Tour Iconic India National Geographic Journeys

Meals

13 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Hygieneprotocol

As of October 1, 2021 G Adventures’ Vaccinated Tours Policy applies:  All travelers must meet the G Adventures requirements for joining their tours. The majority of tours require travelers to be fully vaccinated and the full/final COVID-19 vaccination must be at least 14 days before the first day of the tour. There are some tours and departures that are only ‘Travel-Ready’ which means all travelers must be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID-19 test within 96 hours before the first day of the tour. Please, double check with the G Adventures Support Team about the requirements of your tour and departure date.

Others

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Meet a Local Historian, Jaipur Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Local Village Immersion, Pachewar Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Spice Experience, Thekkady Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Family Cooking Demonstration, Thekkady Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Visit Vembanad Wetlands Conservation Program, Kumarakom Your G for Good Moment: Women With Wheels Transfer, Indira Gandhi International Airport Your G for Good Moment: City Walk, Delhi Your G for Good Moment: Lunch at Theuvoram Women Empowerment Project, Alleppey. Tour of Old Delhi. Tour the Taj Mahal, the Baby Taj, and Agra Fort. Visit Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri step wells. Explore Jaipur. Walking tour of old Kochi. Visit a tea factory. Wildlife viewing on Periyar Lake. Kalaripayatt performance. Walking and boat tour of rural villages. Houseboat trip on the Kerala backwaters. Kathakali cultural performance. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Accommodation

Hotels (12 nts), heritage hotel (1 nt).

Transport

Private van/bus, auto-rickshaw, cycle-rickshaw, walking, plane, boat.

Guide

Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.

Not included:

Others

Jaipur - Raj Mandir Cinema and Movie (200-400INR per person) - Jaipur Cooking Class with a local family Periyār Lake - Periyar National Park Nature Walk

Flights

Insurance

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Delhi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Delhi

Arrive at any time; your arrival transfer is included through Women With Wheels, a G Adventures–supported project.
There are no planned activities until an evening welcome meeting, so check into to the hotel and enjoy the city. We highly recommend booking a pre-night in Delhi to get over your jetlag and be ready for this very busy trip.

Included Activities:
- Women With Wheels Transfer
- Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
Day 2 Day 2: Delhi/Agra (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Delhi/Agra (1B)

Set out to discover Delhi, the capital of India, which consists of two cities: historic Delhi and New Delhi, built by the British in the early 20th century. Explore New Delhi’s lively Paharganj district with a youth guide from the G Adventures–supported City Walk project, and hear about how the program provides opportunities to disadvantaged street youth. Then delve into the narrow, winding lanes of Old Delhi, visiting the 17th-century Jama Masjid—the largest mosque in India—and the Sikh temple Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib, located close to a busy shopping area. Drive to Agra this afternoon.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 03:00 - 04:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- City Walk
- Old Delhi Guided Walk
Day 3 Day 3: Agra (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Agra (1B)

Spend the day in historic Agra, which served as the capital of the Delhi sultanate and later of the Mughal Empire. Discover the Taj Mahal, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World; widely considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, this breathtaking mausoleum was built by the emperor Shah Jahan for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Afterward, visit the exquisite tomb of Mumtaz Mahal’s grandfather, often referred to as the “baby Taj,” and explore Agra Fort, an impressive red sandstone citadel which conceals palaces of white marble within.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Included Activities:
- Taj Mahal Visit
- Baby Taj Visit
- Agra Fort Visit
Day 4 Day 4: Agra/Jaipur (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Agra/Jaipur (1B)

Travel to Jaipur, the capital of the state of Rajasthan. On the way, stop at the magnificent Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, a masterpiece of red sandstone, and hear about its fascinating history. The emperor Akbar built a short-lived capital here in the 16th century to honour a Muslim saint from the village of Sikri who had predicted the birth of his son, Jehangir. Then visit the Rajasthani village of Abhaneri for a walk around the Chand Baori—an ornately decorated stepwell or water tank constructed over a thousand years ago—learning about ancient Indian methods of water conservation.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 05:00 - 06:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Fatehpur Sikri Visit
- Abhaneri Stepwell Visit
Day 5 Day 5: Jaipur (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Jaipur (1B)

Explore Jaipur, known as the “Pink City” for its rose-coloured buildings. Take a tour of the sprawling Amber Fort, the former residence of Jaipur’s Rajput rulers; and visit Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of Winds, a stunning five-story sandstone building with distinctive honeycombed windows. We’ll also meet with a local historian to discuss India’s complex social fabric, customs, and architecture. Tonight, consider going to the cinema to watch a Bollywood movie—a truly unique experience.
Going to see a Bollywood film in India is much more than what we are accustomed to in the west. The atmosphere, energy, and pure fun (not to mention volume!) has to be experienced to be believed.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Included Activities:
- Amber Fort Visit
- City Palace Visit
- Meet a Local Historian
Day 6 Day 6: Jaipur/Pachewar (1B, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Jaipur/Pachewar (1B, 1D)

Drive to the rural village of Pachewar, where we stay in a beautiful heritage home. Exploring this traditional community is like stepping back in time: walk and meet with local residents, observing potters, silversmiths, and cobblers at work; wander amid old temples and mud homes, perhaps witnessing a cooking demonstration; and note how urbanization and modernization have altered village life.
The village is about 85km (53 mi) from Jaipur and has beautiful temples dedicated to different religions. The residents of the village are still involved in traditional commercial activities. You’ll see pottery wheels, silversmiths, cobblers, traditional huts, old temples, and a mud house where you can witness a cooking demonstration with local family.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 02:00 - 02:30 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Local Village Immersion
Day 7 Day 7: Pachewar/Delhi (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Pachewar/Delhi (1B)

