Pan India Tour

Arrive in Delhi

Our representative shall meet you at the airport and arrange for your transfer to the hotel.

Delhi, India’s capital has seen great empires rise and fall around it for millennia, with each new batch of rulers building over the works of their predecessors. As a result, the city abounds in monuments and ruins of stunning diversity. The seat of the world’s largest democracy, it also boasts of magnificent symbols of government that pay architectural tribute to the ideals of self-rule and democracy. These co-exist side by side with wide multi-lane motorways, shopping malls, fast cars and ultramodern steel-glass office complexes that characterize any large 21st century metropolis.

Overnight at Delhi.

Delhi Sightseeing

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Your luxury holiday in India commences with an afternoon tour of New Delhi.

New Delhi was built by the British in the 1930s as their imperial capital. Majestic government and administrative buildings line the wide, tree-lined avenues of what is also known as Lutyen’s Delhi, after Sir Edwin Lutyens who was commissioned to design the city in 1911.

Our journey begins at India Gate, the red sandstone arch exerted in memory of Indian and British soldiers who laid down their lives in World War I. Close by are the majestic Parliament House, the seat of the world’s largest democracy and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the Indian President’s official residence. Inside are the famed Mughal Gardens with its ornate fountains and manicured lawns. Mughal Gardens are open to the public during spring.

Drive to Qutub Minar. Built by Qutubuddin Aibak, a slave general in 1193, it is India’s tallest stone towerand marks the site of the country’s first Muslim kingdom. The iron tower in a square opposite is unique in that it never rusts, although it has been exposed to the elements for centuries.

The lotus-shaped Bahai temple south of Delhi is also of interest. An ideal place for meditation, this Bahai House of worship is open to people of all faiths.

Overnight at Delhi.

Sightseeing in Delhi

After breakfast, proceed for a half day tour of Old Delhi.

The day begins with Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. The shrine bears testimony to the simplicity of the man who changed the world with the power of ideas. A simple black stone structure with an eternal flame burning at one end.

The majestic Red Fort was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1639, and remained seat of the empire for the next two centuries. Today, the Prime Minister of India delivers his Independence Day speech to the nation from the ramparts of this red sandstone structure.

A raucous, roller coaster rickshaw ride through the winding medieval alleyways of Old Delhi takes us to Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques. We shall view this magnificent structure from outside, its lofty and highly ornate domes and minarets reminiscent of a scene from the Arabian Nights.

Delhi to Varanasi by air

After breakfast, you will be driven to the airport for your flight to Varanasi. Our representative will meet you at outside the Varanasi arrival lounge and assist with your hotel transfer.

The ancient city of Varanasi on the west bank of the holy Ganga has been a spiritual center for Hinduism since the dawn of time.

Varanasi’s high ghats (steps leading to and from the river) are crowded with priests, wrestlers, astrologers, devotees, bathers, morning walkers and saffron clad mendicants or sadhus. The ringing of temple bells and the heady, heavy smell of incense permeate everywhere. In Varanasi, even a short walk or a simple boat-ride is an unforgettable adventure.

The cinematic nature of daily life in Varanasi is not lost on filmmakers and over the years, many have made Varanasi their backdrop, among them maestros like Roberto Rossellini, James Ivory and Satyajit Ray. Fittingly, the first moving picture ever shot on Indian soil was filmed here in 1899.

Varanasi is one of the unforgettable highlights of your luxury holiday in the timeless Indian subcontinent.

After lunch, you’ll be driven to Sarnath where, millennia ago, the Buddha delivered his first ever sermon. Today, thousands of travellers from all over the world pour in every year to pay homage to what is one of the holiest places in Asia. The 1600 year old Dhamekh stupa marks the spot where the Buddha sat as he delivered his first teachings. Interestingly, this ancient stupa is a stand in for an even earlier structure erected by Emperor Asoka in 249 BC.

The highly recommended Sarnath museum houses antiquities dating back to the 3rd century BC. Don’t miss the gigantic red sandstone standing Bodhisatvas and the magnificent Asokan pillar that is India’s state symbol.

In the evening, witness aarti (or offering of lights) at the ghats of Varanasi. Your guide will be at hand to explain the proceedings and the significance of the Vedic hymns recited by the priests.

sightseeing

Our day will start early at 0500 hours.

Board a boat that will row you to the middle of the river to watch the spiritual life of Hindu India unfold before you along the banks of the holy river. Visit Dashashwamedh and Manikarnika, the holiest of the Varanasi ghats. A section of Manikarnika serves as a cremation ground and it is said the funeral pyre never dies here.

As the day progresses, devotees gather at the ghats and in the water, bathing, praying and taking “holy dips.”

Back on the banks, we shall visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple with its famous solid gold spire. Kashi Vishwanath is one of the holiest of Hindu temples and devotees believe that praying here after a dip in the Ganges will grant them Moksha or liberation from the eternal cycle of life, death and rebirth.

Return to hotel for breakfast.

Proceed for a guided day tour of Varanasi which begins with the Bharat Mata Temple where the deity is a marble relief map of undivided India.

Later, visit the 18th century Durga Temple. According to legend, the idol of the goddess simply appeared in the spot where the temple stands today.

The white marble Tulsi Manas Temple has scenes and stanzas from the Hindi epic Ram Charit Manas engraved upon its walls. The temple is in the traditional Shikhara style, its towers representing the great Himalayan summits or shikharas.

Up next, the 4000 acre Benaras Hindu University campus houses an art gallery and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Overnight at Varanasi.

visit Sarnath

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. The morning is free. In the afternoon, fly to Khajuraho. Our representative shall meet you at the arrival lounge and organize your hotel transfer.

The Chandela dynasty of Central India is credited with the construction of the magnificent Khajuraho complex between the 9th and 10 centuries AD. The name Khajuraho may be a corruption of the Sanskrit Kharjura Vahaka, the bearer of the scorpion and could be a reference to one of Khajuraho’s popular sculptures, depicting woman undressing to remove a scorpion from her body.

