New Delhi Trip Overview
Experience a taste of India on this outstanding tour of the country’s most fabled sights. Explore the Golden Triangle that combines the country’s capital city Delhi to the wondrous sites of the Mughal capital of Agra, the legendary Fatehpur Sikri, and the Pink City of Jaipur. Then fly to Goa & unwind yourself on the renowned endless beaches. Visit intrinsically Hindu collection of temples at Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal & Hampi to see some of India’s most intricate historical stone carvings. Next fly to Cochin & witness the unparalleled natural, historical and heritage charm of Kerala while visiting Cochin, Munnar & Thekkady & cruising on backwaters in Alleppey.
Additional Info
Duration: 18 days
Starts: New Delhi, India
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore New Delhi Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi, India
Experience a taste of India on this outstanding tour of the country’s most fabled sights. Explore the Golden Triangle that combines the country’s capital city Delhi to the wondrous sites of the Mughal capital of Agra, the legendary Fatehpur Sikri, and the Pink City of Jaipur. Then fly to Goa & unwind yourself on the renowned endless beaches. Visit intrinsically Hindu collection of temples at Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal & Hampi to see some of India’s most intricate historical stone carvings. Next fly to Cochin & witness the unparalleled natural, historical and heritage charm of Kerala while visiting Cochin, Munnar & Thekkady & cruising on backwaters in Alleppey.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Pass By: New Delhi, New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi
On arrival at Delhi airport assistance and transfer to hotel (hotel check in/ out time 1200hrs afternoon early check in subject to rooms availability). Rest time free and easy to relax and personal activities. You can opt to go out for dinner with your driver.
No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Delhi
Stop At: New Delhi, New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Delhi. Visit landmark of Old Delhi which include Red Fort the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: New Delhi, New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi
In New Delhi visit Humayun Tomb the first garden-tomb in Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun’s first wife Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar a 73-metres tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex a fine examples of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a Baháʼí House of Worship notable for its flowerlike shape open to all, regardless of religion. Drive thrugh VVIP areas passing President House, Parliament & India Gate etc.
Rest time free and easy to relax and personal activities.
Duration: 4 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Delhi – Agra (210kms/ 4hrs approx)
Pass By: New Delhi, New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Agra check in at hotel.
Pass By: Agra, Agra, Agra District, Uttar Pradesh
Later city tour of Agra. Visit Taj Mahal an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the bank of the Yamuna river commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal, it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. Agra Fort the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb a Mughal mausoleum commissioned by Nur Jahan, the wife of Jahangir, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Agra – Jaipur (245kms/ 5hrs approx)
Pass By: Fatehpur Sikri, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra District, Uttar Pradesh
Breakfast at hotel drive to Jaipur via visiting Fatehpur Sikri & Abhaneri.
Stop At: Fatehpur Sikri, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra District, Uttar Pradesh
Fatehpur Sikri founded in 1569 by Mughal emperor Akbar and abandoned after 15 yrs due to scarcity of water. Predominately, a red sandstone construction sprawling over a huge area, the architectural style is very much in tune with emperor’s dream & partakes of both Hindu & Muslim styles. See the graceful buildings including Diwan-E-Khas hall, Jodha Bais Palace, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & Buland Darwaza.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Chand Baori (Step well), Jaipur-Agra Road, Abhaneri 303313 India
Further drive and visit Abhaneri a small village popular for the amazing Chand Baoris (step wells) and Harshat Mata Temple. Chand Baori is one of India’s deepest and largest step wells. The huge tank with delicate carvings is certainly delightful to the eyes.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Albert Hall Museum, Museum Rd Ram Niwas Garden, Jaipur 302004 India
Continue drive to Jaipur check in at hotel. Evening explore the pink city and visit the colorful bazaars. You can visit Albert Hall Museum. The museum displays a wide range of metal objects, wood crafts, carpets, stone and metal sculptures, arms and weapons, natural stones and ivory goods. It also houses a large collection of miniatures from Bundi, Kota, Kishangarh, Udaipur and Jaipur schools of art. As per your interest wrap up your day by watching Bollywood movie at the opulent Rajmandir Cinema.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Jaipur
Pass By: Jaipur, Jaipur, Jaipur District, Rajasthan
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Jaipur. Jaipur holds the distinction of being the first planned city of India. Established in 1727 by Jai Singh II, the king of Amber when he shifted his capital from Amber to the new city because of the rapidly-growing population and an increasing water scarcity. Noted architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya used the established principles of Vastu Shastra to build the city. In 1876, the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur and the entire Jaipur city was painted in pink the symbolic colors of hospitality to welcome him. The pink that colorss the city makes for a marvelous spectacle to behold. Jaipur rises up majestically against the backdrop of the forts Nahargarh, Jaigarh and Garh Ganesh Temple.
Stop At: Jaipur, Jaipur, Jaipur District, Rajasthan
In morning visit Amber Fort followed by Jaigarh Fort & Sisodia Rani Garden. Afternoon city tour visit City Palace, Observatory & Hawa Mahal. Further explore local market the famous bazaars of Pink City. In the evening attend Aarti Ceremony at Birla temple.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Jaipur – Goa (flight)
Pass By: Jaipur, Jaipur, Jaipur District, Rajasthan
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for Goa.
