Discover India

Tentative Itinerary

DEC 26 SUN • Take your flight to Discover India

DEC 27 MON • En route

DEC 28 TUE • Early Morning [3:50 AM ] arrive Kochi.

Check in to your hotel, Anchor House or similar. Rest.
After a late breakfast brief overview of program. Afternoon visit a village and meeting community for a first-hand experience of Kerala, the state known for its surprising indictors of development, 100% literacy, low infant mortality, high life expectancy, the first state in the world to democratically elect a communist government, also the land known for its respect and status for women. There is a lot to discover on your first day in India.

Overnight at hotel Anchor House, or similar. Bazar Road, Fort Cochin, Tel: 91 484 22231115; www.anchorhouse.in

DEC 29, WED • Kochi.
After breakfast, visit Fort Cochin, where Vasco de Gama, the first European to visit India by sea route, was originally buried. It also was the home for the Portuguese, Dutch and British colonies. Also see the Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, the Indo-Portuguese museum, a Jewish Synagogue, the oldest outside of Israel, the Dutch palace etc. Evening, a Kathakali dance performance, the famous dance drama of Kerala; also see a little bit of the elaborate makeup (it takes more than 2 hours to put on the makeup of a character!!).
DEC 30 THU • Kochi – Alleppey
After breakfast drive to Alleepy, board on a house boat, cruise through the backwaters, enroute visit a village, a family, neighborhood group (self help groups formed in every Kerala village as a part of the peoples campaign program started by the communist government , meet the local people. Enjoy an optional, ayurvedic massage and herbal treatment – you are likely to get up from the massage table feeling rejuvenated, young and full of energy and enthusiasm! Also visit a school and a social services program. Stay overnight on the famous Houseboat.
DEC 31 FRI • Alleppey – Thekkady 
After breakfast drive to Periayr Sanctuary (160 kms 5 hrs), enroute see tea plantations. on arrival check in hotel
JAN 1 SAT • Thekkady
Early morning, boat ride on lake of Periyar to see the wildlife. Return to your hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, tour of Thekkady, nature walk, a mild trek inside the jungle with a forest guide and educational visits Overnight at hotel in Thekkady.
JAN 2 SUN • Thekkady - Kovalam
After a breakfast drive to Kovalam beach (275 kms, 7 hrs) on arrival check in hotel. Kovalam beach is famous for its clean waters, shore line…Enjoy a swim. Overnight at Kovalam

JAN 3 MON • Trivandrum
Sightseeing tour of Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala. Also enjoy some special educational activities.

