Golden Triangle with Kerala and Mumbai

Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days

Routing: Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Mathura - Vrindavan - Delhi - Cochin - Periyar - Kumarakom - Thothapalli - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Mumbai

Tour Highlights
Delhi	Raj Ghat, India Gate, President’s House, Humayun's Tomb, Lotus Temple & Qutub Minar
Jaipur	Amber Fort, Elephant Ride, City Palace, Birla Temple, Jantar Mantar (Observatory) & Hawa Mahal ( Palace of Winds) Optional Excursion to Chokhi Dhani
Agra	Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb, Sikandara (Akbar's Tomb), Magic Show &  Fatehpur Sikri (en route),
Mathura & Vrindavan	Shri Krishna Janmabhumi Temple, Bankey Bihari Temple & ISKCON Temple
Cochin	St. Francis' Church, Dutch Palace (Built by Portuguese), Jew Town, Jewish Synagogue, spice market, Chinese fishing nets, Kathakali Dance Show
Periyar	Wildlife Sanctuary, Boat Cruise & Spice plantation tour
Kumarakom	Backwaters & Bird Sanctuary
Thothapalli	House Boat
Kovalam	Beaches
Trivandrum	Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Shri Chitra Art Gallery & the Museum.
Mumbai	Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves , Prince Wales Museum & Marine Drive

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Delhi - Jaipur (250 km- 5 hrs)

You arrive in Delhi by International flight. After a traditional Swagat' (Welcome), our representative would assist you at the airport & to our hotel for check-in. After some rest & breakfast in the hotel we will check-out of the hotel & proceed for Delhi sightseeing.

Half Day sightseeing tour of Humayun's Tomb, Lotus temple (Closed on Monday) & Qutub Minar.

Later we will leave for Jaipur, the flamboyant capital of Rajasthan. On arrival at Jaipur, our representative will meet & assist you to check-in at our hotel.

Overnight Hotel- Jaipur (B)

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Day 02: Jaipur

After an early breakfast, we drive 11 km to Amber, the capital of the gallant Rajputs from 1037 to 1728 AD. We ride on elephant back & reach Fort situated on hill & then visit the Fort Palace.  Later we visit City Palace, Birla Temple, Jantar Mantar Observatory & Palace of Winds. Overnight Hotel- Jaipur (B)

Optional Excursion to Chokhi Dhani:

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. Guests can move around freely & enjoy the evening. Later drive back to the Hotel for overnight stay.

Day 03: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (260 km - 6 hrs)

After breakfast, we’ll depart at 0900 hrs to Agra. En route we visit Fatehpur Sikri, a masterpiece in sandstone with the stunning elegance of its palaces & courts. Further proceed to Agra, upon arrival we check-in hotel at Agra. Evening at leisure.

Overnight Hotel-  Agra. (B)

Day 04: Agra

Agra, erstwhile capital of great Mughals & known for Taj Mahal. It has always fascinated Indians & foreigners alike. Most of Agra is on West bank of river Yamuna, with the Agra Fort & Taj Mahal at its nucleus. Taj Mahal is quite simply one of mankind's most remarkable creations.

After early breakfast, we drive at 0800 hrs visit the incredible architectural excellence of Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday), built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Next we visit Agra Fort, built principally as a military establishment by Akbar in 1565. The red sandstone Agra Fort was partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time. This massive Fort is 2.5 km long & is considered as the predecessor of the Delhi Red Fort.
Later in the afternoon we visit Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb, built by Noor Jahan, wife of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, in memory of her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Before Taj Mahal was built, its rough design was already standing in the form of Itmad ud Daulah's Tomb. Next we visit Sikandara, Akbar's tomb. In the evening enjoy the Magic show performed by the local magician.

Overnight Hotel-  Agra. (B)

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Day 05: Agra – Mathura & Vrindavan – Delhi (220 km - 5 hrs)

Early morning post breakfast we will depart for Delhi at 0730 hrs, En route we visit Mathura (Shri Krishna Janmabhumi Temple) & Vrindavan (Bankey Bihari Temple & ISKCON Temple) (Temples is close between 1200–1600 hrs), related with birth & childhood of Lord Krishna.