The sandstone walls of the Khajuraho temples are crowded with countless sculptures of gods, goddesses, dancers and beasts but it’s the sections containing erotic sculptures that the temple is most famous for. Some interpret them as an indicator of the liberal and enlightened outlook of medieval Indian society but according to some scholars, the figures are merely metaphoric and conceal a deeper symbolism.

Khajuraho is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most exotic high points of your luxury tour of the Indian subcontinent.

Check into the hotel and enjoy some free time.

In the evening, enjoy a light and sound show at the temple complex.

Overnight at Khajuraho.

Sightseeing in Varanasi

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Afterwards, proceed for a full day’s tour of the temples of Khajuraho.

We shall begin with The Western group of temples.

Kandariya Mahadev is the largest temple in the complex and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, with over 800 exquisitely sculpted figures of gods and celestial maidens adorning its walls.

Chausat Yogini Temple is the oldest in the complex. The only granite temple among the cluster, it’s a shrine to one of the aspects of the fearsome Hindu Mother Goddess Kali, or The Dark One.

The Lakshmana Temple stands at the southwest corner. Look out for a minor shrine where one of the ancient sculptors added his own likeness in a touching act of vanity.

Other temples include the Vishwanath Temple with exquisite stonework on its outer wall, the Matangeswara Temple with its famed eight foot high phallic lingam, the Chitragupta Temple, inside which the radiant Sun God rides his seven-horse chariot, and the Varaha Temple that houses a 1.5 m high Varaha, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as a giant boar, that attempts (and fails) to find the end of the universe.

The Brahma and the Hanuman temples are the most famous and best preserved among the Eastern Group of temples. Don’t miss the Vamana temple that showcases in elaborate stone work all ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

Relax in the evening, or visit the Shilpa Gram for a glimpse of local artisans at work.

Overnight at Khajuraho.

Varanasi to Khajuraho by air

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Drive to Orchha.

12 kms from Khajuraho, the medieval city of Orchha on was founded in 1501 by the Bundela rulers on the bank of the Betwa river. The town is famous for its cenotaphs, locally known as chhattris, built in the memory of long-dead kings.

Lunch will be served at Orchha.

Proceed for sightseeing of Orchha.

Of interest, the Orchha Fort, the majestic high domes and spires of Chaturbhuj Temple and the Raj Mandir, both constructed in the later half of the 16th century.

Take the deluxe train to Agra and reach by evening.

The Mughal capital of Agra on the banks of the Yamuna River is a bustling town teeming with narrow, winding alleyways that hark back to an era gone by. Dotted by magnificent monuments including UNESCO World Heritage Sites Fatehpur Sikri and the Taj Mahal, the city is a dazzling contrast of red sandstone and white marble structures.

Overnight at Agra.

Sightseeing in Khajuraho

Breakfast will be served at the hotel, following which we proceed for a day’s sightseeing of Agra.

Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his queen Mumtaz Mahal and designed by Persian architect Ustad, the magnificent Taj Mahal is one of the seven wonders of the world. A massive white marble structure so delicate that it appears to float in the air, the Taj is otherworldly in its beauty and is best viewed in moonlight or at dawn and dusk. Close observation reveals breathtakingly intricate inlay work carved into the marble, and bears eloquent testimony to the triumph of Mughal art, culture and architecture at its peak. Your luxury holiday in India is incomplete without the Taj Mahal.

Standing across the river from the Taj, the majestic red sandstone structure of Agra Fort was erected in 1565 by Mughal Emperor Akbar the great. Little did he know that the same fort would later serve as prison for his grandson, the Emperor Shah Jahan, in the end of his days. From his prison perch of Muamman Burj, an exquisite octagonal marble tower atop the fort, Shah Jahan would spend his last days looking out longingly at the Taj.

Itmad-ud-Daulah is perhaps the Mughal Empire’s best kept secret. Empress Nur Jehan, wife of Jehangir, son of Akbar, commissioned the structure as a memorial to her father. Mistakenly called Baby Taj, Itmad-ud-Daulah is in fact decades older than the Taj and may have served as its design blueprint. A must-see hidden gem.

A beautifully maintained tree-lined monument at Sikandra marks the grave of the illustrious Akbar the Great. A great believer in harmony and equality of all religions, this visionary Mughal Emperor created Din-i Ilahi, a unique religion that combines the fundamentals of Islam, Hindusim, Buddhism and Christianity. His memorial imbibes architectural motifs of all the faiths that inspired him.

Overnight at Agra.

Khajuraho to Jhansi by road

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Drive to Jaipur in a large, comfortable vehicle. Visit Fatehpur Sikri en route.

Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 in honour of sufi saint Salim Chishti was the capital of the Mughals for 14 years. The white marble Tomb of the Salim Chisti with its intricately carved marble screens occupies pride of place in the central courtyard of the structure.

Attractions include the colossal Buland Darwaza, a victory gate built to mark the conquest of Gujarat by Emperor Akbar, the Diwan-i-Aam where the emperor held his legendary hearings with the general public and the Diwan-i-Khas where he held private consultation with his nine ministers, or as he called them, his navaratna or nine gems.

Fatehpur Sikri also houses the palace of Jodhabai, Akbar’s Hindu wife, and the house of the legendary Birbal – Akbar’s Hindu minister and one of the navaratnas – the tales of whose extraordinary wit and wisdom are the stuff of popular culture in India, inspiring countless comic books and children’s animation TV shows.

Continue to Jaipur.

Jaipur, also known as the ‘Pink City’ from the facelift it received in 1853 to celebrate a visit by Prince Albert, is dotted with havelis (traditional mansions), bazaars, opulent palaces and rugged majestic forts that showcase the glorious past of its rulers, the Rajputs.

The Rajput princes were fierce warriors some of whom declared loyalty to the invading Mughals and proved to be formidable allies of the empire. Among them was King Jai Singh II, whom the Mughals gave the title Sawai Maharaja, or “King and a quarter”. Jaipur gets its name from this valiant king.

