Rajasthan & Southern India by Train

Day 01 – Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi by International flight. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 – Delhi
Morning sightseeing tour of Delhi visiting the Raj Ghat – the memorial at the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, Jama Mosque – the largest Mosque in India and the Red Fort – Once the most opulent fort and palace of the Mughal Empire.

Afternoon, sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting the Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutab Minar, drive along the ceremonial avenue – Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House and President’s Residence and end the tour with a drive through Diplomatic Enclave.

Evening is free for relaxation or independently explores local bazaars. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 – Delhi – Agra (By Train)
This morning take an early morning train for Agra. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check-in (Early check-in subject to availability). Later sightseeing tour of Agra city visiting the impressive Agra Fort and the most perfect architectural monument in the world – The Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays) – one of the Seven Wonders of the World, this beautiful mausoleum in pure white marble, took 22 years and 22,000 craftsmen to build it. This monument was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved Mumtaz Mahal.

Evening is free for relaxation or independently explores local bazaars. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 – Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Jaipur (By Train)
After breakfast, visit the most important place of Mughal era Fatehpur Sikri founded by Akbar in 1569 AD as a ceremonial capital. But unfortunately this magnificent city was abandoned due to scarcity of drinking water and Akbar went back to Agra.

Later return to the Agra city to board late afternoon train for Jaipur. This historic city was founded by Maharaja Swai Jai Singh in 1727 AD after shifting his capital from Amer valley to newly formed and planned city of its time after consulting so many maps of the world. Maharaja Swai Jai Singh was an astrologer, soldier and philosopher. Presently, Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and is world famous by the name of the Pink City. Upon arrival at Jaipur, check – in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 – Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort situated just outside the city is perhaps the most beautiful example of Rajasthani forts and gives a grand view of the city down below. You can have the unique experience of traveling on elephant back to and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated.

Later visit City Palace in the heart of Jaipur is known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Not far away is the Central Museum with its large collection of woodwork, jewellery, costumes, brassware and pottery. Another monument nearby is 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 the royal processions without being seen.

Evening is free for relaxation or explores the crowded and colorful lanes of the pink city’s local bazaars. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 – Jaipur – Jodhpur (By Train)
Today early morning, transfer to the railway station to board train for Jodhpur. Jodhpur- The Gateway to the Thar desert, the city is known for its striking Forts, stately palaces and gracious buildings. Some of these are now India`s finest hotels. The city was built in 1459 by Rao Jodha of The Rajput clan.

Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and later visit Mehrangarh Fort built by the city`s founder five centuries ago and which is situated on a low sandstone Hill, including Moti- Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada an imposing Marble Memorial built in 1899 and Sardar market clock tower. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 07 – Jodhpur – Ranakpur – Udaipur  
Morning after breakfast drive to Udaipur enroute visiting Ranakpur temple. Ranakpur famous for Jain Temples built in the 15th century are situated in the lovely valley of the Aravali. Its surrounding is quiet & picturesque. It has grand structures & beautiful sculpture. There are 1444 pillars in the temple and none of them are similar.

Post visit continue drive to Udaipur. Udaipur, founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 AD. It is a beautiful city of lakes, with its hilltop fortresses, fairytale palaces and exotic legends and its urban and industrial center, the city is proud of its heritage as a center for performing arts, painting and crafts.

Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and relax amidst the comforts of your room. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08 – Udaipur  
After breakfast, day guided city tour to visit the City Palace, it stands on a hill surrounded by crenulated walls. Its main entrance is through the triple arched gate, the Tripolia, built in 1725. The Suraj Gokhada, the Balcony of the Sun, where the Suryavanshi Maharanas of Mewar, presented themselves in times of trouble to the people to restore their confidence.

Visit the Crystal Gallery, this is one the most lustrous attractions for tourist showcasing the rare and precious crystal from the royal treasure, closely is another fascinating monument Jagdish Temple, Built in 1651 A.D., by Maharaja Jagat Singh I, it is the largest and most splendid temple in Udaipur and later visit Sahalion Ki Bari. Afternoon enjoy boat ride in lake Pichola to visit Jagmandir Island (Optional).

