Itinerary :-

Day 1 Arrive Chennai -

Arrive Chennai airport and included transfer to your hotel. You can arrive at any time on Day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting as per your itinerary. Your tour leader (in case of group) / Glorious India Tours representative (for Private Tours) would have a meeting with you and discuss the itinerary in detail. 

Chennai is one of the four major metropolitan cities of India and is the capital of Tamil Nadu. Stretched out on the coastline where the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal mingle with golden sand beaches, its forts and palaces remind one of a bygone era.

Day 2 Chennai -

After a leisurely breakfast you undertake a full day city tour of Chennai or Madras as it used to be known. Although it was the oldest settlement of the British in India, the only remnants of this period are the cathedral and the Fort of St. George, which you visit during the tour.

Day 3 Chennai / Mahabalipuram -

Today you are taken by road to the seaside village of Mahabalipuram. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it showcases several antique sculptural marvels and frescoes. On the way you visit Kanchipuram, known as the ‘Golden City of a Thousand Temples’, it is one of India’s sacred cities. In the afternoon you are taken on a tour of some of the more significant sites in the area.
 

Day 4 Mahabalipuram/ Pondicherry -

Your day starts with a drive to Pondicherry. In the afternoon you undertake a tour of Pondicherry which includes a visit to the Aurobindo Ashram.
 

Day 5 Pondicherry / Tanjore -

Today is quite a long driving day but you do stop to visit Chidambaram and Kumbakonam along the way.
 

Day 6 -  In Tanjore -

Following breakfast you undertake a morning tour of Tanjore which includes a stop at the Brihadiswara Temple. The afternoon is at leisure to relax or to explore in your own time.
 

Day 7 Tanjore / Trichy -

You start the day with a relatively short drive to Trichy. In the afternoon you visit the town as well as the Ranganatha Temple at Srirangam. This beautifully sculpted temple is the biggest in India. 

Day 8 Trichy / Madurai -

After breakfast you are taken to Madurai by road. Known as the “Athens of the East”, Madurai is more than 2,000 years old and is believed to have been built by the Pandyan King Kulasekara in the 6th Century BC. In the afternoon you visit the Meenakshi Temple. Designed in 1560 it covers an area of six hectares has four main entrances, twelve towers and 985 richly carved pillars.

Day 9 Madurai / Thekkedy -

After enjoying breakfast you are transferred by road to Thekkady during which you gain an insight into the life of the locals as you travel past rice paddies and drive through several small villages. As you climb up the escarpment to the village of Thekkady, famous for its spices, you notice a change in climate and vegetation. Kerala, the spice capital of the world, was wholly dependent, until recent times, on its spice trade and traders came from far and wide to purchase these precious commodities. Later you visit a spice plantation for an afternoon tour.

Day 10 Thekkady / Houseboat -

This morning you are taken to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary for a morning walk before travelling by road to Kumarakom. On arrival in Kumarakom you transfer to your houseboat for a relaxing backwaters cruise and stay on board. Fringing the coast of Kerala and winding far inland is a vast network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals. Floating through these placid waters, passing palm fringed canals, lakes and villages you will be able to observe the locals going about their daily lives. You have your meals aboard the boat as you leisurely meander through this fascinating area. 
 

Day 11  Houseboat / Kumarakom -

Following breakfast you disembark and are taken to your hotel. In the afternoon you visit the Kumarakom Bird Park 
 

Day 12  Kumarakom -

You have the full day at leisure to relax or to explore in your own time. 

Day 13 Kumarakom – Cochin -

Today you are taken by road to Cochin where you undertake a sightseeing tour in the afternoon.

Cochin, with its wealth of historical associations, and its magnificent setting on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas, Cochin is one of the most fascinating cities of coastal South India. It is a city with indelible marks of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Jewish traditions. Of Special mention is the older parts of the Fort Cochin area which more or less exists as it used to a 1000-year ago. This part of the city reflects an unusual blend of medieval Portugal, Dutch and English country life grafted on to the tropical Malabar Coast.

A special treat awaits us this evening as we proceed to witness the strength and vigor of Kathakali dance drama. The extremely stylised gestures, the elaborate make-up, the masks and the splendid costumes of these all-male dancers, recreates an incomparable sense of pageantry.

Day 14 Cochin -

You have a day at leisure to explore the markets in your own time or relax at your hotel.

Day 15  Cochin / Delhi -

Following a leisurely breakfast you are taken to the airport for your flight to Delhi. (Flight not included) On arrival in Delhi you are met and taken to your hotel for a two night stay.

Day 16   Delhi -

Following breakfast you undertake a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi during which you visit the Red Fort, Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; and Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colourful market of the old city.

In the afternoon you visit New Delhi which includes visits to Qutab Minar a 72 meters high iron pillar which has survived the vagaries of weather for over 1500 years as well as the Government buildings (1921-1930.)

Day 17  Delhi / Mandawa - 

Today you are taken by road to Mandawa where, in the afternoon, you tour the forts and palace around town.