Visit the Birla Temple in the evening. A stunning white marble structure, the three towers of the Birla Temple stand for three different approaches to religion. Carvings on the ornate pillars celebrate Hindu gods and goddesses along with Christ, Virgin Mary and St. Francis of Assissi.

View the hypnotic evening Aarti, the ritual lighting of oil lamps.

Overnight stay will be in Jaipur.

visit Orchha en route

Situated on the top of a hill, the magnificent Amber Fort Palace offers a panoramic view of the old city. Established in 1592, its rugged exteriors belie the delicate architecture inside, a rare fusion of traditional Rajasthani and Islamic styles. Reach the fort the old fashioned way, atop a ceremonial elephant along a cobbled path up that opens into several havelis, step wells, courtyards and temples. Visit Sheesh Mahal or chamber of mirrors, Jas Mandir with its ornate ceilings and latticework and the stunning Shila Devi temple with its intricately carved silver door.

The sprawling City Palace has been home to the rulers of Jaipur since the 18th century. The architecture of the palace is a blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The City palace Museum is located here and houses various items from Jaipur’s princely and warrior past.

The scientific-minded King Jai Singh II, an astronomy enthusiast, commissioned five observatories named Jantar Mantar around West Central India in the early 1700s. The one in Jaipur is the largest and the best preserved. The massive architectural instruments are constructed out of local stone and marble some of which are still in use. We shall walk through and explore this surreal maze of giant geometric objects.

The exquisite outer facade of Hawa Mahal, the "Palace of Winds," resembles a manmade honeycomb and is one of Jaipur’s most iconic and oft photographed sights. Designed to facilitate maximum air circulation and cross ventilation, the five-storied Hawa Mahal is made of lime and mortar, and decorated with impossible intricate trelliswork. From the privacy of its ornate jharokhas (traditional Rajasthani windows), the ladies of the court could gaze out at life in the streets below.

In the evening, relax, shop or explore the city of Jaipur on your own. Jaipur is famous for its shopping, particularly gold and silver jewellery, pottery, tie-dye materials, silk, saris, wooden handicrafts and carpets.

Overnight stay will be at Jaipur.

Jhansi to Agra by rail

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Enjoy a leisurely drive to Jodhpur stopping on the way for a brief visit to Pushkar.

Pushkar, a short drive from Ajmer, is one of the holy cities of Hindu mythology. Built around a large natural lake ringed by hills and surrounded by desert, Pushkar finds mention in the Hindu epics and certain records suggest that the city may have been in existence since the 4th century BC.

By the banks of the Pushkar Lake is India’s only temple to Brahma, the creator of the universe. The solemn, hypnotic evening aarti ritual at the lake is not be missed.

In late fall, animal rearers from all over the country descend upon Pushkar for the famed week-long animal fair. Hundreds and thousands of camels, cattle and thoroughbred horses are on display, the dust thrown up by hooves concealing the city’s features in a perpetual cloud of haze. Animal shows, competitions, races abound and the sleepy town buzzes with acrobats, tourists, animal trainers, curio sellers, photographers, filmmakers, gypsies and of course the animals, who are all in it together in what surely ranks among the most unusual jamborees in the world.

Continue to Jodhpur.

Rao Jodha, chief of the Rathore clan, founded the city of Jodhpur in 1459. Situated on the edge of Thar Desert, Jodhpur embodies the romance and feudal splendor of Rajasthan. Jodhpur is also called the ‘Blue City’ from the blue houses that surround its most famous landmark, the majestic Mehrangarh Fort that sits on the top of a hill 125 meters above the city. The city itself is surrounded by high walls 10 kilometers long.

Overnight at Jodhpur.

Sightseeing in Agra (Taj Mahal)

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Hewn out of solid rock atop the red sandstone cliff overlooking Jodhpur 400 feet above the city, the awesome 15th Century Mehrangarh fort spreads out over 5 kilometers and in the words of Rudyard Kipling, is the “work of angels and giants”. The fort’s defenses are impressive, with seven highly fortified gates to reach the fort, and massive, ornate cannons perched on the bastion walls. The view of the Blue City from the ramparts of the fort is breathtaking. In spite of the forbidding exteriors, the fort’s exquisitely latticed windows, carved panels, and ceiling with radiant glass tiles reveal another more artistic side to its warrior inhabitants. Batman fans might remember Mehrangarh Fort from an iconic scene in Chris Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises.

Jaswat Thada, the white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II is known for its highly intricate lattice-work. The marble used in the structure is translucent and in the day time, the interior walls glow from the sunshine outside. Jaswant Singh II was known for his innovative irrigation projects and to this day, locals throng to Jaswant Thada to pay their respects to the benevolent king whose touch once healed their arid land.

Designed by the British Royal Institute of Architects, the Umaid Bhawan is one of world’s largest private residences with over 300 rooms, lavish theaters, banquet halls and a ballroom. A part of the palace has been converted to a museum with an impressive collection of royal memorabilia and weaponry.

Overnight at Jodhpur.

Agra to Jaipur by road

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Later, drive to Ranakpur.

The 15th century Ranakpur Temples are situated in the middle of dense woods and are an important pilgrimage for the Jain community. The temples’ exterior is majestic yet somber, while the interiors are richly embellished with highly intricate carvings covering every inch of the solid marble walls. This reflects the Jain belief in the importance of a rich inner life within a simple exterior. The huge domed marble central ceiling of the temple is so adorned with dazzling filigree work that it looks almost translucent. The hushed silence inside the temple and the subtle smell of incense will put even the most gregarious traveller in a contemplative mood.

Drive to Udaipur after lunch.

Founded by Maharana Uday Singh, beautiful Udaipur on the banks of Lake Pichola is a fairyland with beautiful palaces in the middle of lakes, islands, opulent havelis and temples. Surrounded by the ancient Aravalli hills, Udaipur shimmers in dazzling white and is also called the City of Dawn.

Overnight at Udaipur.

visit Fatehpur Sikri en route

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

The massive City Palace overlooking the Lake Pichola is a glittering example of Rajput architecture. A part of the city palace is now a museum.

Behind the fortified walls of the palace, dark, steep and narrow staircases connect a maze of royal chambers and courtyards. Dazzling intricate miniatures, antiques and paintings are on display everywhere. Of note are gorgeous mosaics of peacocks in Mor Mahal and a courtyard full of shady trees on the terrace of Amar Vilas.

Maharana Sangram Singh built Saheliyon Ki Bari or “Garden of the Maidens” in the mid 18th century on the shores of Fateh Sagar Lake. The lush green lawns of the garden are replete with fountains whose spouts are placed inside the trunks of large stone elephants. The water flow is controlled solely by water pressure. No pumps are used. Of particular note is an interesting medieval experiment in sound design. In a secluded corner of the garden, carefully selected large leafed plants damp the sound of flowing water on stones tto create the auditory effect of being in a large tropical forest in the pouring rain.

Built in 1751, Bagore Ki Haveli on Gangaur Ghat of Lake Pichola has over a hundred rooms displaying interesting artifacts and paintings. Of note is the fascinating puppet museum. The officials in charge are happy to organize a short impromptu puppet show for interested visitors.

The magnificent 17th century Jagdish Temple is located in the center of the city and is a fine example of Indo-Aryan architecture. The main deity at the center is a giant black stone image of Lord Vishnu. The outer walls of the temple and the tower feature highly detailed carvings depicting Vishnu and scenes from the life of Krishna.

In the evening, go for a cruise on Lake Pichola. Enjoy a stunning view of Udaipur city and the Aravalli hills from over the water. Visit the majestic Jag Mandir Palace situated in the middle of the Lake.

Overnight at Udaipur.

Sightseeing in Jaipur

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Proceed to the airport for flight to Aurangabad. Our representative shall meet you on arrival and organize your hotel transfer.

The city of Aurangabad was founded In 1610 by Malik kafur, prime minister to the Nizam. F called Fatehpur, it was later named Aurangabad when it came under the rule of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who built walls around the city to fortify it from Maratha invaders.

Aurangabad’s best recognized landmark is Bibi ka Maqbara, also known as the “Taj of the Deccan.” Built by Aurangzeb’s son Azam Shah in memory of his mother Rabia-al-Daurani, it finds mention in the accounts of French raveler Tavernier who witnessed its construction during his journey to India. In his writings, he describes how marble for the structure was carried in from faraway Surat on three hundred carts, each pulled by 12 oxen.

Aurangabad is known the world over as the gateway to the Ajanta and Ellora Caves.

Overnight will be at Aurangabad.

Jaipur to Jodhpur by road

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Proceed for an excursion to the Ajanta Caves.

High above the Waghora river gorge, lie thirty extraordinary caves that conceal in their depths entire temples hewn from solid rock. Once used as monsoon shrines and quarters by Buddhist monks and craftsmen, the Ajanta caves were built in two great bursts of extraordinary creativity separated by over 700 years. The older of the caves date back to 2nd and 1st centuries BC. The more modern caves, relatively speaking of course, belong to the 5th to 6th centuries AD.

Inside the caves are chaitagrihas or prayer halls, and viharas or full-fledged monasteries. Vivid natural color murals depicting the Buddha’s life and teachings adorn their walls.

Return to Aurangabad to visit the Daulatabad Fort.

The 12th century Daulatabad Fort stands on a hill top on the outskirts of Aurangabad. Spectacularly fortified with layers of protective moats, towers, heavily spiked gates, and a medieval version of a gas chamber to discourage intruders, this fortress beat back successive waves of formidable intruders over the centuries. As Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan lamented, “No ant or snake can scale it.” Don’t miss the panoramic view of the city from its ramparts.

Overnight at Aurangabad.

visit Pushkar en route

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Proceed to the Ellora and Aurangabad Caves.

The magnificent rock-hewn cave temples of Ellora are just a short drive from Aurangabad. The 12 Mahayana Buddhist caves were built first between 550-750 AD. Then came 17 Hindu caves between 600-875 AD followed by 5 Jain caves from between 800 to 1000 AD. Recently, 22 more caves of Hindu origin dedicated to Lord Shiva have been uncovered.

The remarkable Kailas Temple in cave 16 occupies pride of place among the Ajanta Caves. Carved out of a single massive rock by hand, the temple is complete with a gateway, a pavilion, a courtyard, a vestibule, a sanctum sanctorum and a tower. Several generations of a seven thousand strong team of laborers are believed to have worked in continuous shifts over a period of one hundred and fifty years to coax out its massive form from unyielding rock. A stupendous living testimony of the workmanship of the era.

The Aurangabad Caves are a set of twelve with the oldest dating back to the 2nd Century A.D. and show a distinct Buddhist lineage featuring chaityagrihas, viharas and exquisite panels and sculptures depicting the Avalokiteshwara and his consort Tara. Of particular interest is Cave 3 with its extremely intricate columns and sculptures depicting scenes from the Jakata tales that describe Buddha’s various incarnations and Cave 7 with its praying Bodhisattva.

Later in the evening, you will dropped to the airport for your flight to Mumbai.

Our Representative will meet you at the arrival lounge of Mumbai airport and facilitate your hotel transfer.

Originally an archipelago of seven islands on the Arabian Sea, Mumbai was named after Mumba Devi, patron goddess of the Koli fishermen indigenous to the area. In the 19th century, reclamation work joined up the islands in a long, narrow strip of land that is the Mumbai we know today. This bustling metropolis is India’s commercial capital and home of Bollywood, the world’s largest movie industry. A city of contrasts, Ferraris and Porsches stand shoulder to shoulder on Mumbai roads with strikingly retro Premier Padmini cabs, and glitzy malls stocking super luxury brands co-exist side by side with buzzing local markets.

Sightseeing in Jodhpur

The decidedly un-fortress-like business district to the North of Kolaba is popularly known as Fort and gets its name from a long-dismantled East India Company fort that, soon after the Maratha Wars, gave way to the grand colonial buildings which give this part of Mumbai its distinctive architectural flavour. Of note is St. John’s Church, dedicated to British soldiers who laid down their lives in Afghanistan and Sind in the 19th century.

To travellers flying into Mumbai, the city’s most recognizable feature is perhaps the Marine Drive, a long sea-facing promenade that runs from Nariman Point to Malabar Hill in a shallow arc, along the lapping waters of the Arabian Sea. In the evening, the Marine Drive glitters in a stunning crescent of light and is appropriately named “Queen’s Necklace.”

What the Queen’s Necklace is to air travellers today, the Gateway of India was to the seafaring visitors of the early 20th century. Built in 1911 to welcome King George V and Queen Mary to the land of their subjects, this magnificent arch was ironically also the point from where the last British ship departed India after the latter gained independence in 1947. A flight of steps leads down to the sea where motor launches bob in the water, offering short cruises to tourists. After sundown, and weather permitting, the excursion is well worth the fare as the view from the sea towards the dramatically illuminated Gateway is nothing short of splendid. Towards the east lies Apollo Bunder, abuzz with street vendors, fortune-tellers, evening walkers and tourists.

Carved out of Portland Stone shipped from England, Flora Fountain was erected in 1864 and named after the Roman goddess of fertility and abundance whose statue stands at the center of the structure. The fountain is further embellished with carvings of sea creatures and mythical beasts. The traffic intersection where it stands is now called the Hutatma Chowk or Martyr’s Memorial after those who died in the popular, and successful, movement for the creation of a separate Maharashtra state.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Victoria Terminus is one of India’s busiest railway stations and. a unique amalgamation of Indian and Gothic architectural styles. The centerpiece of the station is a 160 foot high dome and an ode to progress in the form of the statue of a woman carrying a torch. Movie buffs may be interested to know that Victoria Terminus featured prominently in the Academy Award winning “Slumdog Millionaire.”

The English Gothic Mumbai High Court Building was designed by Col. J. A. Fuller, a British engineer, and dates back to 1878. On the western face of this majestic structure stand the statues of Justice and Mercy.

Made of local Kurla stone, the 280 foot tall Rajabai Clock Tower is an amalgam of Venetian and Gothic styles of architecture, and boasts of absolutely stunning stained glass windows. Presently, the tower houses the University of Mumbai library.

Built in 1880, the terraced Hanging Garden on Malabar Hill sits atop the three reservoirs which supply water to all of Mumbai and offers a spectacular view of the city.

Overnight at Mumbai.

Jodhpur to Udaipur by road

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

The day is free for you to relax, shop or explore the city as you see fit.

In the evening, enjoy a stroll on the beach.

Chowpatty Beach is situated at the end of Marine Drive and while a far cry from what is understood to be a beach in Western countries, there is no denying the carnival atmosphere that descends here every evening. The thin stretch of sand is crowded with numerous street food vendors, happily squealing children, the pious taking a dip in the sea at sunset, couples and evening walkers. Your Mumbai experience is not complete unless you have tasted a tangy-spicy golgappa at Chowpatty.

Overnight at Mumbai.

visit Ranakpur en route

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Later you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Chennai. Our Representative will receive you outside the Chennai arrival lounge and arrange your hotel transfer.

The city of Chennai, formerly Madras and originally Madraspatnam, has its roots in a warehouse built by the British on the beachfront in 1639. In 1654, the Fort St. George was established and eventually, village after neighbouring village was added to the territory to form the modern city we know today. In the days of the British Raj, Madras served as the capital of all of South India.

Overnight at Chennai.

Udaipur

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. After breakfast, set out for sightseeing.

The Neo-Gothic San Thome Basilica is one of the only three basilicas in the world said to contain the relics of an apostle of Christ and is an important Christian pilgrimage. Built over the tomb of St. Thomas, the original building was said to have been established by the apostle himself.

Founded in 1644 by the British East India Company, Fort St George was the engine of trade and commerce that transformed a beachfront hamlet into a modern city. Fittingly, it is now the seat of the legislative assembly of the state of tamil Nadu. The Fort Museum located in the oldest surviving building of the fortress is of particular interest to tourists and has an impressive collection of exhibits spread over ten galleries.

The buzzing Kapaleeswarar Temple with its proud 120 feet tall exquisitely engraved Gopuram is one of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture. Inscriptions from the 13th century and highly ornate stucco work adorn its walls. It’s also the site for the spectacular annual Arupathimoovar festival, during which a gigantic wooden chariot carrying the main deity is pulled along the roads by hundreds and thousands of frenzied devotees, followed by a procession of gods involving sixty three idols on palanquins. Students of cinema may recall this festival from French master Louis Malle’s Cinema Verite´ venture, Phantom India.

Overnight at Chennai.

Udaipur to Aurangabad by air

Travel inland to the sacred temple city of Kanchipuram, before driving to the beachside town of Mahabalipuram.

Its proximity to the rich fishing grounds of the Bay of Bengal and a number of excellent beachfront restaurants make this a great place to sample seafood - you will be able to select your own fish and choose the way you would like it cooked.

Afternoon enjoy the sightseeing tour of the beautiful rock carving.

Mahabalipuram - famous for the seven pagodas. Here, on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples, which are the examples of Dravidian style of architecture.

Evening - Enjoy time at the beach and try for some local seafood.

Overnight in Mahabalipuram.

Excursion to Ajanta Caves and Daulatabad Fort

After breakfast drive to Pondicherry.

A French colony until 1950, Pondicherry is markedly different from the rest of Tamil Nadu state in architecture and town planning. Modelled after towns in the French Mediterranean, Ville Blanche or White Town is dotted with colonial villas, while more Indian style buildings populate Ville Noir or Black Town. Today, unlike in the past, both halves of Pondicherry is open to all residents of the city. Use of French is still common in Pondicherry.

You are free the rest of the day to explore the town.

Overnight at Pondicherry.

Day trip to Ellora and Aurangabad Caves

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Later in the morning, visit Aurobindo Ashram. Founded by nationalist turned mystic Sri Aurobindo, Aurobindo Ashram is a commune housing followers from the world over. The ashram aims to disseminate the philosophy of Aurobindo’s “integral yoga”, a synthesis of ancient mystical thought and modern science.

