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Indias Rich Culture, Heritage, Tea Estate & Backwater Tour

 

General information

DurationDestinationDeparture
19 days and 18 nights
India (New Delhi, Agra, Orchha, Khajuraho, Varanasi, Mumbai, Aurangabad, Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady, Alappuzha (Alleppey))
India (New Delhi)

Description

India's Rich Culture, Heritage, Tea Estate & Backwater Tour will begin in Delhi. Visit the historical city Delhi, witness the immortal beauty of the Taj Mahal, admire the graceful cenotaphs of Orchha and the sensuous moods of the temples at Khajuraho. Then fly to the sacred city Varanasi and cruise on the River Ganges to observe ancient spiritual rites. Fly to Mumbai, visit Elephanta Caves & colonial era monuments. Fly to Aurangabad to get close look at the stunning Ajanta and Ellora Caves two unique UNESCO World Heritage sites dating between 2nd century BC and 6th century AD. Fly to Cochin in Kerala and witness the unparalleled natural, historical & heritage charm. Kerala tour will take you to rich historical sights of Cochin, aromatic tea estate in Munnar, exotic wildlife in Thekkady & c
India's Rich Culture, Heritage, Tea Estate & Backwater Tour will begin in Delhi. Visit the historical city Delhi, witness the immortal beauty of the Taj Mahal, admire the graceful cenotaphs of Orchha and the sensuous moods of the temples at Khajuraho. Then fly to the sacred city Varanasi and cruise on the River Ganges to observe ancient spiritual rites. Fly to Mumbai, visit Elephanta Caves & colonial era monuments. Fly to Aurangabad to get close look at the stunning Ajanta and Ellora Caves two unique UNESCO World Heritage sites dating between 2nd century BC and 6th century AD. Fly to Cochin in Kerala and witness the unparalleled natural, historical & heritage charm. Kerala tour will take you to rich historical sights of Cochin, aromatic tea estate in Munnar, exotic wildlife in Thekkady & cruise on backwaters in Alleppey. Fly back to Delhi for your onward connection. 
 

Category

 
3 Star Hotels (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast 3 Stars
en
 
4 star hotels (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast 4 Stars
en
 
5 star hotels (Private Tour)
Bed & Breakfast 5 Stars
en
 

Program

Day 1:
Arrive Delhi
On arrival at Delhi airport assistance & transfer to hotel check in. Overnight at 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 pass President House, Parliament & India Gate etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3:
Delhi - Agra (204kms) (B)
Drive to Agra check in at hotel. Later visit Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb. Overnight at hotel.

Day 4:
Agra - Orchha (220kms) (B)
Drive to Orchha. Enroute visit Gwalior Fort known for its great architecture and rich past. Arrive Orchha check in at hotel. Later visit Orchha Fort complex, which houses fort, palaces, temples & other edifices. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5:
Orchha - Khajuraho (178km) (B)
Drive to Khajuraho check in at hotel. Visit exceptionally well maintained Khajuraho temples built in the short span of hundred years from 950-1050 AD by Chandela dynasty. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6:
Khajuraho - Varanasi (flight) (B)
Transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi. On arrival transfer to hotel. Evening attend Holy Ganga Aarti, a magical ritual held at sunset on the banks of the holy Ganges. Overnight at 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 permit visit Ram Nagar Fort & Museum. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8:
Varanasi - Mumbai (flight) (B)
Transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai. On arrival transfer to hotel check in. Rest time free for personal activities. Overnight at 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. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10:
Mumbai - Aurangabad (flight) (B)
Transfer to airport to board flight for Aurangabad. On arrival transfer to hotel. Later visit Ellora Caves, Grishneshwar Temple & Daulatabad Fort. Also visit Bibi ka Maqbara, Panchakki & Aurangabad Caves. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11:
Aurangabad (B)
Full day excursion to Ajanta which house 30 rock-cut cave from the 2nd century BCE to about 480 CE. Drive back to Aurangabad for overnight stay.

