Exotic Journeys' Mystical India - Luxury Tour - 20 Days

Delhi • Varanasi • Khajuraho • Orcha • Agra • Fatehpur Sikri • Jaipur • Udaipur • Ranakpur • Mumbai • Cochin • Kumarakom (Backwaters) • Chennai

DAY 1 - Arrival - Delhi, India

Arrive Delhi. A representative from Exotic Journeys International Group will meet you in the arrival lounge and escort you to your hotel.

Balance of the day at leisure.

Overnight at:
Taj Mahal, New Delhi
The Oberoi

DAY 2 - Delhi

Delhi is a city of immense past. Seven mighty empires have risen, ruled the sub-continent & fallen here. It is dotted with hundreds of landmarks and has accumulated a tremendous heritage of art, architecture and culture. New Delhi, the present capital of the largest democracy in the world, is the creation of world famous architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Attractions include, Rashtrapati Bhavan or Presidential Palace, Parliament House, Red Fort- a Massive fort built by master builder Shah Jahan; Jama Masjid- the largest mosque in Asia; Jantar Mantar- the medieval observatory designed & built by Maharajah Jai Singh of Jaipur; the 16th century tomb of Mughal emperor Humayun; Raj Ghat- where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and Shantivana- the cremation site of Jawaharlal Nehru.

City tour of New and old Delhi visiting  Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Jam Masjid, Chandini Chowk, Raj Ghat- where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, Rashtrapati Bhawan or Presidential Palace, Parliament House, India Gate, National Museum and Baha'i Temple.

Overnight at:
Taj Mahal, New Delhi
The Oberoi Delhi

DAY 3 - Delhi - Varanasi

Fly to Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world and the holiest in India.

Varanasi, the 'eternal city' is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India for the Hindus. Also known as Kashi, the city has been a center of learning and civilization for over 2000 years. It is a major tourist attraction for its long string of bathing ghats on the steps of the river Ganges. Places of interest include the Golden temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the great mosque of Aurangzeb, Durga temple, Vishwanath temple, Bharat Mata temple and the Ramnagar Fort Museum. A boat ride down the River Ganges at dawn is an experience to remember.

Witness evening 'Arti Puja' on the banks of River Ganges and the thousands of oil lamps set floating in the river in the memory of departed souls.

Overnight at :
Taj Nedeswar Palace, Varanasi

DAY 4 - Varanasi

Sunrise boat cruise on Ganges to witness sacred cleansing rituals and burning and bathing Ghats.

City tour visiting Sarnath, Aurangzeb Mosque, various temples.

Overnight at :
Taj Nedeswar Palace, Varanasi

DAY 5 - Varanasi - Khajuraho

Fly to Khajuraho - the temple city. It is famous throughout the world for its exquisitely carved temples in stones. Thousands of visitors and tourists from all over the world flock to envisage this immortal saga of Hindu art and culture engraved in stone by shilpies (stone craftsmen) a millennia ago.

Overnight at:
Lalit Temple View, Khajuraho

DAY 6 - Khajuraho

Today, you will explore the World Heritage site Chandela temples. The Chandela temples represent the finest creative examples of temple architecture.

Overnight at:
LalitTemple View, Khajuraho

DAY 7 - Khajuraho - Orcha - Agra

Travel to Jhansi by car en-route visiting Orcha, a medieval city built in 16th and 17th centuries by Bundela rulers. Board an air-conditioned train to Agra, to visit the city of world's most famous love story, Taj Mahal.

Agra is globally known as city of Taj Mahal. But this royal city has many monuments that epitomize the high point of Mughal Architecture. The crowning glory of the city is obviously the Taj, a monument to love and imagination that represent India to the world. The Mughal Emperor built the incomparable Taj Mahal as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal, exemplify Islamic architecture, in its purest form. The tombs are encased in white marble which are decorated with flawless sculptures and inlaid design of flowers and calligraphy cut from precious gems. Below the Dome, in a chamber, lie the mortal remains of Shah Jahan and his queen, reminding of their undying love. Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world - is perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world.

Among the other monuments that Agra takes pride in is the Agra Fort, a massive fort built by three Mughal Emperors, Akbar, Jehangir and Shahjhan.

Overnight at:
The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

DAY 8 - Agra - Taj Mahal

Today you will explore the epic Taj Mahal, Agra Fort,  Itemad-ud-Daula and local bazaars. 

Overnight at:
The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra

DAY 9 - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur

Travel to Jaipur en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the magnificent capital of Mughal Empire.  Arrive Jaipur - the pink city is known around the world for its people and exotic palaces, its culture & arts. Sightseeing includes visit to City Palace, Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar Observatory.

Overnight at :
Rambagh Palace, Jaipur
The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur

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 :
Rambagh Palace, Jaipur

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.  

Overnight at :
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

DAY 12 - Udaipur - Ranakpur

Morning excursion to Ranakpur. The cluster of temples at Ranakpur, made of intricately sculpted white marble, come across as a marvelous feat of architecture. It may surprise visitors that these temples were built in 1460 but are so well preserved and the marble still sparkles. The main temple is supported by 1444 pillars, none of which are similarly carved. These temples house statues of Mahavira and other Jain saints.

Overnight at :
Taj Lake Palace, Udaipur

DAY 13 - Mumbai

Fly to Mumbai, the commercial capital of India.
Balance of the day at leisure.

Overnight at:
Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

DAY 14 - Mumbai

This morning, 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:
Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai.

DAY 15 - Cochin

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

Overnight at :
Taj Malabar, Cochin

DAY 16- Cochin - Kumarakom

After breakfast, city tour visiting Dutch Fort, Mattancherry Palace, St. Francis Church and Bolghatty Palace. Transfer to Kumarakom by private chauffeur drive car.

Overnight at :
Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom
Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom

DAY 17 - 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 thousands of migrating birds.

Overnight at :
Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom 
Private Houseboat

DAY 18 - Chennai (Madras)

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

Overnight at :
Taj Coromandal, Chennai

DAY 19 - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Chennai

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 - "Golden City of Temples". This city is one of India's seven sacred cities and is considered the second holiest place in )India next to Varanasi. It is also popular for woven silk.

Overnight at :
Taj Coromandal, Chennai 

DAY 20 - Chennai - Departure

Transfer to airport.
Depart on your onward journey.
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