THE
INDIAN ODYSSEY 18 DAYS
Prices from approx $4,755 US Details below or
click here for more information INQUIRY FORM
For the avid traveler, India provides an authentic adventure - stimulating, absorbing, daunting, sometimes moving and shocking.
Here is one of the world's great dramas; an ancient, vast and crowded land committed to the most formidably challenging exercise in mass democracy. It is a spectacle in which hope, pride, paradox and uncertainty mingle and struggle. It is conducted on the whole, and to India's credit in the open. The lasting memories of the land are hospitality, kindness, good humor and generosity. Here is a society of over a 1000 million people, growing by a million a month, divided and united by language, caste, religion and regional loyalties. It has often been described as a functioning anarchy; and it is in many ways an amiable one, of marvelous fluidity and tolerance. Indeed, the true Indian motif is not the Taj Mahal, the elephant or the patient peasant behind the ox drawn plough. It is the crowd, the ocean of faces in the land of multitudes, endlessly stirring, pushing and moving. It is in this human circulation that one sees India's colour, variety, busyness, and, senses also its power, vitality and grandeur....
DAY 1 - Arrive Delhi Upon arrival after clearing immigration and custom, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Hotel Hilton Janakpuri or Similar
DAY 2 - Delhi
Your tour of Delhi presents the highlights of Old and New Delhi. Jamma Mosque, the largest in India, The Qutab Minar, The Humayun's Tomb, Raj ghat, the bazaars and shops in all their colours introduce you to the Indian magic.
Hotel Hilton Janakpuri or Similar - B
DAY 3 - Delhi - Agra
After breakfast we drive to Agra. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. Afternoon visit city including Taj Mahal Agra City which is the medieval city of the famous 17th century masterpiece Taj Mahal, which of course is the most splendid of all buildings, perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world.
Hotel Jaypee or Similar - B
DAY 4 - Agra - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri: (ghost capital) for a tour of these magnificent and world heritage buildings, which are still in a state of perfect reservation. From here we continue drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival, check into your hotel.
Hotel Le Meridien or Similar - B
DAY 5 - Jaipur
After breakfast you will visit Amber Fort, the former capital of the royal Jaipurs. We will ride up to this hilltop palace on a caparisoned, painted elephant, passing through the ancient main gate where Maharajas of Jaipur have entered for four hundred years. We shall also visit the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds.
Afternoon, we proceed for a guided tour of the City Palace & Observatory. The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture.
Hotel Le Meridien or Similar - B
DAY 6 - Jaipur - Udaipur
After an early breakfast we will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Udaipur. Upon arrival you will met and transferred to your hotel. Afternoon tour of the ''Lake City''. Evening boat ride at ''Lake Pichola''(subject to water level). Lake Pichola: Fringed with hills, gardens, havelis, ghats and temples, Lake Pichola is the scenic focus of Udaipur. Set in it are Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir Palaces.
Shiv Niwas Palace or Similar - B
DAY 7 - Udaipur - Mumbai
After breakfast, morning at leisure. Later transfer to airport to your flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival in Mumbai you will be met and transferred to the hotel.
Hotel Taj Mahal or Similar - B
DAY 8 - Mumbai
This morning we visit Elephanta Caves, a must for any visitor to India. Afternoon we visit Mumbai City: Our first stop is at Bombay's landmark the Gateway to India, an elegant 26 mtrs stone archway, hastily erected as a symbol of welcome to Queen Mary and King George V of England on their visit to India in 1911. We continue to the hanging gardens perched above Malabar Hill. Continue to Mani Bhavan, Mahatma Gandhi's home and Museum. This charming, 3 storied Gujarati house, painted brown and yellow, in a lovely Parsi neighbourhood on Malabar Hill, was the home of Mahatma Gandhi from 1917-1934. You can visit Gandhi's room, where his simple belongings are displayed including his personal Bible, Quoran and Gita.
Hotel Taj Mahal or Similar - B
DAY 9 - Mumbai - Bangalore - Mysore
After an early breakfast transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangalore.
Arrival transfer and Bangalore-Mysore - Upon arrival drive to Mysore en-route visit Srirangapatnam - the ruins of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan's capital from which they ruled much of Southern India during the 18th century. After visit drive to Mysore. Upon arrival, check into your hotel.
Wind Flower Hotel or Similar - B
DAY 10 - Mysore
After breakfast visit Mysore City, The old capital town has the magnificient Maharaja's Palace, Chamundi Temple, and the Art Gallery with a fine collection of paintings and musical instruments. Finally you also visit the fruits and flower markets.
Afternoon free.
Wind Flower Hotel or Similar - B
DAY 11 - Mysore - Chikmangalur
After breakfast we drive to Chikmangalur en-route visit . Shravanbelagola - ''White Lake of Jain Hermit'' is the leading Jain pilgrimage centre of the Deccan. Particularly interesting are angled bracket figures depicting female figures dancing or in ritual poses. Halebid: Construction of the Hoyasleswara Temple at Halebid began around 1121. The temple is set in a well-tended garden, and there a small museum adjacent to it housing a collection of sculptures. After the visits continue your drive to Chikamanglur.
The Gateway Chikmangalur or Similar - B
DAY 12 - Chikmangalur - Bangalore
After breakfast drive to Bangalore. Upon arrival check into your hotel. Afternoon visit Bangalore City: The tour includes the Lal Bagh, Gole Temple, the Government buildings, Vishweshwara Industrial and Technological Museum and the Ulsoor Lake.
