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Earth and Water
Fully Escorted Tour – 15 Days / 14 Nights

Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Udaipur-Kochi-Backwaters-Periyar-Kochi

BEST SEASON – October to March

Desert and backwaters, Rajputs and Mughals, mosques and temples, palaces and forts, beaches and mountains – India offers a breathtaking diversity. Here we sample Rajasthan and Kerala Backwaters, not missing out on the Taj Mahal, a monument to love.

Day 1 and 2 – Arrive Delhi. Stay at the Imperial. Visit the spice markets and take a Heritage Walk in Shahjehanbad (Old Delhi) and contrast this with the wide open spaces and greenery of New Delhi.

Day 3 and 4 – Take train or drive to Agra. (about 4 hours) Stay at Oberoi Amarvilas. Visit the Taj Mahal, more than once, to catch its many moods. Also visit the Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned city.

Optional – visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary

Day 5 and 6 – Drive to Jaipur (about 4 hours). Stay in Samode Haveli or a palace or fort outside the city. Sightseeing of City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Amber Fort on an elephant. Shopping in the bazaars. Visit Chowkidhani and soak in the local colour.

Day 7 and 8 – Fly to Udaipur, city where (part) Octopussy was filmed. Stay at Oberoi Udaivilas or similar. Sightseeing of City Palace, Jagdish Mandir, boat ride on Lake Pichola. Take in a cultural show at Bagore ki Haveli.

Day 9 – fly to Kochi via Mumbai. Stay at the Taj Malabar. Watch an evening Kathakali dance performance

Optional – stay in Mumbai one night or more.

Day 10 and 11- Drive (about 2 hours) to the backwaters and take an overnight cruise on a rice boat. You can even fish by night, a memorable experience. Next day stay with a local family – partake of and learn to cook the local dishes, experience the local way of life.

Day 12 and 13 – Drive to Periyar National Park (about 4 hours). Stay at Shalimar Spice. There is a scent of spices in the air as this is the centre for spice growing. Take a walking tour of a spice plantation where you will see pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, cloves and cardamom.

Opportunities to spot wild elephants and birds as we take a jungle walk or a boat safari.

Day 14 – Drive to Kochi (about 4 hours). Stay at the Taj Malabar. Visit the Jewish synagogue, Dutch palace. See the Chinese fishing nets. Great place to shop for wooden artefacts.

Day 15 – Flight to onward destination.

Optional - Visit Ranthambore National Park, extend your stay and relax on the beach or dive and snorkel in Lakshadweep Islands.

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