Golden Triangle with Kerala and Goa Tour

Destination Covered: Delhi - Jaipur - Agra ? Delhi ? Cochin ? Periyar ? Kumarakom - Alleppey ? Kovalam ? Trivandrum - Mumbai
Duration: 15 Nights - 16 Days

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive by International flight, after traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our representative would assist you at airport & transfer to hotel for check in.

Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds the ancient with modern. Its strategic location was the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. In fact, more mythological cities are believed to be here, like the city of Indraprastha from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, founded around 5000 BC. Numerous monuments were built over several centuries by different rulers like Qutub-ud-din Aibek, Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaks, Humayun & Shah Jahan, who built the Walled City Shah Jahanabad.
Overnight stay in Delhi

Day 02: Delhi
Today we take a guided tour of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, Visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Later we walk down or take a rickshaw ride through Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shah Jahanabad now a picturesque bazaar to reach Red Fort, built in the year 1648 by Shah Jehan.

In New Delhi, we visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. Further we drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India. We will also visit Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutub Minar & its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Optional - Sound & Light Show at Red Fort with dinner at Chor Bizarre @ USD 30 per person.
Overnight stay in Delhi

Day 03: Delhi ? Jaipur (262 kms ? 6 hrs)
Today we drive to Jaipur, popularly known as Pink City, the flamboyant & colourful capital of Rajasthan. With its rich & colourful past, resplendent with tales of valour & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in the year 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors.

Optional - Chokhi Dhani @ USD 30 per person
An evening excursion to Chokhi Dhani complex, ethnic village resort located at a distance of 15 km from Jaipur. Rajasthani village atmosphere is recreated on the sprawling ground & includes the entertainment by folk dancers & musicians. Later drive back to hotel.
Overnight stay in Jaipur

Day 04: Jaipur
Today we take an excursion to Amber Fort, the palace complex which stands to this date was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh. We take an Elephant ride to reach the Fort situated on the hill, an overwhelming experience.

Later we visit the City Palace, a perfect blend of Rajasthani & Mughal architecture. The center of the palace is a seven-storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine views over the gardens & the city. Further we visit Jantar Mantar (Solar Observatory), an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date. We also visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied structure of pink sandstone. It was built in the year 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down the busy street market unseen by the world through its 593 stone Jharokas (mini windows).
Overnight stay in Jaipur

Day 05: Jaipur ? Agra via Fatehpur Sikri (260 kms - 6 hrs)
Today we drive to Agra; en route we will visit Fatehpur Sikri (Ghost Capital), the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from the year 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water. We visit Emperor Akbar's Residential complex,Mosque & Tomb of Salim Chisti.

Further we continue our drive to Agra, beautifully situated on the banks of river Yamuna. It achieved prominence as the capital of the Mughal Emperors from the year 1526 to 1628, remains major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era monuments, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Fatehpur Sikri, all three are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Overnight stay in Agra

Day 06: Agra ? Delhi (210 kms - 4 hrs)
Today we visit Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday), symbol of eternal love, which stands on the banks of River Yamuna. It was built by the 5th Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in the year 1631 in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was completed in 22 years. Further we visit Agra Fort, taken over from the Lodhis by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. The Fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. It was built from red sandstone, often inlaid with white marble & intricate decorations. We will also visit Sikandara, Akbar's tomb. His son Jahangir completed the construction of the tomb in the year 1613.Further we continue our drive to Delhi, upon arrival in Delhi Transfer to Hotel.
Overnight stay in Delhi

Day 07: Delhi ? Cochin (By Indigo Flight @ 13:30 ? 16:40)
Morning transfer to airport to board the flight for Cochin, Upon arrival our representative would meet & assist you at the airport & to our hotel for check-in.

Cochin always had a very popular & historical sea trade connection with Middle East, Mediterranean Europe, Dutch & British. It has one of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian coastline. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings & structures representing different regions of the world. It is one of the few places in the world where one can see a Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, architecture, mosques, temples & Chinese fishing nets, all in one city. A city of peninsulas & islands, today it is Kerala's commercial hub.
Overnight stay in Cochin

Day 08: Cochin - Periyar (160 kms ? 4 hrs)
Today we leave for a half Day city tour of Cochin, with visits to St. Francis' Church, Dutch Palace (Built by the Portuguese), Jew Town, the Jewish Synagogue built in the year 1568, spice market, where the air is filled with the pungent smell of spices, & Chinese fishing nets.

Afternoon we leave to Periyar. Upon arrival at Periyar, we assist you to check in at our hotel. Set on an attractive lakeside, its South India's most popular Wildlife Sanctuary,a nice place to cruise on lake & have an opportunity to see wildlife. Its home to tigers, leopards, elephants, bison (gaur),sambhar antelopes, wild boar, money & wide variety of birds. Late afternoon at 1500 hrs we shall take you on a guided Spice & plantation tour in one of Spice Garden Plantations for which this region is famous.

In the evening we see Kerala's most popular classical dance, Kathakali.
Overnight stay in Periyar

Day 09: Periyar - Kumarakom (135 kms - 3 hrs)
Early morning before breakfast at 0630 hrs we go for wildlife viewing of the sanctuary on lake Periyar by boat cruise (subject to availability). After two hours of wildlife viewing we get back to the hotel for breakfast.

Later we leave for Kumarakom known for its backwaters, huge Vembanad Lake & famous Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Late in the afternoon we visit the Bird sanctuary. There are two seasons for birds: between October & February there are cormorants, teals, & other ducks & from February to July there are darters (snake birds), night herons, egrets, & Siberian storks. It also has golden backed woodpecker, crow pheasant, white-breasted water hen & tree pie.
Overnight stay in Kumarakom

Day 10: Kumarakom - Alleppey (Overnight Houseboat)
Morning at leisure. In the afternoon embark the houseboat, locally called Kettuvallam, & cruise around backwaters of Alleppey, observe & experience the daily life of the villagers along the backwaters.
Overnight stay in Houseboat

Day 11: Alleppey - Kovalam (160 kms - 4 hrs)
Today we disembark the houseboat and drive to Kovalam, South of Trivandrum, one of India's best beaches & famous for water sports in Southern India. Day is invested in exploring unbounded beauty of this place.
Overnight stay in Kovalam

Day 12: Kovalam
Day free for leisure.
Overnight stay in Kovalam

Day 13: Kovalam ? Trivandrum (16 kms - 30 mins) ? Goa (By Afternoon flight)
Morning post breakfast on-time transfer to the Trivandrum airport to board the flight for Goa. Upon arrival at Goa Airport, assistance & transfer to hotel for check-in.
Overnight stay in Goa

Day 14 : Goa
After breakfast, proceed for guided city tour of Goa, Visiting old Goa Churches; Basilica of Boom Jesus,built in 16th century dedicated to Infant Jesus is the most popular & famous of all churches in . The mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier, kept in a silver casket, are enshrined here. , surrounded by rolling green hills & dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the most important of all temples in & is located at Priol in Ponda Taluka. Dona Paula, a village named after Dona Paula de Menezes, the wife of a noble man Antonio de Souto Maior, who died as a young woman in 1682.
Overnight stay in Goa

Day 15: Goa
Day free for your independent activities.
Overnight stay in Goa

Day 16: Goa Departure
Last day of your tour after breakfast check out the hotel and transfer you to airport to board the flight for onward destination.

Our tour concludes: We thank you for your patronage & look forward to serve you again in near future.