TRAVEL INDIA TOUR ITINERARIES

Best of India Tour covers the best of Indian culture, natural beauty and heritage; inclusive of the World heritage Sites in India. To see the whole of India would take a few months so we have designed this tour for all of you who are a little pressed with time and would like to see the best of India with its diversity. You can combine or eliminate any place of your particular interests in India with our guidance and services.

Day 1: Arrival in Mumbai
Arrival in Mumbai, the financial capital and Hollywood of India. Traditional welcome at the airport by our representative and escorted to your hotel. Check in to the hotel.

Day 2: Mumbai - Cochin
After breakfast check out of the hotel and proceed to the airport to board your flight to Cochin. Cochin popularly called as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea'. The cluster of islands and the narrow peninsula makes it a unique place. It was earlier a famous seaport and the influence of the Chinese, Jew and the Arabs can be easily witnessed in the culture of the natives in Cochin. Check in hotel and later on move out for the local tour. Visit the famous Dutch Palace, Chinese Fishing Nets, Fort Cochin, Jewish Synagogue, St.Francis Church - the oldest church in India, etc. Later on return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 3: Cochin - Kumarakom - Alleppey (Houseboat Cruise)
No Kumarakom trip is complete without a backwater cruise on a houseboat. After breakfast, check-in at the Kettuvalloms, the large country boats, often measuring 80 feet and more, made from planks of Anjili wood, stitched together using coir ropes, and coated with a black resin made from boiled cashew kernels incorporating a huge bed room, a toilet, a kitchenette and an open balcony. Stay overnight at the houseboat cruising from Kumarakom to Alleppey.

Day 4: Kumarakom
Morning after breakfast check out of the Houseboat, drive to Kumarakom. It is the famous backwater destinations in Kerala which is situated on the Vembanad Lake. It is also a part of Kerala's rice bowl, the Kuttanad region and is ideal for the backwater cruises. The fascination for tourists at Kumarakom is the bird Sanctuary here spread across 14 acres which is a favorite haunt of migratory birds like egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and Siberian stork. Overnight at the hotel in Kumarakom.

Day 5: Kumarakom – Cochin – Overnight Train - Goa
Morning free for sightseeing of Kumarakom. After lunch proceed to Cochin to board your overnight train to Goa.

Day 6: Goa
Arrival by noon in Goa and check in to the hotel. Evening free to enjoy the sunset at the beautiful beaches of Goa and a lovely seafood barbeque dinner with the scintillating view and feel of the Goan beach.

Day 7: Goa
After breakfast, proceed on a half day sightseeing tour of Goa, visiting Miramar Beach, Basilica of Bom Jesus and the city of Panjim- bustling with shops and tourists. The afternoon is at leisure to relax on the beach. Night stay in Goa.

Day 8: Goa
The whole day is free to relax at the beach and get some colour. Night stay in Goa.

Day 9: Goa - Mumbai
After breakfast check out of the hotel and take your flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai check in to the hotel and later proceed for half day tour of Mumbai covering Gateway of India – The stone archway designed by Wittett in the 16th century Gujarati style, Prince of Whales Museum , Chowpatty Beach, Dhobhi Ghat, Marine Drive. Night stay in Mumbai.

Day 10: Mumbai - Aurangabad
Take the morning flight to Aurangabad and drive to Ellora. Visit the Buddhist, Hindu And Jain Cave Complex which dates back to the 6th Century C.E. Highlight is the massive Kailasnatha Temple, Carved from a singe rock formation. Overnight at the hotel in Aurangabad.

Day 11: Aurangabad - Udaipur
This morning make a short journey to the World Heritage Site at Ajanta, beautifully situated in a rocky gorge on the Waghora River. We will fully explore the Caves with their exquisite murals, many of which depict the Buddhist Jataka tales. Return to Aurangabad for the flight to Udaipur. Overnight at the hotel in Udaipur.

Day 12: Udaipur
Morning city sight seeing tour of Udaipur. The city is built in 1559 A.D. by Maharaja Udai Singh and has been described as the most romantic spot on the continent of India by Col. James Todd. Visit the City Palace museum, the Jagdish temple, Sahelion Ki Bari (Queen’s resort for their friends) Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir (Folk art museum) and the Pratap Memorial. Rest of the day at leisure and night stay at the hotel in Udaipur.

Day 13: Udaipur - Jaipur
Take the morning flight to Jaipur, The “Pink City”. This afternoon we will explore the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal And Jaipur’s Colorful Bazaars.

Day 14 : Jaipur
Half day sightseeing of Jaipur which includes places of interest like the Jaigarh Fort and Amber Fort. The steep approach to the Amber Palace gives you an opportunity to enjoy an elephant ride up the hill like a King and a Queen with a scintillating view of the lake below surrounded by hills. Late evening free for shopping. On at the hotel in Jaipur.
 
Day 13: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (230 km from Agra, 5-5.5 hrs drive)
After breakfast check out of the hotel and proceed to Agra. On the way, visit the town of Fatehpur Sikri which was once the capital city of Mughal Emperor Akbar and abode of the famous muslim shrine of Sufi Saint Salim Chisti. Another main feature of Fatehpur Sikri is the Buland Darwaza, the gate of Magnificence. Arrival in Agra by evening and check in to the hotel.
 
Day 14: Agra
After breakfast visit the magnificient Taj Mahal - one of the seven wonders of the world surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan's beloved wife. Also visit the Agra fort – the rusty and majestic red-sandstone fort of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna and the construction was started by Emperor Akbar in 1566. After the sightseeing of Agra, proceed to Delhi. Arrival in Delhi and check in to the hotel.

Day 15: Agra – Jhansi - Khajuraho
Take the early morning train to Jhansi. Then we drive to historic Orchha to visit the Bundela Temple Site. Continuing on we reach Khajuraho and check in to the hotel.
 
Day 16: Khajuraho - Varanasi
After early breakfast we explore the famous 10th Century Chandela Temple Complex, made famous for their erotic carvings. After this we take a flight to the Ancient City of Varanasi The "Soul" Of India. With over five hundred temples, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the Country. Take a walking tour of the Ghats followed by a Sunset Boat Cruise on the Sacred River Ganga.

Day 16: Varanasi
Early morning witness the devotees performing their morning religious rites on the “Ghats” of the River Ganges, as we take a Sunrise Boat Cruise up the Ganges. Then visit Sarnath, the site where Lord Buddha gave his first Sermon. On at the hotel in Varanasi.
 
Day 17: Varanasi - Delhi
Morning free in Varanasi. Check out of the hotel and take your flight to Delhi. Evening free in Delhi to explore the shopping and night life in the metro. Overnight at the hotel in Delhi.

Day 18: Delhi
After a leisurely breakfast full day sightseeing tour of Delhi where ornate buildings recall the days when India was the Jewel in the crown of the British empire. Visit the 11th century Qutab Minar, India Gate and the grand government buildings, the President's House, Red fort, Mahatama Gandhi Memorial, also visit Laxmi Narayan temple popularly known as Birla Temple, Lotus Temple and Akshardham. In the evening get ready to explore the shoppers paradise and handicrafts of India. Night stay in Delhi.

Day 19: Depart from Delhi
Transfer to the Airport to board your flight back Home or Onward destination.