Rajasthan with Kerala Tours

Duration : 20 Nights / 21 Days
Destination Covered : Delhi - Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Ranthambhore - Jaipur - Pushkar - Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur - Cochin - Munnar - Thekkady - Alleppey

Day 01 - Arrive in Delhi
Upon your arrival in Delhi, you will be met by a representative at the airport and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to settle in, after a long international journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to begin exploring Delhi today with your Delhi specialist.

Day 02 - In Delhi
Explore both Old & New Delhi on a guided tour. Sights to see include the Jama Masjid, Qutab Minar, India Gate, Parliament House and Gandhi's house. Sightseeing is flexible to your preferences, and you may let your Delhi specialist know your interests; he will then tailor the day's sightseeing to you.

Day 03 - Delhi to Agra
Upon arrival in Agra, check in, freshen up and enjoy a bite to eat. In the evening, your local guide will collect you for a sunset tour of the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. As the setting sun hits the magnificent monument, the marble glows with an orange hue - an impossibly romantic experience.

Day 04 - Agra to Ranthambhore
This morning, you'll drive to Bharatpur to catch the train to Ranthambhore. Visit the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri en-route to Bharatpur. Upon arriving in Ranthambhore in the early evening, your representative will meet you at the platform where you'll transfer to the hotel for the night.

Day 05 - In Ranthambhore
Enjoy a full day of safaris in Ranthambhore National Park. Ranthambhore is well known as one of the best spots in the world to view the majestic Bengal Tiger in it's naturabl habitat. Other species to watch out for include; sloth bear, crocodiles, eagles, peacocks, monkeys, deer, leopards and a large array of exotic birds and plant life.

Day 06 - Ranthambhore to Jaipur
After breakfast, your chauffeur will drive you to Jaipur. On the way, stop off at Talabgaon Castle in Lalsot for lunch. The castle is over 500 years old, and a beautiful example of Rajasthan style and flair. Upon arriving in Jaipur, head to Dera Amer for a sunset elephant trek through the forest, followed by dinner.

Day 07 - In Jaipur
A full day of guided sightseeing in the Pink City. An elephant ride in Jaipur through the ancient Amber Fort and a tour of the City Palace will show you the best of Jaipur. You will also visit the Jantar Mantar observatory, along with Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace) and Jal Mahal (Water Palace). This evening, learn the secrets of Indian cuisine on a private cooking class at Kalwara House - a unique experience.

Day 08 - Jaipur to Pushkar
Depart for Pushkar, a bewitching little town clinging to the side of the Pushkar lake and transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. In the evening, your Pushkar guide will take you to the holy lake to observe the Hindu prayer rituals. You'll also visit the world's only Brahma temple. There is also an optional camel trek at sunset.

Day 09 - Pushkar to Jodhpur
You will be driven to Jodphur for a sightseeing tour of Mehrangarh Fort, one of the most impressive and formidable structures in Rajasthan. From the forts peak, there are panoramic views of the Blue City. Jodhpur is a great place to pick up unique souvenirs in the vibrant bustling bazaar around Clock Tower.

Day 10 - Jodhpur to Udaipur via Ranakpur
Before departing to Udaipur, the morning is at your leisure in Jodhpur. Upon arriving in Udaipur, the rest of the evening is free to enjoy Rajasthan's most romantic city. Udaipur is abundant with lakes and ancient water palaces. Stay at the Taj Lake Palace for an unforgettable royal experience.

Day 11 - In Udaipur
A full day of guided sightseeing in Udaipur, at the City Palace. Take a boat ride on the shimmering waters of Lake Pichola, to explore Jag Mandir island. The boat comes and goes every 15 minutes, so spend as long as you like exploring this beautiful water palace.

Day 12 - Fly to Cochin
After a leisurely breakfast in Udaipur, will be dropped at the airport by your chauffeur, in time for your domestic departure to Kochi. Here, you will say goodbye to your north India chauffeur, as his services come to an end. Upon arriving in Cochin, you will be met at the airport by your south India chauffeur, and proceed to the hotel for the night.

