INDIAN ADVENTURE

FOR DETAILED INFORMATION WITH PICTURES OF THE TRIP CLICK HERE 

Join us to visit two of India’s most fascinating and picturesque states, visit forts, temples, bazaars, spice plantations, backwaters and sample unique and amazing food.

This will be an epic adventure and designed for those that haven’t been to India and want to get a “taste” of the country within a short period of time.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit 4 great cities & 2 amazing states
• New Delhi City Tour
• The Taj Mahal Agra Fort Fatehpur Sikri
• Amber Fort Jantar Mantar Jaipur Bazaars
• The City Palace & Museum Pratap Memorial Jagdish Temple
• Chittorgarh Fort Lake Pichola
• Boat trip through the magical backwaters of Alleppey
• Amazing tea gardens, Spice plantations, Scenic hill stations
• Wildlife sightseeing on Periyar Lake
• Kathakali dance shows & Ayurvedic treatments
• Tour around Kochi – “The Spice Capital of India”
• Drive through some of the most breathtaking scenery that India has to offer

We’ll have the opportunity throughout the trip to visit bazaars, temples, indulge and explore Indian culture and meet the locals in each place.

If you are interested in only a 1-week trip, it might also be possible to organise. Please contact us for more details.

ITINERARY

February 14th, Friday

LEAVE LONDON  Take Friday evening flight from London to New Delhi. Direct flights with Air India / BA / Virgin. Indirect flights with many other Air Lines

PART 1: DELHI / AGRA / RAJASTHAN

Day 1: February 15th, Saturday

Arrival at New Delhi

On arrival at New Delhi Airport, we will be met by our local representative. In the afternoon we’ll proceed for a sightseeing tour of India’s capital. You’ll also have free time on the last day of the trip to see parts of Delhi that you missed on the first day.

Day 2: February 16th, Sunday

Delhi to Agra: THE TAJ MAHAL

We’ll go to the Mughal city of Agra, situated on the banks of the River Yamuna, home to one of the great world heritage sites: The Taj Mahal. Overnight in Agra.

We’ll also visit the Agra Fort, built by Emperor Akbar & the Taj Mahal-the symbol of eternal love, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Day 3: February 17th, Monday

Agra to Jaipur (by road)

After breakfast, we’ll drive to the “pink city” of Jaipur and en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar. On arrival at Jaipur, we’ll check- into our hotel and the rest of the day at leisure. Enjoy a gastronomic dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 4: February 18th, Tuesday

Jaipur City Tour

We’ll visit the Amber fort, known for its large ramparts, series of gates & cobbled paths overlooking Maota Lake. Then drive past the Hawa Mahal (Palace of winds), visit the City Palace & Museum & take a stroll to the Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory, followed by a visit to the wonderful Bazaars of Jaipur.

Day 5: February 19th, Wednesday

Jaipur to Udaipur (by road)

Drive to Udaipur, the lake city of Rajasthan. Visit Chittorgarh Fort, the pride of Rajasthan the largest as well as the most significant fort of the country.

Then a boat ride in Lake Pichola (scene of the James bond film – Octopussy), which will give us a picturesque view of ancient relics that surround these lakes.

Day 6: February 20th, Thursday

Udaipur

We visit The City Palace and Museum, considered to be the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, then the Pratap Memorial which has the bronze statue of the valiant warrior of Rajasthan, Maharana Pratap, the legendary king of Udaipur

We then visit the Jagdish Temple which was built in 1651, the small ornamental garden of Saheliyon Ki Bari, a truly stunning sight. In the evening we’ll take a walk through the narrow lanes and back streets of Udaipur up to the washing ghats at lake Pichola. Then dinner at one of the fine downtown restaurants.

Day 7: February 21st, Friday

Travel day: Udaipur to Mumbai to Kochi –

Flight to Kochi. Check into hotel early evening, dinner and free time

PART 2: KERALA ADVENTURE

Known in India as “God’s own country”. Nestled between the pristine waters of the Arabian Sea on the west and the lush Western Ghat mountains on the east, it’s an intense network of rivers and lagoons, thick forests, exotic wildlife, tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters and a long shoreline of serene beaches make it a traveller’s paradise. The literary meaning of Kerala is “the land of coconuts”. “Kera” in Malayalam (the language of Kerala) means coconut.

Day 8: February 22nd, Saturday

KOCHI

Kochi is the commercial capital of the Southern Indian State of Kerala, is sometimes referred to as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. The city boasts a rich cultural heritage and has one of the finest natural harbours in the world. The city offers, forts, palaces, museums, old churches, cool backwaters, palm-fringed lagoons, beaches combined with the amenities of a contemporary metro.