Later we continue our drive to Delhi, upon arrival in Delhi our guide will take you for a sightseeing trip to Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat, then drive around India Gate & President's House.

Overnight Hotel- Delhi (B) 

Day 06: Delhi – Cochin (Flt IC-165 / 0800 – 1250 Hrs.)

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.

Later in the afternoon 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. In the evening we see Kerala's most popular classical dance, Kathakali.

Overnight Hotel- Cochin (B)

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Day 07: Cochin - Periyar (160 km - 04hrs)

Today we leave at 0900 hrs 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.

Overnight Hotel- Periyar (B)

Day 08: Periyar

Early morning before breakfast at 0630 hrs we go for wildlife viewing of the sanctuary on lake Periyar by boat cruise. After two hours of wildlife viewing we get back to the hotel for breakfast. Rest of the Day is at leisure for independent activities.

Overnight Hotel- Periyar (B)

Day 09: Periyar- Kumarakom (135 km-3 hrs)

Today 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 Hotel- Kumarakom (B)

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Day 10: Kumarakom - Thothapalli (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 at the houseboat.(B, L, D)

Day 11: Thothapalli - Kovalam (85 km- 2 hrs)

Arrive Thothapalli, next we head for 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 Hotel- Kovalam (B)

Day 12: Kovalam – Trivandrum – Kovalam (16 km - 30 mins. Oneway)

Today we leave for an excursion to Trivandrum, located on the Southwestern tip of India. Famous for its long shorelines with glorious beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches & rich cultural heritage, Trivandrum undoubtedly makes an ever-popular destination. We spend half Day here covering Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Shri Chitra Art Gallery & Museum. Later we drive back to Kovalam.

Overnight Hotel- Kovalam (B)

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Day 13: Kovalam - (16 km - 30 mins) Trivandrum – Mumbai ( Flt: 9W-337 / 1335-1535 Hrs.)

Morning post breakfast on-time transfer to the airport to board the flight for Mumbai. Upon arrival at Mumbai Airport, assistance & transfer to hotel for check-in.
Later in the afternoon we leave for a half Day sightseeing tour covering the Gateway of India, the entrance to the port of Mumbai. It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V in 1911. Historically the Gateway holds greater significance as the last of the British troops, which left independent India by sea, marched through its portals. If time permits then we would visit Prince WalesMuseum & Marine Drive which runs along the shore of the Arabian Sea from Nariman Point past Chowpatty Beach to the foot of Malabar Hill.

Overnight Hotel- Mumbai (B)

Day 14: Depart Mumbai

Our tour concludes: We thank you for your patronage & ensures a punctual transfer to the International airport for your onward travel.

Cost includes:

• 13 nights accommodation on twin sharing basis with early check in facility.
• Breakfast.
• All meals in Houseboat.
• A/C transportation as per the itinerary (No transportation on leisure days).
• Local English speaking guide for Golden Triangle & Mumbai tour.
• Local English speaking guide in Cochin & Trivandrum.
• Elephant ride in Jaipur.
• Magic show in Agra.
• Boat cruise in Cochin.
• Kathakali dance show in Cochin.
• Boat safari in Periyar
• Spice & plantation tour in Periyar.

Cost does not includes:

• Any airfare or airport tax.
• All presently applicable taxes.
• Expenses of personal nature.
• Monument charges.
• Any other expenses not mentioned in the cost includes.

Destination	First class	Standard	Budget
Delhi	The Ashok	City Park	Regent Continental
Jaipur	Mansingh Palace	KK royals Days Inn	Hawa Mahal
Agra	Clarks Shiraz	Mansingh Palace	Amar
Cochin	Le Meridien	Gokulam Park Inn	Abad Plaza
Periyar	Spice Village	Cardamom County	Tree Top
Kumarakom	Coconut Lagoon	Abad Whispering Lake Resort	Cocobay
Backwaters	Non A/C houseboat	Non A/C houseboat	Non A/C houseboat
Kovalam	Travancore Heritage	Uday Samudra	Abad Palm Shore
Mumbai	Royal Palms Plaza	Kohinoor Continental	Godwin