The Indian Triangle & Kerala

Day 01 Arrive Delhi

Arrive Delhi - The Capital of India. You are greeted with a traditional Indian Welcome and escorted transfer to hotel

Day 02 Old & New Delhi

Start the day with Old Delhi was an ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Here you will view Red Fort, the most Opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. Also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi.

New Delhi Lutyens designed an "Imperial City" having Palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. Visit to Qutub Minar. Drive pass through the Raisina Hill, past the imposing India Gate and Parliament House.  Overnight stay

Day 03 Delhi - Agra 204 kms /4 hrs

After early breakfast drive to Agra - At the time of the Mughal, in the 16^th & 17^th centuries, Agra was the capital of the grand Mughal Empire.  Arrive Agra and check in hotel.

Afternoon visit to Agra Fort built by Akbar the Great and the city. Also visit the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah built by Empress Noor Jehan in the memory of Her Father.

Enjoy the Magnificent Taj Mahal – The Monument of Love in the warm glow of Sunset, which was built in 1630 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day.

Day 04 Agra - Jaipur 232 kms / 5 hrs

Drive to Jaipur via visit the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri, built in 1569 by the Great Emperor Akbar. Today, it is deserted and left in solitude to reminisce over its past glory. On today’s drive to Jaipur through the Rajasthani countryside we see villages, woman dressed in the brilliantly colored saris of the region, Camels, Elephants & scenes of rural lives.

Afternoon visit to maharaja’s City Palace - where you can see an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. The museum is resplendent with its collection of robes of royal princes, carpets, an armory of old weapons, miniature paintings portraying court scenes, battle scenes and processions, Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726 A.D.), Birla White Marble temple and Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) - a five storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires.

Day 05 Jaipur - Delhi 260 kms / 5 hrs - Cochin

Morning visit the 17^th century fortress of Amber Fort - marvelous example of Rajput architecture with its terraces and ramparts reflected in the Maota Lake below. Go up the fort ascended on Caparisoned Elephant true to the style of the Maharajas of the past. The interiors of the fort have various royal halls decorated with intricate ivory, mirror and glasswork complemented by exquisite wall paintings.

Later drive to Delhi to catch the evening flight. Arrive at Cochin airport - meet & greet by our representative and transfer by air conditioned Vehicle

Day 06 In Cochin

Cochin - the Oasis state of Kerala. This inter connected series of Islands & shoreline presents a vivacious blend of Cultures & Religions; Visit to Fort Cochin & St. Frances Church to see the town of Vasco da Gama. We also see the Jewish Synagogue & the Mattancherry “Dutch” Palace

This evening a memorable experience in any journey in Kerala is a Boat Trip along the Palm Fringed Lakes & Backwaters of the Area; we enjoy this extraordinary excursion today. As we sail along the shady canals we see cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. From our launch, we enjoy use of narrow produced – Laden dugouts & the everyday life of families living on narrow spits of land between the waters. Later we attend the performance of the Kathakali, one of India’s most famous Classical dances. Lavish Costumes & Exotic makeup & Masks intensify the beauty of the dancers, intricate moments, and overnight stay.

Day 07 Kochi – Alleppey 56 kms /1 hrs

After breakfast drive to Alleppey to meet your way own floating hotel. Cruise the backwaters & explore the rural life in & around Alleppey to Kumarakom. Kettuvalam - An Authentic Kerala Houseboat) - the moving master piece, have been plying the inland waterways of southwest India for untold centuries and originally used as cargo rice boats. The fully furnished and palm covered boats (single & double) bedrooms with attached bath, sit out, kitchen and living room made of traditional wood. In each houseboat, there are 3 men staff (crew), comprising a cook and two well trained punters throughout the cruise. Punters stand on each end of the boat for punting and directing the boat. Kerosene-lit lamps along will be available for light and mosquito nets will be provided. Traditional vegetarian and non-vegetarian Kerala cuisines are served. A journey through the backwaters of Kerala which offer one of the world’s truly unforgettable experiences, myriad network of silent lagoons, freshwater river, and hyacinth covered canals that wind their way through colorful corridors of forests, palms and fruit trees. A canoe expedition via an intricate network of canals, through backwater villages where daily continues unaltered, as it has for centuries. You will see lusch palm groves and stretches of rice fields. Overnight stay

Day 08 Kumarakom – Periyar 125 kms / 3 hrs

Drive to a tranquil hill retreat, the Spicy Village. Along the way we pass through Tea, Cinnamon, and Clove & Cardamom plantations –beautiful to see & smell! Our hotel is set in a Spicy Garden & has been molded after the Tribal dwellings of the area; each Cottage has thatched roof & a deep, Airy Verandah.

This evening we visit the nearby Periyar Game Sanctuary; Game viewing here is like no other Safari experience. We simply relax in a Motor Launch & sail along as heard of Elephant & Bison come into view. During the dry season Tigers & Panthers come down to the Lake shore for a drink – be sure to have plenty of film on hand. Overnight stay

Day 09 - 10 Periyar - Kovalam Beach 140 kms / 3 hrs

Morning drives to Kovalam Beach your home for two nights stays at beach resort for rest & relaxes.

Day 11 Kovalam – Delhi /Onward Destination

Morning say Goodbye to newly become friends of this fascinating land and transfer to Airport to board the flight for onward destination