Pass By: Goa, Goa
On arrival at Goa airport assistance and transfer to resort. Rest of the day is free and easy to relax on the beach.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Goa
Stop At: Goa, Goa
Breakfast at hotel, take a city tour of Goa, famously known as “Pearl of the Orient” and a “Tourist Paradise”. Goa is famous for its magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendors of its temples, churches and old houses. Visit to Old Goa -10 km from Panjim, the basilica of Bom Jesus, the 16th century church dedicated to infant Jesus and housing the tomb of St. Francis Xavier, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The other Churches in the same area are St. Cathedral, with its vaulted interior, Church of Our Lady of Miracles, Church of our Lady of Rosary and Nunnery of St. Monica. The Aguada Fort built by the Portuguese commands the mouth of the Mondovi River and on the fort stands a 4-storey Portuguese lighthouse and the oldest of its kind in Asia. In the evening enjoy Cruise over Mondovi River.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 8: Goa – Badami (184kms/ 4hrs)
Pass By: Badami, Badami, Bagalkot District, Karnataka
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Badami the capital of the early Chalukyas. Badami is a picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. On arrival check in at hotel. Later take a sightseeing tour of Badami visiting – Rock-cut cave temples, Gateways, Forts, inscriptions, Sculptures that seem to come alive under your eyes. Climb a flight of steps to reach the ancient caves – all hewn out on sand stone on the precipice of a hill. Three are four caves here belong to the Vedic faith and the fourth cave is the only Jain Temple in Badami. The first cave temple – past Shiva’s door Keepers – and there he is the eighteen-armed Nataraja striking 81 dance poses. The largest and most ornamental is the third Cave temple dedicated to Vishnu. Here are some splendid carvings of the Hindu Pantheon, Narasimha – the half man and half lion avatar of Vishnu, Hari Hara, the composite god who is half Shiva a half – Vishnu.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 9: Badami – Pattadakal & Aihole
Stop At: Group of Monuments in Pattadakal, Pattadakal India
Breakfast at hotel, visit Pattadakal, this World Heritage Site on the banks of the Malaprabha River bears testimony to the richness of Chalukyan architecture of the 8th Century. It has a cluster of 10 beautifully chiselled Jain temples at the entrance of the site Virupaksha temple and Mallikarjuna Temple being the most famous.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Archaeological Museum, Aihole, Karnataka 587124 Bagalkot Pattadakkal Village, Near Durga Temple complex, Bagalkot 587124 India
Also visit Aihole acclaimed as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture. There are hundreds of temples in the villages and fields nearby. The most impressive one is the Durga Temple with its semicircular apse, elevated plinth, and the gallery encircling the sanctum. Other worth seeing temples include The Lad Khan Temple, The Huchimalli Temple, Ravalphadi Cave Temple celebrating the many forms of Shiva, the Konti Temple Complex, the Umamaheswari Temple, the Jain Meguti Temple, and the two storied Buddhist Temple. Return to the hotel in Badami for overnight stay.
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Badami – Gadag – Lakkundi – Hampi (180kms/ 4hrs approx)
Stop At: Trikuteshwara Temple, Gadag Village, Gadag India
Breakfast at hotel drive to Hampi. Enroute visit Gadag Trikuteshwara temple a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The carved temple is dedicated to Shiva and has three lingas mounted on the same stone. There is a shrine dedicated to Saraswathi in this temple and it has carved columns.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Nanneshwara Temple, Lakkundi India
Further drive to Lakkundi full of ruined temples like Mallikarjuna, Virabhadra, Manikeshwara, Nanneshwara, Lakshminarayana, Someshwara, Nilakanteshwara and many more.
Duration: 1 hour
Pass By: Hampi, Hampi, Bellary District, Karnataka
Continue drive to Hampi check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Hampi
Pass By: Hampi, Hampi, Bellary District, Karnataka
Breakfast at hotel city tour of Hampi, the medieval capital of the Hindu empire Vijayanagara (the City of Victory). It is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The terrain is dominated by rocky hills and the mighty Tungabhadra river which flows through this rugged landscape.
Stop At: Group of Monuments at Hampi, Southern Bank of the River Tungabhadra, Hampi 583239 India
You may opt to see the early morning sunrise at Matunga Hill, the highest point of Hampi as well as the best spot to get an aerial view of Hampi which was once greater than Rome and had palaces; Vijaynagar ruins spread over an area of more than 26 sq. kms. The superb ruins are set in a strong and beautiful boulder-strewn landscape, which has an almost magical quality. Then visit some of the interesting ruins remaining Hazara Rama Temples, huge Ganesha & Narasimha images, the elephant stables, the queen’s bath, and carvings on the Ramachandra Temple & Lotus Mahal.
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Hampi – Hubli (170kms/ 4hrs approx) / Cochin (flight)
Pass By: New Hubli, New Hubli, Dharwad District, Karnataka
Breakfast at hotel transfer to Hubli airport to board flight for Cochin.
