14 Days Golden Triangle Tour with Kerala

Meeting and greetings on arrival at DelhiAirport and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax from long flight connections.

Morning after breakfast at the hotel proceed to visit Old and New Delhi. In Old Delhi : Red Fort - The red sand stone walls of Lal Quila, the Red Fort extend for 2 km and vary in height from 18m on the river side to 33m on the city side. Shah Jahan started construction of the massive fort in 1638 and it was completed in 1648. The Red Fort dates from the peak of Mughal power. The Mughal reign from Delhi was a short one. Aurangzeb was the first and the last emperor to rule from here. Jama Masjid- the Great Mosque of Old Delhi was both the largest and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan. Begun in 1644, the mosque was not completed until 1658. It has three gateways, four angle towers and two minarets standing 40m (133ft) high constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble. The courtyard of the mosque can hold 25,000 people. Take a rickshaw ride to Chandni Chowk - the main street of Old Delhi - the colourful shopping bazaar just opposite the Red Fort and visit Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi after his assassination in 1948. Sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting Qutab Minar – 234 feet high tower. The Qutab Minar itself is a soaring tower of victory that was started in 1193, immediately after the defeat of the last Hindu kingdom in Delhi. It is nearly 73m(243ft) high and tapers from a 15m(50ft) diameter base to just 2.5m(9ft) at the top. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone, the fourth and the fifth of marble & sandstone. Also visit the Tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun. Built in the mid-16th century by Haji Begum, the Persian-born senior wife of Humayun, the second Mughal emperor, this is a wonderful early example of Mughal architecture. The elements in its design – a squat building, high arched entrances that let in light, topped by a bulbous dome and surrounded by formal gardens – were to be refined over the years to the magnificence of the Taj Mahal in Agra. Drive past India Gate (War Memorial), President’s House, which was once the Viceroy’s Palace, Parliament House and Secretariat buildings.

Morning after relaxed breakfast at the hotel proceed to Agrato reach in around 4 hours time. Arrive and check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, whose death in childbirth in 1631 left the Emperor so heartbroken that his hair is said to have turned gray overnight. Construction of the Taj, begun in the same year, was not completed until 1653. In total 20,000 people from India and Central Asia worked on the building. The Taj Mahal is like a silent rhapsody that you will carry in your heart. Also visit Agra Fort, constructed by Emperor Akbar in 1695 on the banks of the Yamuna River. Initially the fort was a military structure, but during Shah Jahan’s reign it had partially become a palace.

Morning after breakfast at the hotel proceed to proceed to reach Jaipurin around 5 hours time enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri - a cultural and imperial capital conceived and built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and later abandoned due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings within the city including Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti and Panch Mahal. Arrive Jaipur and check into the hotel. Rest of the time at leisure.

Morning after breakfast at the hotel visit Hawa Mahal - which was constructed in 1799, the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds, is one of Jaipur’s major landmarks, although it is actually little more than a façade. This five storey building, which overlooks the main street of the bustling old city, is a stunning example of Rajput artistry with its pink, delicately honeycombed sandstone windows. Later proceed to Amber Fort - the ancient capital of the state until 1728. The fort is a superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake, which reflects its terraces and ramparts. Visit the Jagmandir of the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal and the Temple of Kali. You ride up to the ramp of this 11th Century Bastion atop a gaily decorated elephant. Afternoon City sightseeing tour includes Maharaja’s City Palace - which occupies a large area divided into a series of courtyards, gardens and buildings. The outer wall was built by Jai Singh, but other additions are much more recent, some dating from the start of this century. Today, the palace is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The palace now houses a museum containing rare manuscripts, fine specimens of Rajput and Mughal paintings and weapons. Also visit Jantar Mantar- an observatory, next to the entrance of the City Palace, begun by Jai Singh in 1728. Jai Singh’s passion for astronomy was even more notable than his prowess as warrior and before commencing construction, he sent scholars abroad to study foreign observatories. Jantar Mantar appears to be just a curious collection of sculptures but in fact each construction has a specific purpose, such as measuring the positions of stars, altitudes and azimuths and calculating eclipses.

