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Fort and Beach Vacations
Fort and beach vacation Package
FORTS & BEACHES
Destination: Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Udaipur-Mumbai-Pune-cochin
Duration: 28 Nights/29 Days
DAY 01 DELHI
Fly from your home country to Delhi. Arrive Delhi by
midnight, garland welcome, assistance and transfer to
hotel. O/n Hotel.
DAY 02 DELHI
Delhi can take you aback with its vibrancy and growth.
Less than 60 years ago the spacious, quiet and planned
city of New Delhi was still the pride of late colonial
British India, while immediately to its north the crowded
lanes of Old Delhi resonated with the sounds of a bustling
medieval market.
Morning, free to relax, afternoon we make a short drive
to Shah-jahanabad, now known as Old Delhi to visit the
Red Fort and the magnificent Jama Masjid, the largest
mosque in India and the last great architectural work
of Shah Jahan. After the visit, further drive towards
New Delhi to visit India Gate - designed by Lutyens, it
commemorates more than 70,000 Indian soldiers who died
in the First World War and The Secretariats & Rasthrapati
Bhavan gates.
Further our visit will be to Humayun's Tomb, the best
example in Delhi of the early Mughal style of tomb. Rest
of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 03 DELHI TO AGRA
Morning transfer to New Delhi railway station to board
Shatabdi Express train to Agra at 06.00hrs (breakfast
onboard). Arrive Agra at 08.10hrs, transfer to hotel.
Lateron visit to Taj Mahal - the romance of the world's
most famous building still astonishes in its power and
beauty. Later on drive to visit the Red Fort, located
on the west bank of River Yamuna. Akbar erected the walls
and gates and the first buildings inside. Shah Jahan built
the impressive imperial quarters and mosque, while Aurangzeb
added the outer ramparts. Evening free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 04 AGRA TO JAIPUR
Early morning visit Taj Mahal once again at Sunrise. Then
the mists that often lie over the River Yamuna lift as
the sun rises and casts its golden rays over the pearl
white tomb. Beautifully lit in the soft light, the Taj
appears to float on air. After breakfast drive to Jaipur
(about 237kms/05hrs), Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri - the
red sandstone capital of Emperor Akbar, one of his architectural
achievements, spreads along a ridge. The great mosque
and palace buildings, deserted after only 14 years are
still a vivid reminder of his power and vision. Upon arrival
in Jaipur, check into the hotel. Rest of the day free
to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 05 JAIPUR
Jaipur, the colourful capital of a richly colourful state,
is a highly distinctive planned city, made all the more
attractive by the pink wash that most buildings are periodically
given.
After breakfast we visit Amber, ascending by elephant
to see the 16th century hilltop fortress - Palace and
its richly decorated apartments. Ascend to the ancient
Rajput capital of Amber, this fort palace was begun by
Raja Man Singh and used by the Rajputs as their stronghold
until Sawai Jai Singh II moved to the newly created Jaipur.
You will visit the palace and its many intricate chambers
and hallways, which has breathtaking views of the Jal
Mahal (Water palace) below.
Afternoon visit City Palace, still inhabited by Jai Singh's
descendants is a superb fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture.
A city within a city, it includes the Govind Deo Temple,
the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory and the Maharaja's
museum with his personal collection of weaponry, miniature
paintings, royal attire and jewellery. On the periphery
of the Palace stands the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds,
an elaborate pink sandstone façade behind which
the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings
on in the street below. Rest of the day free to relax
or stroll around the colourful Rajasthani bazaar. O/n
Hotel.
DAY 06 JAIPUR TO UDAIPUR
Morning transfer to airport to board flight to Udaipur
by 9W 709 at 07.00 - 07.45hrs. Upon arrival, transfer
to hotel.
Set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills,
Udaipur grew in complete contrast to the harsh deserts
of the rest of Rajasthan. As capital of the old Mewar
state it was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its
Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion. From
the late 16th century, peace brought about an era of renaissance
in the arts and encouraged the building of beautiful palaces
around the lake, culminating, in the City Palace, one
of the largest palace complexes in the world. The lake
itself is a romantic setting surrounding the gleaming
white Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir, a refugee of the
rebel Mughal prince, Shah Jahan, soon to be the creator
of the imcomparable Taj Mahal.
Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 07 UDAIPUR
After breakfast visit to City Palace - the largest palace
complex in Rajasthan, comprising many buildings added
at different time by various maharajas. Perhaps the most
beautiful are the Moti Mahal with its mirror inlay and
the Chini ka Chitra Mahal's iridescent tile work. At the
nearby, Jagdish Temple, there is an impressively carved
image of Lord Vishnu, to whom the temple is dedicated.
Also visit to the ornamental gardens of the Maids of Honour
or Sahelion ki Bari. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n
Hotel.
DAY 08 UDAIPUR TO MUMBAI
The day free to relax or stroll around the city, late
evening transfer to airport to board flight to Mumbai
by 9W 3406 at 19.25 - 21.10hrs. Upon arrival, check into
the hotel, rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 09 MUMBAI
After breakfast drive to Gateway of India, this Indo-Saracenic-style
is modeled in honey-coloured basalt's of 16-th century
Gujarati work. Proceed to 9 nautical miles across the
sea from the Gateway of India lies Elephanta Caves. Visit
this green island for the wonders of the 7th century,
the painstakingly hewn rock-cut cave temple dedicated
to Shiva. Afternoon back to Mumbai and visit Prince of
Wales Musuem. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 10 MUMBAI TO PUNE
After breakfast drive to Pune (about 160kms/04hrs), the
early home of Shivaji, Pune became the Maratha capital
in 1750. After a period under the Nizam of Hyderabad's
rule it came under British control in 1817, who then developed
it as a summer capital for Mumbai and as a military cantonment.
Upon arrival, check into the hotel. Afternoon drive towards
southwest is the Oleh David Synagogue, sometimes known
locally as the 'Red Mandir', and Sir David Sassoon's Tomb.
St. Mary's Church to the south was consecrated by Bhisop
Heber, who toured the country extensively in the 1830's.
Moving back to the west by the river are Visram Bagh,
a very attractive Maratha Palace. Rest of the day free
to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 11 PUNE TO MUMBAI TO COCHIN
After an early breakfast drive back to Mumbai airport
to board flight to Cochin by 9W 403 at 12.50 - 14.35hrs.
Upon arrival, transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free
to relax in the hotel located on the Old Fort Kochi area.
O/n Hotel.
DAY 12 COCHIN
Today we start our visit of Kochi (Cochin), one of South
India's most interesting towns, still largely comprises
low rise, picturesque buildings. Most of the historic
buildings listed here are in Fort Kochi. We start our
sightseeing with Mattanchery Palace, built by the Portuguese
(1557) as a gift for the Raja of Kochi in exchange for
trading rights, it was largely rebuilt by the new occupants,
the Dutch. Further visit Jewish Synagogue adjascent to
the Palace. This gem of a synagogue dating from 1568 (rebuilt
in 1662) at the heart of what is called locally Jew Town,
now a fascinating mixture of shops (some selling antiques),
wareshouses and spice auction rooms. Lateron drive to
Fort Kochi beach area to visit St. Francis Church originally
dedicated to Santo Antonio, the patron saint of Portugal,
St. Francis Church is the first to reflect the new, European
influenced tradition. Vasco da Gama died on the site in
1524 and was originally buried in the cemetery. Fourteen
years later his body was removed to Portugal. Our final
visit will be to huge Chinese Fishing nets line the entrance
to the harbour mouth. Chinese traders are believed to
have originally introduced them in the late 14th century
although, today, parts of the nets are know by Portuguese
names. Evening we watch the dance drama of Kerala - the
Kathakali in a local theatre in Kochi. O/n Hotel.
DAY 13 COCHIN TO KOVALAM
Morning transfer to railway station to board express train
to Trivandrum at 06.00 - 10.50hrs. Upon arrival, transfer
to Kovalam (about 13kms) and check into the hotel. Rest
of the day free to relax on the beach. O/n Hotel.
DAY 14 KOVALAM
The day at leisure. O/n Hotel.
DAY 15 KOVALAM TO ALLEPPEY
After breakfast drive to Alleppey (about 160kms/04hrs),
to board our houseboat that comprises twin rooms, with
attached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in
which to relax and enjoy the sights on the shore. We start
our sail through scenic backwaters, passing through one
of the few areas in the world where farming is done below
sea level. The houseboat will cruise through the Chambakulam
area by mid-morning and anchor to explore the boat yard,
which displays the traditional long snake boats used in
races. Visit St. Mary's Church, established by St. Thomas
in 1721. In the evening, catch a glimpse of village life
along the backwaters and experience a way of life unique
to this region. The boat will pass through picturesque
stretches of the backwaters of Alleppey and moor up for
overnight in Vemabanadu Lake. O/n Houseboat.
