Grand Discovery of India

Fly to Delhi from a choice of UK airports with selected airlines.

Enjoy a warm welcome on your arrival in North India with a traditional floral garland and red tikka before arriving at your hotel for the next two nights.

Explore Old Delhi and India’s largest mosque, Jama Masjid. Dazzle your senses on a rickshaw ride through Asia’s largest wholesale spice bazaar and Delhi’s oldest streets, finishing with a traditional lunch in Dharmpura haveli. Later, visit the inspiration for the Taj Mahal, Humayan’s Tomb and drive past the India Gate and Presidential Avenue. Tonight, enjoy your special welcome dinner.

Fly to India’s holiest Hindu city, Varanasi for a two night stay.

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Enjoy a rickshaw ride to the banks of the Ganges River. Cruise the holy river at dusk whilst listening to the sounds of traditional Indian music. Release sacred offerings into the river and witness the magical ceremony of the evening Aarti.

As the sun begins to rise, drift slowly down the Ganges River and watch the many ghats come to life. Afterwards, take a stroll along the ghats and laneways of the Old City. This afternoon, journey to Sarnath and spend time at one of Buddhism’s most important sites, Deer Park.

Freechoice: Take a yoga lesson or visit a Shiva Temple to experience Rudrabhishek, a ritual to appease the God Shiva.

Fly to Khajuraho, famous for its magnificent World Heritage-listed temple architecture. Enjoy your two night stay at your hotel overlooking the iconic temples.

Be inspired as you explore exquisitely sculpted sandstone temples built between the 9th and 10th centuries by the Chandela Dynasty. Marvel at scenes depicting gods and goddesses, beast and warriors, dancers and musicians and the exotic Karma Sutra carvings for which these Khajuraho temples are most famous.

Freechoice: Watch a sound and light show at the temples or a traditional folk dance performance.

Drive to Orchha and enjoy a walking tour of the old town. Continue to Jhansi and board a train to Agra, arriving in the early evening at your luxurious Special Stay hotel, located only 600 metres from the magnificent Taj Mahal.

Marvel at the Taj Mahal at sunrise with its shimmering marble domes and towers reflected in the landscaped pools. Later, discover the World Heritage-listed Mughal Red Fort of Agra built in the 16th century. Enjoy a light lunch at Sheroes Hangout, a café which supports victims of domestic violence.

Sundowners
Gather for evening drinks to overlook and appreciate the architectural wonder of the Taj Mahal from the close proximity of your hotel.

Freechoice Dining: Choose Asian cuisine at C’est Chine, or a north Indian BBQ. Alternatively, enjoy the buffet at Bellevue at your hotel.

Explore the World Heritage-listed site of Fatehpur Sikri en route to Bharatpur. