GRAND INDIA TOUR

Attractions, Points of Interest, Fun things to do

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

Delhi

The list of things to do in Delhi is endless and you'll surely discover many interesting things to do on your own. Here's an abbreviated list of some of the most popular tourist activities:

Eat Dilli-ki-Chaat – Delhi’s tangy local street food in Old Delhi

Visit the Red Fort - a great sandstone carcass of the last days of the Mughal empire and the British era

For a modern architectural marvel completed in 1986, visit the Lotus Temple (Bahai House of Worship), constructed out of marble and in the shape of a lotus flower. It remains one of the most visited sites in the entire world.

Stroll through Humayun’s Tomb which combines Persian style with local craftsmanship, encircled by the symmetrical Mughal gardens

Hear Qawwalis (devotional music) sung at dargah of Nizamuddin Auliya (one of Islam’s holiest tombs) at around sunset

Visit the Imperial Hotel - it's like taking a voyage back into the days of the Raj, with polished hallways hung with chandeliers and works of art

Explore the confusing and narrow streets of the Old Delhi bazaars

Get your clothes tailor-made in Khan Market – a fraction of the cost of the West with emphasis on quality

Visit the former home of Indira Gandhi and learn about India’s most powerful dynasty

Wander around Lodhi Gardens on a Sunday afternoon - a people-watchers paradise

Discover the district of Hauz Khas - crumbling Mughal tombs and tempting art, antique and fashion boutiques

Ride out to peaceful Qutb Minar - well-known and easily spotted for its towering minaret resembling an ornate factory chimney

Visit the Jama Masjid, climb the mosque’s minaret, then enjoy a classic non-veg meal at nearby culinary institutions Karim’s or Al-Jawahar, famous for their roasted meat kebabs

Feast your eyes on the wealth of Indian Art at the National Museum

Visit Gandhi’s simple tomb in its tranquil gardens – said to be the most peaceful place in all Delhi

Varanasi

Bathe in the Ganges - Over 60,000 people come down to the waters edge every day to take a dip in the sacred waters of the Ganges.

Boat Rides - very popular at sunrise and sunset. The most popular sunset ride is to start at Dasaswamedh Ghat and head up to Manikarnika Ghat to see the cremations in progress, and then return to Dasaswamedh and watch the evening aarti from the boat. Sunrise is another magical time for a ride, when the ghats are filled with Hindus bathing and starting their day - one of the most famous sights in India.

During the trip "market boats" will float up to you selling overpriced trinkets which can be bought much cheaper on land. Any offers of flowers for puja will definitely not be free; Rs 2 per flower bowl and Rs 5 per candle bowl are the going rates, though as a tourist you might be asked for as much as Rs 100 each.

Get lost in the alleyways - the sounds, sight and smells are just unbelievable!

Kriti Gallery (opposite All India Radio Station) - a place to interact with contemporary art in the city of Varanasi edit

Mehrotra Silk Factory - Government Approved. Has set, reasonable prices and a good selection of handwoven pure silk sarees, dress materials, bedcovers and other silk materials. A little out of the way, but worth the trip

Agra

Taj Mahal

Agra Fort - this majestic fort has sixteen palaces, has served as a home to six Mughal Emperors and offers a breathtaking view of the dominant Taj. Another UNESCO World Heritage Site

Itmad-ud-dualah - known as the ‘Baby Taj’. This look-alike was commissioned by Queen Noor Jahan as a tribute to her father

Fatehpur Sikri - another UNESCO World Heritage Site - you will find the highest gateway in the world, Buland Darwaza (Grand Entrance) and the Tomb of Salim Chishti. The Sufi Saint’s revered resting place attracts millions of people every year. It is widely believed that all your prayers will be answered here. And when one day they are, you must return to the shrine to perform a small ritual.

Dhobi Ghat - carpeted with yards of fabric in more colours known to man, it is an unlikely but popular destination. This part of the river, where washer-folk scrub their laundry, attracts photographers as well as filmmakers from all across the world. Locations in and around it were recently seen in Slumdog Millionaire.

