Day 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
On arrival in Delhi by your international flight, meet and greet at the
airport and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon proceed on a tour of the
capital city. In the tour of the Old city visit Red Fort built by Emperor
Shah Jahan; see Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosque in India, Raj Ghat-
the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi and Shanti Van; walk along chandni chowk, the
silver street of Delhi bustling with activity. In the New city visit Qutab
Minar, the tallest stone tower in India, Humayun's Tomb built in the Indo
Persian style and a predecessor to The Taj Mahal in Agra, India Gate - A War
Memorial Arch; Lakshmi Narayan - a Hindu temple. Also drive past the
President's House, Parliament house, Government secretariat buildings and
Connaught place - the heart of New Delhi a busy shopping center.
Day 02 : DELHI - AGRA
Drive 4 hours enjoying picturesque countryside to Agra. Visit Taj Mahal.
20,00 workmen worked for 22 years to complete this poetry in marble built by
the Moghul Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine
her mortal remains; Agra Fort, a blend of architectural styles used during
the reign of three emperors; Itmad-Ud-Daulah and Sikandra- Akbar's
mausoleum.
Day 03 : AGRA - VARANASI
In the morning enjoy an excursion to Fatehpur Sikri, the red sandstone city
of yesteryears. The Mughal Emperor Akbar built the city in AD 1564 in honour
of the saint Sheikh Salim Chisthi. One of the major attractions of this city
is the marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chisthi. Return to Agra in the afternoon.
Rest of the time is free till evening when you will board an overnight train
to Varanasi. Overnight on board the train.
Day
04 : ARRIVE VARANASI
Arrive Varanasi in the morning. Later visit temples like Kashi Vishwanath
dedicated to Lord Shiva; Bharat Mata Mandir dedicated to Mother India; Durga
Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Durga; Alamgir Mosque- originally a temple
dedicated to Vishnu but now an odd mixture of Hindu and Muslim architectural
styles. Also visit Sarnath, an important Buddhist pilgrimage centre.
Day 05 : VARANASI - KOLKATA
Enjoy a boat ride on River Ganges. The most important facet of this holy
city is the river and the Ghats lining its southern bank in the city. From
dawn to dusk the Ghats are thronged by thousands of devotees, who perform
their holy rituals in the hope of attaining eternal salvation, the
'Nirvana'. Afternoon: Free to explore the colourful bazaars. You will be
transferred to railway station in the evening to board train for Kolkata.
Overnight on board the train.
Day 06 : ARRIVE KOLKATA
Arrive Kolkata, once the capital of the British Empire; formerly known as
Calcutta, it remains the cultural capital of India with strong tradition in
literature and fine arts. During your tour later in the day you will have a
chance to visit Victoria Memorial, an impressive white marble building
housing Raj memorabilia; Indian Museum, a treasure house of Indian art; Fort
William, the first fort built in Kolkata; St.Paul's Cathedral built in the
indo-Gothic style; Birla Planetarium; Marble Palace, a private residence
with a fine collection of art, including some by Sir Joshua Reynolds;
Jorasanko the residence of Rabindranath Tagore and drive past various
buildings like St John's Church, St Andrew's Belvedere, Hastings House and
The Green Church
Day
07 : KOLKATA - HYDERABAD
Morning is free to visit Dakshineshwar Temple dedicated to Kali and built
in the architectural style of Bengal; Botanical Gardens covering 110
hectares and having a number of rare plants, including a 200-year-old banyan
tree etc. Check out and transfer to railway station to connect overnight
train to Hyderabad. Overnight on board the train
Day 08 : ARRIVE HYDERABAD
Arrive in the morning and transfer to hotel. Later visit the Salar Jung
Museum, housing the single largest collection ever made by one man, Mir
Yusuf Ali Salar Jung, prime minister to the Nizam of Hyderabad. In the
afternoon visit the city of Hyderabad for its Char Minar, the city of symbol
with four minarets. Mecca Masjid, one of the grandest mosques built with
high colonnades and graceful arches made from single slabs of granite. Sri
Venkateshwara Temple, one of the newer temples built providing a fine
example of 20th century temple architecture.