DAY 16 ALLEPPEY TO KUMARAKOM
After breakfast disembark from the houseboat at Kumarakom,
a small picuteresque village located on the banks of Vemabanadu
Lake. Check into the hotel, rest of the day free to relax.
O/n Hotel.
DAY 17 KUMARAKOM TO THEKKADY
After breakfast drive to Thekkady (about 140kms/03 ½
hrs), the road to the hills rises from the plains through
tropical evergreen forests, rubber and spice plantations,
pepper on the low land gives rise to tea and cardamom
plantations. It is an interesting drive with superb views
down the east side of the Ghats onto the Tamil Nadu plains.
Upon arrival, check into the hotel, rest of the day free
to relax or stroll around the small spice market of Kumily.
O/n Hotel.
DAY 18 THEKKADY
Set on attractive Periyar Lake side, is in a beautiful
setting and was designated a part of Project Tiger in
1973, though Tigers are very rarely seen and it is better
know for its elephants, which are very likely to be seen
until Mar/Apr. Most bull elephants here are tuskless.
Bison, Sambar, Wild boar and the barking Deer are fairly
common. In addition to 246 species of birds, there are
112 species of butterfly. The sanctuary offers a lovely
and comfortable way to see the animals via boat rides
on the man-made lake, which the wildlife area encircles.
Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 19 THEKKADY TO MADURAI
After breakfast drive to Madurai (about 155kms/04hrs),
check into the hotel. Afternoon visit the alive and bustling
temple of Meenakshi (fish eyed goddess). It has occupied
a vital place in the history of Tamil Nadu state for over
2000 years, an on any day up to 15,000 people pass through
its gates. O/n Hotel.
DAY 20 MADURAI TO PONDICHERY
Early morning we start our long drive to Pondichery (about
320kms/06hrs), by covering typical Tamil Nadu villages,
either sides of the road will be dotted with cultivation
fields and mango groves etc.. Upon arrival, check into
the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 21 PONDICHERY
Pondichery still enjoys a hint of its French colonial
atmosphere in the grid pattern streets, distinctive police
uniforms and the occasional colonial building. Yet despite
its invigorating seafront and relaxing atmosphere the
town is visited above all for he Sri Aurobindo Asham which
draws visitors from all over the world.
After breakfast visit Aurobindo Ashram and rest of the
day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 22 PONDICHERY TO MAHABALIPURAM TO CHENNAI
After breakfast drive to Chennai (about 160kms/04hrs),
Enroute explore the coromandel coast of Tamil Nadu, by
visiting the enormous 29 metre Arjuna's Rock and Shore
Temple dates back to the second half of the 7th century.
Upon arrival, check into the hotel, rest of the day free
to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 23 CHENNAI TO HYDERABAD
After breakfast transfer to airport to board flight to
Hyderabad by DN 119 at 09.15 - 10.45hrs. Upon arrival,
transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n
Hotel.
DAY 24 HYDERABAD
After breakfast sightseeing to Old City, visit Char Minar
which built between 1591 and 1612 by Sultan Mohammed Quli
Qutb Shah as a showpiece at the centre of his beautiful
city. Further visit Mecca Masjid, built of enormous black
granits slabs quarried nearby it has tall pillars, stucco
decorations and red bricks on its entrance arches believed
to have been made from clay from Mecca mixed with red
colouring. Afternoon we drive 11kms further to visit Golconda,
one of the most accessible of great medieval fortresses
in India, was the capital of Qutb Shahi kings who ruled
over the area from 15.7 to 1687. Rest of the day free
to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 25 HYDERABAD TO GOA
After breakfast transfer to airport to board flight to
Goa by 9W 458 at 10.00 - 13.00hrs. Upon arrival, transfer
to hotel located on the beach area. Rest of the day free
to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 26 GOA
After breakfast we drive to Old Goa, on the crest of a
low-lying hill on the south bank of the Mandovi, may be
regarded as the spiritual heart of Portuguese Goa. After
visiting famous churches around, we drive back to hotel
for relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 27 GOA
The day at leisure. O/n Hotel.
DAY 28 GOA TO MUMBAI
Morning free to relax, afternoon transfer to airport to
board flight to Mumbai by 9W 472 at 14.05 - 15.05hrs.
Upon arrival, transfer to hotel located near to the int'l
airport for wash and change. Late night transfer to int'l
airport to board flight to your home country.
DAY 29 MUMBAI
Early morning board your flight.
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