JAN 4 TUE • Trivandrum  – USA
Return flight for a scheduled same day arrival home
Optional Extension to Agra, Delhi & Jaipur: Apr 4–8
JAN 4 TUE • Trivandrum - Delhi
Delhi, the capital of India, the largest democracy in the world. Meet the people, discover the history and heritage, the culture, the caste system, the politics, the secrets of its economic success, its linguistic, religious and ethnic diversity! Some describe it as a country of countries! Discovery what unites India and helps it emerge as one of the leading nations of the world today. Full day of sightseeing and educational visits. Delhi the capital of India is a modern city with a historic past. A tour of Delhi will provide the visitor with much to see and admire from Mughal monuments to modern malls, from traditional arts and crafts to trendy fashion shows, from skyscrapers to parks and gardens - Delhi is a city that combines the historic and the modern in its own unique way. Rashtrapati Bhawan: The president's mansion is situated on Raisina Hill in the center of Delhi, overlooking the green lawns around India Gate. This elegant building is truly worth seeing, for its architectural beauty and historic significance. Parliament House: Located in Central Delhi, this elegant building with its wide pillared walkways and large halls, is worth a visit, to see the corridors of power where India's lawmakers and statesmen decide the future of India, India Gate: Situated on Rajpath, in the center of Delhi, this 42-meter high arch, was designed by Edwin Lutyens, in memory of the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the first World War. Humayun's Tomb: Built by Humayun's wife, Hamida Begum, in 1556, after Humayun's death, this elegantly proportioned tomb, set on a platform amidst a garden, is believed to have influenced the design of the Taj Mahal and Qutab Minar: Built during the reign of Sultan Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1199 A.D., this 72.5 m high pillar is a symbol of the Delhi Sultanate. Near it can be seen the ruins of Kila Ri Pithora, the fort of Prithviraj Chauhan, and an amazing iron pillar from Gupta times which has not yet rusted. Jama Masjid: Built during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, one of the largest mosques in India. Raj Ghat and drive pass Chandni chowk, the bustling ethnic market. Overnight at Hotel City Park or similar
JAN 5 WED • Delhi-Agra
After breakfast over land to Agra, home of Taj Mahal, the epitome of love. Today you will visit this extravagant monument of love is one of the most visited and most photographed places in the world. Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in the memory of his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal 350 years ago. Taj Mahal was the culmination point of Indo-Persian architecture. The Mughal Emperors were always fond of constructing monuments. Thereafter visit - Red Fort – It lies on the west bank of river Jamuna became one of the principal cities of the Mughal Empire after the death of Ibrahim Lodi at Panipat in 1526. When Akbar choose Agra as his capital he laid the foundation of the Fort of Agra. After Taj this was one of the most important group of buildings. The construction was started in 1565 and was completed in about eight years. Overnight at Hotel Radisson, Clarks or similar.
JAN 6 THU • Agra -Jaipur
After breakfast over land to Jaipur. Enroute stop at Fatehpur Sikri visiting- Diwan-I-Am , § Diwan-khana-I-khaas , ,Turkish Sultana’s House, The Treasury, Palace of Jodha Bai, Hawa Mahal And Nagina Masjid, Birbal’s Palace, Panch Mahal, Dargah Of Sheikh Salim Chisti and Buland Darwaza - This gate can be approached from the outside by a 13-metre flight of steps which adds to its grandeur. The gate erected in 1602 AD to commemorate Akbar’s victory over Deccan is the highest and grandest gateway in India and ranks among the biggest in the world. Upon arrival in Jaipur check in at Hotel Raddison, Clarks or similar.
JAN 7 FRI • Jaipur, the Pink City
After breakfast proceed for tour of Amber Fort. The Amber Fort, built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, is one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture. Perched high on a barren ridge, it commands extensive views over a deep narrow valley and the wider plains beyond.

Take the Elephant Ride to reach uphill ( if available ) at Amber Fort, located up on the hills that surround Jaipur, the fort, sprawled along the Maotha Lake, boasts of a massive complex gateways, courts, stairways and pillared pavilions, and palaces that recall the glory and wealth, of Amber's association with the Mughals.
The front courtyard of the complex, is adorned with the magnificent, pillared hall of the Diwan - i - Am, and the two - tiered painted gateway Ganesh Pol. The palace of mirrors, Sheesh Mahal, is of special interest. It has walls inlaid with exquisite mirrors. The Jas Mandir, perched on the upper floor, is a superb amalgam of Mughal and Rajput style of architecture, as is evident from the exquisitely carved Jali screens, and fine mirror and stucco work.

The fort is entered through the 'Dil-e-Aaram' Garden, laid out in the traditional Mughal style. An imposing flight of stairs leads to the 'Diwan-E-Am' (hall of public audience) which has latticed galleries and double row of columns each having a capital in the shape of elephants on the top.
Afternoon proceed for City tour of Jaipur with English speaking guide visiting -  Jaipur , also known as the pink City is a well planned city named after one of the greatest of the Rajput rulers, Maharaja Jai Singh II . It takes its name from the pink paint on its buildings.  Proceed on to Hawa Mahal, the palace of winds which is nothing but a façade.  Drive on to the Jantar Mantar - the royal observatory built by Sawai Raja Jai Singh in 1728. Drive on to the City palace, a wonderful blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture where the present Maharaja still resides. Also visit the Sawai Man Singh museum inside the Palace. The final stop on your tour of Jaipur is at the Albert Hall museum housing an extensive collection of woodwork and costumes from various parts of Rajasthan..
Optional special New Year Celebration.  Overnight at hotel.