military showmanship. Officially, the purpose of the ceremony is to formally close the border for the night and lower the national flag. However, it is an entertainment ceremony and a patriotic display for the thousands of people who come here every day. During the build-up to the ceremony, the crowd witnesses national anthem chanting, rounds of applause and Bollywood-style dancing.

Return to the hotel and overnight.

Early morning with packed breakfast in time transfer to railway station to connect train for Delhi

Depart Amritsar at 05:00 hrs, Arrive Delhi at 11:15 hrs and proceed for Agra by surface (210 kms / 4 hrs)

Arrive and check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Early morning proceed for visiting Taj Mahal at sunrise

Taj Mahal– Built by Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal, this beautiful mausoleum in pure white marble is an architectural marvel. The Taj by sunrise and sunset is a breathtaking sight.

Return to hotel for breakfast, check out and visit Agra Fort – Built by Emperor Akbar, the maze of courtyards, mosques and private chambers of the fort echo the story of the Mughal Empire. The Moti Masjid and other magnificent buildings reflect the skill of the ancient Indian architects and artists.

Later depart for Jaipur en route visiting Chand Boari–located in the eastern part of the province of Rajasthan, Chand Baori is 140 kms from Fatehpur Sikri and 95 kms from Jaipur, Baoriis a step well built by King Chand somewhere in 8th & 9th centuries, over a thousand years ago in the Abhaneri village of Rajasthan which has 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry, which descend 20m to the bottom of the well. It is one of the largest step well in the world and also one of the most beautiful one. It is not an easy landmark to find, thus it is one of the hidden secrets of India. About 64 feet deep, it is India’s largest and deepest step well with 13 floors and was built for the purpose of water harvesting. Today, the construction is not used as a well anymore but its exquisite geometry attracts local and international visitors alike.

Continue drive to Jaipur Arrive and check in at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast visit Amber Fort which lies 10 kms from from Jaipur. Amber with an old palace overlooking the lake at the entrance to a rocky mountain grove, climb up to fort on elephant back in a Maharaja (emperor) style.

Afternoon city tour visiting the sprawling the City Palace of Sawai Jai Singh II, sits right in the centre of the geometric grid in the heart of the old city. It consists of the seven-storied Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, the Diwan-i-Am and the Diwan-i-Khas.

The City Palace Museum houses an exquisite collection of textiles, costumes, carpets, the finest porcelain and a rare collection of arms and paintings. It is here that you can see the world’s largest silver objects – a pair of giant urns.

Jantar Mantar (Observatory) is one of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh whose ruling passion was astronomy. It was built between1728-34 and consists of observer’s seat, sundial and a number of enormous instruments used to calculate altitude, locate and identify celestial bodies. These instruments are extremely accurate.

Hawa Mahal or the ‘Palace of Winds’ is one of the most unusual structures built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Honeycombed with over 900 niches or windows, it allowed the ladies of the court to watch the activities on the streets below and yet not be seen themselves. The Hawa Mahal too is made of the famed Jaipur pink stone.

Later visit the Birla Temple and local market. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning after early breakfast depart for Udaipur en route visiting Pushkar (145 kms / 3 hrs)

PushkarLake, is one of the major tourist attractions of Pushkar. It is believed that this lake was formed as a result of a lotus falling off from Lord Brahma’s hand. A holy dip in the Pushkarlake is considered to be sacred for Hindus as it is believed to wash away all their sins. The pure waters are also said to contain medicinal and curative powers. The Pushkarlake is surrounded by many important Hindu temples and 52 Ghats where pilgrims descend to the lake to bathe in its sacred waters.

The Brahma temple or the Jagatpita Brahma Mandir in Pushkar is known to be one of the very few temples of Hindu Lord Brahma. It is close to the Pushkarlake to which it also has an indelible link. Built mainly of marble and stone slabs, the temple holds the central images of Brahma and his second consort Gayatri. The temple is usually visited by pilgrims as well as holy men and sages.

Lunch at restaurant or hotel in Pushkar and continue drive to Udaipur (250 kms / 5 hrs).