Pass By: Kochi (Cochin), Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
On arrival assistance and transfer hotel check in.
Stop At: Kochi (Cochin), Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
Later city tour of Cochin The Gateway of South India. This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Cochin has been ruled by the Dutch, British and the Portuguese. Hence you will find here a unique mix and match of traditional as well Western architecture and lifestyle. Sightseeing tour includes visit to Fort Cochin & St. Frances Church to see the town of Vasco da Gama. We also see the Jewish Synagogue & the Mattancherry “Dutch” Palace. Also famous in Cochin are the Chinese fishing nets, which dominate part of the seafront and attract tourists in large numbers, These nets suspended in the mid air all along the coast and are set up on bamboo or teak poles giving an appearance of huge hammock. If you wish you may opt from a variety boat trips offered like Backwater Canal Tour, the sunset cruise, and so on.
Duration: 5 hours
Stop At: Kerala Kathakali Centre, near Santa Cruz Basilica K.B. Jacob Road, Fort Kochi, Kochi (Cochin) 682001 India
In the evening enjoy Kathakali Dance Presentation, a traditional dance form of Kerala with Lavish Costumes, Exotic makeup, Masks etc. This is considered to be the King of theater performances.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Cochin – Munnar (130kms/ 4hrs)
Pass By: Munnar, Munnar, Idukki District, Kerala
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Munnar check in at hotel. During the British rule in India, Munnar was the summer resort of the Government officials. The natural beauty, calmness and mild cold climate throughout the year make it the favorite tourist places. The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar range expose its beauty.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Munnar
Stop At: Munnar, Munnar, Idukki District, Kerala
After breakfast, visit to Pothamedu which offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks. Mattupetty dam and its reservoir, this concrete gravity dam is built between the hill ranges and it is used mainly for water storage for hydroelectric projects. Eravikulam National Park, The Nilgiri Tahr can be observed at close quarters here. This park established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiri Ibex) is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world. Mattupedi Dairy Farm, famous for the Indo-Swiss Farm, this is a highly specialized dairy farm which comes under Indo-Swiss Livestock Project. Echo Point, go there and scream as loud as you can and wait for a minute. You can hear your echo back!
Duration: 8 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 15: Munnar – Thekkady (110kms/ 2hrs approx)
Pass By: Ramakkalmedu, Ramakkalmedu, Idukki District, Kerala
Breakfast at hotel drive to Thekkady enroute stop at Ramakkalmedu. The place gets its name from the impressions of the feet found on the rock surface here, which is believed to be of Rama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, as told in the Indian epic Ramayana. Ramakkalmedu is noted for its hills and also for the panoramic and picturesque views of villages in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, which is towards the eastern side of the Western Ghats. A noticeably tall, pillar-like rocky structure, about 300 m high and facing east is another attraction here. It is one of the windiest places in Asia and being so, one can also find here a wind farm generating electricity, which is an undertaking of the Government of Kerala. Other attractions in-and-around Ramakkalmedu include places like Frog Rock, Turtle Rock and the highest twin-statue in Kerala; called Kuravan and Kurathi.
Stop At: Thekkady, Thekkady, Idukki District, Kerala
Continue drive to Thekkady check in at hotel. Afterwards take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. You could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Rest time free and easy to relax.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 16: Thekkady
Stop At: Periyar Tiger Reserve, Idukki and Pathanamthitta Districts, Thekkady 685536 India
Breakfast at hotel. Visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a boat. Nestled between the Cheruthoni and Periyar rivers Wildlife Sanctuary is blessed with the most diverse flora and fauna. The sanctuary has a gorgeous lake that is perfect for romantic boat rides. The tropical evergreen and deciduous forests teeming with elephants, bison, sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tiger and wild boar along with various species of snake including cobras, vipers, kraits and many non-poisonous snakes is a wildlife lover’s dream. A variety of birds such as grey jungle fowl, Malabar grey hornbill, woodpeckers and bulbuls also have found a home in this sanctuary.
Duration: 4 hours
Stop At: Green Park Ayurvedic & Spices Plantation, Laksham Veedu Colony Road Kumly, Thekkady 685509 India
Afterwards take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. You could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.
Day 17: Thekkady – Alleppey (130kms/ 3hrs) Backwaters tours sailing boat
Pass By: Alleppey Backwaters, Alappuzha India
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to boat jetty to board houseboat and sail to Alleppey through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters. While sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals, the panoramic sights one can never forget. The Chinese fishing nets the reminiscent of our past trade links are also found on the way. Flocks of duck swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures reflecting the charm of this tourist land, you also enjoy fishing from the houseboats, evening enjoy sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats. The Houseboats have generated electricity, sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a Chef, and Driver. Lunch, Dinner and overnight in houseboat.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at houseboat.
Day 18: Alleppey – Cochin (60kms/ 1.3hrs approx)
Pass By: Kochi (Cochin), Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
After breakfast disembark from houseboat and drive to Cochin drop off to your hotel or airport.
Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.
