Duration: 20 Days / 19 Nights
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Madurai - Thekkady - Periyar - Kumarakom - Alapuzzha -Aurangabad - Udaipur - Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi
Overnight stay at the Imperial Hotel

On arrival at the international airport in Delhi, our representative will escort you to the hotel. After a traditional Indian welcome at the reception, check in and relax for the day. In the evening, attend the Dance of India show. Alternatively, you can enjoy the various hotel facilities and treat yourself to an authentic Indian dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi - Chennai
Overnight stay at Taj Coromandel

In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a full day sightseeing tour of New and Old Delhi. Drive through the Rajpath and sightsee the Parliament, India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and Diplomatic Enclave. Later, take a rickshaw ride to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, Chandi Chowk markets, Red Fort, and Rajghat. Return to the hotel for dinner and check out. Transfer to the airport for a short flight to Chennai. Arrive at the Chennai Airport. Our representative will escort you to the hotel. On arrival late in the night, check in at the hotel and relax on your overnight stay in Chennai.

Day 3: Chennai - Mahabalipuram/ Kanchipuram - Chennai
Overnight stay at Taj Coromandel

After breakfast at the hotel, leave on full day excursion to the temple towns of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Mahabalipuram is home to the only surviving shore temple in India. On your sightseeing tour of Mahabalipuram, visit the ancient caves, the Shore Temple, Arjuna's Penance, and Krishna Mandapam. At Kanchipuram, known as the town of the 1000 temples, visit Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi and Varadarajaswamy Temples and silk and textile outlets. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Chennai.

Day 4: Chennai - Madurai
Overnight stay at Taj Garden Retreat

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport to board the Jet Airways flight to Madurai. On arrival, check in at the hotel, refresh, and relax over lunch. Post lunch, visit the spectacular Meenakshi Temple and the many stupefying temples in the complex and attend the large-scale aarti ritual at the temple in the evening. Later in the evening, visit the colorful bustling markets of Madurai, shop for souvenirs and curios. Return to the hotel for overnight stay in Madurai.

Day 5: Madurai - Thekkady
Overnight stay at Spice Village

After breakfast at the hotel, go on another round of sightseeing. Check out the grand Tirumala Nayak Palace, Alagar Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock Temples. After the sightseeing tour of Madurai, return to the hotel and leave for a 5-hour drive to Periyar National Park, Thekkady via Theni (155 km from Madurai). On arrival, check in at the hotel and relax on your overnight stay in Periyar.

Day 6: UThekkady
Overnight stay at Spice Village

After breakfast at the hotel, you can explore Periyar National Park on a boat cruise on the Periyar Lake. Later, take trek to the spice plantations and tea estates in particular Abraham's Spice Garden and shop at the Kumily Market for souvenirs and curios. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Periyar.

Day 7: Thekkady - Kumarakom - Alapuzzha
Overnight stay in Private Luxury Houseboat

After breakfast at the hotel, leave on a 4-hour drive to Kumarakom (125 km from Thekkady). En route, enjoy hilly countryside, spice plantations, traditional villages, waterfalls and green meadows. On arrival in Kumarakom, a small town on the eastern shore of Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is famous for its pristine beaches and gorgeous backwaters, visit the bird sanctuary and the tea factory.

Later, check in at the houseboat for a backwater cruise to remember for a lifetime. Enjoy the authentic flavors of Kerala aboard the houseboat as you merrily drift through the backwaters of Kumarakom and reach Alapuzzha. Overnight stay aboard the houseboat.

Day 8: Alapuzzha - Cochin - Mumbai - Aurangabad
Overnight stay at Taj Resideny

As you breakfast aboard the houseboat for another day, check out the spellbinding natural scenery of the backwaters running through Alapuzzha (famous for houseboats, snake races, lakes, coir and coconut). Check out the below-sea level farming and disembark. Drive to Cochin via many coastal and backwater villages, spice and tea plantations. Lunch en route to Cochin. On arrival in Cochin, transfer to the airport to board the Jet Airways flight to Mumbai. On landing in Mumbai, catch the connecting flight to Aurangabad.

On arrival in Aurangabad, check in at the hotel, refresh and relax for the evening. This 17th century city has been seen the rise and fall of many mighty empires that ran the length and breath of India especially the Deccan Plateau. Today it is one of the most prominent places in Maharashtra that serves as the ideal base camp to explore the nearby World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel in Aurangabad

Day 9: Aurangabad - Mumbai
Overnight stay at Taj Mahal Hotel

Today, after an early morning breakfast, proceed for a full day excursion to the World Heritage Sites of Ajanta and Ellora Caves. If time permits, also visit the 12th century Daulatabad Fort and check out the lesser known but equally mesmerizing Aurangabad Caves (Buddhist monasteries showcasing influence of Tantric art and architectural style from the 2nd and 6th centuries). Later in the evening, return to the hotel and transfer to the airport to board the flight to Mumbai. On arrival, check in at the hotel for overnight stay in Mumbai.