Leela Palace or Similar - B
DAY 13 - Bangalore - Cochin
Transfer to Bangalore airport for your flight to Cochin.Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Cochin - Afternoon tour of Cochin City: With its wealth of historical associations, and its magnificent setting on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas, Cochin is one of the most fascinating cities of coastal South India. It is a city with indelible marks of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Jewish traditions. Of Special mention is the older parts of the Fort Cochin area. It more or less exists as it used to be a 1000-year behind our times. This part of the city reflects an unusual blend of medieval Portugal, Dutch and English country life grafted on to the tropical Malabar Coast.
The 16th century Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace is a fascinating fort with elegant buildings and interesting collections from the Royal traditions of the region. The unique feature of Cochin is the unexpected and isolated Jewish community, whose origins date back to AD 52. They are self-contained and have there own Synagogue.The area around the Synagogue, known as 'Jew Town' is one of the main centres of spice trade. Scores of small firms huddle together in old dilapidated buildings and the air is filled with the aroma of ginger, cardamom, cumin, turmeric and cloves. The area is very busy. Evening Kathakali Dance: A special treat awaits us this evening as we proceed to witness the strength and vigor of Kathakali dance drama, as it enacts episodes from great Indian epics. The extremely stylized gestures, the elaborate make-up, the masks and the splendid costumes of these all-male dancers, recreates an incomparable sense of pageantry.
Le Meridien or Similar - B
DAY 14 - Cochin - Houseboat
After breakfast we will drive to Allepey, where we board the Houseboat for a unique experience through the narrow canals and channels of the backwaters of Kerala. The materials that go into the making of houseboat are all local and Ecofriendly; bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats carpets etc. The main wood used is ''Anjali ''. The Houseboat provides all comforts - Beds, a kitchen, western toilets and an upper deck. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The cuisine is of traditional Kerala flavour along with the local Specialties - delicious fish and prawns. Cruising on a boat through remote tribal villages along the tranquil backwaters of Kerala is a superb experience. We explore the backwaters in your Houseboat. Sensational in its own silent way, the cruise takes you along snake boat docks, friendly cheering villagers, coir (Jute) making communities, toddy (local spirit) shops, fishing nets pitched for the day's catch, bunded paddy fields and manual canoes of different sizes criss-crossing each other. The experience enables you to reach beautiful untouched areas.
Houseboat - B,L,D
DAY 15 - House Boat - Kumarakom
After breakfast Disembark from the houseboat at Kumarakom. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. To experience Kerala's famous backwaters that comprise of vast lakes and a system of narrow canals and waterways linking them to one another. Not so long ago, these waterways served as the backbone of Kerala's transportation. Kumarakom is the ideal place to experience the fascinating lifestyles of the backwaters.
Coconut Lagoon or Similar - B
DAY 16 - Kumarakom - Cochin - Delhi
After an early breakfast we drive to Cochin airport for flight to Delhi. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Hotel Hilton Janakpuri or Similar - B
DAY 17 - Delhi
Day free. Check-out 1200 Noon. Late evening transfer to airport for your flight back home.
DAY 18 - Depart Delhi
INCLUSIONS:
* A representative for assistance on arrival and departure transfers
* 17 nights hotel accommodation on twin sharing basis in base category of rooms "or similar"
* Meals as per itinerary (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner) Daily Buffet Breakfast, except at houseboat which is on Full Board
* All transfers, excursions and sightseeing will be by air-conditioned Toyota Innova or Tempo Traveler based on the number of pax
* Entrance fees at all monuments, road taxes, parking fees, fuel surcharge, interstate taxes
* Local English-speaking guide for the sightseeing and excursion tours
* Kathak Kali dance performance
* 01 Elephant ride to ascend (alternatively by jeeps) to Amber Fort in Jaipur
* Common boat ride on "Lake Pichola" in Udaipur, subject to water level of lake
* Mineral water in the vehicle through-out the tour
* Departure gift
* Welcome kit with all relevant documents pertaining to the tour
* All currently applicable taxes
* Domestic flight ticket (Jaipur-Udaipur: Udaipur-Mumbai: Mumbai-Bangalore: Bangalore-Cochin: Cochin-Delhi)
EXCLUSIONS:
* Any Insurance
* Optional sightseeing you may choose while on any tour
* Any other meals or beverages not included per itinerary
* Tipping, laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages, camera/video camera fee at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure tax etc.
* Airline excess baggage
* International flight
* All the other services which are not mentioned in the inclusions
HOTELS USED (or Similar):
* Delhi: Royal Plaza: First
Hilton Janakpuri: Deluxe
* Agra: Clarks Shiraz: First
Jaypee: Deluxe
* Jaipur: Ramada: First
Le Meridien: Deluxe
* Udaipur: Ram Pratap Palace: First
Shiv Niwas Palace: Deluxe
* Mumbai: Fariyas: First
Taj Mahal - Tower Wing: Deluxe
* Mysore: Wind Flower: First
Wind Flower: Deluxe
* Chikmangalur: The Gateway Chikmangalur: First
The Gateway Chikmangalur: Deluxe
* Bangalore: Chancery: First
Leela Palace: Deluxe
* Cochin: Trident: First
Le Meridien: Deluxe
* Alleppy: Houseboat: First
Houseboat: Deluxe
* Kumarakom: Backwater Ripples: First
Coconut Lagoon: Deluxe
* Delhi: Royal Plaza: First
Hilton Janakpuri: Deluxe
IMPORTANT NOTE:
- Extra supplements apply during Christmas/New Years
- Any hike in taxes, entrance fees to monuments, fuel or guide charges levied by govt. of India, shall be charged extra
- Air fares are subject to change at the time of issuing the tickets.
DEPARTURE DATES Year Round
PRICES From approx $4,755 US
per person
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