Morning after breakfast at the hotel transfer to the Airport intime to board flight for Cochin. Meeting and greetings on arrival at Cochin airport in Kerala and transfer to the hotel. Rest of the time free to relax. Evening proceed to local theater to witness Kathakali Dance performance.

Morning after breakfast at the hotel proceed for sightseeing tour of Cochin, visiting Fort Kochi - A leisurely walk through the city is the best way to discover historic for Kochi. Chinese Fishing Nets - These huge cantilevered fishing nets are the legacy of one of the first visitors to the Malabar coast. Erected here between 1350 and 1450 ad by Traders from the court of kublai khan, these nets are st up on teak wood and bamboo poles. St. Francis Church - Built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan Friars, this is India's oldest European Church. This was initially built of timber and later reconstructed in stone masonry. It was restored in 1779 by the protestant dutch, converted To an anglican church by the british in 1795 and is at present governed by the church of south india. Vasco da gama was buried here in 1524 before his Remains were moved to Lisbon, portugal. Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) - Built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma of Kochi, the palace was renovated in 1663 by the Dutch. Synagogue - Constructed in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth. Destroyed in a shelling during the portuguese raid in 1662, it was rebuilt two years later by the dutch. Bolghatty Island - This island is famous for its palace of the same name. The bolghatty palace Was built in 1744 the dutch and later taken over by the british. Today it is a hotel run by the kerala tourism , with a small golf course and special honeymoon cottages. Willingdon Island - Named after Lord Willingdon, a former british viceroy of india, this man-made island is surrounded by beautiful backwaters. The island is the site of the city's best hotels and trading centres, the port trust and the headquarters of the southern naval command. Evening witness Kathakali Dance Performance at theater.

Morning after breakfast at the hotel proceed to Munnarand check into the Hotel, where sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make it a unique experience. This hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British empire in south India.

Morning after breakfast at the hotel proceed for full day trip (without guide) to Pothamedu for an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks. Time permitting also visit Mattupetty famous for its highly specialized dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss live stock project. Onwards from the farm you proceed to Mattupetty lake and dam, which is a very beautiful picnic spot. You could enjoy boating in the lake and view mountains and landscapes from afar. Onwards proceed to Echo point famous for the natural echo phenomenon and then to Top Station offering marvellous views of Munnar valley below. Return to the resort and enjoy the facilities at your resort. Overnight at the hotel.

Morning post breakfast at the hotel leave by car to Thekedy/ Periyar National Park. Check into the Jungle lodge on arrival.

Afternoon Bamboo Raft ride in Periyar Lake to see the wildlife around.

Morning after breakfast drive to Kumarakomand check into the resort by the Lake. Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. A picturesque, clean village, Kumarakom is a tiny hamlet on the banks of a lagoon formed by the Vembanad lake. Check in to your resort where calm, emerald backwaters reflect hundreds of thousands of gently swaying palms where the primary attraction however, is its lazy ambience.

Morning after relaxed breafast board your waiting hosueboat and float towards Alleppey, on the way you will have chance to see a variety of local life on the banks of the Lake and lush green fields.

Morning after breakfast disembark houseboat and proceed to visit Kumarakom (if interested). You can opt to explore adjoining Vembanad Bird Sanctuary, canoeing or relax in the lazy environment. Later drive to Marari Beach and check in at Marari Beach. Rest of the day free to relax by the beach and enjoy the facilities available. Ayurveda treatment, massage available at the resort by experts Doctors. Overnight at the Resort. Marari Beach is locatd Barely 11 km from Alappuzha (Alleppey) town, this sleepy little village (also called Mararikulam), is an idyllic location for a vacation. The beach is clean and safe for swimming

Transfer to Cochin Airport intime to board your home bound flight.