Taj Mahal with Kerala Tour

Overnight: Hotel

Day 03: Delhi - Agra
On the day 3 of your our drive to the Romantic City of Taj Mahal-Agra. En-route you will visit the SIKANDRA. Upon arrival, checkin at your hotel. Relax for a while and later visit Agra City. Proceed for visit to the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Itmadullah's Tomb
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies,and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 04: Agra-Jaipur
This morning after breakfast at the hotel drive to the Pink City-Jaipur.
Relax in the evening or visit the markets. Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 05 : Jaipur - Delhi
After leisurely breakfast proceed for shopping. Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE- Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's ultimate expression.

CITY PALACE- A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.

JANTAR MANTAR- This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL- The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Their five-storey structures of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.
Leave for Delhi in the afternoon. Reach Delhi and check into your hotel for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 06: Delhi - Chennai/Madras
This morning after transfer to Delhi airport to catch flight for Chennai. On arrival at Chennai airport transfer to your hotel by our representative. Relax for a while and then proceed to visit the city.
Visit the Fort St George, Government Museum, Valluvar Kottam, Snake Park, Kapaleeshwarar Temple,High Court, Fort Museum, Marina Beach, San Thome Cathedral, The Theosophical Society and Snake Park. Evening is free to relax or go for shopping.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 07: Chennai - Trivandrum -Kovalam
On the day 7 of your tour transfer to Chennai airport to catch flight for Trivandrum. On arrival at Trivandrum airport transfer to your Ayurvdiec resort in Kovalam by our representative. Relax for a while and then proceed to visit the Trivandrum city.
Overnight: Ayurvedic Resort

Day 08: Kovalam
Full day free to relax and enjoy the facilities at the resort including private beach, yoga, massage, nature walks, classical music and dance programs on open-air stage, visits to local traditional village.
Overnight: Ayurvedic Resort

Day 09: Kovalam-Alleppey>>Backwaters of Kerala
This morning after a lesiurely breakfast at the resort transfer to Alleppey on arrival, switch over to the House Boat and cruise along the backwaters, passing through paddy fields, villages, market etc.
The cruise is through `Kuttanad' literally meaning the land, which is lower than the sea level but is kept intact by its bunds and dikes. It is the `rice bowl' of Kerala. The rice fields are very beautiful and this lush land and surrounds governs the placid way of life of the people who live on the backwaters.
Overnight: Houseboat

Day 10: Alleppey Backwaters - Cochin
The houseboat comes to halt at Alleppey. Dismbark the houseboat after breakfast and drive to Cochin. Cochin - the palmgreen commercial town of Kerala has one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Check into your hotel for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 11: Cochin
Full day sighseeing of the City.
visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, the Church of St. Francis, the Bolghatty Palace & the famous Chinese fishing nets. Afternoon, Harbour cruise - Cochin has one of the finest natural harbours.
OPTIONAL: In the evening attend the Kathakali dance performance.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 12: Cochin-Periyar
Morning drive on a scenic route dotted with plantations of rubber, cardamom, cocoa, green pepper and areca nut, to the wildlife reserve at Periyar. Arrive Periyar and checkin at your hotel. Periyar Wild life Sanctuary Home to bison, antelopes, sambars, wild boars, monkeys, langurs, a wide variety of birds, and some 750 elephants. Evening enjoy Game viewing on Lake Periyar spotting a large variety of wildlife, which include elephants, monkeys, deer, wild boar etc.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 13: Periyar - Madurai
Morning visit Kumily spice market to see and buy spices.
In afternoon, drive to Madurai (135 kms./ 4hrs. drive), "The Temple City of India." Check into your hotel.
Evening relaxed overview of the city, independent strolling.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 14: Madurai -Madras/Chennai
Day sightseeing of the City.
Visit Sri Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Palace, Tiruparankundram (rock-cut)Temple, Alagarkoil Temple.
Evening transfer to airport to catch flight for Madras/Chennai. On arrival at Chennai airport transfer by our representative to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 15: Madras/Chennai
Full day sightseeing of Madras
Visit museum to see the Art and Bronze Gallery (Closed on Fridays and Public holidays). Drive through the Flower and Fruit market, High court, Fort Museum, Marina Beach, San Thome Cathedral and Snake Park.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 16: Chennai- Kanchipuram-Mahabalipuram
Visit temples of Kanchipuram enroute to Mahabalipuram.
Kailasanatha Temple, Vaikunta Perumal Temple, Sri Ekambaranathar Temple, Kamakshi Amman Temple, Devarajaswami Temple. Kanchipuram (64kms from Chennai (Madras), which was the capital of the Pallava dynasty and has about 1000 temples and many of them are in use to this day. Some important temples include Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy. Knachipuram is well known for its silks.
On arrival in Mahabalipuram transfer to Hotel for an ovenight stay.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 17: Mahabalipuram
Morning relax; afternoon sightseeing: Five Rathas, Shore Temple, ArjunaÕs Penance, Mandapams, Krishna Mandapam.
Morning city tour of Mahabalipuram.
The travel to the city of Mahabalipuram is famous for its rock cut temples and the Seashore temple these are excellent examples of Dravidian Style of Architecture.
Overnight: Hotel

Day 18: Mahabalipuram-Madras
This morning after breakfast transfer to Madras/Chennai airport or railway station to board flight or train for your onward journey to backhome with sweet and unforgettable memories of your "Taj Mahal with Kerala Tour" escorted by Vardhman Vacations.
END OF OUR SEVRICES