Morning after breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur visiting City Palace on the banks of the Lake Pichola. The magnificent and awe inspiring citadel is, in fact, a complex of several buildings that were added at different times by different rulers spanning nearly three hundred years. Happily, they harmonize beautifully with each other and maintain an overall homogeneity of design. There are terraces, courtyards, pavilions, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens, with lavish Mughal-inspired decorative art on their walls, floors and ceilings. The main part of the Palace is now a museum.

The Jagdish Temple, built in 1651 by MaharanaJagat Singh, is located within easy walking distance from the Palace gate. It is an impressive, beautifully proportioned structure, covered with carved friezes and heavily decorated inside.

BharatiyaLok Kala Museum houses a very interesting collection of Rajasthani folk art – costumes, paintings, folk deities, musical instruments, masks, dolls and weapons. The puppet collection is particularly fascinating.

Sahelion Ki Bari (Garden of the Maids of Honour), a small ornamental garden with fountains, once the site for royal picnics, or the impressive GulabBagh

Evening witness Rajasthani Folk dances at Bagore Ki haveli

Bagore Ki Haveli at GangaurGhat is the 17th century old historic mansion has its own rich cultural legacy. Once, the private mansion of Rajput royals now turned into a museum, becoming a major tourist destination in Udaipur. If you have visited Udaipur you also have been there but it is quite possible that you might have missed seeing another great attraction inside Bagore Ki Haveli.

Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast depart for Ahmedabad

Arrive and check in at hotel.

Later proceed for sightseeing tour of Ahmedabad visiting

Gandhi Ashram, also known as the Sabarmati ashram is located on the banks of the Sabarmati River, about 7 kms north of Ahmedabad. This ashram is one of the important tourist attraction and the beautiful ashram complex of Ahmedabad. This Ashram was set up by the Mahatma Gandhi in 1915 and one of the most moving memorial. This ashram was the Mahatma Gandhi’s headquarters during the struggle for India’s independence. His ashram still makes handicraft, handmade paper and spinning wheels.

Hathee Singh Jain Temple is located just outside the Delhi Gate in the north of the old city. This Jain temple was built in 1850 by a rich Jain merchant and is one of the Ahmedabad’s best ornated Jain temple. This temple is dedicated to Dharamanath, the 15th Jain Tirthankar. This temple is built of pure white marble and profusely decorated with rich carvings.

Sidi Saiyad mosque was built by Sidi Saiyad, a general of Abysinian origin in the 1573. This mosque is located close to he river and was once part of the old citadel wall. This mosque is one of the Ahmedabad’s most stunning building and best known for its intricate perforated stone work and has beautiful carved stone windows which depict the intricate intervening of the branches of the kalpa tree.

Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast in time transfer to airport to connect flight for Bangalore

Arrive and check in at hotel.

Afternoon sightseeing tour Bangalore (with guide) visiting Cubbon Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bangalore. The then Chief Engineer of Mysore, Sir Richard Sankey laid the foundation for the park in 1864 and was named after Sir Mark Cubbon. This beautiful park is about 300 acres. The Cubbon Park has various attractions such as the rose garden, children’s playground and several play equipments, the recently opened doll museum and an aquarium. The Cubbon Park also contains the public library, the museum and a toy train for children.

Vidhana Soudha is one of the main attractions of Bangalore. VidhanaSoudha is the seat of the state legislature of Karnataka State. It was built by Shri Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Chief Minister of Mysore in the 1956. It is constructed in ‘Neo-Dravidian’ style, with Rajasthani Jharokhas, Indo-Saracenic pillars and other decorative elements. This majestic building with a total plinth area of over 5,00,000 sq. ft houses the Secretariat, the state legislature and several other government offices. It is the largest Legislative building in India. The Vidhana Soudha is illuminated on Sundays and public holidays

Lalbagh is a 240 acre garden and is located on the southern part of Bangalore. Hyder Ali commissioned the building of this garden in 1760 but his son, Tipu Sultan, completed it. Lal Bagh contains the largest collection of rare tropical and sub-tropical plants, century-old trees, fountains, lotus pools, rose gardens and a Deer Park. The main attraction of Lalbagh is the Glass-House built in 1840. The garden surrounds one of the towers erected by Kempe Gowda, the founder of Bangalore. It holds a number of flower shows, especially on the Independence Day (15th of August) and the Republic Day (26th January).