After lunch at local restaurant, board your vehicle and drive to Tanjore (Thanjavur), stopping briefly on the way to visit the brass factory at Kumbakonam.

Tanjore or Thanjavur was the capital of the Chola empire from the 10th century to the 14th century A.D. and was for long periods the political and cultural nerve center of the region. The Great Living Chola Temples that form a UNESCO World Heritage Site are located around Thanjavur, also home to the distinctive Tanjore style of Painting.

Main attractions include the magnificent Brihadisvara Temple. One of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Vimana atop the temple is a 60.95m high 13-storeyed pyramidal tower, in turn crowned by a 70 tonne stone domed monolith.” The inner walls are adorned with murals of Shiva in the 108 mudras, or poses, of Bharatanatyam, the classical Indian dance form.

Overnight will be at Tanjore.

Aurangabad to Mumbai by air

Drive to Madurai after breakfast, stopping en route at Trichy.

Situated on the banks of river Kaveri, Tiruchirapalli or Trichy is one of the largest cities in the state of Tamil Nadu. In the course of its long and checkered history, Trichy has changed hands many a time, starting off as the capital of the Chola Kings, falling later to the Pallavas and eventually to the Nayaks of Madurai, the Marathas, the Sultanate and finally the British. Each successive ruling dynasty left their indelible mark on the city, and contributed towards its growth as the flourishing, eclectic urban center that it is today.

Highlights include the Rock Fort, with its “Hall of Hundred pillars” and the island of Srirangam with its giant seven-walled Vishnu Temple.

Rock Fort temple or Malaikottai is a temple carved out of an 80m high rock, the rock itself being of prehistoric vintage and older than the Himalayas.

Drive to Madurai and check into hotel.

The ancient temple town of Madurai traces its history as far back as the 3rd century BC, and finds mention in the writings of Greek explorer Megasthenes.

The breathtaking Sri Meenakshi Amman temple, a mini-city in its own right, dominates the Madurai skyline. One of the finest living examples of Dravidian art and architecture, its towering gopurams loom over the city, every inch of its outer surface crowded with multicolored carvings of gods, goddesses and beasts of mythology. One of the highlights of your luxury holiday in exotic South India.

Overnight at Madurai.

Sightseeing in Mumbai

According to local lore, the foundations of the Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple date back to well over two thousand years. Successive generations of rulers built over and added to the work of their predecessors until the compound grew to its current sprawling size of the 65000 square meters. The square-shaped temple grounds are surrounded by high walls with twelve stupendous Gopurams (temple towers) bidding entry to visitors.

Inside, defying description, lies the Hall of Thousand Pillars, each pillar adorned by exquisitely detailed sculptures of celestial beings. A marvel of ancient Indian design, the pillars align in perfect straight lines no matter which angle they are viewed from. Outside the hall, a corridor is lined by the temple’s famed musical pillars, each of which produces a unique musical note when tapped.

Don’t miss the Thousand Pillars Museum in the temple complex.

The spacious Gandhi Memorial Museum chronicles in loving detail the history of India’s independence movement. The museum organizes regular seminars on Gandhi and his principle of non-violence or ahimsa.

Located a few minutes from Madurai, the Vishnu Temple is one of the most important temples of South India and is unique in the layout of its three altars, arranged as they are one on top of one another. Each altar shows the Lord Vishnu in a different posture. The seated Vishnu on the middle altar, Koodal Alagar, is the main deity of the temple. The temple’s exterior too, covered with beautiful carvings depicting celestial beings, is well worth the raveler’s time.

Built by King Thirumalai Nayak in 1636, the eponymous Thirumalai Nayak Palace fell to ruin after the king’s demise and was restored only partially by the British. Still, the present day structure gives the visitor a good idea of its grandeur in its heydays. Look out for the intricate stucco work on its arches and pillars and the astonishing Sorgavilasam or Celestial Pavilion, a 1300 square meter free-standing structure, unsupported by any pillar or girder.

The giant Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam reservoir is fed by a Vaigai River through an invisible maze of underground channels. During Teppam (tr.The Float Festival), hundreds of boats chockfull of devotees crowd the reservoir in a race to reach the temple at its center.

Enjoy a Sound and Light Show in the evening.

Overnight at Madurai.

Mumbai

Drive to Periyar National Park after breakfast.

On the banks of the Periyar river, amidst coffee plantations and the fragrant cardamom hills, lie the Periyar National Park, one of India’s major wildlife reserves. Look out for the Asian elephant, antelope, the Indian bison, the elusive Bengal tiger, the dhole or wild dog, and the extremely rare and endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a species of ibex native to the region.

Birdwatchers may be rewarded with sightings of greater hornbills, darters, herons, egrets, owls and brightly coloured kingfishers.

After lunch, proceed for a boat ride.

The boat offers a great opportunity to watch animals, particularly elephants, as they come down to the waters to cool off in the daytime. You may also be able to spot sambars, barking deer, mouse deer, wild pigs, porcupines, lion-tailed macaques, the Malabar Squirrel and sloth bears. Lucky travellers may even spot a tiger or leopard towards the end of the day.

Relax in the evening. Overnight at Periyar.

Mumbai to Chennai by air

After breakfast at your resort, enjoy the scenic road to Kumarokom dotted with traditional Kerala houses and bordered by rolling hills on either side. Stop en route to visit a tea garden.

Check into hotel at Kumarokom.

Barely 16 kms from the city of Kottayam, Kumarokom is located by the Vembanad, Kerala’s largest fresh water lake, and is one of the important venues for Kerala’s famous boat races. During the festival of Onam, hundreds of traditional boats, some seating as many as fifty highly vocal rowers, steak down the lake amidst much fanfare, competing for top spot.

Also of note, a bird sanctuary renowned for its visiting flocks of migratory birds.

Your stay in Kumarokom begins with a visit to the sanctuary.

