Incredible Tour Of India

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Mumbai

Pass By: Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
On arrival at Mumbai airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel (hotels check in time 1200hr afternoon, early check in subject to rooms availability).

Mumbai is a city that is disciplined by no time frame neither day nor night. It is also the country's financial powerhouse, the nation's industrial heartland, and its economic nerve center. Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sport activity, nightclubs & discotheques, theatre & music, gourmet restaurants and interesting sightseeing. It offers visitors a heady mix of all this and more.

Rest time free for personal activities relax, you can take a walk to have a glance of the city, visiting local markets and restaurants.

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


Day 2: Mumbai

Stop At: Elephanta Caves, Mumbai India
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Mumbai. Drive to Marine Drive: one of the most beautifully laid boulevards in the city. Afterwards visit to Elephanta caves (Monday closed), from Gateway of India here cruise by motorboats to Elephanta Caves. A flight of 100 steps takes you to the top of the hill where it is set.
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Afterwards in the afternoon cruise back to Gateway of India and then city tour starts visiting Parliament House: The Maharashtra State Assembly (view from outside), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), formerly Victoria Terminus, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (view from outside), Dhobhi Ghat: to see the city's famous open-air laundry in action, Prince of Wales Museum (Monday closed): is a heritage museum comprises of a number of ancient artifacts, Mani Bhawan: Known also Gandhi Museum, here Gandhi laid the foundation for many independence movements; The three storied building has now converted into a museum in honour of Father of Nation.
Duration: 3 hours

Pass By: Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
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). Mount Mary Church, an ancient church, built in 1640 and then rebuilt in 1761, The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount is also 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.

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

Day 3: Mumbai – Aurangabad (flight)

Pass By: Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board the flight for Aurangabad.

Pass By: Aurangabad, Aurangabad, Aurangabad District, Maharashtra
On arrival assistance and transfer to hotel.

Stop At: Ellora, Ellora, Aurangabad District, Maharashtra
Later excursion to visit Ellora, a UNESCO World heritage sites (Tuesday closed). It houses 34 monasteries and temples with some exclusive uninterrupted sequence of monuments that date back from 600 to 1000 AD. The temples of Ellora are dedicated to Brahmanism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It also has some of the excellent stonework depicting the legends related to Lord Shiva. Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The temple is an important pilgrimage site in Shaivism tradition of Hinduism, which considers it as the last or twelfth Jyotirlinga (linga of light).
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Daulatabad Fort, Daulatabad, Daulatabad India
On way back visit Daulatabad Fort one of the most powerful forts of the medieval Deccan. The defense system that made Daulatabad virtually impregnable comprises fortifications with double and even triple rows of massive walls.
Duration: 1 hour

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

Day 4: Aurangabad – Ajanta (105kms/ 2 hrs approx one way)

Stop At: Ajanta Caves Road, Ajanta 431001 India
Breakfast at hotel. Full day excursion to Ajanta Caves (Monday closed). The Buddhist Caves of Ajanta were discovered by the British officers in 1819 while tiger hunting. Ajanta Caves were first mentioned in the writings of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who visited India between A.D 629 and 645. The Caves at Ajanta are older than those at Ellora, which date from about 200 B.C to 650 A.D. Thirty beautiful Buddhist Caves with mesmerizing sculptures and paintings depicting Buddha's life as well the lives of the Buddha in his previous births. Five of these Caves are Chaityas (Place of worship) while the other twenty-five are Viharas (monasteries). Ajanta Caves are divided in two categories based on two schools of Buddhist thought - Hinayana Caves and Mahayana Caves.

Evening back to hotel in Aurangabad for overnight stay.
Duration: 6 hours

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

Day 5: Aurangabad – Goa (flight)

Stop At: Bibi Ka Maqbara, Begumpura Gulistan-e-Jauhar KARACHI, Aurangabad 431004 India
Breakfast at hotel, followed by city tour. Visit Bibi ka Maqbara built by Azam Shah in 1678, the Bibi ka Maqbara is a son's loving tribute to his mother. Due to its similar design standing spectacularly on the lawns of the landscaped garden with ponds, fountains and water channels, the white marbled monument is popularly known as the mini Taj of the Deccan. Aurangabad Caves nestled amidst the hills are 12 Buddhist caves probably dating back to 3 A.D. Of particular interest are the Tantric influences evident in the iconography and architectural designs of the caves. They also offer a panoramic view of the city as well as the imposing Maqbara.
Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Aurangabad, Aurangabad, Aurangabad District, Maharashtra
After sightseeing transfer to airport to board flight for Goa via Mumbai.

Pass By: Goa, Goa
On arrival at Goa airport assistance and transfer to resort. Rest of the day is free and easy to relax on the beach.

