Colonial Cities & Golden Triangle Tour Of India

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Mumbai

Stop At: Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
On arrival at Mumbai airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel. (hotel check in / out time 1200hr afternoon early check in subject to rooms availability). Rest time free and easy to relax.

Mumbai is a city that is disciplined by no time frame neither day nor night. Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sport activity, nightclubs & discotheques, theatre, music & gourmet restaurants offers visitors a heady mix of all this and more.
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Mumbai

Stop At: Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Gateway on India. From here cruise by motorboats to Elephanta Caves (Monday closed). A flight of 100 steps takes you to the top of the hill. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century BC. Afterwards in the afternoon cruise back to Gateway of India and then city tour drive through Marine Drive one of the most beautifully laid boulevards in the city. Parliament House the Maharashtra State Assembly (view from outside), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly Victoria Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (view from outside). Visit Dhobhi Ghat the city's famous open-air laundry in action, Prince of Wales Museum (Monday closed) a heritage museum comprises of a number of ancient artifacts. Mani Bhawan a Museum, Gandhi laid the foundation for many independence movements from here. Mount Mary Church, an ancient church, built in 1640 and then rebuilt in 1761, The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount an important religious place in Mumbai. In the evening, visit Iskcon Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, The architectural splendour of the ISKCON Temple is adorned with murals and sculptures. If time permits visit to Bandra and Juhu area where bollywood celebrity houses are located like Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan etc. (can be seen from outside).
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Mumbai - Chennai (flight)

Stop At: Chennai (Madras), Chennai (Madras), Chennai District, Tamil Nadu
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for Chennai. On arrival assistance and transfer hotel check in.

Later city tour of Chennai. Visit Fort St. George & Museum built by the British East India Company in 1640 AD. The fort is believed to be the first establishment of the British in India. Kapaleeshwarar Temple a Hindu temple dedicated to lord Shiva, Semmozhi Poonga a beautifully landscaped botanical garden. Dakshina Chitra a living history museum & Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Temple an 8th-century Hindu Vaishnavite temple dedicated to the Lord Vishnu. Later walk on Marina beach.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (250kms/ 5hrs approx)

Stop At: Pondicherry, Pondicherry, Union Territory of Pondicherry
Breakfast at hotel drive to Pondicherry via visiting Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram.
In Kanchipuram visit Kailasanathar 8th century temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, noted for its architecture and sculptures. There are 58 small shrines situated around the main shrine as compound wall. Ekambareswarar temple another ancient temple dedicated to Siva. The 2500-year-old mango tree inside the temple has 4 branches each yields different varieties of mangoes. Varadharaja temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, noted for its wonderful sculptures. Vaikundhaperumal temple dedicated to lord Vishnu, it is also one of the 108 Divyadesams. Kamakshiamman temple dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi the presiding deity, one of the holy Sakthi worship places in India.

In Mahabalipuram visit Monolithic Temples locally known as Rathas. They were executed by chiseling out the exterior face of the boulder. Shore Temple built with blocks of granitein in 7th century the temple complex consisting of two Siva temples and a carving of Anantasayana Vishnu. It is one of the oldest structural stone temples of South India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Cave Temples cut and decorated with panels in the Mamalla style of the Pallava period in the 7th century. Remnants seen in the caves also indicate that they were plastered and painted when built. Krishna's Butterball a gigantic granite boulder resting on a short incline.

Continue drive to Pondicherry check in at hotel. Rest time free & easy to relax on the beach.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel

Day 5: Pondicherry - Chennai (165kms/ 3hrs approx) / Chennai - Kolkata (flight)

Stop At: Pondicherry, Pondicherry, Union Territory of Pondicherry
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Pondicherry. Visit Aurovil founded in 1968 by the spiritual leader Mirra Alfassa as a town where people from all over the world could live in harmony. Its focal point is the Matrimandir, a futuristic, spherical temple covered in gold discs. Pondicherry Museum an art and history museum especially noted for its collection of fine lost wax bronzes form the period of the Chola Empire. The Museum's collection includes 81 Chola bronze sculptures, ranking as one of the largest collections of Chola bronzes. Later walk in French Colony. Pondicherry has some of the finest examples of old French culture with a hint of Tamil influence in its visual aesthetics. Observe and get inspired by the architectural beauty of the French part of the town while enjoying a cup of coffee and some deserts along the way. Customise your walk with your guide to cover French consulate, French Institute, Raj Nivas, Bharati Park (Aayi Monument), Government Square, Beaches, Monuments, Churches, French schools.