Agra served as a home to the Mughal Dynasty and next to architecture their influence had the greatest effect on the cuisine. Don't miss out on authentic Mughali dishes - famous the world over for a very good reason

Jaipur

Amber Fort
City Palace
Jai Mahal Lake Palace
Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)
Jantar Mantar
Monkey Temple
Jaigarh Fort
Elephant Rides
Tiger Fort
The Entrance of City Walls
Ramgagh Palace

Mumbai

Colaba Causeway is THE place to go for entertainment, shopping and activities. Here's a short list of things to do that could easily fill a day:

Gateway of India
City Tour - double-decker buses leave from the Gateway throughout the day
Bollywood - take a trip to Film City located and enjoy the first hand experience of Bollywood shooting
Museums and Art Galleries
The Taj Mahal Hotel
Major cinemas
Shopping
Harbor Cruise - depart every 30 min. from the Gateway of India
Taj Private Yacht Cruise - rent the Taj's private yacht for a cruise around the Mumbai harbour
Boat ride to Elephant Island - leaves from the Gateway
Heritage Buildings Tour

Goa

With 70 km of unbroken coastline, GOING TO THE BEACH is the the biggest attraction in Goa. Water sports at a lot of the beaches include:

Diving - nearer to Vasco da Gama
Kitesurfing
Paragliding
Jet Skis
Banana Rides

Badami

Hiking and Climbing: being completely surrounded by cliffs and caves makes a great spot for climbing and exploring

Hospet

Hiking and Climbing: being completely surrounded by cliffs and caves makes a great spot for climbing and exploring

Hassan

Ramanathpur Temples - on the banks of River Cauvery - the river has many species of fish and you can buy fish food from nearby vendors. There's a cave in the waterbed accessible during summer months.

Gorur Dam - across the Hemavathy River - built in the early 1900s - permission is required to go to the top of the dam to view the Hemavathi Reservoir.

Shettyhalli Church - Gothic architecture from the 1600s - the church is submerged during monsoons but can be explored during the summer. Once yearly in the summer prayers are held and a lamp is lit in the church.

Mosale Hoysala Temples - Hoysala architecture known for intricate detail work

Sri Ranganatha Hill - a new constructed Hanuman statue - enjoy the scenic drive up the hill.

Mysore

Dasara (Dusshera) - the state festival of Karnataka - typically held in October

Chamundi Hill - a long climb via the steps where you'll be rewarded with a magnificent view of the surrounding countryside in the shadow of the famous giant Nandi bull statue

Kukkarahalli Lake - favorite place to stroll for exercise and people watching

Mysore Palace - iIntricately carved rosewood doors and ceilings, inlaid ivory work, marble figurines, collections of caskets, paintings of the members of the royal family, On weekends and holidays the palace is illuminated by close to 100,000 bulbs - worth the trip alone to Mysore

Brindavan Gardens and Musical Fountain at the Krishna Raja Sagar Dam - nice fountain gardens with light show amd music in the evenings

Tipu Sultan's Palace - Jagmohan Palace and Art Gallery - a former palace converted into a wonderful art gallery featuring famous works by various Indian artists

Mysore Zoo - one of the city’s most popular attractions, established under royal patronage in 1892, making it one of the oldest zoos in the world. The zoo has a very successful breeding program and houses animals from more than 40 different countries and there are many native Indian animals as well, including Royal Bengal tigers. A Mysore "must see"

Karanji Kere - a small lake inside the city which offers boat rides. Surrounded by beautiful landscaped greenery you can also enjoy the company of pelicans and painted storks.

Happy Man Park - a very popular family hangout. The park is quite compact but contains a mini-zoo, and ducks roam freely. The park is landscaped with a little stream and ‘wooden’ bridges. The main attraction is, of course, The Happy Man - a statue of a man with a huge pot belly representing the unhealthy eating habits of the Mysoreans.

