15 DAYS ~ FROM £2,324
This tour is a perfect combination of the highlights of Northern India and the lush green land of Kerala: explore the effervescent capital Delhi, visit the timeless Taj Mahal, the magnificent Amber Fort and Fatehpur Sikri before flying to Kerala. Unwind in the Hill country, meander the tranquil Backwaters on a Houseboat, relax on the golden sandy beach at Mararikulam.
Delhi • Agra • Fatehpur Sikri • Jaipur • Cochin • Periyar • Kumarakom • Houseboat • Mararikulam • Mumbai
 Day 1. To Delhi
Fly from Heathrow to Delhi on direct Jet Airways flight.
Day 2. Delhi
Morning arrival in Delhi. Afternoon sightseeing of Old Delhi including a cycle rickshaw ride to the Jama Masjid via the pulsating back streets of the Chandni Chowk market area. Also visit the Raj Ghat – Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation site, before retuning to the hotel. Overnight stay at the Maidens.
Day 3. Agra
Morning sightseeing of vibrant New Delhi including the impressive Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar and India Gate. Afternoon drive to Agra. Two nights stay at The Gateway Hotel Fatehpur Road.
Day 4. Agra
Breathtaking sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal to watch the first rays caress the pure white marble stone, turning it a heavenly shade of rose pink. After breakfast explore Agra Fort seeing the many varied architectural styles of the complex, built by successive Moghul rulers. Later visit the Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb.
Day 5. To Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri
Drive to Jaipur via the outstanding World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri. Built by the Emperor Akbar in the mid 16th c. it was abandoned after a few years, mainly due to lack of water. See the delicately carved Tomb of the Sufi Saint Salim Chisti. Two stay nights at the Samode Haveli.
Day 6. Jaipur
Climb the twisting road to the Amber Fort in Royal style on the back of a caparisoned elephant. Explore the myriad of rooms festooned with murals, frescoes, and paintings depicting scenes from daily life. Other walls are covered with elaborate carvings, mosaic and intricate mirror work. After lunch visit the Astronomical Observatory, the City Palace Museum and the beautiful Palace of Winds.
Day 7. To Cochin via Mumbai
Fly to Cochin via Mumbai. Two nights at Old Harbour Hotel or Grande Residencia.
 Day 8. Cochin
Morning city tour of Cochin – the ‘Venice of the East’ – includes the intriguing cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, the Jewish Synagogue andMattancherry Palace. Evening Kathakali dance performance: arrive early to watch the actors apply their intricate makeup.
Day 9. To Periyar
Morning drive to Periyar. Afternoon boat ride on Lake Periyar to watch the wildlife come to the shore to drink. Overnight at the Spice Village.
Day 10. To Kumarakom
Drive through the lush verdant countryside to Kumarakom. Transfer by a boat to the Coconut Lagoon. Remainder of day at leisure – explore the butterfly garden, laze in a hammock or enjoy an Ayurvedic massage in their dedicated centre. Overnight Coconut Lagoon.
Day 11. Houseboat
Wonderful relaxing day cruising the Backwaters in a traditional converted Rice Boat – a Kettuvallam. The waterways are the life blood of the area and local trade revolves around it with boats, laden with everything from fridges to live chickens motoring past. The Backwaters are an Ornithologist’s paradise.
Day 12. To Mararikulam
Disembark at Alleppey and drive to Mararikulam for beach stay. Three nights stay at Marari Beach Resort.
Day 13. Mararikulam
At leisure
Day 14. Mararikulam
At leisure
Day 15. To Heathrow via Mumbai
Early morning transfer to the airport for flight to Mumbai and connect to Jet Airways for Heathrow.
If you wish to travel from any other country outside UK please contact us and we will give you the cost of the holiday without international flights relevant to your travel dates.
With love from India....Cinnamon
Cinnamon, once considered more precious than Gold, is one of the oldest spices known to man, and used as a flavouring, in medicine and embalming.
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