Delhi • Varanasi • Khajuraho • Agra • Jaipur • Udaipur • Mumbai • Cochin • Kumarakom (Backwaters) • Chennai

DAY 1 - Departure 
Depart for Delhi, India

DAY 2 - Delhi  
Arrive Delhi airport. A representative from Exotic Journeys will meet you outside the Immigration & Custom / Baggage claim area and escort you to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.
Overnight at : Taj Mahal, New Delhi

DAY 3 - Delhi 
Morning at leisure. City tour of Delhi visiting Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, explore the old city on an authentic Rickshaw around Chandini Chowk, massive Red Fort with light and sound show. 
Overnight at : Taj Mahal, New Delhi

DAY 4 - Delhi 
Today, you will visit the Presidential Palace, Parliament House, Jantar Mantar - the medieval observatory, the l6th century tomb of Mughal emperor Humayun, Raj Ghat and Shantivana - the memorials to Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, India Gate, Qutub Minar and Lotus Temple.  
Overnight at : Taj Mahal, New Delhi

DAY 5 - Varanasi
Fly to Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world and the holiest in India. City tour visiting Sarnath, Aurangzeb Mosque, various temples and witness the thousands of lamps floating on the river Ganges in the evening puja. 
Overnight at : Taj Ganges, Varanasi

DAY 6 - Varanasi - Khajuraho 
Sunrise boat cruise on Ganges to witness sacred cleansing rituals and burning and bathing Ghats. Fly to Khajuraho - the temple city. It is famous throughout the world for its exquisitely carved temples in stones. Thousands of visitors and tourists from all over the world flock to envisage this immortal saga of Hindu art and culture engraved in stone by shilpies (stone craftsmen) a millennia ago.  
Overnight at : The Lalit Temple View, Khajuraho

Day 7 - Khajuraho 
Today, you will explore the World Heritage site Chandela temples. The Chandela temples represent the finest creative examples of temple architecture.
Overnight at: The lalit Temple View, Khajuraho

DAY 8 - Khajuraho - Orcha - Agra
Travel to Jhansi by coach en-route visiting Orcha, a medieval city built in 16th and 17th centuries by Bundela rulers. Board an air-conditioned train to Agra, to witness the city of world's most famous love story, Taj Mahal.
Overnight at : Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

DAY 9 - Agra - Taj Mahal 
Today you will explore the epic Taj Mahal, Agra Fort,  Itemad-ud-Daula and local bazaars. 
Overnight at : Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

DAY 10 - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur 
Travel to Jaipur en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the magnificent capital of Mughal Empire.  Arrive Jaipur - the pink city is known around the world for its people and exotic palaces, its culture & arts. Sightseeing includes visit to City Palace, Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar Observatory. 
Overnight at : Rambagh Palace, Jaipur 
 
DAY 11 - Jaipur - Amber Fort 
A morning elephant ride will take you to Amber Fort and its sandstone palaces perched atop a hill. Within its precincts are Sheesh Mahal or chamber of mirrors reputedly the best in the world, Victory Hall and Pleasure Palace. Afternoon will be free for shopping or rest.
Overnight at : Rambagh Palace, Jaipur

DAY 12 - Udaipur 
Fly to Udaipur - known as the most romantic city of India. It is interspersed with shimmering lakes, marble palaces and fountains. The City Palace is the largest of its kind. It is remarkable for its octagonal towers, brilliant multicolor mosaics of peacocks inlaid in tiles, inlaid mirror work and exquisite paintings. Sahelion ki Bari is fascinating garden - adorned by Lotus pool, a marble throne and finely sculptured cenotaphs.  
Overnight at : Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

DAY 13 - Udaipur - Ranakpur
Morning excursion to Ranakpur. The cluster of temples at Ranakpur, made of intricately sculpted white marble, come across as a marvelous feat of architecture. It may surprise visitors that these temples were built in 1460 but are so well preserved and the marble still sparkles. The main temple is supported by 1444 pillars, none of which are similarly carved. These temples house statues of Mahavira and other Jain saints. 
Overnight at : Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

DAY 14 - Mumbai  
Fly to Mumbai, the commercial capital of India. Balance of the day at leisure.  
Overnight at : Taj Mahal (Old Wing), Mumbai

DAY 15 - Mumbai 
This morning, you will take a boat excursion to Elephanta Caves - the 7th century cave temples carved out of a hill rising from the Arabian Sea. The afternoon city tour will include Hanging Gardens, Tower of Silence, Kamla Nehru Park, Gateway of India National Museum and Crawford Market. 
Overnight at : Taj Mahal (Old Wing), Mumbai

DAY 16 - Cochin 
Fly to Cochin, the picturesque seaport on the palm-fringed coast of Arabian Sea, laced with inland waterways and tropical lagoons. Sightseeing includes visit to Cochin Fort, St. Francis Church - the oldest church in India and the Jewish Synagogues dating back to 16th century. 
Overnight at : Taj Malabar, Cochin 
 
DAY 17- Cochin - Kumarakom 
After breakfast, city tour visiting Dutch Fort, Mattancherry Palace, St. Francis Church and Bolghatty Palace. Transfer to Kumarakom by private chauffeur drive car. 
Overnight at : Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom 
 
DAY 18 - Kumarakom - Backwaters 
Kumarakom is an island nestled between Vembanad Lake and backwaters in the lush green Kerala. The day is spent on a boat cruising the backwaters visiting palm fringed villages, rural areas and a sanctuary, which is home to thousands of migrating birds. 
Overnight at : Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom 
 
DAY 19 - Chennai (Madras)  
Fly to Chennai, the gateway to a voyage of discovery of an ancient temple - studded state. Sightseeing includes visit to Mylapore Temple, Cathedral of St. Thome, Fort St. George, and National Art Museum. 
Overnight at : Taj Coromandal, Chennai 
 
DAY 20 - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai
Mahabalipuram is famous for its rock cut shore temples and monolithic figures in Dravidian architecture. After touring the Five Rathas, Mahisaura and Krishna Mandapams we will proceed to Kanchipuram - "Golden City of Temples". This city is one of India's seven sacred cities and is considered the second holiest place in India next to Varanasi. It is also popular for woven silk.
Overnight at : Taj Coromandal, Chennai 
 
DAY 21 - Homebound 
Depart on your journey home.

Sample International airfares:  
Business Class: From $ 3200.00 
All year except:
Jun 12 - Jul 12
Dec 13 - Dec 23
Call for airfare on these days.

Sample International airfares:
Economy Class: From $ 800.00
Jan 1- Jun 11
Oct 18 - Nov 26
Jul 13 - 30 Sep
Dec 24 - Dec 31

Economy Class: From $1100.00
Jun 12 - Jul 12

Economy Class: From $920.00
Oct 1 - Oct 17
Nov 27 - Dec 10

Economy Class: From $1330.00
Dec 11- Dec 23

Airport Security fee, fuel surcharges and taxes not included.

For current airfares, please contact us.

Land Prices are guaranteed at the time of booking. Airfares are guaranteed only when ticketed. International airfares are from Chicago, New York and Newark. Airfares from other cities are available upon request. 
 
Competitive airfares are available on other airlines upon request.          
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

10-7-10