Golden Triangle with Kerala

Early morning you will embark on the combined city tour Delhi. Delhi is divided into two parts New and Old Delhi. First, you will visit the old part of Delhi. You will visit:

Jamia Masjid – One of the oldest Mosques in Asia followed by a rickshaw ride in the old narrow streets of Chandni Chowk, silver streets and spices Markets, and then later visit the Red Fort (photo stop only) and the Rajghat – Cremation place of Mahatma Gandhi. Following this, you will take a break at local ethnic restaurants (at own cost).

After lunch, you will kick off the second part of your Delhi tour for sightseeing of New Delhi by the drive past The Rashtrapati Bhawan and Parliament of India and visit the India Gate, a war memorial. Then you’ll visit the famous Humayun Tomb – the replica of Taj Mahal made of sandstone and marble. Other highlights of the day included visits to Lotus Temple – belonging to the Bahai Faith. Later visiting the Tallest Minaret called Qutub Minar and return to the hotel.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, you begin your journey to Agra (approximately 214 Km /5 Hrs).

Upon arrival in Agra, you will check-in at your hotel and a representative will assist you to complete your check-in formalities.

Agra came into the limelight during the rule of the Afghan King Sikandar Lodhi – who had made it the capital of his empire. Later in 1526 A.D., the Mughal Emperor Babar took upon himself the task for rendering Agra, a unique character and beauty of its own. The next few hundred years of Agra witnessed the rise of the pomp and pageantry of three great Mughal monarchs – Emperor Akbar, Jehangir and Shahjahan. In modern times, the city of Agra is a thriving carpet industry where you can also find leather workers, sandstone and marble sculptors, some of whom claim to be direct descendants of the craftsmen who had helped build the Taj Mahal.

Visit the Taj Mahal, monument remains closed on all Fridays. Taj Mahal was built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen. 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. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahmad Lahori. What makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, the medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam, is visualized as a lush garden where running streams flow.

Later visit the impressive Agra Fort, the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire for successive generations. The buildings within this sprawling fort complex represent the assimilation of different cultures, which was the mark of the Mughal period. Most of the structures within the Agra Fort are a mixture of different architectural styles.

Overnight at the hotel.

Today you will be proceeding to Taj Mahal for sunrise (without the guide) and drive to Jaipur.

Enroute you’ll visit Fatehpur Sikri and see famous Buland Darwaja, Panch Mahal and Mughal architecture. Arrive in Jaipur and transfer to hotel.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit Amber Fort. High above the city, the towers and domes of the Amber Fort are reminiscent of scenes from some fairy tale. The palace itself is within the enormous fort complex and is replete with halls, gardens, pavilions, and temples. The Hall of Mirrors is not to be missed where one lit matchstick can illuminate the entire room.

Later proceed to visit the City Palace Museum 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, Also visit the awe inspiring Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726 AD).

Your tour also included is a photo visit at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) – a five storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes, and spires.

Later walk through the colorful markets of Jaipur.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, you begin your journey to Delhi (approximately 270 Km /6 Hrs).

The morning after breakfast you will set your return journey to Delhi where upon arrival you will check in at your hotel.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Today early morning you will be assisted & transferred in your private car to Jaipur airport to connect your flight to Cochin, via Mumbai.

DEPARTURE Delhi BY: Indigo 6E 289 AT: 1330 Hrs
ARRIVAL Cochin Economy Class AT: 1640 Hrs

Upon arrival in Cochin, you will be met & assisted by a LUMLE HOLIDAYS representative and will be transferred to your hotel.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight is in Cochin.

Today morning after breakfast, you will be transferred in your private car to Munnar (130 kms / 03 Hrs).

Upon arrival in Munnar, check-in at the hotel.

Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. 1600 m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower that bathes the hills in blue every twelve years will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m.

Later you will proceed for an interesting walk to the Tea Plantations owned and managed by the Estate people.

Tea estates are situated mostly on the inner slopes of an elevated basin-like plateau. It would be worthwhile to visit some of these tea gardens to witness the plucking of leaves by women who carry conical bamboo baskets on their back and strapped to their forehead by a cloth band. The work on the field is all done by hand and is a fascinating sight.

Overnight is in Munnar.

Today morning after breakfast, drive to Alleppey (176 Kms/ 4.5 Hrs) where upon arrival embark your houseboat.

Climb aboard the traditional kettuvallams (riceboats) converted into houseboats with bedrooms and attached toilets. Originally these boats were used as ferries to carry rice. Cruise through the backwaters of Kerala. Houseboat is one of the 50 “must do” things as described by the National Geographic Traveller magazine. The backwater cruise through the narrow canals that criss-cross a typical Kerala Village, rich with green paddy fields and verdant coconut trees and is a thrilling experience. The boat cruise takes you to small islets tucked away amidst those waters where you get glimpses of village at the best of its serenity and innocence. Lunch and dinner will be served on board.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Lunch & Dinner at the houseboat.

Overnight on board.

Today morning, after breakfast de-board the houseboat and you will be transferred in your private car to Cochin (53 kms / 60 Mins) where upon arrival check in at hotel.

Take a tour of the city visiting the Dutch Palace, which has some of India’s most beautiful murals, the Jewish Synagogue in the heart of Jew Town and the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. See St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was originally buried, and the Santa Cruz Church with its pastel coloured interior and carved wooden panels.

In the evening proceed to witness the Kathakali Dance Performance.

Kathakali literally meaning “story dance” is the pantomimic dance drama, the dancing and the acting being blended together into an inseparable form. It is a combination of facial expressions and body movements, which brings out the thought and emotion of the character. Kathakali is predominantly a male art and the dancing is mostly of the masculine type. The position taken by the actor is angular. He never stands erect while acting, his knees being spread out and his legs forming a rhombus, his hands bent at the elbow and his palms on his hips. The outer feet are never flat on the ground and still the actor maintains a perfect balance. The female character is lasya which is gentle and grateful. This is particularly evident in love scenes.

Overnight is in Cochin.

Today after breakfast you will be driven to Cochin International airport to board your further flight.