India Secrets Tour

Duration: 16days/15nights

Itinerary:

Delhi – Varanasi – Khajuraho – Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur – Cochin – Allepey – Mumbai

DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI

On arrival in Delhi for your India Secrets Tour you will be met by a representative of Mystical India Tours and transfered to your hotel. Overnite at hotel.

DAY 2: DELHI

After breakfast, your start your tour of India with a half day city tour of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jehan, the construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658; Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat – the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Afternoon: city tour of New Delhi. Visit Humayun’s Tomb: built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Moghuls architecture; Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate, President House, Connaught Place. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple. Overnight at hotel and breakfast included.

DAY 3 & 4: VARANASI

Fly to Varanasi, the holiest of Hindu pilgrim cities on the banks of the sacred river Ganges. Your sightseeing will include visits to Sarnath, where Buddha first spoke of his philosophy, a rickshaw ride through the streets and followed by a sunset cruise on the Ganges. Here you will witness breathtaking religious rituals being performed, an incredibly unique experience. Then proceed to your hotel. The next morning you will rise early and before dawn you will be witness to the religious ritual of the Hindu’s devotional bathing in the Ganges. You will also see 1000′s of pilgrims gathered at the banks of the Ganges practicing Yoga, meditation and other spiritual practices. Rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight Varanasi, breakfast & lunch included.

DAY 5: KHAJURAHO

We begin our day by boarding a flight to Khajuraho today where your sightseeing will focus on the Khajuraho Temples which are much talked about and where art historians have long puzzled over the myths and legends in an attempt to understand the bizarre combination of prolific religious overtones and erotic expositions. Overnight Khajurharho, breakfast & lunch included.

DAY 6: AGRA

After breakfast you will leave for Agra. Upon arrival in Agra, check-in at hotel. Afternoon, city tour of Agra. Visit Red fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structures; Itmad-ud-daulah, which was constructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, Jahangir, near Lahore in Pakistan; the highlight of the day – The Taj Mahal (India’s most visited site) which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed until 1653. Afternoon, free for individual activities. Overnight Agra, breakfast & lunch included.

DAY 7 & 8: JAIPUR

After breakfast, leave for Jaipur (India’s second most visited site). Enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri : built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Moghuls, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory. Continue drive to Jaipur. On arrival check in at hotel. Break-fast included. After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride from the foothills of the Aravallis to the fort entrance. Amber Fort : At a distance of 11 kms from Jaipur, Amber was the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction of the fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar’s army and is a superb example of Rajput architecture. Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace which has museum having an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamel ware and weapons; Jantar Mantar – the observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728 and the faade of Hawa Mahal. Overnight Jaipur, breakfast & lunch included.

DAY 9 & 10: UDAIPUR

The day begins with a short flight to Udaipur, “The City of Lakes”, where you will see some of India’s most beautiful palaces as well your sightseeing will include a visit to Eklingi Temple, dedicated to Shiva, the guardian deity of Mewar, followed by the Jain Temples of Nagda that date back to the 11th Century. Today’s highlight is a cruise on Lake Pichola with a short visit to the Island Palace of Jag Mandir. This morning discover the massive granite and marble City Palace, with its courtyards, pavilions, terraces, and narrow corridors. Then proceed on to the adjacent Crystal Gallery and miniature Painting Company. Your sightseeing will finish with at Sahelion Ki Bari. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight Udaipur, breakfast & lunch included.

DAY 10 & 11: COCHIN

This morning you will fly to “God’s Own Country”, the state of Kerala. Upon arrival into Cochin you will be transferred to your hotel. After you have freshened up you will begin your city sightseeing tour which will include the famous Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Thomas Church, the Hill Palace Museum and the Dutch Palace. You will finish with a walk thru the Jewish quarter before returning to your hotel this afternoon. The remainder of the day at your leisure. Overnight Cochin, breakfast & lunch included.

After breakfast depart the hotel for sightseeing of the area of Cochin which has been luring wanderers and traders for over 600 years and remains a living homage to its colonial past. During your tour you will visit the famous Chinese fishing nets, the synagogue, the Dutch Palace and churches of St. Francis and Santa Cruz Basilica. This evening you will depart for the Kathakali program which is an art form invented around the time of Shakespeare it is the dramatized presentation of Hindu epics the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Overnight Cochin, breakfast & lunch included.

DAY 12 & 13: ALLEPPEY

After breakfast you will drive to Allepy “The Venice of east” where you will be transferred to your private house boat where you will spend the next 2 days drifting through quiet canals lined with coconut palms, eating delicious Keralan food, meeting with local villages and sleeping on the water under a galaxy of stars is the uniqueness of your stay. All meals and drinks included.

DAY 14: MUMBAI

This morning you embark on the last leg of your tour as your board a flight to Mumbai, the city of  – Slum dog Millionaire, with a very colourful and vibrant history. After checking into your hotel you will begin your sightseeing with the Gateway of India, Mumbai’s most famous monument commemorating the visit of Queen Mary, and then you will take a scenic drive along the ocean and Marine Drive, a seafront promenade and see a traditional Dhobi Ghat, you will also visit the Hanging Gardens, Mani Bhawan and the Mumbai museum before returning to your hotel this evening at your leisure. Overnight Mumbai, breakfast & lunch included.

Day 15: MUMBAI

After breakfast you have a full day at your leisure for some last minute shopping at a local bazaar or maybe a visit to Elephant Island, your Mystical India tour guide will accommodate whatever request you have and tonight your evening will begin with a horse drawn carriage ride along the seafront promenade on your way to your farewell to India dinner. Overnight Mumbai, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 16: MUMBAI

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey, breakfast included.

What’s Included in the tour :

• Airport meet and greet
• Airport transfers throughout the tour
• Accommodations at the best hotels in each location
• Services of a professional tour guide either English speaking or your preferred language
• Private Air-conditioned luxury vehicle throughout your tour at your discretion
• All domestic flights
• All Meals as per the itinerary
• All entrance fees
• History walk
• Cycle rickshaw tours
• Spa services
• Ayurveda treatments
• Special welcome arrival at each hotel

Price:

from $4999.00USD –  Per Person based on twin sharing in deluxe accommodations