Home » India Tour Package » India from North to South

India from North to South

Durations : 26 Nights / 27 Days
Tour Destination : Delhi - Varanasi - Khajuraho - Jhansi - Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Ranthambhore - Jaipur - Bombay - Hyderabad - Bangalore - Mysore - Cochin - Kovalam - Varkala - Kumarakom - Periyar - Madurai


Day 01 : Arrive Delhi.
Namaste! We are warmly welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands together. After immigration and custom formalities, we are transferred to our Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi.
The capital of India is a true reflection of the old and new of India. We start our morning tour with New Delhi and visit first the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place and the Qutb Minar - a perfect minaret towering 102 meters / 112 yards into the sky. New Delhi is a blend of Mughal India, Hindu India, British India and, certainly, modern independent India. Rest of the day free.

Day 03 : Delhi.
Our morning concentrates on Old Delhi, starting with the famous Red Fort. Built by Shah Jehan, this was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire. Next we visit another Mughal majesty, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, followed by the Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. We end our tour with a bazaar experience at Chandni Chawlk, the street of silver and goldsmiths. Evening we can enjoy an optional tour to see the Sound and Light Show at the Delhi red Fort.

Day 04 : Delhi / Varanasi (Flight)
We take a short flight to the holy city of Varanasi - one of the oldest living cities on the Sub Continent. We start our experience with a visit to old Varanasi and the Bharat Mata Temple which houses a huge marble relief map of India. Varanasi is famous for its many temples and we cover the Durga temple, the Tulsi Manas Mandir beside the Banaras Hindu University and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. The city is famous also for its Banarasi silk sarees and we visit some of the houses where the beautiful silk sarees are woven. Evening is free to enjoy this 5000-year-old city. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 05 : Varanasi / Khajuraho (Flight)
Early morning a serene experience begins as we take a sunrise cruise on the River Ganges. One of the cardinal principles of Hinduism is the belief in the holiness of the Ganges. Every morning scores of pilgrim and priests fill the riverbanks performing the holy dip and various other rituals. This is a site that has to be seen and experienced as it is so different from anything else what may have seen anywhere in the world. Later we tour Sarnath, the site of Lord Buddha's first sermon after attaining enlightenment. At Sarnath we meet many Buddhist monks and followers before visiting local homes to see in-home silk weaving and soak up some local customs, culture and hospitality. Later we drive to airport in Varanasi in time to connect our flight to Khajuraho. On arrival we are transferred to our Hotel in Khajuraho. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 06 : Khajuraho
Our Khajuraho visit starts with the temples that have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples were built during the apogee of the Chandella dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD. Today only 20 temples remain and they fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions - Hinduism and Jainism. Theses beautiful temples strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The Kandariya is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art. The most important ones include the Mahadev Temple, Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple with a lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishvanath and Nandi Temples, Lakshmana Temple, Visha Temple that was dedicated to Shiva, which is the largest and most typical of temples. Afternoon is free to wander in the traditional bazaars of Khajuraho.

Day 07 : Khajuraho / Jhansi (Drive about 7 hours) and Jhansi / Agra , Train.
In the morning we drive to Jhansi and continue to visit Orchha, an amazing medieval fortress-city located on the shores of the Betwa River. After our visit to Orchha we proceed to the Railway Station in Jhansi to embark on the luxury first class train to Agra. This is a very comfortable train journey lasting just over 2 hours with four brief stops en route. It offers air-conditioned "business class airline" seating with meal services on board. We are welcomed in Agra and transferred to our Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 08 : Agra.
Morning we start our tour the Taj Mahal probably the best known World Heritage Site. Built by Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with semi-precious stones. Next we visit Agra Fort, also a World Heritage Site, where Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son in the later years of his life to prevent him from spending the family fortunes on a black echo of the Taj Mahal. Our afternoon is free for shopping for Taj replicas and leather goods that the descendants of the builders of the Taj are still famous.

Day 09 : Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Ranthambhore – (drive 7 hours)
We start the day visiting the incredible World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri the former Mughal capital where we also visit the artistically designed mausoleum of the revered Sufi, Salim Chisty who is reputed to have prayed for a son for Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir, the father of the builder of the Taj. Pilgrims of all denominations visit this sites with their own prayers. From here we continue our journey to Ranthambhore National Park rated as amongst the best places in the world to view wild tigers. It is estimated that over 75% of the photographs taken of wild tigers in the world are from Ranthambhore. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 10 : Ranthambhore
Early morning we start our photo hunting for the over 300 types of trees, 272 species of birds, 30 spices of mammals and ofcourse our prize trophy, the tiger. With 28 tigers wandering in the park there is a high possibility that we may see not one, but a few. The park is also home to India's smallest and largest antelopes, Chinkara and Nilgai. The park has a total of 28 tigers, providing a reasonable opportunity of sighting a few. An afternoon safari will be followed by time to enjoy the green cool environment of Ranthombhore.

Day 11 : Ranthambhore / Jaipur (Drive 4.5 hrs)
We depart Ranthambhore for the colourful capital-city of Jaipur. En route we stop at villages to view the rural contented Rajasthani villages and meet their folks. Evening is an exciting time witnessing a colourful show of the Rajasthani Folk dances at the Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 12 : Jaipur.
We are treated like the royalty of yesteryear with an elephant ride to the intriguing Amber Palace, a distinguished example of 17th Century Rajput architecture. Next we visit the old astronomical observatory, the Palace, home to a rare collection of Indian art and Hawa Mahal, the most prominent of the buildings in the pink city. We end the day at the colourful bazaar.

