EJIG's Incredible India: North and South India - 22 Days

Delhi • Varanasi • Khajuraho • Agra • Jaipur • Udaipur • Mumbai • Bangalore • Mysore • Hassan • Cochin • Kumarakom • Backwaters of Kerala • Chennai

DAY 1 - USA / Delhi

Depart for Delhi, India

DAY 2 - Delhi

Arrive Delhi airport.A representative from EJIG will meet you in the arrival lounge and escort you to your hotel.

Balance of the day at leisure.

DAY 3 - Delhi

Morning at leisure. Delhi is a city of immense past. It is dotted with hundreds of landmarks and has accumulated a tremendous heritage of art, architecture and culture. Afternoon city tour visiting Presidential Palace, Parliament House, Jantar Mantar - the medieval observatory, the 16th century tomb of Mughal emperor Humayun and India Gate.

DAY 4 - Delhi

Morning city tour visiting Red Fort, Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in Asia, Raj Ghat and Shantivana - the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

DAY 5 - Varanasi

Fly to Varanasi - the holy city. Meeting and transfer to Hotel. City tour visiting Sarnath, Aurangzeb Mosque, various temples, Well of Knowledge.

DAY 6 - Varanasi - Khajuraho

Early morning boat cruise on holy river Ganges to witness burning and bathing ghats. Fly to Khajuraho - the Temple city. The Chandela temples represent the finest creative examples of temple architecture. Visit Chandela temples.

DAY 7 - Khajuraho - Orcha - Agra

Morning free for you to further explore these temples. Travel to Agra, the city of world's most famous love story, Taj Mahal.

Overnight at:
ITC Mughal, Agra or The Tajview, Agra

DAY 8 - Agra

Visit Taj Mahal at sunrise and continue on to visit Agra Fort, Itemad-ud-Daula. local bazaars and marble outlets.

Overnight at:
ITC Mughal, Agra or The Tajview, Agra

DAY 9 - Jaipur

Travel to Jaipur en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri. The pink city is known around the world for its people and exotic palaces, its culture & arts, Jantar Mantar Observatory, Palace of Winds & Amber Fort. The city tour visiting City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar.

Overnight at:
Hilton Jaipur or similar

DAY 10 - Jaipur - Amber Fort

A morning elephant ride will take you to Amber Fort and its sandstone palaces perched atop a hill. Within its precincts are Sheesh Mahal or chamber of mirrors reputedly the best in the world, Victory Hall and Pleasure Palace. Afternoon will be free for shopping or rest.

Overnight at:
Hilton Jaipur or similar

DAY 11 - Udaipur

Fly to Udaipur - known as the most romantic city of )India It is interspersed with shimmering lakes, marble palaces and fountains. The City Palace is the largest of its kind. It is remarkable for its octagonal towers, brilliant multicolor mosaics of peacocks inlaid in tiles, inlaid mirror work and exquisite paintings. Sahelion ki Bari is fascinating garden - adorned by Lotus pool, a marble throne and finely sculptured cenotaphs. City tour includes visit to City Palace, Jagdish Temple & Sahelion ki Bari (Garden of maids of honor).

Overnight at:
Fateh Garh Palace, Udaipur or similar

DAY 12 - Mumbai

Morning at leisure in Udaipur. Fly to Mumbai in the afternoon

Overnight at:
Oberoi Trident, Mumbai or similar

DAY 13 - Mumbai

After breakfast, you will take a boat excursion to Elephanta Caves - the 7th century cave temples carved out of a hill rising from the Arabian Sea. The afternoon city tour will include Hanging Gardens, Tower of Silence, Kamla Nehru Park, Gateway of )India National Museum and Crawford Market

Overnight at:
Oberoi Trident, Mumbai or similar

DAY 14 - Bangalore

Fly to Bangalore. Meeting and transfer to hotel.
Bangalore is a city of lakes, gardens and tree-lined avenues. City tour visiting Nandi Bull temple, Lal Bagh gardens and Cubbon Park.

Overnight at:
Shangri La, Bengalore or Oberoi Bangalore

DAY 15 - Mysore

Drive through the picturesque evergreen hills and beautiful natural landscaped plains takes you to the Mysore Palace. En-route visit summer palace of Tipu Sultan. City tour and Brindavan Gardens with its magnificent fountains.

Overnight at:
Grand Mercure, Mysore or Fortune JP Celestial, Mysore

DAY 16 - Hassan- Belure and Halebid Temples

Transfer to Hassan. Lord Fergusson, an authority on Indian architecture observes 'There are many buildings in )India which are unsurpassed for delicacy of detail by any in the world, but the temple of Belure surpasses even these for freedom of handling and richness of fancy'. The virtuosity of Indian sculptors reached its peak at the temples of Belure and Halebid. This morning we will explore these majestic monuments.

Overnight at:
Hoyshala Village, Hassan

DAY 17 - Cochin

Return to Bangalore and fly to Cochin - the picturesque seaport on the palm-fringed coast of Arabian Sea, laced with inland waterways and tropical lagoons. Sightseeing includes Cochin Fort, St. Francis Church - the oldest church in )India and the Jewish Synagogues dating back to 16th century.

Overnight at:
Crowne Plaza, Cochin

DAY 18 - Cochin

City tour visiting Dutch Fort, Mattanchery Palace, St. Francis Church and Bolghatty Palace.

Overnight at:
Crowne Plaza, Cochin

DAY 19 - Kumarakom - Backwaters

Kumarakom is an island nestled between Vembanad Lake and backwaters in the lush green Kerala. The day is spent on a boat cruising the backwaters visiting palm fringed villages, rural areas and a sanctuary which is home to thousand of migrating birds.

Overnight at:
AC Premium House Boat, Backwaters

DAY 20 - Chennai (Madras)

Fly to Chennai - the gateway to a voyage of discovery of an ancient temple - studded state. City sightseeing includes visit to Mylapore Temple, Cathedral of St. Thome, Fort St. George and National Art Museum.

Overnight at:
The Leela Palace, Chennai

DAY 21 - Chennai (Madras)

Mahabalipuram is famous for its rock cut shore temples and monolithic figures in Dravidian architecture. After touring the Five Rathas, Mahisaura and Krishna Mandapams we will proceed to Kanchipuram - the city of woven silk and temples.

Overnight at:
The Leela Palace, Chennai

DAY 22 - Chennai - Departure

Transfer to airport.
Depart on your journeys home.