Day 10: Mumbai - Udaipur
Overnight stay at Udaivilas or Lake Palace

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to airport for a short flight to Udaipur. On arrival in the city of lakes and palaces and the rising sun, check in at the hotel and relax for the day. The day is free for you to enjoy the city at your own pace. Walks to the colorful Udaipur bazaars, boat cruises and other water activities at the picturesque Lake Pichola, or shop at Shilpgram crafts village are sure to get you in the spirit of this desert oasis. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Udaipur.

Day 11: Udaipur
Overnight stay at Udaivilas or Lake Palace

In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a half day sightseeing tour of Udaipur that includes visits to City Palace, Jag Mandir Palace (an island palace), Saheliyon-Ki-Bari, Museum, and Jagdish Temple. Post lunch proceed for an excursion to the 15th century Kumbhalgarh fort and the temples of Eklingi and Nagada. Rest of the evening is free for you to spend it on leisure activities. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Udaipur.

Day 12: Jodhpur - Jaipur
Overnight stay at Rajvilas

After an early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport to board the flight to Jaipur. On arrival in the city, check in at the hotel, refresh and relax. In the evening, walk to the ancient local markets and shop for jewelry, textiles, and handicrafts. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 13: Jaipur
Overnight stay at Rajvilas

In the morning, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Jaipur city. Visit Amber Fort (the former capital of Jaipur that can be approached by treks or elephant rides), City Palace (famous for its Mughal-Rajasthani architectural blend, Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum), Jantar Mantar Observatory (the finest of the 5 astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh II), Hawa Mahal (five-storied pink sandstone Palace of Winds'), Birla Temple (white marble Vishnu temple), Jaigarh Fort (famous of the largest cannon-wheel) and Nahargarh Fort (now a heritage hotel). Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 14: Jaipur - Agra
Overnight stay at Amarvilas

Drive to Agra (4 - 5 hours journey, 201 km) after breakfast at the hotel. En route, visit Fatehpur Sikri, a ruined fort city established by Akbar and take a heritage walk to the palaces, mosques, pavilions, tombs, and Buland Darwaza (the largest gateway in the world).On arrival in Agra, check in at the hotel and relax for the day. Later in the evening, explore the colorful markets of the city and shop for souvenirs and eat out or return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Agra. Visit to the Taj Mahal in the moonlight can be arranged on request.

Day 15: Agra
Overnight stay at Amarvilas

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Agra, a city famous for its Mughal architecture and monuments that mark the pinnacle of eternal love. Visit Agra Fort, Itimad-ud-Daulah, Akbar's Tomb and Taj Mahal by twilight on a battery van ride. Visit to the Taj Mahal in the moonlight can be arranged on request. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Agra.

Day 16: Agra - Jhansi - Orchha - Khajuraho
Overnight stay at Taj Chandela

After an early morning breakfast at the hotel, board the train to Jhansi (Bhopal Shatabadi Express). On arrival, drive to the medieval city of Orchha 12 km away. Once there, it is time for nature appreciation and sightseeing. Orchha, a city founded by Bundela rulers, has many 16th and 17th century palaces and temples that bespeak of its glorious past. After lunch, drive further to Khajuraho famous as a World Heritage Site. On arrival in Khajuraho, check in at the hotel and go on a stroll to the nearby temples and adjoining village. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Khajuraho.

Day 17: Khajuraho
Overnight stay at Taj Chandela

After breakfast at the hotel, go on a guided sightseeing tour of the 1000 year old Chandela temples in the Western Group. Post lunch proceed for a guided temple tour in the scattered Eastern and Southern complexes. Later in the evening go on a hike to the local village. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Khajuraho.

Day 18: Khajuraho - Varanasi
Overnight stay at Taj Ganges

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Khajuraho airport to board the Jet Airways flight to Varanasi. On arrival, check in at the hotel and proceed on a brief excursion to Sarnath (5 km from Varanasi) and check out the ruins of a major Buddhist monastery and the Museum that has preserved the remains of Buddhist art and sculpture excavated from the site. Later, attend the evening aarti on the ghats (banks) of Ganga and return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Varanasi.

Day 19: Varanasi
Overnight stay at Taj Ganges

Go on an early morning boat ride on the Ganges that starts from Daswamedh Ghat (the oldest cremation grounds in India) to catch the people bathing and praying to the sun rising in the sky. After breakfast, walk through the ancient streets of this holy town and buy souvenirs and curios from the shops. Post lunch proceed for a half day sightseeing tour of Varanasi. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Gyanvapi Mosque, Benaras Hindu University besides other prominent temples, mosques, and museums. Later in the evening, visit a carpet industry that has become the hallmark of Varanasi in recent years. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Varanasi.

Day 20: Varanasi - Delhi

After breakfast at the hotel, the day is free for you to relax amidst the many recreational activities provided at the hotel or walk along the banks of the holy river. Return to the hotel to check out and transfer to airport. Board the Jet Airways flight scheduled for the evening for a short journey to Delhi. On arrival, board the connecting flight heading back home or to your onward destination.