Late afternoon, enjoy exciting cultural folk dances of Rajasthan. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 09 – Udaipur – Bundi (By Train)
Morning is free for relaxation or explores the local bazaars. Late afternoon transfer to the railway station to board train for Bundi. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and relax amidst the comforts of your room. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10 – Bundi – Mumbai (By Train)
Today morning after breakfast, visit the Taragarh Fort a superb construction, which showcase the Rajput structural design, lodging some of the excellent Bundi frescos. Carry on visiting the attractions by covering Chatrasagar an enthralling depiction balcony; you will be enchanted with complicated multicolored work of art on the ramparts representing prospects from the ‘Ragamala’ ‘Raaslila’ – the stories of Lord Radha Krishna. Later visit Sukh Mahal, a dissident subway supposed to be starting from Sukh Mahal to the old palace.

Late evening transfer to the railway station to board overnight train for Mumbai. Overnight on the board.

Day 11 – Mumbai
Morning arrival in Mumbai and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Post breakfast proceed sightseeing tour of Mumbai city including Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan, Dhobi Ghat and later panoramic view of The Gateway of India & drive through the Crawford Market and Marine Drive.

Evening is free for relaxation or independently explores local bazaars. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 – Mumbai – Goa (By Train)    
Today after breakfast, day is free for relaxation or independently explores local bazaars.

In evening transfer to the railway station to board overnight train for Goa. Overnight on the board.

Day 13 – Goa 
Early morning arrival in Goa and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free for your leisure activities and also enjoying various Ayurvedic treatments.

You can also practice meditation and yoga in the calm surroundings of this resort/ hotel. Overnight at the resort/ hotel.

Day 14 – Goa 
Day is free for your leisure activities and also enjoying various Ayurvedic treatments. You can also practice meditation and yoga in the calm surroundings of this resort/ hotel. Overnight at the resort/ hotel.

Day 15 – Goa 
Day is free for your leisure activities and also enjoying various Ayurvedic treatments. You can also practice meditation and yoga in the calm surroundings of this resort/ hotel. Overnight at the resort/ hotel.

Day 16 – Goa – Hampi (By Train)         
Day is free for your leisure activities or enjoy whole day on beach.

In evening transfer to the railway station to board overnight train for Hampi. Overnight on the board.

Day 17 – Hampi  
Morning arrival in Hampi, the World Heritage Center, is the most beautiful and evocative of all the ruins of Karnataka. Capital of Vijayanagar kingdom is full of delightful surprises where kings were weighed against gold or money which was then distributed to the poor.

Transfer to the hotel for check-in. Post breakfast proceed to experience this World Heritage Site and best way is to take a leisurely walk through the ruins. Most of the important structure and ruins are located in two areas, known as the Royal Centre and Sacred Centre. The Royal Centre have structures of palaces, pavilions, Royal stables and temples. The sacred center is situated on the banks of river Tungabhadra. Here, we can visit Virupaksha temple and Vittthala temple.

Evening is free for individual activities or relaxations. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 18 – Hampi – Mysore (By Train)   
Today after breakfast, go on a leisurely walk to experience this Heritage Site. Try to find an old structure of palaces and other ruins temples. Spend half a day in or around river Tungabhadra.

In evening transfer to the railway station to board overnight train for Mysore. Overnight on the board.

Day 19 – Mysore  
Morning arrival in Mysore the land with numerous domes, towers and battlements; it is sheer luxury in the form of a palace. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and relax amidst the comforts of your room.

Later proceed to visit the sprawling Maharaja’s Palace with its outstanding treasures and ivory inlaid doors. Also visit St. Philomena’s Church, a beautiful Cathedral reminiscent of Medieval Architecture with stained glass Windows and lofty Towers. Evening is free to explore local market or just relax in hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 20 – Mysore – Coorg   
In the morning after breakfast drive to Coorg (Approx. 120Kms / 03 hours). It is a natural tourist spot nestled amidst the hills and valleys of the scenic Western Ghats.

Upon arrival check-in at your hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room. Rest of the day is free for leisure walks or individual activities. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 21 – Coorg   
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Coorg – visit Madikeri Fort, Raja’s Seat, Iruppu Falls, Abbey Falls and Omkareshwara Temple. Afternoon is free for leisure walks or individual activities. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 22 – Coorg – Kannur – Cochin (By Train)
Morning after breakfast drive to Kannur railway station (Approx. 03 hours) to board afternoon train for Cochin. Upon arrival check-in at your hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room. Evening is free to explore local market or just relax in hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 23 – Cochin
Morning after breakfast, visit Fort Kochi which is the oldest European settlement in India (1500), and has a mixture of English, Dutch and Portuguese influence. The Mattancherry Palace was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, but extensive renovations by the Dutch some hundred years later earned it the name the Dutch Palace. It has some of the best murals in India, depicting scenes from the Ramayana and other great legends. On our tour we visit the Jew town synagogue where Kochi’s surviving Jewish community come to worship. Nearby are the interesting cantilevered Chinese Fishing nets.