CITY TOUR

Interesting places to visit in Cochin include the Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja in 1555 AD. A fine blend of Indo-European architecture, The Chinese Fishing nets, St. Francis Church, where Vasco Da Gama was buried before his remains were taken back to Portugal 14 years later and Jewish Synagogue, situated close to the Mattancherry boat jetty, the Synagogue and the ancient Jew town built in 1568 A.D. is of great historical importance.

Day 9: February 23rd, Sunday

KOCHI / MUNNAR

Drive to Munnar. Overnight at Munnar. Pass through the panoramic western ghat hills, beautiful streams, small waterfalls, rubber, pepper cardamom and tea plantations, see Pothemedu viewpoint and Blossom Park.

MUNNAR

Munnar is a town in the Western Ghats mountain range in India’s Kerala state. A hill station and former resort for the British Raj’s elite, it’s surrounded by rolling hills dotted with tea plantations established in the late 19th century. Eravikulam National Park, a habitat for the endangered mountain goat Nilgiri tahr, is home to the Lakkam Waterfalls, hiking trails and 2,695m-tall Anamudi Peak.

Day 10: February 24th, Monday

Visit the popular Eravikulam National Park, tea gardens, Mattupetty Reservoir, Kundala Dam and Tea Museum, echo point,we then explore the Munnar hill station.

 Day 11-12: February 25th/26th, Tuesday/Wednesday

Proceed to Thekkady, begin a breathtaking journey through spice plantations and hills.

THEKKADY

Thekkady is located near the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The sanctuary is famous for its dense evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savanna grasslands. It is home to herds of elephants, sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India and abounds in rare species of tropical flora and fauna. The sanctuary also has a Tiger Trail programme.

 Boat trip on Periyar Lake, see wild animals (such as elephants, bison) & spice plantation tour.

 We go for some spice shopping and attend a Kalaripayattu & Kathakali show.

Day 13: February 27th, Thursday

BACKWATERS BOAT TRIP

Drive from Thekkady to Alleppey and check into the boat.

We’ll witness the full range of lives & activities of the people of Kerala & amazing scenery during this incredible trip through the backwaters.

Day 14: February 28th, Friday

ALLEPPEY / KOCHI

Ayurvedic session: A speciality of the region, particularly the hot oil massage OR Sightseeing / free time in Alleppey

We then drive back from Alleppey to Kochi and catch a flight back to New Delhi and overnight stay in New Delhi.

Day 15: February 29th, Saturday

NEW DELHI

Free day in New Delhi for shopping and additional sightseeing.

You’ll need to select a flight back to London leaving Saturday night / early Sunday morning.

What’s included:

• All accommodation (twin share). Most stays will be in 4 Star hotels. Single room supplements available. Please contact us.
• All transportation by A/c minibus
• 13 breakfasts
• Entry fees into the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Museums & Forts in Rajasthan
• Dinner evening in Jaipur with traditional music and dance
• 1 host (from the UK) for the entire length of the trip
• Local tour guides in Delhi / Rajasthan / Kerala
• Boat hire for 1 day for backwater trip + breakfast and dinner on the boat
• Boat trip inside the Periyar wildlife sanctuary
• Spice plantation tours
• Pick up & drop off from Delhi & Kochi Airport (for designated flights only)
• Luxury taxes, toll, parking, bata

What’s excluded:

• Ayurvedic treatments (approx. £15-£20)
• Flights to India (Approx £700-£800) (BA / Virgin / Air India are direct), many others also fly to New Delhi via regional hubs.
• Internal flights: Jaipur-Mumbai-Kochi- Delhi (Approx £130, depends on when you book them)
• Ayurvedic treatments / Kalaripayattu show Approx £20
• Lunch / Dinner except on the Backwaters Boat trip (£15-£20 per day).
• Entry fees to any other places except those listed above and any other excursions such as additional boat rides, elephant rides
• Visa £80 (https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/Registration)
• Travel Insurance (mandatory)

Notes

• In the Hill stations (Munnar) where it is colder, rooms will be non A/c
• Check with your GP if you need any additional vaccinations for this trip
• Min number needed for the trip is 8 people
• The trip is organised jointly with a well-established travel company in India

COST:

£995 (For payment before October 15th)

£1195 (For payment before November 15th)

£1395 (For payment after November 15th)

PAYMENT

CKAC

Bank Account: 41764527

Sort code: 40 09 25 

Reference: Your name / India