Afternoon drive to Chennai airport to board flight for Kolkata. On arrival assistance and transfer to the hotel.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Kolkata

Stop At: Kolkata (Calcutta), Kolkata (Calcutta), Kolkata District, West Bengal
Breakfast at hotel, full day city tour of Kolkata. Visit Fort William built during the early years of the Bengal Presidency of British India, Extends over an area of 70.9 hectares on the eastern banks of the River Hooghly one of most enduring Raj-era edifices. Victoria Memorial the immaculate white memorial bounded by verdant greenery and broad roads is dedicated to Queen Victoria. Inside the memorial there is a museum where you can see the dresses of the queen as well as different kinds of weapons used during that era. Netaji Bhawan a building maintained as a memorial and research center to the life of the Indian nationalist "Netaji" Subhas Chandra Bose. The house, built by Bose's father in 1909, is owned and managed by the Netaji Research Bureau and includes a museum, archives and library. Howrah Bridge one of the most popular bridges of India also known as the gateway of Kolkata. Built on the river Hooghly it is one of the major Kolkata attractions and people from different part of the country come here especially to witness this amazingly structured bridge. Dakshineswar Kali Temple one of the major pilgrimage center in the city that is dedicated to Goddess Kali. Located on the bank of River Hoogly, the temple compound maintains a large courtyard with rooms along the boundary walls, twelve shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, a bathing ghat on the river and a shrine dedicated to Rani Rashmoni.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Kolkata – Delhi (flight)

Pass By: New Delhi, New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi
Breakfast at hotel transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival assistance and transfer to hotel check in. Rest time free and easy to relax.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Delhi

Stop At: New Delhi, New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi
Breakfast at hotel. Full day city tour of Delhi, visiting landmark of Old Delhi which include Red Fort the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination.

Later city tour of New Delhi visit Humayun Tomb the first garden-tomb in Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun's first wife Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar a 73-metres tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex a fine examples of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a Baháʼí House of Worship notable for its flowerlike shape open to all, regardless of religion.
Drive thrugh VVIP areas passing President House, Parliament & India Gate etc.
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Delhi - Agra (204kms/ 4hrs approx)

Stop At: Agra, Agra, Agra District, Uttar Pradesh
Breakfast at hotel drive to Agra check in at hotel. Later visit Taj Mahal an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the bank of the Yamuna river commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal, it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. Agra Fort the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb a Mughal mausoleum commissioned by Nur Jahan, the wife of Jahangir, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Abhaneri - Jaipur (245kms/ 5hrs approx)

Stop At: Jaipur, Jaipur, Jaipur District, Rajasthan
Breakfast at hotel drive to Jaipur enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri. Founded in 1569 by Mughal emperor Akbar and abandoned after 15 yrs due to scarcity of water. Predominately, a red sandstone construction sprawling over a huge area, the architectural style is very much in tune with emperor’s dream & partakes of both Hindu & Muslim styles. See the graceful buildings including Diwan-E-Khas hall, Jodha Bais Palace, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & Buland Darwaza.

Further drive and visit Abhaneri a small village popular for the amazing Chand Baoris (step wells) and Harshat Mata Temple. Chand Baori is one of India's deepest and largest step wells. The huge tank with delicate carvings is certainly delightful to the eyes. Continue drive to Jaipur check in at hotel. Evening explore the pink city and visit the colorful bazaars. As per your interest wrap up your day by watching Bollywood movie at the opulent Rajmandir Cinema.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Jaipur

Stop At: Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Breakfast at hotel. Visit 16th century built Amber Fort and enjoy Ride. Amber is superb example of Rajput architecture, situated on a hilltop, overlooking a lake. Jaigarh Fort the magnificent fort constructed in 1726 situated on the top of the hill provides the stunning view of the Jaipur town & amber fort. Jai Van cannon in the fort is claimed to be the largest cannon on wheels in the world. The range of the gun is 22 miles and it consumes 100kgs of gunpowder for every shot.

Sisodia Rani Garden adorned with beautiful wall paintings of Radha-Krishna love story. This lush green royal garden is replete with flowerbeds, foliage, beautiful water fountains, pavilions, galleries, iridescent water channels and murals. Galtaji Temple a pre-historic Hindu pilgrimage site, the temple complex encompasses natural fresh water springs and 7 holy 'kunds' or water tanks.

Afternoon city tour of Jaipur. Visit City Palace a fine blend of Rajput & Mughal architecture which house fine collection of textiles, costumes and armory. Palace of the Winds built in 1799 the 5 storied stunning semi-octagonal monument having 152 windows with over hanging latticed balconies a fine piece of Rajput architecture & the most recognizable monument of Jaipur. Jantar Mantar an extraordinary observatory buit by Maharaja Jai Singh a great astronomer of his time. Also visit Albert Hall Museum an Indo-Saracenic architecture designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob. The museum has a rich collection of artifacts including paintings, jewelry, carpets, ivory, stone, metal sculptures, and coins from the Gupta, Kushan, Delhi Sultanate, Mughal and British periods. An Egyptian mummy is the main attraction of this museum.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Jaipur - Mumbai (flight)

Pass By: Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Breakfast at hotel transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai. From Mumbai board connecting flight for onward destination.



Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.