GRAND INDIA TOUR

27 Nights / 28 Days

A sweeping tour of India's highlights through seven different states - from the metropolis of Delhi down to the hill stations, backwaters and beaches of Kerala...very grand indeed!

Itinerary Route: Delhi - Varanasi – Agra – Jaipur - Mumbai - Goa - Badami – Hospet - Hassan - Mysore - Ooty – Cochin - Munnar – Periyar - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Kovalam – Trivandrum

Day 1: Delhi Arrival

You will be greeted at the airport by a Tour Packages India Representative and escorted to your hotel by private AC car. Upon check-in, you'll be offered a briefing on your tour program.

Day 2: Delhi

After breakfast, embark on a day of sightseeing around Delhi. (See "Local Attractions" for a detailed list of Delhi highlights.) Legend claims Delhi is estimated to be over 5,000 years old and it's population is a heterogeneous mix of people originating from every corner of India. Delhi is by far the most cosmopolitan city in India and a true traveler's delight.

Day 3: Delhi to Varanasi (via Air)

After breakfast, you'll be escorted back to the airport for the short flight to Varanasi where upon arrival you'll be met and escorted to your hotel. Enjoy an afternoon excursion to Sarnath, the ruins of an ancient Buddhist city. Spend the evening as you wish. Evenings are a nice time to take a boat ride on the Ganges and stroll along the ghats.

Day 4: Varanasi to Agra (by Train)

Board an early morning boat at the riverbanks for a cruise on the Ganges River. At dawn, the ghats are abuzz with activity as devotees offer prayers to the rising sun and perform religious rituals. Later visit the Bharat Mata Temple which has on display a giant bas relief map of India in marble. Take a drive through the largest residential university of Asia - Banaras Hindu University. Stop over at the Bharat Kala Bhavan where some of the finest miniatures in India are on display. Depart in the early evening for an overnight train ride to Agra.

Day 5: Agra

Most visitors to Agra start their day at the Taj Mahal - the rising sun reflecting on the Taj during the coolest period of the day makes it a favorite time to visit - the same goes for the evening. It opens at 6:00 a.m. so breakfast usually takes place after your visit. Later, visit the Agra Fort. See "Local Attractions" for a more detailed list of things to do in Agra. Dine out as you like and spend the night.

Day 6: Agra to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri (245 km / 5 hour drive)

On the way to Jaipur, stop off at Fatehpur Sikri - an old deserted town of the Mughal Dynasty, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to water scarcity. Later in the afternoon, check-in to your hotel in Jaipur.

Day 7: Jaipur

Spend the day sightseeing. Jaipur has many points of interest. Please visit "Local Attractions" to see a comprehensive list of activities. No doubt, you'll have no problem filling your day.

Day 8: Jaipur to Mumbai (via Flight)

Catch an early morning flight to Mumbai and spend the day sightseeing. See "Local Attractions" for a detailed list of fun and interesting things to do in Mumbai.

Day 9: Mumbai to Goa (via Flight)

Take in morning sightseeing around Mumbai before catching the afternoon flight to Goa where you'll be spending the next 3 nights.

Day 10: Goa

Relax the day away. See "Local Attractions" for fun places to visit.

Day 11: Goa

Relax the day away. See "Local Attractions" for fun places to visit.

Day 12: Goa to Badami (203 km / 5 hour drive)

Enjoy the scenic drive through eastern Goa on the way to Badami. Arrive late afternoon and spend the evening as you like.

Day 13: Badami to Hampi/Hospet (190 km / 4 hour drive)

After breakfast and check-out you'll be driven to Hampi, the medieval capital of the Hindu empire Vijayanagara (the City of Victory). Check-in and spend the night.With more than 500 monuments dotting the surrounding area, Hampi is declared a UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Among those included are beautiful temples, basement of palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, treasury buildings plus many more. Hampi has long been known as a backpackers paradise.

Day 14: Hospet/Hampi

Spend the day sightseeing. More than 500 monuments dot Hampi and the surrounding area - beautiful temples, basement of palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, treasury buildings plus many more. Hampi is on the UNESCO list of Heritage Sites.

Day 15: Hospet/Hampi (262 km / 6 hour drive)

Upon arrival check-in to your hotel. Spend the day sightseeing. (Refer to "Local Attractions").

Day 16: Hassan to Mysore (140 km / 4 hour drive)

After breakfast, check-out and drive down to Mysore - the capital city of Karnataka which has always enchanted with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. Check-in to your hotel where you'll spend the next two nights.

Day 17: Mysore

There's an old world charm about Mysore - spend the afternoon sightseeing making Mysore Palace your first stop - try to arrange to be there on Sunday when the Palace lights up at night with 97,000 light bulbs! See "Local Attractions" for more Mysore highlights.

Day 18: Mysore to Ooty (127 km / 3 hour drive)

Depart from Mysore in the morning and take the scenic drive into the Niligiri Hills up to Ooty - a quaint hill station. Spend the remainder of the day strolling around the lake and sightseeing. Spend the night.

Day 19: Ooty to Cochin (290 km / 7 hour drive)

On the drive to Cochin, stop off in Coonoor - a nearby hill station famous for its beautiful and fragrant tea estates. Enjoy lunch and sample the local teas before descending the hills en route to Cochin where you'll spend the next two nights.

Day 20: Cochin

Spend the day seeing the sights which may include a visit to the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica or a boat tour of the harbor islands. See "Local Attractions" for a comprehensive list of things to do.

Day 21: Cochin to Munnar (135 km / 4 hour drive)

Morning depature for the hilly drive to the tea plantation hill station of Munnar where you'll spend the next two nights.

Day 22: Munnar

Spend the day sightseeing. See "Local Attractions" for points of interest in the area.

Day 23: Munnar to Periyar (120 km / 3 hour drive)

Take another wonderfully scenic drive through the hilly countryside en route to Periyar. Visit Periyar for the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve. Spend the night.

Day 24: Periyar to Kumarakom (128 km / 3 hour drive)

Arrive in the Rice Bowl of India in the backwaters of Kumarakom in the early afternoon. Spend the day exploring the area - go for a boat ride on the lake. Relax in the evening over a fresh seafood meal.

Day 25: Kumarakom to Alleppey (60 km / 2 hour drive)

Board your houseboat upon arrival in Alleppey and spend the remainder of the day cruising through the narrow canals and observing a culture of life spent on the water. Relax, dine, spend the night on the houseboat drifting through the tropical paradise.

Day 26: Alleppey to Kovalam (160 km / 4 hour drive)

Continue your travels down the coast to the world famous beach resort town of Kovalam. Long an international draw, you'll find it a fascinating and enjoyable way to wind up this tour.

Day 27: Kovalam

Spend the day as you wish. Spend the night.

Day 27: Kovalam to Trivandrum (Departure)

With assistance, depart to your transfer point.

Extend or Customize Your Tour: We would be happy to assist with additional travel and hotel arrangements. Changes to this tour can be added as an inclusive part of the package.

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