Mandawa is a small town in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. It has a unique medieval charm with each home richly painted with Shekhawati paintings known for their uniqueness and rich colours.

Day 18   Mandawa – Bikaner  by surface-

The day sees you driving to Bikaner with an afternoon tour of the town.

Bikaner is a desert fortified city on the ancient caravan routes that linked Africa and west Asia.  The fort, founded by Raja Rai Singh, is distinguished by its numerous pavilions and balconies.

Day 19  Bikaner / Jaisalmer -

Following breakfast you depart for Jaisalmer. The drive takes most of the day.

Day 20  Jaisalmer -

Today you undertake a half day sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer which is followed by a sunset camel ride in the Sam Desert, a short drive from the city.

Jaiselmere, the Citadel City as it is often called, was built in the 12th century from yellow sandstone and lies in the silence of the Thar Desert. The forts, palaces and superbly carved Jain temples in and around Jaisalmer are all reminiscent of a gloriously history.

Day 21   Jaisalmer / Jodhpur  -         

You set off this morning for Jodhpur, also known as the Blue City. In the afternoon you tour the city as well as the Mehrangarh Fort.

Jodhpur was the home of the Rathore rulers and still has its high stone wall surrounding the city that was built to protect it during their rule.  Within stands the imposing Mehrangarh Fort which was founded in 1459 A.D. The Fort is intricately adorned with long carved panels and latticed windows of exquisite designs in Red Sandstone.

Day 22  Jodhpur / Udaipur -   

Your journey today takes you to Udaipur. En route you visit the Jain Temples in Ranakpur.

Day 23  Udaipur -

You start the day with a visit to the Sri Eklingji and Nagda Temples. In the afternoon you tour the "Lake City" as Udaipur is also known before undertaking a boat ride on Lake Pichola. Udaipur is a cool oasis in the dry heart of Rajasthan and is probably the most romantic city in a state where every city has some romantic or exotic tale to tell. The huge City Palace, towering over the Lake Pichola, is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan.

Day 24  Udaipur / Pushkar -

Following breakfast you are driven to Pushkar and undertake a tour of the town and Pushkar Lake in the afternoon.

Pushkar is a well-known Hindu pilgrim centre and well known for its camel and cattle fair.

Day 25  Pushkar / Jaipur -

Today you travel to Jaipur with a visit to Ajmer on the way. On arrival in Jaipur you have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Day 26 Jaipur -

This morning you visit the Amber Fort, the former capital of the royal Jaipurs. Our guide will elaborate on the history of this architectural masterpiece with its mirror-studded alcoves, dazzling mosaics and water-cooled swings that delight today’s visitors as they did their former royal residents. In the afternoon you visit the city. During the tour you see the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, a five-storied structure of pink sandstone overlooking the main street of the old city. You also visit the City Palace in the heart of the old city with its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture.

Day 27  Jaipur / Agra -                        

Following breakfast you are driven to Agra with a visit to Fatehpur Sikri on the way. Fatehpur Sikri, today a ghost town, was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital.  It was a veritable fairy tale city with its ruins still in a pristine condition.

Day 28  Agra / Depart Delhi -

Early this morning you undertake a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the most photographed monument in the world. No matter how many pictures you have seen of it, the Taj never lets you down. Besides its perfect symmetry, the inlay work of semi precious stones into marble in the pietra dura style is absolutely remarkable. Later you visit the Agra Fort before driving to Delhi Airport where your tour comes to an end.

Note : Tour Cost on request.

                                                             ************* TOUR ENDS ***************

Included Activities: Sightseeing Chennai – Visit Fort St George and Govt Museum,

Sightseeing Mahabalipuram – Dakshin Chitra, Five Rathas and Shore Temple,

Pondicherry – Visit Auroville and Aurbindo Ashram, Chidamaram – Natraja Temple,

Tanjore – Art Gallery, Brideeshwara Temple, Trichy – Srirangam and Rock Fort, Madurai – Mennakshi Temple + Aarti  Ceremony and Museum, Thekkady – Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Boat Ride on Periyar Lake and Spice Plantation Tour, Kumarakom – Visit to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Cochin – Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, Portuguese Museum, and Kathakali Dance Show, Delhi – Jama Masjid, Red Fort, Qutab Minar, India Gate (Drive Past), Lotus Temple and Raj Ghat, Mandawa – Haveli’s, Bikaner – Junagarh Fort, Camel Breeding Farm, enjoy Tonga Ride on the roads for Old City, Jaisalmer -  Jaisalmer Fort, Camel Ride on Sam Sand Dunes, Jodhpur – Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada, Udaipur - Jag Mandir, Boat Ride at Lake Pichola, Visit City Palace, Excursion to Eklingi and Nagda, Pushkar – Visit Bramha Temple and Pushkar Lake, Jaipur - Amber Fort with Uphill Elephant Ride and Downhill by Jeep, City Palace, Rickshaw Ride on the Bazar Roads, Jantar Mantar, Agra - Visit Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.