Bull temple was built in 1537 by Kempe Gowda in the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple is dedicated to Nandi (Bull), the carrier vehicle of Lord Shiva. The temple has a superb monolithic bull 6.1 meters long and 4.6 meters high. The ground nut fair (called as Kadalekay Parishe in kannada) is held every year on the last Monday of the Kaarthika month (November/December).

Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast depart for Mysore en-route visiting Srirangapatnam, which is 20 kms from Mysore, is a river island that because of its natural protector in the River Cauvery had for long been a coveted location for many powers.

Continue drive to Mysore.

Morning after breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Mysore visiting Mysore Maharaja’s City Palace built in 1907 which is truly regal in its dimensions and elegance. The City Palace in its wondrous loud glitz towers over everything else in Mysore, not really in height but definitely in grandeur. See the bejeweled golden throne and the quirky howdah (in which the Raja would sit atop his elephant) with red and green lights to tell the mahout to Stop or Go.

The Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery is considered one of the best art galleries in South India because of its excellent collection of paintings and artifacts that once belonged to the Wodeyars of Mysore. The three-storied Jaganmohan Palace was converted into this art gallery in 1875. The Jayachamarajendra art gallery has a remarkable collection of Rembrandt paintings. This collection is so unique that such works of Rembrandt can be found nowhere in the world except in Russia. The western collection section of the museum has works by master like P.P. Ruben, Titan, Caddy and miniature paintings by Gunoy.

Chamundi Hills and Temple– Is named after goddess Chamunda, of whom a temple is located here. Wodayar Kings (rulers of Mysore) considered MaaChamundeshwari their principle deity and christened the hill after her name in 17th century. The Chamundeshwari Temple is a major pilgrimage spot of South India and also stands as an architectural landmark of Mysore. Chamundeswari Temple is a prime attraction of Chamundi Hills. This hill along with Chamundeshwari Temple also has the oldest temple of Mysore, Mahabaleswara Temple, which was built around 9th Century AD. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. An imposing, in fact third-largest statue of Nandi Bull in India is installed here. This statue is 5 meter tall and is carved out of a single black stone.

The Lalitha Mahal Palace is the second largest palace in Mysore. It is located near the Chamundi Hills. Lalitha Mahal was built in 1921 by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. This European-Classical two storied Palace was designed by E W Fritchley, an English architect. The Lalitha Mahal palace is noted for its white color, which is visible from a great distance. Lalitha Mahal was specifically built to house the king’s guests. The palace has now been converted into a five-star hotel.

Later visit Mysore Art & Craft centre for some Mysore silk sarees, dress materials and handicraft articles. An important center for people looking for beautiful handicrafts and artifacts specific to the state of Karnataka, is known for its highly affordable rates and exhaustive product catalogue. This venue is owned and managed by the Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation (KSHDC). As it is government run, the products sold here assure the highest benchmarks of quality & all at reasonable prices. This emporium strives hard to showcase the wide ethnic diversity of Indian handicrafts and lays a lot of focus on the products manufactured by the local artisans of the State of Karnataka. Dedicated to the cause of protecting and preserving the handicrafts industry of Karnataka and all its craftsmen.

Evening visit Brinaban Gardens – The Brindavan Gardens, a celebrated beauty spot in this part of India is world famous for its symmetric design. It is one of the most beautifully laid out terrace gardens in the world. The creation of this garden in the Krishnaraja Sagar Dam site has been the achievement of Sir Mirza Ismail, the then Dewan of the princely State of Mysore. The beautification of the whole dam complex was conceived by Sir Mirza Ismail. The Brindavan Gardens, extends over an area of 60 acres and it is laid out in the three terraces, which ends in a horseshoe shape. The slopes are planted with colorful Bougainvillea and ornamental plants. This garden is a public park and it is one of the important tourist spots of India. The garden is enriched with innumerable fountains decorated with colored lighting. The illuminated running waters and fountains with changing colors of lights is an event that the tourists can look forward to in the evenings. The garden has many open spaces, lawns, illuminated flower beds and ornamental plants.

Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast depart for Ooty. Arrive and check in at hotel. Rest of the time at leisure.

Morning after breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Ooty visiting

Botanical Garden, in Tamil Nadu situated on a hillock covering and extensive area of 55 acres is the most beautiful attraction among the tourists and locals. The Botanical Garden was laid out in the year 1847 by the Marquis of Tweedale. The garden is well maintained and taken care of by the Horticulture Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu, with beautiful lawns and trees collected from different parts of the world. It also has an assortment of several flowering plants and herbal plants. The garden is divided into six different sections namely, Lower Garden, New Garden, Italian Garden (Not to be missed), Conservatory, Fountain Terrace, Nurseries. These gardens have about a thousand varieties, both exotic and indigenous, of plants, shrubs, ferns, trees, medicinal and bonsai plants. The Botanical Garden is home to 650 species of plants and trees which are rare species of trees such as the cork tree, the monkey puzzle tree, and the paper bark tree. The cork tree is probably one of its kind in India. There is also an old fossilized tree trunk displayed over here, which is estimated to be 20 million years old. The Italian Garden, borders a lily pond with several varieties of aquatic plant species.

Another highlight of the Botanical Garden is the Toda hill, known as the Toda mund, which gives the visitors an insight into the lives and culture of Todas (a tribe of the Nilgiris). Every year in the month of May, a flower show is conducted at the Ooty Botanical Garden that exhibits various flowers along with rare plant species, which is a major attraction of the place. The Botanical Garden of Ooty is worth a stopover when visiting Ooty. The Summer Festivals is an annual event held at the gardens in May. The highlight is the flower show where several rare species of plants are exhibited as well as various cultural programs showcasing the talent of the locals and renowned artists.

Rose Garden – The Government Rose Garden (formerly known as the Jayalalithaa Rose Garden, Centerary Rose Park and Nootrandu Roja Poonga). The Rose Garden was established in May 1955 situated on the slopes of the Elk Hill in Vijayanagaram of Ooty town in Tamil Nadu at an altitude of 2200 meters. The flowers are arranged in five curving terraces covering 4 hectares. This garden is maintained by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department. Initially, when the gardens were developed, 1,919 varieties of roses with 17,256 rose plants were planted. Today this garden has more than 20,000 varieties of roses of 2,800 cultivars. It is one of the largest collections of roses in India.

It is due to because Ooty has a unique tropical mountain climate, hence the garden has the ideal climatic conditions for growing of roses. Temperature variation is less and the rainfall distribution is uniform in the locale, which results in a long flowering season. The garden is visited by thousands of tourists throughout the year and even in winter, when it is not the flowering season. The collection of roses include Miniature Roses, Ramblers, Hybrid Tea Roses, Yakimour, Polyanthas, Papagena, Floribunda and roses of unusual colors like green and black. The garden has been laid out with rose tunnels, pergolas and bowers with rose creepers. The slopes of the garden also features Nila Maadam, an observation platform. From the Nila Maadam, tourists can observe the entire rose garden. The garden also features a statue of an angel amidst the roses.

Ooty Lake – The boat house, which adjoins the Ooty Lake was opened by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation. Boating is the prime attraction at the lake. The boat house offers boating facilities with Paddle boats, Row boats, and Motor boats. It also features a garden, a mini train and an amusement park. Ooty lake is an artificial lake constructed by John Sullivan, in 1824. The water flowing down mountain streams in the Ooty valley was dammed to form the lake. The lake was originally intended to be used for fishing with ferries being used to travel across the lake. It gradually shrunk from its original size giving place to the current bus stand race course, and the lake park.