In the early evening we see a performance of Kathakali, which is thought by some to be the very essence of the culture of Kerala. Its origins may have come from traditional temple rituals and from an art form known as Koodiyattam. It is the face make up which makes this dancing so unique. The dancers can take up to three hours painting their faces – the features are heavily emphasized as it is the facial expressions and coordinated eye movements which are important in the dance. The dances usually portray events from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, great Indian epics. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 24 – Cochin – Kumarakom
In the morning after breakfast drive to Kumarakom (Approx. 01 hour). This is an enchanting backwater destination of Kerala. Spread over a cluster of islands on Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is pictured as a mesh of lush tropical waterways and low-lying paddy fields. Stay in the backwater resort and enjoy your day in swimming or a massage that would do wonders on your body.

Later explore the rest of the day at your own leisure by watching the Vembanad Lake which has its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web.

Late afternoon a Cruise in the backwaters of Kerala. Cruise takes you through the palm-fringed canals and is a unique way to discover Kerala. Overnight at the hotel/resort.

Day 25 – Kumarakom – Thekkady  
Have an early wake up and make your day by hearing the chirruping melodies of the sweet birds. Proceed to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary which lies at the edge of the grounds of an old estate where a profusion of all kinds of birds can be observed.

After breakfast, drive to Thekkady (Approx. 125Kms / 03 ½ hours), a beautiful area of tea gardens, rubber estates and coffee and pepper plantations, located high in the Cardamom hills. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room.

In the afternoon, visit rubber plantations and varied spice gardens like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee and tea estates. On your way back to hotel, you can shop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Evening is free for individual activities or relaxations. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 26 – Thekkady – Madurai
In morning, go for a walk in search for wildlife in Periyar national park. The Park itself is made up of a variety of habitats, open grasslands, deciduous, semi-evergreen and tropical forests all of which have different animal species.

Thereafter, drive to Madurai (Approx. 140Kms / 03 hours). Madurai, known as Athens of the East, is the second largest city on the banks of the River Vaigai. The city is believed to be more than 2500 years old. The city got its name from the drops of nectar (Mathuram) that fell from Shiva’s lochs when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him.

Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and some free time later in the day to explore local food shops which have real south Indian taste. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 27 – Madurai
After breakfast visit Madurai famous for the Meenakshi Sundereswar temple is the epitome of South Indian temple cities alive and bustling with pilgrims and religious preoccupations. The temple of goddess Meenakshi houses the hall of 1000 musical pillars known for their intricate work.

Late afternoon, we will visit a cooking class home where chef will give you briefing about all the spices used in food. Try your hand in this exciting activity. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 28 – Madurai – Mahabalipuram (By Train)
Today after early breakfast, transfer to the railway station to board train for Chengalpattu station. Upon arrival, continue on short drive to arrive at Mahabalipuram.

Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and some free time later in the day to explore nearby temples.

Day 29 – Mahabalipuram 
Today, we will visit the World Heritage site at Mahabalipuram. We will explore the Shore Temple, ravaged by time, but now hopefully protected by a wall. Also, we will see Arjuna’s Penance, a magnificent bas relief depicting a story from the Mahabharata.

Evening is free for individual activities or relaxations. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 30 – Mahabalipuram – Chennai (Departure)  
Morning after breakfast drive to Chennai (01hour). Upon arrival, proceed for the sightseeing of Chennai, “the gateway of South India”. visit National Art Gallery and Museum (closed on Fridays) which has a selection of ancient paintings of almost all schools as well as section devoted to modern art, Fort St. George, St. Mary’s Church, Drive along Marina Beach (the second longest in the world) and San Thome Cathedral Basilica rebuilt in 1606 as a cathedral and in 1896 it was made a basilica.

Visit Theosophical Society – the world headquarters of the Theosophical Society formed to encourage the study of comparative religion philosophy and science. Evening is free for individual activity.

In night transfer to the airport to connect flight for onward destination.