September 8- 27, 2008
September 13 - October 2, 2008
$4,586
Single supplement: $1,350
Itinerary:
Days 01 - 02 LAX – Bangkok, Thailand
We depart from LAX and head to fabulous New Delhi, India by way of Bangkok, Thailand.
Day 03
Bangkok – Delhi, India
Welcome to India! We are met in the evening at the Delhi airport and taken to our 5-star hotel for a good night's rest.
Taj Palace Hotel
Day 04 Delhi
After breakfast we have a full day of touring. We visit the largest mosque of Shah Jahan – Jama Masjid and the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi – Raj Ghat. We will make a photo stop at the Red Fort and pass by the President's House and Parliament and the 138 ft. arch, India Gate. After lunch we visit Qutab Minar and the beautiful Lotus Temple. Taj Palace Hotel (B/L)
Day 05 Delhi – Varanasi
In the morning we transfer to the airport to fly to Varanasi. After checking into our hotel we visit Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon and also the bodhi tree where he attained his enlightenment. Hotel Taj Ganges (B/L)
Day 06 Varanasi
Before breakfast an early morning boat ride on the Ganges River watching all of the devoted Hindu bathing in the sacred river as the sun rises. Later we have a city tour and visit Bharat Mata Temple, Tulsi Manas and Benares Hindu University. Hotel Taj Ganges (B/L)
Day 07 Varanasi – Delhi – Agra
Today we fly back to Delhi to board our comfortable bus to travel to Agra. Hotel Mughal Sheraton
(B/L/D)
Day 08
Agra
The biggest reason most people come to India is to visit “the monument of love immortalized in marble”, The Taj Mahal. We will spend the day visiting the Taj, the Red Fort and other memorable structures. Hotel Mughal Sheraton
(B/D)
Day 09 Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur
In the morning we board our bus for Jaipur, stopping en route to visit the red sandstone city built by Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri. Upon arrival in Jaipur we check into our hotel.
Hotel Taj Jai Mahal
(B/L)
Day 10 Jaipur
Our morning begins with a tour of the ancient state capital and The Amber Fort (on elephant!). We also visit the Sheesh Mahal, and Hawa Mahal. After lunch we go to the City Palace and Museum and finish at the ancient observatory – Jantar Mantar. Hotel Taj Jai Mahal
(B/L)
Day 11 Jaipur – Mumbai (Bombay)
Today we take a 1½ hour flight to Mumbai. After checking into the hotel we cruise to Elephanta Island to see the famous caves filled with carvings and sculptures that date back to
550 A.D. On our return we have a beautiful view of the city from our boat.
Hotel Taj Jai Mahal
(B/L)
Day 12 Mumbai – Cochin
After breakfast we tour the city of Mumbai, visiting The Gateway of India and the Prince of Wales Museum. In the afternoon we fly to Cochin and check into our hotel.
Le Méridien Hotel (B/D)
Day 13 Cochin
In Cochin our city tour includes The Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church (the oldest church in India), The Santa Cruz Basilica – built in 1557 by the Portuguese, The Dutch Palace and The spice market. In the evening we attend the “Kathakali” a famous dance of Kerala. This dance is characterized by grotesque gesticulations, amazing costumes and very extensive make-up.
Le Méridien (B/L/D)
Day 14 Cochin – Periyar
We check out of the hotel after breakfast and drive towards Periyar, a wildlife reserve home to elephants, bison, deer and the famous Periyar Tiger. After we check-in to our hotel we have a guided plantation tour of gardens of various spices and other aromatic plants. Spice Village (B/L)
Day 15 Periyar Tiger Reserve
At 6:00am we take a 3 hour guided jungle walk through the Periyar Tiger Reserve. This easy walk gives us a chance to see the wildlife up close; maybe we’ll see the rare leopard or tiger. After lunch we board boats to cruise through the national reserve – many of the animals can be found by the edge of the shore at sunset. Spice Village (B/L)
Day 16 Periyar – Alleppey
After breakfast we drive towards the Alleppey backwaters where we board our houseboat to tour the back waters. The everyday life of the people of Kerala takes place here on the backwaters of the Indian Ocean. Our crew will pamper us as we leisurely float pass the tiny villages. (B/L/D)
Day 17 Alleppey – Kovalam
After breakfast we disembark from the houseboat and drive to Kovalam. On arrival we check-in to our beach resort and have the rest of the day free. Travancore Heritage Hotel (B)
Day 18 Kovalam
The entire day is free to relax or you can try the spa at the hotel. Travancore Hotel (B)
Days 19 - 20 Kovalam – Trivandrum – Chennai
- Bangkok - LAX
After breakfast we start our journey home; dinner in Chennai. (B/D)
Meals included in the tour: (B) = Breakfast (L) = Lunch (D) =
Dinner
This fabulous journey includes:
~ Tour leader from LAX
~ Deluxe hotels
~ Round trip International Airfare (from Los Angeles)
~ Domestic flight
~ All Transfers
~ Tours with English speaking guide
~ Travel protection insurance
~ Entrance fees and all meals as indicated in the itinerary