Day 13 : Jaipur / Bombay (flight).
Morning a short drive to airport in Jaipur to connect with our flight to the famous commercial

capital of India, Bombay or Mumbai. A Mumbai wala guide welcomes and transfers us to our hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 14 : Bombay
This is one of the largest cities in the world and is home to the largest film industry in the world. Bombay is a city full of life and history and, as the saying goes, "Bombay never sleeps". We start our journey with the Gateway of India landmark archway, which includes the world's largest open-air laundry, Jain Temple, Marine Drive, Hanging Gardens and the Prince of Wales Museum. Afternoon is free to immerse ourselves in the local culture. Bombay offers a lot of attractions in the areas of art and theatre and this evening is a good time to experience them.

Day 15 : Bombay / Hyderabad (flight).
A short flight will take us to Hyderabad. Hyderabad, capital of Andhra Pradesh, has become the most talked about city in India today. The focus here is on the services sector, tourism and environment. Infrastructure is being built at unbelievably fast pace. This coupled with the inherent charms of the city's rich past, its exotic cuisine and imposing monuments, old bazaars and lilting accents, as well as its almost central location with respect to the country's main metros- and we have a sure winner here. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 16 : Hyderabad / Bangalore (flight) and Bangalore / Mysore (drive 139km / 84 mi)
Today we take a short flight to Bangalore where, upon arrival, we are met and taken on a scenic drive to Mysore. The evening is free to enjoy the many attractions this cultural center of Southern India offers. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 17 : Mysore
Also known as the city of Palaces, Mysore has never failed to mesmerize with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. Our morning tour includes the Maharajah's Palace, the Shri Chamundeswari Temple and the Nadi Shiva's Mount. The evening is free to enjoy the Vrindavan Garden and City Palace, which is beautifully lit on certain days.

Day 18 : Mysore / Bangalore (Drive 139km / 84 miles)
A short drive gets us to the garden city of Bangalore, also now known as the high-tech centre of India. Our tour of this beautifully clean city covers the Botanical Garden, the Visveswariah Museum, and the famous Mysore Arts and Craft Center. Bangalore is the capital of Karnataka. It is called the Garden City due to its delicate blossoms and greenery that impart a unique beauty to this lovely city. The weather is the city's best feature, with pleasant summers and mild winters. Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city, where a variety of cultures and customs thrive. Kempe Gowda founded the city in 1537 - is today a bustling and diverse city with ancient arts that flourish alongside the Silicon Plateau of India. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 19 : Bangalore / Cochin (Flight)
Today we experience a different part of India in the southern city of Cochin. Upon arrival at the airport we are met and transferred to our beach hotel. Afternoon is free to enjoy the silver Sended beaches of Kerala and later get an inspiring sunset view over the Bay of Bengal. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 20 : Cochin
Today we explore Cochin, the commercial capital of Kerala, with one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Ancient mariners from Arabia, China, Holland, Britain and Portugal have all left their mark on this beautiful island city, often referred to as the Venice of the East. Here we tour the Dutch Palace, St. Francis Church, the Jewish Quarter with its old synagogue and take a boat tour to visit the Bolghatty Palace and observe the fascinating Chinese fishing nets in action.

Day 21 : Cochin / Kovalam (Drive 250km / 152 miles)
A scenic comfortable drive conveys us to the beautiful Kovalam Beach on the Malabar Coast near Trivandrum. The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white Sends washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories make this beach an incredible paradise. We arrive in the afternoon and take the rest of the day off to enjoy our beautiful surroundings. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 22 : Kovalam
Today we enjoy a visit to the "Lands End" of India: Kanniya Kumari is the southernmost tip of peninsular India where the waters of the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet. A place from where one can see spectacular sunrises and also colourful sunsets. On balmy evenings, one can watch the sun set while the full moon is rising in another part of the sky!.

Day 23 : Kovalam / Varkala / Kumarakom (backwater boat ride)
After breakfast, we proceed towards Varkala: one of the unspoiled beach resorts of India. We then enjoy a backwater cruise to Kumarakom - backwater country - by speedboat or a luxury cruise ship. This will be an interesting experience with spectacular views and photo opportunities. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 24 : Kumarakom.
Get set for an incredible day. We start with a boat ride to visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Those adventurous enough may indulge in water sports such as windsailing and water skiing. For those looking to relax, try a canoe ride on the still waters.

Day 25 : Kumarakom / Periyar (drive 120km / 73 miles)
A day at Periyar sanctuary game viewing. One of the most well-known wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers every year. Also called the Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the animals in their natural habitat. Evening is at leisure. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 26 : Periyar / Madurai (drive 180km / 110 miles).
Today we drive to Madurai, one of the oldest cities in the South. En route we stop to enjoy a traditional Puppet show. The life of Madurai revolves around the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. This magnificently carved temple is the main attraction of Madurai and its huge Gopurams tower over the city. The Meenakshi Temple has a thouSend pillared 'Mandapam'. There are precisely 985 pillars and each of them is delicately and exquisitely carved. Among these are the musical pillars that produce music when tapped. Surprisingly, these musical pillars are carved of a single granite rock. The temple has been a hub of Tamil culture and has sponsored the creation of great literature, art, music, and dance in the region for a long time. The city, apart from temple, is crammed with shops, street markets, pilgrims, hotels and restaurants. This is certainly a lively and culturally rich city! Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 27 : Madurai / departure.
After a journey traversing from the north to the south of this sub continent, we bid a fond farewell to India as we are transferred to the airport for our departure flight. From Madurai there are flights available to many gateway cities to connect with our international.