The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation on behalf of the Tourism Department took the possession of the lake in 1973, for providing boating facilities as a tourist attraction. The lake is surrounded by groves of Eucalyptus trees with a railway line running along one shore. During the summer season in May, boat races and boat pageantry are organized for two days.

Doddabetta peak – The Doddabetta Peak stands at an altitude of 2,623 meters. It is the highest point in the district, making it possibly the best vantage point around Ooty. It is merely 10 kms from Ooty. One can simply grab it’s camera and head straight to the peak, and click amazing pictures of the valley below. On a clear day, which is honestly not that often, one can see far off areas, even the plains of Coimbatore and the flat highlands of Mysore. The Doddabetta Peak is said to be one of the highest peak in south India & famous tourist spot in India. There is a “Telescope house” that is run by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation in the Doddabetta Peak to enable the tourist to get a better view. Any visitor is sure will be impressed after a visit to this highest peak of the Nilgiris. Trekking to the top peak as it is not very challenging, and at the same time provides views that are worth every step you take through the jungles.

Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast depart for Cochin.

Morning after a relaxed breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Cochin visiting

Dutch Palace – Location: Mattancherry, 10 km from Ernakulam.Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Cochin, the Palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. The palace is built like the typical Kerala style mansion, the nalukettu – the home of the aristocracy, nobility and upper classes, with four separate wings opening out to a central courtyard. The double-storeyed building which stands by the panoramic Kochi backwaters has an exquisite collection of murals; also on display are royal paraphernalia like weapons, robes, and so on.

Fort Kochi – The first European Township in India and home to nearly 13 communities, is a historic town brimming with the tales of myriad traders. During 1660s, Fort Kochi peaked in stature as a prime commercial centre and its fame spread far and wide – as a rich trade centre, a major military base, a vibrant cultural hub, a great ship building centre, a centre for Christianity and so on. The town has innumerable interesting sights like Chinese fishing nets along the Vasco da Gama Square, the St. Francis Church, (Vasco da Gama was buried here and his remains were returned to Portugal 14 years later) and so on.

Jew Street – The Jew Street in Fort Kochi is lined with shops that sell curios, antique pieces of crockery, carved wooden furniture, bronze and brass sculptures, remnants of traditional houses, and jewellery. The antique sellers are the descendants of a fast dwindling population of Jews who settled here in AD 52. The Jewish synagogue here, a mark of exceptional architecture and history, has hundreds of visitors everyday. Though there are a few other Jewish settlements in the State, Fort Kochi with its synagogue and its popular antique shops is the most prominent.

Chinese Fishing Net – The Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi, located in the Kochi city of Kerala, make up a very popular tourist attraction. They are fixed land installations, which are used for a very unique and unusual method of fishing. Operated from the shore, these nets are set up on bamboo and teak poles and held horizontally by huge mechanisms, which lower them into the sea. They look somewhat like hammocks and are counter-weighed by large stones tied to ropes.

Evening witness Kathakali dance performance at local theatre

Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in the world. This dance form originated in the south Indian state of Kerala and since Cochin is a developing important city, both culturally and commercially, Kathakali is quite popular among locals and tourists here.

Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, depart for Munnar.

Morning after breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Munnar visiting

Mattupetty dam – Nestled inside the hills of Munnar and very near to the Anamudi peak lies Mattupetty, the hill station at a height of 1,700 m. Mattupetty is located 13 km away from Munnar. Here you can enjoy the greenish valleys and feel the fabulous climate around. The main attraction of Mattupetty is the dam and the lake here.

The dam of Mattupetty is a storage concrete gravity dam, was constructed under the Pallivasal Hydro-electric project in the late 1940’s for water conservation and power generation. Now it is a main source of electricity generation in Munnar and heaven for many wild animals and birds due to its constant water availability. The most attractive part of Mattupetty dam is its still water which reflects the tea garden around. You can engage yourself with water sport activities like speed boating organized by district Tourism Promotion Council of Idukki (Munnar) and enjoy the pretty natural surroundings of this beautiful dam. Adventure lovers also have options here like trekking in the Shola forest.

