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| South India with Rajasthan |
| 28 Nights / 29 Days |
| Kochi - Madurai - Pondicherry - Mamallapuram - Mysore - Masinagudi - Ootacamund - Kochi - Delhi - Agra - Bharatpur - Jaipur - Rantambhore - Bundi - Bijaipur - Pushkar - Delhi |
| Tour Price : US$ 2105 AUD 2449.1675 € 1445.5035 £ 1272.683 |
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Description:
Discover the wonderfully exotic variety that southern India has to offer, from the entangled Hindu-Islamic cultural history of Tamilnadu to the charming former French colony of Pondicherry, a town where east truly meets west, and where a flavor of the continental still remains.; and from the royal palace heritage of Mysore to the artistic sculpture of Mahabalipuram.
Our tour begins with the highlights of Kochi before we head towards Delhi which is India’s greatest cultural gems. From the rich religious culture on show in Old and New Delhi to the magnificent Taj Mahal. Our journey takes us into the heart of Rajasthan, staying in these places gives visitors a real feel of how life was lived here. We immerse ourselves in the ancient and splendorous culture of the cities of this desert state with its forts and palaces, absorbing the many religious images that give India's its rich cultural fabric today. This tour is perfect for those with an interest in India's rich and complex culture, and for those with an enthusiasm for unraveling India's bright, woven tapestry of diversity.
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| 1-2: Kochi |
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Departure from your own Country.
Morning tour of Cochin.
Cochin has a natural harbor created by the famed underwater Malabar mud-banks whose quality ensures that the rougher the waves are, the calmer the waters within the Harbor. Vasco-da-Gama placed it on the world map. It has a Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, mosques & Hindu temples. Watch the Chinese Fishing Nets fishing beautifully.
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3: Kerala backwaters |
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Explore the backwaters from our island base, where we stay with localities. |
| 4-5: Periyar National Park |
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Morning drive to Periyar National Park. The earliest sanctuary to be set up in 1934, it extends to 777 square kms & forms part of the high mountain ranges, the Western Ghats. Wild life can be seen while cruising on Periyar Lake in a motor boat. Amongst the animals which can be seen are elephants, wild boar, sambar, tiger, leopard, wild dog, langur monkeys, etc. |
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6: Madurai |
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Drive to Madurai visiting Tanjore en route. At Tanjore, the beautiful Chola Temple of Brihadeeshwara is capped by a monolithic cupola made of a single granite block weighing 80 tons which was taken to the top with the help of a 6 km long ramp, an old technique used by the Egyptians for building pyramids. Its bronzes and handicrafts make Tanjore one of the highlights of a visit to South India. |
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7: Pondicherry |
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Soak in the French-colonial atmosphere with its same heritage and visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. |
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8-9: Mamallapuram |
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Full day trip to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Check-out at 1200 hrs. Kanchipuram (64 kms from Chennai (Madras) is the ancient capital of the Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century & has paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its pure silks and silk fabrics.
The city of Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples which are the examples of Dravidian style of Architecture. Evening transfer to rail-station for Trichy - night train. |
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10: Mysore |
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Relax in the palace town and visit the Durga temple for puja. |
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11: Masinagudi |
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Take a safari to spot sloth bears, panthers, and tigers against the backdrop of the Nilgiri Mountains. |
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12-13: Ootacamund |
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Unearth the secrets of tea-making and take a ride on the toy train. |
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14-15: Kochi/Delhi |
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We return to Kochi with time for some last minute shopping. On 15th day start your journey to the airport where you will board your plane to Delhi, India's capital. |
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16: Delhi |
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Full day city tour to Old and New Delhi. Your tour of the 17th-century old city includes the great mosque of Jama Masjid. Visit Chandni Chowk (“Moonlight Street,”) Old Delhi’s main street and colorful shopping bazaar. Drive past Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. New Delhi sightseeing includes the Humayun's Tomb, the precursor of the Taj Mahal. Drive down the spectacular Rajpath (“the Kingsway,”) passing the India Gate (the memorial built on behalf of the unknown soldiers,) the President’s House, and the House of Parliament. Enjoy a brief respite from the otherwise bustling city at Birla Mandir, a modern and colorful Hindu temple. Visit the local market and nearby neighborhood. |
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17: Agra |
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The morning is at leisure. This afternoon enjoy a half-day tour of the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and an optional visit to Itimad Ud Daulah. Take a horse carriage ride from the nearest parking to the Taj Mahal. Stroll around the lovely gardens before entering this intricately carved marble structure. |
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18: Bharatpur |
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The Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary is a haven of wetlands, forests and - of course – birds. |
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19: Rural Rajasthan Heritage Stay |
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Meet the locals and stay in a former fort in rural Rajasthan. |
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20 – 21: Jaipur |
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A journey to Jaipur, reach the next day and check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Jaipur is an exuberance of color, dance, and song. The “Pink City,” so called because its buildings are painted in the tones of an autumnal sunset, intersperses the play of red and pink with white borders and motifs. Experience the majesty of a bygone era, riding like royalty atop elegantly draped and painted elephants into the high mountain fortress. Later return to Jaipur City for visits to Hawa Mahal "Palace of Wind” one of the major landmarks of Jaipur; the City Palace, located in the heart of the old city, and adjacent Jantar Mantar, the ancient astronomical observatory built by Raja Jai Singh. Also enjoy a rickshaw cycle ride before returning to your hotel. |
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22: Ranthambhore National Park |
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We head out early in the morning for a jungle safari, in search of the rare Indian Tiger. Dawn is one of the best times to spot the animals, which tend to rest through the heat of the day. Ranthambhore National Park is home to the endangered Indian Tiger species, as well as many other species of mammals and birds. After lunch you are free to explore the dense forest before another exciting jeep safari in the Park. |
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23: Bundi |
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Catch the beautiful sight of sprawling palace, famous murals and amazing stepwells of Bundi. |
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24-25: Bijaipur |
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Stay in Castle Bijaipur, a gorgeous fort mansion still run by the Rao, or local landlord. |
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26-28: Pushkar |
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26-28: Pushkar |
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We make an early start on our drive to Pushkar and check into our hotel on arrival. At this, holiest city of Rajasthan, you may take a walk right around the sacred pond and the ghats that lead up to the much revered Brahma temple. We take a tour of this charming city in the heart of Rajasthan, not failing to be touched by its stunning beauty. |
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29: Delhi |
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Our adventure ends amid the chaotic streets and Mughal splendor of Delhi. |
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| Cost Include |
| Standard hotel accommodation twin sharing basis with breakfast all travel by air condition car, coach or jeep with English speaking Driver, Fuel all sight seeing as per itinerary, Arrival and Departure transfers, toll taxes state taxes Parking, Driver allowance & night hold charges, Elephant ride at the fort in Jaipur all meals at Ranthanbore Park only and English speaking guide at cities. Kochi to Delhi by Flight.
Group Size: [Min 4 pax-Max 15 pax] |
| Cost Does Not Include - |
| Monument Fee, Lunch & Dinner, Personal Nature Items, Camera Fee at Monuments, Hot & Soft Drinks, Traveling Insurance. |
| Group Departure Dates |
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