Kumarokom is also your entry point into Kerala’s famous Backwaters, a massive 900 square kilometer network of lakes, rivers, streams, lagoons and canals that both connect and divide the region, giving rise to a unique amphibious culture and way of life that’s perhaps unique in the world. Here, the saline waters of the Arabian sea mix with fresh water from inland streams resulting in a knife-edge ecosystem that’s as fragile as it is distinctive. Teeming with fish, mudskippers, crabs, turtles and otters, the lush vegetation on its banks is home to flocks of cormorants and terns. Human habitation in the region too are a gift of the backwaters, with the brackish channels snaking into the land often being the only means of transportation between villages and towns. Tranquil and mysterious, the backwaters feature, for obvious reasons, prominently among the highlights of your luxury holiday in exotic South India.

Later, check into a traditional thatched houseboat and embark on a leisurely cruise of the backwaters. Equipped with all the modern amenities that you need, the houseboat is the best and most luxurious way to see Kerala, drifting effortlessly into places other modes of transportation cannot reach. Houseboats also allow one to take things at one’s own pace, and the rare luxury of procuring fresh produce for all meals while on board.

Overnight in houseboat.

Sightseeing in Chennai

Enjoy a leisurely morning aboard the houseboat as it gently cruises to Alleppey while on the banks, village bazaars bustle to life as the morning progresses.

The city of Alleppey or Alappuzha is the headquarter of Alappuzha district and highly popular with ravelers. The name Alappuzha means “the land between the river and the sea” and its intricate network on inland canals earn it the title of “Venice of the East.” This watery network has long been Alleppey’s lifeline, from its days as one of the best known ports on the Malabar coast up until modern times as the world’s gateway to the Backwaters. Alleppey too is an important venue for boat races, in particular the Nehru Trophy Race on the Punnamada Lake. Other attractions in Alappuzha include the beautiful Alappuzha Beach, the Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple, the Edathua Church and the Krishnapuram Palace.

Later in the day, drive to Cochin.

The ancient port city of Cochin or Kochi comprises a cluster of islands and peninsulas in a serene saltwater lagoon. Ferries connect the islands to Ernakulam town on the mainland. Dotted with lakes and gently swaying palm groves, Kochi’s otherworldly beauty, coupled with the lure of spices and seafood, draw scores of ravelers every year to this natural harbour.

Embark on a private harbour cruise early in the evening. Enjoy dolphin-spotting as you sail out to the fishing island and the Bolghatty Palace. Sail up to the edge of the Arabian Sea to watch the sunset.

Overnight at Kochi.

Chennai to Mahabalipuram by road

Drive to Ooty after breakfast.

Ootacamund, Udhagamandalam or Ooty is one of India’s most popular colonial era hill stations. Located 2240m above sea level on the rollling slopes of the Nilgiri Hills, Ooty is charming, serene and just what the doctor ordered after the bustle of the cities. Surrounded by eucalyptus forests that surround the hillside in a blue green haze, the neighbouring area of Ooty is famous for the Kurunji flower that blooms every twelve years, covering the hillside in bright blue.

Ooty is known for its colonial charm, tea gardens, the 65 acre wide Ooty lake, Toda tribal settlements and India’s very own wax museum.

Relax during the day and explore the town in the evening.

Overnight at Ooty.

visit Kanchipuram en route

Breakfast will be served at the resort. Later, board your vehicle for a scenic drive to Mysore. You will pass through two national parks (Bandipur and Madumalai) along the way. There is thick forest on either side of the road and animal sightings are common.

Reach Mysore and check in to the hotel.

The word Mysore is a corruption of Mahishasura Ooru, or the City of the Buffalo Demon. According to Hindu mythology, the buffalo headed Mahishasura, an Indian Minotaur if you will, wreaked havoc on all of creation, defeating gods and humans alike, until he was finally slain in battle by the warrior goddess Chamunda. The magnificent Chamundeswari Temple dedicated to the goddess stands on a hilltop overlooking Mysore, and is the site of a stupendous elephant procession during the festival of Dussehra.

Initially part of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 16th Century, Mysore has since been ruled by the Wodeyar Kings more or less continually, barring the rule of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan in the 18th Century. After the fall of Tipu, the British East India Company reinstated the Wodeyars to the throne of Mysore, where they continued to be titular heads with the blessings of the British Empire until India’s independence in 1947.

Mysore has the distinction of being one of the first cities in Asia to undertake urban planning following a rampaging bout of bubonic plague in 1897 that saw the establishment of the City Improvement Trust Board in 1903.

Today, Mysore is known for its silk, and its fragrant, intricately carved sandalwood work and contributes to 70% of India’s incense export. Known as the City of Palaces, the city is dotted by splendid monuments and temples. Mysore’s latest claim to fame is as a global center for Ashtanga Yoga.

Overnight at Mysore.

sightseeing at Mahabalipuram

Breakfast will be served at the hotel.

Standing proudly at the center of town, the breathtaking Mysore Palace takes the crown in this City of Palaces. A combination of Dravidian, Indo-Saracenic and Oriental Architecture, the palace provides the visitor with a lavish treat of carvings, paintings, majestic arched gateways and an exquisite doll’s pavilion. Don’t miss the diamond-studded solid gold Simhasana or the King’s chair and the famed wooden howdah (elephant-saddle) covered with 80 kilos of gold.

The entire palace is lit up between 7 and 9pm every night, illuminating Mysore’s skyline and is a sight not to be missed.

Saint Philomena’s Church is a fine example of Neo-Gothic architecture and contains a relic of the saint in its catacombs. Stained glass windows depicting the Nativity and the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Christ adorn its inner chamber while above two 175 foot high spires tower over the cityscape.

The original building was erected under the patronage of the Hindu Maharaja Mummadi Krashnaraja Wodeyar, who in his enlightened inaugural speech asserted that the church stood on a secure double foundation of “Divine compassion and the eager gratitude of men.”

At 1062m above sea level, Chamundi Hills tower over the city of Mysore and affords fresh air and magnificent views to whoever decides to undertake the short drive to the city outskirts. Halfway up the hill, one is rewarded with the sight of the 4.8m tall stone statue of Shiva’s bull, Nandi.