Drive back to bustling Delhi. This evening, opt to join the group for a farewell dinner.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 06:30 - 07:30 Hr(s)
Day 8 Day 8: Delhi/Kochi (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Delhi/Kochi (1B)

Fly to the port city of Kochi. Settle into your hotel and enjoy free time to relax the rest of the day. Opt to catch the sunset over the Arabian Sea, framed by hundreds of boats and fishing nets.
In the evening, there will be a welcome meeting for new travellers joining the group.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Transport:
- Plane: Delhi to Kochi 03:00 - 03:30 Hr(s)

Additional Notes: You may have one CEO for the North and one for the South. In this case you will be transferred to the airport in Delhi and fly unescorted to Kochi -- either on your own or with any other travellers who are continuing on for the south portion of the tour. Upon arrival to Kochi, there is free time to relax until the welcome meeting in the evening.
Day 9 Day 9: Kochi/Thekkady (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Kochi/Thekkady (1B)

Set out to explore Kochi, an enchanting port city on the Malabar Coast and the site of the first European settlement in India. Visit Mattancherry Palace—built in the mid-16th century by Portuguese colonists and expanded later on by the Dutch—and venture to the colourful streets of the Jewish Quarter, where antique shops and cafés abound. Then travel to Thekkady, the spice capital of India, and tour a spice and tea plantation with a local expert to understand the medicinal value of the region’s signature spices—from cardamom and nutmeg to vanilla and turmeric—as well as the process of producing black tea, India’s favorite drink.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 03:30 - 04:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Orientation Walk
- Spice Experience
Day 10 Day 10: Thekkady (1B, 1L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Thekkady (1B, 1L)

Thekkady is also home to Periyar National Park, one of India’s most celebrated elephant reserves. This morning, enjoy a boat ride on the stunning Periyar Lake, looking out for elephants, deer, monkeys, and a variety of rare birds. Afterward, visit the home of a local family for a cooking demonstration and a delicious, spice-filled lunch. Relax this afternoon, or opt to take a nature walk before heading to a local theatre for a performance of a kalaripayattu, an ancient Kerala martial art.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch

Included Activities:
- Periyar Lake Boat Ride
- Family Cooking Demonstration
- Kalaripayatt Performance
Day 11 Day 11: Thekkady/Kumarakom (1B, 1D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Thekkady/Kumarakom (1B, 1D)

Continue to the lush village of Kumarakom on Vembanad Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala. Explore the rural, palm-lined backwaters of this renowned bird sanctuary and hop on a boat to Manjira village, where we’ll meet local villagers and learn about coconut farming and rural customs. Witness a fascinating toddy tapping demonstration and enjoy a refreshing swig of coconut water, straight from the tree.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 03:30 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Kerala Backwaters Tour
Day 12 Day 12: Kumarakom (1B, 1L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 12: Kumarakom (1B, 1L)

This morning, meet with a representative of the Vembanad Wetlands Conservation Program to learn about the ongoing work by local communities to conserve the lake and surrounding wetlands. This project was created by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), an organization that National Geographic has collaborated with in the past. Continue by boat to a fish sanctuary established by local fishermen with support from the program, and see firsthand how their traditional ways of collecting and processing clams have become models for the sustainable management of the lake’s resources. Then venture on a private houseboat to enchanting Alleppey, a golden streak of land surrounded by rivers, lakes, lagoons, and canals. Relax on the deck and enjoy the scenery, watching daily life unfold along the water.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch

Included Activities:
- Visit Vembanad Wetlands Conservation Program
- Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Excursion
Day 13 Day 13: Kumarakom/Kochi (1B, 1L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 13: Kumarakom/Kochi (1B, 1L)

Drive back to Kochi and take a walk in Fort Kochi, a delightful seaside district with vestiges of Portugese, Dutch, and British colonial architecture. Visit a local fish market and explore a maze of stalls selling fresh seafood. This evening, attend a performance of kathakali, the classical dance-drama of Kerala which combines storytelling with acting, dance, and martial arts.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch

Transport:
- Private Vehicle 01:30 - 02:00 Hr(s)

Included Activities:
- Orientation Walk
- Kathakali Dance
- Lunch at Theuvoram Women Empowerment Project
Day 14 Day 14: Kochi (1B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 14: Kochi (1B)

Depart at any time.
Hotel checkout is at 12:00pm. It is very easy to arrange a transfer from the resort to the Cochin airport - your CEO will be happy to assist.

Meals Included:
- Breakfast

Included Activities:
- Departure Day

+11

14 days tour

Iconic India National Geographic Journeys

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Iconic India National Geographic Journeys

Day 1: Delhi

Day 2: Delhi/Agra (1B)

Day 3: Agra (1B)

Day 4: Agra/Jaipur (1B)

Day 5: Jaipur (1B)

Day 6: Jaipur/Pachewar (1B, 1D)

Day 7: Pachewar/Delhi (1B)

Day 8: Delhi/Kochi (1B)

Day 9: Kochi/Thekkady (1B)

Day 10: Thekkady (1B, 1L)

Day 11: Thekkady/Kumarakom (1B, 1D)

Day 12: Kumarakom (1B, 1L)

Day 13: Kumarakom/Kochi (1B, 1L)

Day 14: Kochi (1B)

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