Overview
Tour Name:- The Golden Triangle and Kerala
Duration: 11 Nights & 12 Days
12 Days from Delhi to Kumaralkom
Destination Covered: Delhi - Jaipur - Agra – Delhi – Cochin – Munnar - Kumarakoram
Package Details
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Tour Highlights:- |
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Delhi |
Red Fort, Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, India Gate, President's House, Humayun's Tomb & Qutub Minar |
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Jaipur |
Elephant ride to Amber Fort Palace, City Palace, Jantar Mantar (Observatory) & Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) |
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Fatehpur Sikri |
Akbar's Residential complex, Mosque & Tomb of Salim Chisti |
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Agra |
Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandara & Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb |
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Cochin |
St. Francis Church, Pierce Leslie Bungalow, Princess Street |
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Munnar |
Lock Heart Gap, Echo Point, Nyayamakad, Anayirankal, Pothamedu, Tea Museum |
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Kumarakom |
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary |
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Package Itinerary
Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
Arrive by International flight, after traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representative would assist you at airport & transfer to hotel for check in.
Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds the ancient with modern. Its strategic location was the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. In fact, more mythological cities are believed to be here, like the city of Indraprastha from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, founded around 5000 BC. Numerous monuments were built over several centuries by different rulers like Qutub-ud-din Aibek, Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaks, Humayun & Shah Jahan, who built the walled city Shah Jahanabad.
Later in first half of 20th century much of New Delhi was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who laid out a grandiose central administrative area as a testament to British rule in India. The division in walled city & New Delhi also marks the division in life styles.
Overnight Hotel - Delhi
Day 02 - Delhi
Full Day Tour
After breakfast, today we take a guided tour of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad. Visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Later we walk down or take a rickshaw ride through Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shah Jahanabad now a picturesque bazaar to reach Red Fort, built in the year 1648 by Shah Jehan.
In New Delhi, we visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. Further we drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India.
We will also visit Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutub Minar & its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Optional - Sound & Light Show at Red Fort with dinner at Chor Bazaar.
Overnight Hotel - Delhi (B)
Day 03 - Delhi - Jaipur (262km - 5hrs)
Today we drive to Jaipur, popularly known as Pink City, the flamboyant & colourful capital of Rajasthan. With its rich & colourful past, resplendent with tales of valour & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in the year 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors.
Optional - Chokhi Dhani
An evening excursion to Chokhi Dhani complex, ethnic village resort located at a distance of 15 km from Jaipur. Rajasthani village atmosphere is recreated on the sprawling ground & includes the entertainment by folk dancers & musicians. Later drive back to hotel.
Overnight Hotel - Jaipur (B)
Day 04 - Jaipur
Full Day Tour
Today we take an excursion to Amber Fort, the palace complex which stands to this date was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh. We take an Elephant ride to reach the Fort situated on the hill, an overwhelming experience.
Later we visit the City Palace, a perfect blend of Rajasthani & Mughal architecture. The center of the palace is a seven-storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine views over the gardens & the city. Further we visit Jantar Mantar (Solar Observatory), an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date. We also visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied structure of pink sandstone. It was built in the year 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down the busy street market unseen by the world through its 593 stone Jharokas (mini windows).
Overnight Hotel - Jaipur (B)
Day 05 - Jaipur - Agra via Fatehpur Sikri (260km - 6hrs)
Today we drive to Agra, en route we will visit Fatehpur Sikri (Ghost Capital), the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from the year 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water. We visit Emperor Akbar's Residential complex, Mosque & Tomb of Salim Chisti.
Further we continue our drive to Agra, beautifully situated on the banks of river Yamuna. It achieved prominence as the capital of the Mughal Emperors from the year 1526 to 1628, remains major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era monuments, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Fatehpur Sikri, all three are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Overnight Hotel - Agra (B)
Day 06 - Agra
Full Day Tour
Today we visit Taj Mahal, symbol of eternal love, which stands on the banks of River Yamuna. It was built by the 5th Mughal emperor, Shah Jehan in the year 1631 in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was completed in 22 years. Further we visit Agra Fort, taken over from the Lodhis by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. The Fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. It was built from red sandstone, often inlaid with white marble & intricate decorations.
We will also visit Sikandara, Akbar's tomb. His son Jahangir completed the construction of the tomb in the year 1613. Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb, built by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628. It belongs to the father of Nur Jahan, Ghiyas-ud-Din Beg. He was the Wajir (Chief Minister of Emperor Jehangir). This white marble tomb was the first complete marble Mughal structure.
Overnight Hotel – Agra (B)
Day 07 - Agra - Delhi via Mathura & Vrindavan (220km - 5hrs)
Today we drive back to Delhi, en route visit Mathura & Vrindavan, places related with the birth & childhood of Lord Krishna. In Mathura we visit Shri Krishna Janmabhumi temple, a stone slab marks the original birth place of Krishna. In Vrindavan we visit Bankey Bihari Temple, built in the year 1864. This temple is famous for the black statue of Krishna, also called as Thakur Ji. ISKCON Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in Vrindavan. The temple is devoted to Krishna, his brother Balaram & Krishna's beloved Radha.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)
Day 08 - Delhi - Cochin
After breakfast get transferred to Delhi airport for your flight to Cochin (2709 kms 3hrs appx). Cochin - commercial capital and the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala, is also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. After you check in to the hotel proceed for full day city tour. Visit St. Francis Church - built completely of timber and later reconstructed in stone masonry. Pierce Leslie Bungalow - this charming mansion was the office of Pierce Leslie, this building reflects Portuguese, Dutch and local influences, Princess Street - the traditional meeting place and hangout of the jovial fun loving people of the area.
Overnight Hotel – Cochin (B)
Day 09 - Cochin - Munnar
Cochin to Munnar (130kms - 3hrs 50 mins)
After breakfast checkout and drive to Munnar - one of the most popular hill stations in India situated at the confluence of three mountain streams. On arrival check into your hotel in Munnar. Later proceed for half day sightseeing, visit Lock Heart Gap - this is an ideal place for adventure tourism and trekking. Echo Point - This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo Point is on the way to top station, Nyayamakad - is a land of breathtaking waterfalls.
Overnight at Hotel – Cochin (B)
Day 10 - Munnar
After breakfast, proceed for full day sightseeing. Visit to Anayirankal – it is a lush green carpet of tea plants. Pothamedu - offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. Tea Museum showcases some of the exquisite and interesting aspects on the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala's high ranges.
Overnight at Hotel – Munnar (B)
Day 11 - Munnar - Kumarakom
After breakfast, checkout and drive to Kumarakom (distance152 kms appx) an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Also visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary - an enchanting backwater destination, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise.
Overnight Hotel - Kumarakom (B)
Day 12 - Kumarakom – Cochin
After breakfast, checkout and drive back to Cochin airport for your international departure for your onward flight.