At the summit, behind 40m tall Gopurams (intricately carved stone gates) stands the magnificent Sri Chamundeshwari Temple. Reputed to date back to the 12th Century, the temple houses a gold idol of the Goddess Chamundi.

The 19th Century Jaganmohan Palace was later converted into the magnificent Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery. Of note are unusual, exotic musical instruments and a rich collection of paintings b the Russian painter Nicolai Roerich and Raja Ravi Verma, one of the pioneers of Indian art as we know it today. Also of note, the French musical calendar and paintings on grains of rice that are only visible through a magnifier.

Overnight at Mysore.

Mahabalipuram to Pondicherry by road

Breakfast will be served at the hotel, after which we drive to Bangalore, stopping to visit Srirangapatna on the way.

Located on an island on the River Cauvery some 16 kms from Mysore city, Srirangapatna was the capital of Mysore state and is also an important religious site. The towering, intricately carved vista of the 9th Century Ranganathaswamy Temple and the 18th Century Jama Masjid commissioned by Tipu are not to be missed.

The Srirangapatna Fort is the site of Tipu Sultan’s last stand against the mighty forces of the British East India Company. Today a memorial marks the spot where the warrior king fell.

Also of importance, the Colonel Bailey Dungeon in the fort, where British officers were imprisoned during Tipu’s rule and the Sultan’s summer palace in Dariya Daulat Bagh.

Dariya Daulat Bagh has a museum that with an excellent collection of murals, paintings, coins and weapons from Tipu Sultan’s era. Also on display, Sir Robert Ker Porter’s celebrated oil painting, “Storming of Srirangapattanan.”

Proceed to Bangalore.

Pondicherry to Tanjore

Your definitive luxury tour of India ends in Bangalore (Bengaluru), capital of Karnataka and engine of India’s IT boom.

After breakfast proceed for the sightseeing.

According to legend, King Ballala of the Hoysala dynasty was once wondering in the woods, lost and hungry, when he came across an old woman. The woman’s humble offering of a bowl of boiled beans satiated the king’s hunger, and to commemorate her kindness, he named the region Benda Kalu Ooru, the Village of Boiled Beans.

Over time, as dynasties rose and fell, the area came under the rule of the Vijayanagara kings, the Bijapur Sultanate, the Marathas, the Wodeyars of Mysore and finally the British under whom flourished the city of Bangalore or Bengaluru as we know it today.

Post independence, Bengaluru metamorphosed rapidly from a sleepy colonial town favoured by retirees to a buzzing hi tech metropolis, the cradle of India’s information technology boom. With its temperate climate, greenery, lush public parks, natural lakes, malls, bookshops, multiplexes, live music and cafes, Bengaluru is highly popular with India’s burgeoning expat workforce and is your gateway to the wonders of South India.

Vidhana Soudha is the seat of the legislative assembly of the state of Karnataka. The foundations of this magnificent neo-Dravidian building were laid in 1951 by the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. However, the structure’s spiritual father remains Kengal Hanumanthaiah, chief minister of Mysore state. Hanumanthaiah visited the great capital cities of the world, drawing inspiration from diverse sources such as the Capitol, the House of Commons and the Kremlin, and incorporated their myriad influences into the blueprint. The resulting building sports majestic columns, domes, pillars and high ceilinged cavernous chambers in a unique marriage of Western architectural styles with Dravidian forms.

The 240 acre Lal Bagh or Red Garden was commissioned in the 18th Century by Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, and completed by his son, the warrior Tipu Sultan. Home to over 1000 species of flora, including rare exotic varieties, this unique botanical garden boasts of centuries old trees, an exquisite glass greenhouse modeled after London’s Crystal Palace and the famed Lal Bagh Rocks, among the earth’s most ancient rock formations and estimated to be about 3000 million years old.

The small but elegant fresco-adorned Tipu’s Palace is known for its teak pillars and stands in the crowded CIty Market area. The two storied wooden structure today houses a museum. Of note is a small replica of the famed Tipu’s Tiger, the lifesize original of which is on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The much-celebrated, if morbid, mechanized toy depicts a tiger (symbolizing the might of Tipu Sultan) in the act of devouring a flailing European, to the accompaniment of fearsome grunts from the tiger.

The ruins of Kempe Gowda’s Fort are nearby. The structure was later dismantled and expanded on by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Don’t miss the 16th Century Ganapathi Temple within the premises.

Built by Wodeyar Kings, the Bangalore Palace derives its inspiration from the Windsor Castle and is built in Tudor style. Inside are private galleries with photo exhibits and nude paintings. Interestingly, the palace grounds today constitute India’s premier rock music venue and have played host to royalty of a different kind such as rock gods Carlos Santana, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones.

One of India’s oldest museums, the Government Museum of Bengaluru has 18 galleries featuring specimens, art, artifacts and relics from the Hoysala and Vijayanagara dynasties, as well as those from the ancient Mohenjadaro Civilization that flourished in the valley of the Indus River more than 5000 years ago.

Near the Museum is the K.Venkatappa Art Gallery. Venkatappa was the court artist of the Wodeyar Kings, and the museum houses fine specimens of his work as well as memorabilia from his daily life.

The 300 acre Sri Chamarajendra Park, formerly Cubbon Park, in the heart of the city are the lungs of Bangalore. The park is home to over 6000 specimens of plant life, in an interesting combination of local and exotic flora. Don’t miss the silver oaks near the tennis pavilion and Jawahar Bhavan, with its toy train, fairgrounds and theatre.

Complete with arches, columns, spires and stained glass windows, St. Mary's Basilica is a Gothic Church established by French missionary Jean Dubois in 1811. 172 feet long and 50 feet broad, the church sprawls out in all four directions in the form of a crucifix. An exquisite sari-clad statue of Mary stands outside on the grounds. The chief object of veneration for locals of all faiths, the statue is said to possess miraculous powers.

The evening is free for you to spend shopping or pub-hopping in the downtown area.

Overnight at Bangalore.

visit Kumbanakom en route

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. You are free to relax, explore or shop. When it’s time to depart, our representative shall transfer you to the international airport for your flight home.