Mattupetty is also known as ‘cattle village’, the name which came from the famous Indo Swiss farm project or Livestock project. The project was launched in the year 1963 as part of the bilateral agreement between India and the Swiss government. You can see hundreds of varieties of high yielding cattle in this farm. The sight of the cattle grazing freely on the hills of the wide farm is a unique experience which any tourist can have ever in his life.

Echo Point – This is a very beautiful place in Munnar, which got its name from natural echo phenomenon situated at a scenic lake bank. When you scream at here, you will be hearing your voice returning to you. Placed at an altitude about 600 ft, Echo Point is located 15 km away from Munnar, on the way to Top Station. Echo Point always has a greenish look as it is covered with abundant green sceneries. It is an adventurous destination, which will be a perfect choice for those who love to have a nature walk or trekking. The place surrounded with mist covered hills, waterfalls and clean air will be a visual treat.

Tea Plantation : Tea or Chai is the most widely drunk beverage in the whole world. The tea plant, Camellia Sansis, is a cultivated variety of a tree that has its origins in an area between India and China. There are three main varieties of the tea plant ­ China, Assam, and Cambodia ­ and a number of hybrids between the varieties. The China variety grows as high as nine feet (2.75 metres). It is a hardy plant able to withstand cold winters and has an economic life of at least 100 years.

The Assam variety, a single­stem tree ranging from 20 to 60 feet (6 to 18 metres) in height. Regular pruning keeps its height to a more manageable 4 to 5 feet tall. It has an economic life of 40 years with regular pruning and plucking. When grown at an altitude near that of Darjeeling (Assam) or Munnar (Kerala), it produces tea with fascinating flavours , sought after around the globe. The Cambodia variety, a single­stem tree growing to about 16 feet (five metres) in height, is not cultivated but has been naturally crossed with other varieties.

Spice Plantation – Kerala history is closely linked with its commerce, Spice Shop which in turn was wholly dependent until recent times on its spice trade. Kerala was known for its spices and traders travelled here to trade and to gain control over this rich land. It is believed that the spice trade dates back to three thousand years. Pepper still remains the king of Kerala’s spices, but the state also rich in cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and turmeric. As in the past , the state continues to be the spice capital of the world. Over twelve varieties of spices including ginger, garlic, cardamom, vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, coffee, tea, clove and nutmeg is cultivated in Munnar and its neighboring villages.

Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast, depart Periyar (also known as Thekkedy).

Morning after breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Periyar visiting

Spice Plantation – Nestled and beautifully wrapped in the lap of greenery, spice plantations, Thekkady is no doubt the heartland of spices. Enjoy the real spice tour through the real spice city of Kerala. In and around 50 sq km of Periyar Tiger Reserve, the world famous spices such as cardamom, pepper, vanilla, nutmeg, clove, etc are grown.

Kerala history is closely linked with its commerce, which in turn was wholly dependent until recent times on its spice trade. Kerala was known for its spices and traders travelled here to trade and to gain control over this rich land. It is believed that the spice trade dates back three thousand years. Pepper still remains the king of Kerala’s spices, but the state also has a very rich produce in cardamom, cinnamon , nutmeg, ginger and turmeric. The state is the spice capital of the world. Over twelve varieties of spices including ginger, garlic, cardamom, vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, coffee, tea, clove and nutmeg is cultivated in Thekkady and its neighboring villages. You can relax and de-stress yourself with a traditional Ayurvedic Oil massages -another special service available for the tourists here.

Green Walk timings are 7:00AM, 7:30Am, 10:00AM, 10:30AM, 2:00PM and 2:30PM

Periyar Wildlife Santuary – Herds of elephants moving towards a lake against the backdrop of picturesque mountain ranges with thick greenery – if you come across such a photograph in Kerala, it will most probably be one of the Periyar Valley. Snuggled in the southern region of the Western Ghats, the Periyar Tiger Reserve sprawls over an area of 777 sq. km of forest land and is home to thousands of different species of flora and fauna, including rare and endangered ones. Thick, evergreen forests form about 360 sq. km of the total area of the valley.

Overnight at hotel

Morning after breakfast, depart by car for Alleppey.

