Day 1 -
Arrive
Delhi
Late PM :Arrive at Indira Gandhi International airport - New Delhi. Met
upon arrival. Clear immigration and customs. Your trip Manager will be
waiting for you outside the arrival hall. He will be holding a placard
saying "Your Name" After a warm welcome transfer to hotel.
Day 2 -
Delhi
Delhi Full day guided city tour of Old and New Delhi.
AM : The neo-classical architecture of the elegant garden city of
New Delhi offers a remarkable contrast to the ancient, twisting lanes that
surround Chandni-Chowk in the Old City, keeping alive the famous arts and
handicrafts of Delhi. At Hauz Khas, thousand-year old fortifications go hand
in hand with a lively Indian village replete with wandering cows and goats.
The ancient houses behind the fort walls are home for the local villagers as
well as a range of avant-garde boutiques, art galleries and superb
restaurants.
PM : Guided city tour of Old Delhi. Today, we will explore the
magnificent Red Fort, built at the zennith of the Mughal empire in India.
The centuries-old international market-place that sprawls at its feet is
still one of Delhi's most important commercial hubs: Chandni Chowk, or "Moonlight
Square". We shall ride on cycle-rickshaws through the bustling silver
market and the wholesale spice market. The sounds, smells and colors of the
bazaar, and the throngs of people who animate it makes this an unforgettable
spectacle. Our last stop in Old Delhi shall be the elegant Jumma Masjid, the
largest mosque in Asia.
Day 3 -
Drive Delhi - Agra (200 Kms)
Recommend to do this sector by Train Shatabdi Express Dep. 0600 Hrs Arr.
0800 Hrs.
AM : After breakfast at hotel in Delhi. Check out from the hotel and
board our mini van for a 04/5 hours drive to Agra. In between we will have a
small halt for tea/coffee.
Or Transfer to New Delhi Railway station to boar train Shatabdi Express to
Agra. Met upon arrival in Agra and transfer to hotel.
Upon arrival in Agra check into hotel The Trident Oberoi. . After wash and
change proceed for the guided tour of Taj Mahal and Red fort.
IMP : TAJ MAHAL IS CLOSED ON FRIDAYS
At Agra, in addition to several other exquisite monuments, the Mogul
Emperor Shah Jehan presented the world it's most magnificent monument to
conjugal Love. A colossal, perfectly proportioned mass of marble, the Taj
Mahal is literally a jewel. It was fashioned over 17 years by 20,000
craftsmen & laborers. From a distance, it seems to float, like a
fantastic mirage, upon the banks of the River Yamuna.
Day 4 -
Agra - Jaipur (235 Kms - 5
Hours)
Early morning wake up call. Transfer to Taj Mahal, witness Taj at sunrise
(optional), after breakfast visit Agra fort, and city, followed by drive to
Jaipur, en-route visit at Fatehpur Sikri - (The deserted city of Emperor
Akbar, a place worth not to miss) After visiting the Sikri, if you are bird
lover then you can take next stop at world famous Bird sanctuary, Visit to
sanctuary shall be by cycle Rickshaws. Continue your drive towards Jaipur.
On arrival check in at the hotel. Dinner at hotel / Restaurant - Stay
overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 -
Jaipur - Delhi (250 Kms. -
5.30 Hours)
Today you shall have a complete tour of Jaipur (The pink city of Indian
(Rajasthan)) After breakfast you leave for an excursion trip to Amer fort. A
Joy ride on elephants Back up to the Fort is real fun. Amer fort built in
the 17th century; the Palace is a distinguished specimen of Rajput
architecture. The Jai Mandir (Hall of Victory) is so delicately ornamented
with find inlay work that it glows. The fort of Jaigarh, crowing the summit
of a peak is of amazing beauty and grandeur.After visiting fort, drive back
to city of Jaipur enroute visit Handicraftsfactory / cottage industry -
housing rajasthani handicrafts-, Gem stones and Antiques for which Jaipur is
worldwide famous.Delhi, Enroute stop for lunch.
Over Night At Hotel
Day 6 -
Delhi - Cochin, Flight IC 165 Dep.
0800 Hrs Arr. 1225 Hrs
After breakfast Fly to Cochin. Arrival transfer to the hotel, Check-in to
hotel .
Over night at Hotel
Day
7 -
The Trident, Cochin
Cochin is an ideal base to discover the rich heritage of Kerala. Once the
centre of the spice trade and now the principal port on the Malabar coast,
Cochin's rich and varied history bears testimony to Portuguese, Dutch and
British influences over the centuries. Vasco de Gama reached its shores in
1502.
after lunch at The Trident, you can take an evening boat cruise around the
Bolghatty Palace. You can view the picturesque Chinese fishing nets
silhouetted against the horizon at sunset.
Day 8 -
The Trident, Cochin
Discover the historic town of Cochin on a sightseeing tour. The
Mattacncherry Palace*, built by the Portuguese in 1557. St.Francis Church,
the oldest in the region. The Jewish Synagogue**, built in 1568, preserves
scrolls of the Old Testament in Hebrew. The Spice Market and the old Jewish
Quarter are worth a visit.
Return to The Trident for lunch.
Afternoon at leisure.
*Closed on Friday and on national holidays.
*Closed on Saturday and on Jewish holidays.
Day 9 -
On Board M.V.Vrinda
After breakfast at 10:30 hours, guests will be transported from The
Trident, Cochin, to the Vembanad Lake jetty by an air-conditioned coach.
This 55 km journey will take about an hour and fifteen minutes.
12:30 hours - >From the Vembanad Lake jetty, Vrinda will sail across the
Vembanad Lake and enter the backwaters. Lunch will be served on board. The
vessel will sail along these scenic waterways for four and a half hours.
Vrinda will return to the Vembanad Lake in time for you to watch the sunset.
Later in the evening, you can watch a Mohiniattam recital. This classical
dance form, distinctive to Kerala, is also called the 'Dance of the
Enchantress'. Dancers attired in beautiful traditional costumes will perform
with slow, graceful movements and highly emotive expressions.
Vrinda will anchor for the night just off Pathiramanal Island. Enjoy dinner
on board.
Day 10 -
On Board M.V.Vrinda
Vrinda will sail to the middle of the lake at sunrise. After breakfast, it
will sail through scenic backwaters, passing through one of the few areas in
the world where farming is done below sea level. The vessel will anchor at
Chambakulam by mid-morning and guests will be transfered to a traditional
rice boat. You will 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. Return to Vrinda for lunch.
Afternoon at leisure.
In the evening, catch a glimpse of village life along the backwaters as you
sail in a traditional rice boat and experience a way of life unique to this
region. Visit some of the ancient temples enroute. The boat will pass
through picturesque stretches of the backwaters to Alleppey, known as the "Venice
of the East". At Alleppey you will board Vrinda to return to the
Vembanad Lake.
Vrinda will achor for the night. Dinner on board.
Day 11 -
Return to Cochin – Delhi
Vrinda will sail to the middle of the lake at sunrise. Breakfast will be
served on board. The vessel will return to the Vembanad Lake jetty. Guests
will check out at 10:00 hours and will be transported by air-conditioned
coach to The Trident, Cochin.