Day 09: HYDERABAD - CHENNAI
Optional visit to the Ramoji Film Studio. Evening: Board overnight train to
Chennai
Day 10 : ARRIVE CHENNAI
On arrival in Chennai in the morning, transfer to hotel. Afternoon: Tour
the city known for Fort St. George built by the British and now housing the
Secretariat. Drive along the Marina Beach, the second longest in the world
driving past Chennai University, the Senate House and the Palace of the
Nawabs of the Carnatic, to the San Thomas Cathedral where the apostle is
buried. Visit the ancient Kapaleeshwar Temple dedicated to Shiva; Little
Mount Shrine considered to be the place where St Thomas lived and preached;
St Thomas Mount is where St Thomas, it is said, was assassinated. In the
second half of this day visit the National Art Gallery and Government
Museum, which are over 100 years old. Also visit Cholamandal Artists'
Village for contemporary art produced in artist's commune
Day
11 : CHENNAI - TRIVANDRUM
Proceed for an excursion to Mahabalipuram & Kancheepuram. The ancient
Pallava port, 64km from Chennai, Mamalapuram is today the site of several
sculpture marvels. The places to be visited are Arjuna's Penance, Krishna
Mandapam, Varaha Mandapam, Five Rathas and Shore Temples. Later visit
Kancheepuram, one of the seven sacred cities of India and also home to the
famous silk and cotton weaving industry. Return to Chennai and board an
overnight train to Trivandrum.
Day 12 : ARRIVE TRIVANDRUM
Arrive Trivandrum named after the holy serpent, the thousand-headed
Anantha, one of the major Indian cities on the famed Malabar Coast. In the
city you will be taken on a guided tour to Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple
dedicated to Lord Vishnu depicting the deity reclining on the holy serpent,
Anantha; Napier Museum with a fine collection of Kerala bronzes, ornaments
and costumes; Sri Chitra Art Gallery having Mughal and Rajput miniatures and
a collection of Raja Ravi Varma of Travancore's works
Day 13 : TRIVANDRUM - KANYAKUMARI - TRIVANDRUM
Take a full day trip to Kanyakumari, famous for its brilliant sunsets and
sunrises. It is India's "land's' end" at the confluence of the
Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. On an offshore rock, in memory
of Swami Vivekananda, stands Vivekananda Rock Memorial. Kanyaumari is the
only place in India where one can watch the sunset and moon rise
simultaneously on a full moon evening. Return in the evening to Trivandrum
Day 14 : TRIVANDRUM - COCHIN
Morning in time transfer to railway station in time to board, day train to
Cochin, a myriad of tiny islands set in the shimmering blue Arabian Sea,
against a lush backdrop. It has one of the most beautiful harbors on India's
west coast. For centuries it has been an important trading post. Its
cosmopolitan spirit is visible in the temples, mosques and synagogues that
rise against the city's skyline
Day 15 : COCHIN - GOA
Visit Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese known for its murals depicting
scenes fro the Ramayana and the Mahabharata; Koonan Kurishu Shrine which is
a small chapel, Jewish Synagogue which has a number of copper plates
inscribed in the Hebrew script; Fort Kochi, St Francis Church, the oldest
one to be constructed by Europeans in India; Santa Cruz Basilica with a
beautifully painted ceiling, and, Chinese Fishing Nets near the harbor's
entrance. In time transfer to railway station to board train for Goa.
Overnight on board the train.
Day
16 : ARRIVE GOA
Arrive Goa and transfer to your beach resort for three nights' stay. Goa, a
tiny emerald land of 3,702 Sq.Kms. on the west coast of India, with its
natural scenic beauty, attractive beaches, churches and temples, famous for
it's architecture, feasts and festivals and above all hospitable people with
a rich cultural milieu, has an ideal tourist profile.
Day 17 : IN GOA
During your half day tour today you will visit Panjim City & Mandovi
River, Dona Paula for a panoramic view of the Arabian sea; Calangute,
Anjuna, Colva, Miramar and Vagator Beaches; Old Goa with its churches and
museums; Panaji and its fishing wharfs, statues and markets; the colorful
Mapusa Bazaar; Ponda and its ancient temples
Day 18 : IN GOA
Full day is at leisure on the beach
Day 19 : GOA - MUMBAI
Last day in Goa and in the evening board a train on this tour for Mumbai.
Overnight aboard the train
Day 20 : ARRIVE MUMBAI
Arrive Mumbai and transfer to the city to check in at one of the hotels.
Freshen up before starting a tour that would include Mani Bhavan, the house
where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay during his visits to Mumbai; Prince Of
Wales Museum having a priceless collection of art and sculpture and Jain
Temple. Drive past the "Tower Of Silence", delightful Kamla Nehru
Park and Hanging Gardens situated on the slope of Malabar Hill offering a
panoramic view of Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach. Also drive past Crawford
Market, Mumbai High Court etc. Visit The Gateway Of India, a splendid arch
by the Arabian Sea, built to commemorate the royal visit in 1927. Late
evening you will be transferred to International airport to connect your
onward flight
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