Arrive Alleppey boat Jetty and board Air-conditioned Deluxe House boat for overnight cruise on Kerala Back waters.

The Kettuvallam or ‘boat with knots’- was so called because the entire boat was held together with coir knots only – not even a single nail is used during the construction. The boat is made of planks of jack-wood joined together with coir. This is then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful maintenance, a kettuvallom can last for generations.

Freshly cooked meals will be served on board.

Overnight on board the house boat.

Morning after breakfast depart in time transfer to airport to board flight for Colombo

Arrive Colombo and drive to Kandy (105 kms / 3 ½ hrs) En-route visit the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage. Some highlights of the Pinnawela Elephant Orphanage include witnessing herds of elephants making their way down to the river for their daily bath and feeding of baby elephants, next proceed to Kandy.

Arrive and check-in at Hotel

Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast visit the Royal (Peradeniya) Botanical Gardens. – Spread across 60 hectares of sheer greenery – Sri Lanka’s largest botanic gardens. The gardens are situated 68 miles off-Colombo, 4 miles off Kandy with its large variety of plants ornaments, useful machines and other creepers that produce the special spices at Sri Lanka. The best known attraction of these Gardens is the Orchid House which has about 300 varieties of delicate orchids. The trees and plants in the gardens are also used for Ayurvedic medicinal purposes. Visit the Kandy town and bazaar, the arts and crafts centre a Gem museum and a Lapidary

Evening visit The Temple of the Tooth relic – a UNSECO world heritage site. It dates back to the 16th century and houses a relic of great significance – a tooth believed to be that of the Buddha.

Witness the cultural dance show

Overnight at hotel

Morning after breakfast and depart by surface to Nuwara Eliya. You will notice as we drive through the Hill Country the temperature becomes much cooler and the air is crisp. You will also witness the never ending luscious green tea plantations and the beautiful waterfalls.

En route stop to see Ramboda waterfall and visit a tea plantation and a tea factory, where the best Tea in the world is produced. Here you will observe the process of manufacturing tea. You can also witness how tea is graded and taste a cup of pure Ceylon tea in the factory.

Arrive Nuwara Eliya and check in at Hotel

Later visit Hakgala Botanical Garden is one of the three botanical gardens in Sri Lana. The other two being Peradeniya Botanical Garden and Henarathgoda Botanical Garden. It is the second largest garden in Sri Lanka. The garden is contiguous to Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve in Nuwara Eliya. The gardens is believed to be the highest set botanical gardens in the world.

Return to the city and walk around the small city of Nuwera Eliya and spend time at the Gregory Lake recreation area.

Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast depart by surface for Colombo. En route see St Clare’s and Devon’s waterfalls at a distance.

Stop at Kithulgala – Visit the location where Hollywood film the “bridge on river Kwai” was filmed.

Continue journey to Colombo.

Arrive and check-in at Hotel

Overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast city tour of Colombo visiting the commercial area of Fort, so named because both the Portuguese and Dutch had a fort at this point. Drive past Pettah, a noisy Oriental bazaar with a mix of humanity, ancient vehicles, bargains, mosques and temples. You will visit a Hindu and Buddhist Temple and the Jumi Ul Alfar Jumma Mosque.

One of the most famous is The Gangaramaya Temple complex and Bikkhu Training Centre is spread around the Beira lake and also across the main road. It’s imposing buildings with Buddhist artifacts from all over the world is a must see site in the tourist itinerary. The Simamalakaya or the circular Buddhist shrine erected in the centre of the lake is absolutely beautiful at dusk against the light of the setting sun and also in the night lighted up with jet bulbs. The peaceful, calm atmosphere you experience at this shrine is an absolute surprise amidst the noise of the vehicular traffic on the busy roads.

You will continue with the tour through the Wolfendhal Dutch Church, Hulftsdorp Law Courts, through the residential area of Cinnamon Gardens, and on to the Independence Square, Bandaranayake Memorial International Conference Hall.

Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Morning after breakfast in time transfer to airport to connect flight for onward destination

End of the tour.