Ooty

Ooty Botanical Gardens - created in 1847 over 22 hectares, the Gardens have over 650 species of plants and trees, including a fossil of a tree, which is believed to be more than 20 million years old.
Doddabetta Peak - at an altitude of 2,623 meters it's the highest point in the district
Ooty Rose Gardens
The Tea Factory
Boating at Pykara
Falls at Pykara

Cochin

The only metropolis in Kerala, a heritage harbor town, Cochin is a fun town to explore. Here's an abbreviated list of Cochin tourist highlights:

Harbor Cruises and Water Taxis - Getting around on the water is fun and easy and Cochin's water transport system is well-developed. Take a cruise or island hop via the taxis.

Kathakali Dance Performances - most often near the Chinese Fishing Nets

Chinese Fishing Nets - serves as the offical icon of Kochi and are a testimony of relations between Ancient Chinese Empires and the Kochi Kingdom - they were gifted by Chinese Emperor Kubalagi to the Kochi King in the 14th century.

Cochin Royal Crown at the Hill Palace Museum - crafted in pure gold weighting 1.75 kg with 95 diamonds and 2,000 other precious stones. The crown was a gift from the Portuguese to Veera Kerala Varma on his coronation day.

The Dutch Palace - the coronations of Kochi Maharajas were always held here. A large throne and coronation costumes are on display along with an extensive collection of royal chariots, swords and other artifacts. The most interesting part is the mural room, which has the entire Ramayana and Mahabharat depicted in a single mural.

Princess Street (Loafer’s Corner) - the most famous street of Fort Kochi offering a slice of authentic colonial European architecture and the perfect destination for evening walks to explore the numerous western styled cafes, souvenir shops, art galleries and heritage complexes.

International Pepper Exchange in Jewtown - The world's only pepper exchange - often likened to NYC Wall Street - but instead of money, its all about pepper trading. Well worth a visit just to see all the peppers you never knew existed.

Munnar

Walk in the Clouds - trek up into the clouds
Rock Climbing and Rappelling
Munnar Carmelagiri Elephant Safaris and Park - safaris take you through the misty forests, deep valleys and the rugged hill paths of the Munnar forests. Features are, elephant bath, elephant shower, elephant feeding, timber dragging demonstrations and displays of elephant commands and communication.
Boating - paddle boats, speed boats Shikara boat rides
Atukkad Waterfalls - very scenic falls
Chithirapuram - old playgrounds and courts, bungalows and sleepy little cottages lending an air of old world charm to the place. It's also famous for its tea plantations.
Mattupetti Dam - popular picnic spot with boating and horseback riding - great outing with the kids

Periyar

Tiger Reserve - has a rich diversity of vertebrates. The diverse forest types, vayals, marshes, and a large aquatic habitat together support a vast and diverse assortment of species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish. The Tiger is found in all types of habitats though their density is much less in the evergreen forests. Though sighting one is difficult because of the thick vegetation, evidence like pugmarks, clawings, and scat are located throughout the reserve. The population is estimated to be between 35 to 40.

Bamboo Rafting - a dawn to dusk hiking and rafting program through some of the richest forest tracts of Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Boating on Periyar Lake
Elephant Rides
Spice Plantation Tours

Kumarakom

Boating
Water Sports
Vembanad Bird Sanctuary

Alleppey

THE BACKWATERS: Meandering through coastal areas of Kerala, the Backwaters are a 900 kilometer (560 miles) long intricate network of lagoons, lakes, canals, estuaries and deltas of several rivers that flow into the Arabian Sea. This is a natural phenomenon, as major rivers and streams that flows within Kerala drain themselves into backwaters regions, resulting in creation of several small land strips, lagoons, and islands which open to the sea at various points along the stretch.

Kovalam

THE BEACH: The old lighthouse, located at Southern Beach, is one of the oldest lighthouses in Kerala. The small rock hill that separtes Hawa Beach with Northern Beach is a local landmark, with the giant Halcyon Castle overlooking the seas. The Castle has played host to several leading European, US and Arab leaders and is a testimony to the Anglo-Travancore architecture of Kovalam.