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

Day 6: Goa

Stop At: Goa, Goa
Breakfast at hotel, take a city tour of Goa, famously known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise". Goa is famous for its magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses. Visit to Old Goa -10 km from Panjim, the basilica of Bom Jesus, the 16th century church dedicated to infant Jesus and housing the tomb of St. Francis Xavier, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The other Churches in the same area are St. Cathedral, with its vaulted interior, Church of Our Lady of Miracles, Church of our Lady of Rosary and Nunnery of St. Monica. The Aguada Fort built by the Portuguese commands the mouth of the Mondovi River and on the fort stands a 4-storey Portuguese lighthouse and the oldest of its kind in Asia. In the evening enjoy Cruise over Mondovi River.
Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 7: Goa

Pass By: Goa, Goa
Breakfast at hotel. Day free and easy to relax. and explore the site of your interest by your own.

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

Day 8: Goa - Badami (184kms/ 4hrs)

Pass By: Badami, Badami, Bagalkot District, Karnataka
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Badami the capital of the early Chalukyas. Badami is a picturesquely situated at the mouth of a ravine between two rocky hills. On arrival check in at hotel. Later take a sightseeing tour of Badami visiting - Rock-cut cave temples, Gateways, Forts, inscriptions, Sculptures that seem to come alive under your eyes. Climb a flight of steps to reach the ancient caves - all hewn out on sand stone on the precipice of a hill. Three are four caves here belong to the Vedic faith and the fourth cave is the only Jain Temple in Badami. The first cave temple - past Shiva's door Keepers - and there he is the eighteen-armed Nataraja striking 81 dance poses. The largest and most ornamental is the third Cave temple dedicated to Vishnu. Here are some splendid carvings of the Hindu Pantheon, Narasimha - the half man and half lion avatar of Vishnu, Hari Hara, the composite god who is half Shiva a half - Vishnu.

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

Day 9: Badami, Pattadakal & Aihole

Stop At: Group of Monuments in Pattadakal, Pattadakal India
Breakfast at hotel, visit Pattadakal, this World Heritage Site on the banks of the Malaprabha River bears testimony to the richness of Chalukyan architecture of the 8th Century. It has a cluster of 10 beautifully chiselled Jain temples at the entrance of the site Virupaksha temple and Mallikarjuna Temple being the most famous.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Archaeological Museum, Aihole, Karnataka 587124 Bagalkot Pattadakkal Village, Near Durga Temple complex, Bagalkot 587124 India
Also visit Aihole acclaimed as the cradle of Hindu temple architecture. There are hundreds of temples in the villages and fields nearby. The most impressive one is the Durga Temple with its semicircular apse, elevated plinth, and the gallery encircling the sanctum. Other worth seeing temples include The Lad Khan Temple, The Huchimalli Temple, Ravalphadi Cave Temple celebrating the many forms of Shiva, the Konti Temple Complex, the Umamaheswari Temple, the Jain Meguti Temple, and the two storied Buddhist Temple.
Duration: 3 hours

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

Day 10: Badami - Gadag - Lakkundi - Hampi (180kms/ 4hrs approx)

Stop At: Gadag, Gadag, Gadag District, Karnataka
Breakfast at hotel drive to Hampi. Enroute visit Gadag Trikuteshwara temple a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva. The carved temple is dedicated to Shiva and has three lingas mounted on the same stone. There is a shrine dedicated to Saraswathi in this temple and it has carved columns.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Nanneshwara Temple, Lakkundi India
Further drive to Lakkundi full of ruined temples like Mallikarjuna, Virabhadra, Manikeshwara, Nanneshwara, Lakshminarayana, Someshwara, Nilakanteshwara and many more.
Duration: 1 hour

Pass By: Hampi, Hampi, Bellary District, Karnataka
Continue drive to Hampi check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.

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

Day 11: Hampi

Pass By: Hampi, Hampi, Bellary District, Karnataka
Breakfast at hotel city tour of Hampi, the medieval capital of the Hindu empire Vijayanagara (the City of Victory). It is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The terrain is dominated by rocky hills and the mighty Tungabhadra river which flows through this rugged landscape.

Stop At: Group of Monuments at Hampi, Southern Bank of the River Tungabhadra, Hampi 583239 India
You may opt to see the early morning sunrise at Matunga Hill, the highest point of Hampi as well as the best spot to get an aerial view of Hampi which was once greater than Rome and had palaces; Vijaynagar ruins spread over an area of more than 26 sq. kms. The superb ruins are set in a strong and beautiful boulder-strewn landscape, which has an almost magical quality. Then visit some of the interesting ruins remaining Hazara Rama Temples, huge Ganesha & Narasimha images, the elephant stables, the queen's bath, and carvings on the Ramachandra Temple & Lotus Mahal.
Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 12: Hampi – Hubli (170kms/ 4hrs approx) / Cochin (flight)

Pass By: New Hubli, New Hubli, Dharwad District, Karnataka
Breakfast at hotel transfer to Hubli airport to board flight for Cochin.

Pass By: Kochi (Cochin), Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
On arrival assistance and transfer hotel check in.