Day 12:
Aurangabad - Cochin (flight) (B)
Transfer to airport to board flight for Cochin. On arrival at Cochin airport assistance & transfer hotel check in. In the evening enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance form of Kerala with lavish costumes, exotic makeup, masks etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13:
Cochin - Munnar (140kms) (B)
Visit Fort Cochin, St. Frances Church, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Dutchs Palace & Chinese fishing nets. After sightseeing drive to Munnar, check in at hotel. Later tea estate visit & tea testing. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14:
Munnar (B)
Visit Pothamedu, Mattupetty dam, Rajamala hill, Eravikulam National Park, Mattupedi Dairy Farm, Echo Point & Tea Museum. Overnight at 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 Thekkady check in at hotel. Evening attend Martial Arts & Kathakali Dance show. Overnight at hotel.

Day 16:
Thekkady (B)
Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a boat. Sanctuary is home to tigers, elephant, rare lion-tailed macaques, sambar deer, leopards and Indian bison. Later spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 17:
Thekkady - Alleppey (140kms) (B)
Transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board 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. Overnight in houseboat.

Day 18:
Alleppey - Cochin (60kms)/ Delhi (flight) (B)
Disembark from the houseboat and drive to Cochin airport to board flight for Delhi.
On arrival transfer to the hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax and visit any place of your interest with your driver. Overnight at hotel.

Day 19:
Delhi - Departure (flight) (B)
As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

Price includes

• Assistance on arrival at airport.
• 18 Nights accommodation in selected price category hotels.
• Meal as per day plan (B- Breakfast, L- Lunch, D- Dinner)
• Private air conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.
• English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.
• Monuments entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
• Bottled drinking water in car.
• Government taxes.

Price does not include

• Khajuraho - Varanasi - Mumbai - Aurangabad - Cochin - Delhi flight tickets.
• Camera charges at monuments.
• Meals other than mentioned in day plan.
• Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.
• Gratuities & optional activities.
• Anything not mentioned in inclusions.

Itinerary

Day Overnight Itinerary highlights
1 4 StarsNew Delhi   New Delhi - Delhi Airport
2 4 StarsNew Delhi
3 4 StarsAgra
4 4 StarsOrchha
5 4 StarsKhajuraho
6 4 StarsVaranasi
7 4 StarsVaranasi
8 4 StarsMumbai
9 4 StarsMumbai
10 4 StarsAurangabad
11 4 StarsAurangabad
12 4 StarsKochi
13 4 StarsMunnar
14 4 StarsMunnar
15 4 StarsThekkady
16 4 StarsThekkady
17 4 StarsAlappuzha
18 4 StarsNew Delhi
19   New Delhi - Delhi Airport

Accommodations provided in each place

Place3 Star Hotels4 star hotels5 star hotels
New DelhiMadhuban Hotel/ Emarald Hotel or similarThe Royal Plaza/ Country Inn & Suite Saket or similarLe Meridien/ The Claridges or similar
AgraRadisson Hotel/ Holiday Inn or similarCourtyard by Marriott/ Trident Hotel or similar
OrchhaOrchha Resort/ Amar Mahal or similarOrchha Palace and Convention Centre or similar
KhajurahoRamada/SYNA Heritage Hotel or similarRadisson Hotel/ Hotel Chandela or similar
VaranasiMeraden Grand/ Amaya Hotel or similarRivatas by Ideal/ Palace On Ganges or similarRamada JHV/ Radisson Hotel or similar
MumbaiHotel Suba Palace/ BW Hotel Sahil or similarSun-N-Sand Hotel/ Fariyas Hotel or similarTrident Hotel/ ITC Grand Central or similar
AurangabadAmarpreet Hotel/ Key Hotel The Aures or similarAmbassador Ajanta / VITS Hotel or similarWelcomHotel Rama International/ Lemon Tree Hotel or similar
KochiThe Dune Hotel/ Abad Plaza or similarCasino Hotel/ Le Maritime or similarXandari Harbour/ Le Meridien or similar
MunnarFort Munnar/ Abad Copper Castle or similarNature Zone Jungle Resort/ Fragrant Nature Munnar or similarChandys Windy Woods/ Tea County or similar
ThekkadyAbad Green Forest/ Hotel Treetop or similarThe Elephant Court/ Cardamom County or similarSpice Village/ Carmelia Haven Resort or similar
AlappuzhaDeluxe Houseboat (ATDC Houseboat/ Dream Boats) or similarPremium Houseboat (Abad Premium Houseboats/ Rainbow Premium Houseboats) or similarLuxury Houseboat (Xandari Riverscapes/ Lakes & Lagoons) or similar