Day 13 - In Cochin
After breakfast, your Cochin guide will collect you from the hotel for a guided tour of the city. Cochin is a series of islands but it is the Mattancherry Palace with its detailed frescoes, the old spice warehouses, the Jewish synagogue and the churches in Fort Cochin that will occupy most of your time.

Day 14 - Cochin to Munnar
After breakfast in Cochin, you will be chauffeured to Munnar for a relaxing two night stay. At an altitude of 1,524 metres and close to Anamudi, the highest peak in southern India, the cool climate of Munnar provides a welcome relief from the heat of the plains. The surrounding hills are covered in a dense carpet of tea, which comprise some of the world’s highest plantations. A walk through the plantations allows you to see the local tea pickers at work and enjoy the hill scenery that made Munnar a popular colonial retreat.

Day 15 - In Munnar
At leisure in Munnar, to relax or explore at your own pace. Your driver is always on hand to chauffeur you, and there is a complimentary tea plantation walk, accompanied by guide, at the Windermere, each evening.

Day 16 - Munnar to Thekkady
Today you will continue to Thekkady, for a two night stay. Thekkady is a popular resort and spice trading town next to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Cardamom Hills and provides convenient access to the park. You may also stroll through one of the spice plantations, a highly educational and enjoyable experience seeing how crops such as pepper and nutmeg are grown and harvested.

Day 17 - In Thekkady
Today, your Thekkady guide will escort you through Periyar National Park. Early morning walks are recommended as the forest comes to life with the calls of birds and monkeys, while a boat trip on the lake is a great way to spot elephants, gaur and deer. Later on, your guide will accompany you to the famous spice plantations. Driving just a few kilometres, you will come to the spice plantations. Owned and cared for by the local villagers, the plots are generally around two acres. Each farmer grows small amounts of many spices which includes cardamom, pepper, cocoa pods, vanilla, cloves, nutmeg, allspice, ginger and curry plant. Walking through the plantation you can see, taste and small all of these. The tour would last around 1.5 - 2 hours, and is a most educational and enjoyable experience.

Day 18 - Thekkady to Alleppey (the Backwaters)
Today you will head to Kumarakom for a night’s stay at the Coconut Lagoon. As this resort is located on the eastern shore of Lake Vembanad, and only reachable by boat, you will be picked up by your embarkation point by the hotel’s own launch. The cottages are styled on typical houses from surrounding villages, and are set within a network of irrigation canals in a coconut grove. Each air-conditioned room is furnished in jackwood with intricate window carvings and terracotta tile floors. Bathrooms are part-open to a private open-air courtyard, complete with banana or coconut tree.

Day 19 - Board your private houseboat
Today you will board your private houseboat for an overnight cruise through the beautiful backwaters. These traditional wooden craft, originally used to transport rice along Kerala’s lush green backwaters, have found a new lease of life quietly exploring timeless scenes of palms and paddies, temples and villages. Boats have either one of two fan-cooled bedrooms, with attached shower rooms. The sides are open allowing the breeze to flow freely. Your private crew steer the boat, cook lavish local meals and keep you in tea and cold drinks. As you drift along the backwaters, you can see the local villagers fishing and washing clothes in the canals, as small boys swim alongside the boats shouting “Hello” and “Which country?!”. Birdlife is plentiful: stork and egret are often spotted. Even a day on a rice boat is a unique and unforgettable experience, but staying overnight gives the chance to experience dusk and dawn on the still, reflective waters.

Day 20 - Return to Cochin and fly back to Delhi
After breakfast on board, you will be met by your chauffeur at the dock and proceed to Kochi airport. From here, you will fly back to Delhi for a last night's stay. You chauffeur will collect you in Delhi and take you to your hotel for the night.

Day 21 - Depart from Delhi
Your driver will escort you back to Delhi IGI airport, in time for your departing flight.