Grand Tour of India

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1: AUSTRALIA TO DELHI

Fly with Singapore Airlines to Delhi for a two night stay. Darwin passengers may depart one day earlier.

DAY 2: DELHI

This morning visit Old Delhi; see the Red Fort, walk through Chandni Chowk Bazaar to Jama Masjid and have a photo stop at India Gate. This afternoon visit Gandhi Smriti, where Gandhi was assassinated, and Qutub Minar.

DAY 3: DELHI TO VARANASI

Fly to Varanasi and enjoy the afternoon free at your leisure.

DAY 4: VARANASI

Visit the Buddhist sites at Sarnath. This evening take a rickshaw to the ghats of the River Ganges to witness the Puja ceremony of Ganga Aarti.

DAY 5: VARANASI TO KHAJURAHO

Take an early morning boat ride along the River Ganges and tour the city before returning to your hotel for breakfast. Later, fly to Khajuraho. This evening watch a cultural dance performance.

DAY 6: KHAJURAHO

Tour the famous Western and Eastern groups of temples, built during the Chandela Dynasty.

DAY 7: KHAJURAHO TO AGRA

Travel to Jhansi via Orchha and board the Shatabdi Express train to Agra, arriving later in the evening.

DAY 8: AGRA

Early this morning view the Taj Mahal as the sun is rising, followed by a visit to a marble inlay workshop and Agra Fort.

DAYS 9-10: AGRA TO JAIPUR

January to May – Via Ranthambore

Drive to Bharatpur and board the train to Ranthambore National Park. This afternoon enjoy a canter safari around the park. The following day enjoy a morning canter safari before continuing by road to Jaipur. Visit the Jaipur City Palace and Jantar Mantar.

September to December – Via Bharatpur

Drive to Bharatpur for an overnight stay stopping at Fatehpur Sikri en route. This evening visit Keoladeo National Park. Drive to Jaipur tomorrow and upon arrival visit the City Palace and Jantar Mantar.

DAY 11: JAIPUR

See Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) before continuing to Amer Fort and Choti Choper for some shopping. This evening enjoy a traditional dance performance.

DAY 12: JAIPUR TO ALSISAR

Leave Jaipur and continue your journey to the small desert town of Alsisar.

DAY 13: ALSISAR TO BIKANER

Continue to Bikaner where upon arrival you will explore the town dominated by Junagarh Fort, which was completed in 1594.

DAY 14: BIKANER TO JAISALMER

Drive to Jaisalmer and this evening visit Sunset Point for views of the city.

DAY 15: JAISALMER

This morning visit the fort built atop the 80m-high Trikuta Hill. Later, visit the Sam Sand Dunes where you will take a camel ride.

DAYS 16-17: JAISALMER TO JODHPUR

Drive to Jodhpur. Visit Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada Memorial, the museum located in Umaid Bhawan Palace and the local vegetable and spice market. Tomorrow enjoy a jeep safari to Rohetgarh.

DAYS 18-19: JODHPUR TO UDAIPUR

Travel to Udaipur, visiting the small town of Ranakpur en route. Cruise on Lake Pichola this afternoon. Tomorrow, visit the Folk Museum, Mewar Art Gallery, Sahelion Ki Bari, Udaipur City Palace and the local markets.

DAYS 20-21: UDAIPUR TO AURANGABAD

Fly to Aurangabad (via Mumbai). Tomorrow you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed caves of Ajanta, adorned with paintings, sculptures and frescoes.

DAY 22: AURANGABAD TO MUMBAI

Enjoy an excursion to Ellora Caves, another UNESCO World Heritage listed site. Later this afternoon fly to Mumbai.

DAY 23: MUMBAI TO KOCHI

Tour the city of Mumbai including the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Hanging Gardens and Chowpatty Beach. Stop at Dhobi Ghat, the Crawford Market, Flora Fountain, Kamala Nehru Park and Mani Bhavan. This evening fly to Kochi.

DAY 24: KOCHI

Visit the Jewish Quarter in Fort Kochi, see the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets as well as St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. Later this evening enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance performance.

DAY 25: KOCHI TO NEDUMUDY

Visit the Jewish Synagogue in Kochi before driving to Nedumudy to board your overnight houseboat and cruise the backwaters.

DAY 26: ALLEPPEY TO KOVALAM

Disembark your houseboat in Alleppey and travel to Kovalam.

DAY 27: KOVALAM – DEPART TRIVANDRUM

Visit the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Napier Museum, Sri Chitra Art Gallery, the Observatory, Kanakakunnu Palace as well as the Sree Moolamthirunal Shastri Purthi Memorial. This evening you will be transferred to Trivandrum airport to board your overnight flight to Australia.

DAY 28: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA

Arrive home this morning.

kerala beach extension

DAY 17: KOVALAM AT LEISURE

After saying farewell to your group tour members, you will have the remainder of evening free at your leisure.

Note: If you have chosen the Superior or Deluxe Category, at some time this evening you will be transferred to your hotel to check in. The remainder of the evening is free at your leisure.

DAY 18: KOVALAM AT LEISURE

Today is free at your leisure to explore the Kovalam beachside, restaurants and coastal souvenir shops or to relax on the beach or by your hotel’s poolside. You may wish to book a traditional Ayurvedic massage, schedule a yoga session or simply relax with a view to the ocean.(B)

DAY 19: DEPART KOVALAM - TRIVANDRUM

After breakfast and check-out, the remainder of the day is free at your leisure before you are met and transferred to Trivandrum Airport for your departure flight. (B)

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Price guide

Important Note: Above prices include Fuel surcharges and tipping of $682 (correct as at May 2013 and subject to change). Please note the Tipping amount of USD150 is payable on arrival in India.

# - Departure coincides with Holi Festival celebrations and sightseeing may be affected.

( - Departure coincides with a full moon viewing of the Taj Mahal. Please contact our Reservations Department for optional touring and pricing information.

Though status is regularly updated, availability above is indicative only, not live and hence does not guarantee that space is available on your selected tour when you or your agent calls Wendy Wu Tours to book. Booking early is the only way to ensure availability of your selected departure date.