Stop At: Kochi (Cochin), Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
Later city tour of Cochin The Gateway of South India. This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Cochin has been ruled by the Dutch, British and the Portuguese. Hence you will find here a unique mix and match of traditional as well Western architecture and lifestyle. Sightseeing tour includes 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. Also famous in Cochin are the Chinese fishing nets, which dominate part of the seafront and attract tourists in large numbers, These nets suspended in the mid air all along the coast and are set up on bamboo or teak poles giving an appearance of huge hammock. If you wish you may opt from a variety boat trips offered like Backwater Canal Tour, the sunset cruise, and so on.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Kerala Kathakali Centre, near Santa Cruz Basilica K.B. Jacob Road, Fort Kochi, Kochi (Cochin) 682001 India
In the evening enjoy Kathakali Dance Presentation, a traditional dance form of Kerala with Lavish Costumes, Exotic makeup, Masks etc. This is considered to be the King of theater performances.
Duration: 1 hour

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

Day 13: Cochin - Munnar (130kms/ 4hrs)

Pass By: Munnar, Munnar, Idukki District, Kerala
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Munnar check in at hotel. This luxuriant gift of nature to the Western Ghats, is derived from the three mountain streams; Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala which join together in Munnar. Enjoy the tea estates, hills, lakes and forests of Munnar. Visit to the Eravikulam National Park (15 km from Munnar,) This sanctuary was set up for the preservation of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. The park also shelters Atlas Moth, Elephants, Sambhar's, Gaurs, Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri, Langur, and Leopards. The park is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world.

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

Day 14: Munnar

Stop At: Munnar, Munnar, Idukki District, Kerala
After breakfast visit to Mattupetty (cattle village), the Swiss Livestock Project is a highly specialized dairy farm where over a hundred breeds of highly yielding cattle are reared. Visitors are allowed into three of the eleven cattle sheds at the farm, followed by visit to Pothamedu is one of the major plantation hubs of Munnar. The panoramic view of greenish tea, coffee and cardamom plantation and the cloud kissing mountain is exciting one. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and Long Mountain walks. Later visit Devikulam famous for its breath-taking locales, scenic spots and for its unique flora and fauna. Right in the heart of this landscape is Sita Devi Lake. The lake, with its picturesque surroundings, mineral water, and trout-fishing and adventure sports facilities, is a favorite tourist destination.
Duration: 8 hours

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

Day 15: Munnar - Thekkady (110kms/ 2hrs approx)

Stop At: Ramakkalmedu, Idukki India
Breakfast at hotel drive to Thekkady enroute stop at Ramakkalmedu. The place gets its name from the impressions of the feet found on the rock surface here, which is believed to be of Rama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, as told in the Indian epic Ramayana. Ramakkalmedu is noted for its hills and also for the panoramic and picturesque views of villages in the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu, which is towards the eastern side of the Western Ghats. A noticeably tall, pillar-like rocky structure, about 300 m high and facing east is another attraction here. It is one of the windiest places in Asia and being so, one can also find here a wind farm generating electricity, which is an undertaking of the Government of Kerala. Other attractions in-and-around Ramakkalmedu include places like Frog Rock, Turtle Rock and the highest twin-statue in Kerala; called Kuravan and Kurathi.
Duration: 4 hours

Pass By: Thekkady, Thekkady, Idukki District, Kerala
Continue drive to Thekkady check in at hotel. Afterwards take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. You could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Rest time free and easy to relax.

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

Day 16: Thekkady

Stop At: Periyar Tiger Reserve, Idukki and Pathanamthitta Districts, Thekkady 685536 India
Breakfast at hotel. Visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a boat. Nestled between the Cheruthoni and Periyar rivers Wildlife Sanctuary is blessed with the most diverse flora and fauna. The sanctuary has a gorgeous lake that is perfect for romantic boat rides. The tropical evergreen and deciduous forests teeming with elephants, bison, sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tiger and wild boar along with various species of snake including cobras, vipers, kraits and many non-poisonous snakes is a wildlife lover’s dream. A variety of birds such as grey jungle fowl, Malabar grey hornbill, woodpeckers and bulbuls also have found a home in this sanctuary.
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Green Park Ayurvedic & Spices Plantation, Laksham Veedu Colony Road Kumly, Thekkady 685509 India
Afterwards take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. You could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices.
Duration: 2 hours

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

Day 17: Thekkady - Alleppey (130kms/ 3hrs) Backwaters tours sailing boat

Pass By: Alleppey Backwaters, Alappuzha India
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to boat jetty to board houseboat and sail to Alleppey through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters. While sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals, the panoramic sights one can never forget. The Chinese fishing nets the reminiscent of our past trade links are also found on the way. Flocks of duck swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures reflecting the charm of this tourist land, you also enjoy fishing from the houseboats, evening enjoy sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats. The Houseboats have generated electricity, sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a Chef, and Driver. Lunch, Dinner and overnight in houseboat.

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

Day 18: Alleppey - Cochin (60kms/ 1.3hrs approx)

Pass By: Kochi (Cochin), Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
After breakfast disembark from houseboat and drive to Cochin drop off to your hotel or airport.

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