Ultimate India by Air, from South to North
India, Bhutan - A wildlife and cultural odyssey through North and South India, with an extension to Bhutan
Departure Dates:
- Oct 18, 2008 - Nov 03, 2008
Itinerary
Days 1 - 2
Saturday & Sunday, October 18 & 19
Kochi
Saturday arrive in Kochi. You will be met and transferred to the hotel. This evening witness a spectacular performance of Kathakali, the popular and sacred 400-year old dance drama of Kerala. Classical Kathakali requires rigorous training to attain complete body control and sensitivity to emotion to render all nuances through expressions and gestures. Group welcome dinner tonight at the hotel.
Sunday Tour Kochi "The Queen of the Arabian Sea." Sightseeing includes Mattancherry Dutch Palace, the famous Jew Street, the Synagogue built in 1568 and St. Francis Church. A scholar on South Indian Culture joins you for lunch and discussion. Early this evening witness a short performance of Kalaripayattu, the martial art form of Kerala and learn about indigenous folklore. Next enjoy a visit to the renowned Ms. Nimmy Paul's private residence for a hands-on interactive cooking demonstration of Syrian Christian cuisine. After participating, consume the delectable dinner you have prepared!
Lodging: Taj Malabar, 2 nights (B,L,D)
Day 3
Monday, October 20
Alleppey
Drive this morning to Alleppey to board your kettuvallam houseboat for a cruise on the backwaters. Formed by the 40 odd rivers that flow to the Arabian Sea from the Cardamom Hills, this network of canals, lakes and estuaries comprises one of India's most enchanting areas.
Traditionally designed to carry heavy cargo such as coconuts and spices, an ancillary kettuvallam function has always been to provide living accommodation. Preserving their historic character and style, modern craftsmen have created a unique atmosphere for you on board.
Lodging: Kettuvallam Houseboat, 1 night (B,L,D)
Day 4
Tuesday, October 21
Mumbai
After breakfast, disembark and drive to Kochi airport in time for your commercial flight to Mumbai. This evening is at your leisure. Mumbai, a cluster of seven islands, derives its name from Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the Koli fisher folk who are its oldest inhabitants. Mumbai today is an enigma of mud huts and skyscrapers, age-old traditions and high fashions. It is an industrialists' haven and an influential film center, known as Bollywood.
Lodging: Taj Mahal Palace & Towers, 1 night (B,D)
Day 5
Wednesday, October 22
Mumbai & Aurangabad
This morning tour Mumbai, including a visit to the Prince of Wales museum, one of the largest and most significant in the country, followed by the rest of the day at leisure. This evening, transfer to the airport for your commercial flight to Aurangabad.
Lodging: Taj Residency, 2 nights (B,L,D)
Day 6
Thursday, October 23
Aurangabad
Today visit the Ajanta Caves, discovered in the 19th century by a party of British officers. These 30 caves were built to offer seclusion to the Buddhist monks, who lived, taught and performed rituals here. From numerous images of Lord Buddha to nymphs, princesses and various other characters, the Ajanta engravings are an unmatched visual treat. An expert on cave art and architecture will join you for dinner and discussion.
Days 8 - 10
Friday - Sunday, October 24 - 26
Kanha National Park
Friday morning visit Ellora Caves with your packed lunch. The Ellora caves are a fine example of cave temples with intricate interiors and ornamental facades. Carved between 350 AD and 700 AD, the rock temples and monasteries represent the three major faiths of India - Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
This afternoon board your private charter flight to Kanha National Park. At the airstrip you will be received and driven to your camp. This evening a local naturalist will give a presentation on Indian tiger projects in the park. Kanha is one of India's largest national parks. The most easily animals are the striped palm squirrels, jackals, wild pigs, chitals or spotted deer, swamp deer, black bucks and some 200 species of birds. Explore the park in morning and afternoon game drives. Midday is free for walks in and around the lodge.
Lodging: Tuli Tiger Resort, 3 nights (B,L,D)
Day 11
Monday, October 27
Khajuraho & Varanasi
Following your private charter flight to Khajuraho, proceed to the famous Chandela Dynasty Temples. Immortalized in stone, they encompass a wealth of sensuous and erotic sculptures - an exquisite depiction of human life and emotions. After lunch at Taj Chandela, continue on your private charter flight to Varanasi. This evening enjoy an exclusive private dinner.
Lodging: Taj Ganges, 1 night (B,L,D)
Days 12 - 13
Tuesday & Wednesday, October 28 & 29
Varanasi & Agra
At dawn, a scholar on Indian religion will accompany you on your visit to the sacred Ganges to witness the morning rituals. From the vantage point of your river boat, you will be amazed at the hundreds of worshippers who have come to bathe in the sacred waters. Afterwards, walk and enjoy a rickshaw ride in the narrow by-lanes of the old part of the city. Later, fly by private charter to Agra. Visit the Taj Mahal at sunset.
Wednesday compare your impression of the Taj Mahal at sunset to her beauty at sunrise. Continue on a city tour of Agra with visits to Itmad-ud-Daulla, the Pearl Mosque and Agra Fort. Here you'll see the art and crafting of the white marble that has made the area so famous.
Lodging: Amarvilas, 2 nights (B,L,D & B,L)
Days 14 - 15
Thursday & Friday, October 30 & 31
Jaipur
Thursday morning drive to Jaipur, en route visiting the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri and Bharatpur bird sanctuary.
Friday tour Jaipur. See historical monuments including Jantar Mantar Observatory and the Maharaja's City Palace. The buildings of Jaipur create a backdrop for captivating visual delight with shadows and highlights of every nuance of the architecture.
Proceed to Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the region. Here, elephants carry visitors in stately splendor to the main Palace, through unusually high gateways designed to accommodate this archaic mode of transport.
Time for elephant polo! A local Rajput family organizes a sporting game in the middle of the forest, just for our group. Memories of this unique event's pageantry and elegance will surround you for years to come.
At tonight's torchlit dinner, Dr. Divya Bhanu Chavda will join you to discuss his book "The End of a Trail: the Cheetah in India."
Lodging: Rambagh Palace, 2 nights (B,L,D & B,D)
Day 16
Saturday, November 1
Delhi
Fly on a commercial flight to Dehli. Lunch is at the hotel where an expert on politics and economics will join you for a talk.
Visit New Delhi, a city known for formal parks, the magnificent Parliament Building, the Rashtrapati Bhawan (official residence of the President) and India Gate. You will also visit Qutab Minar, the 238 ft. high tower dating back to 13th century, and visit Humayun's Tomb.
Your dinner tonight is at the famous Spice Route restaurant at Imperial. Heralded as one of the top ten restaurants in the world by Conde Nast Traveller, The Spice Route - serving Southeast Asian cuisine, has been designed to reflect the journey of spices from the Malabar Coast in Kerala through Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Indonesia to Thailand and Vietnam.
Lodging: Oberoi, 1 night (B,L,D)
Day 17
Sunday, November 2
Delhi
This morning visit Old Delhi, which pulses with energy and color, and is laced by a maze of narrow lanes which twist and turn between tall, leaning houses full of the sights, sounds and aromas of the Indian sub-continent.
See the bazaars, the Jama Masjid's tapering minarets, and the Chandni Chowk. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes, followed by the rest of the day at leisure.
Lodging: Oberoi, 1 night (B,L)
Day 18
Monday, November 3
Departure
Transfer to the airport in time for your departing international flight. (B)
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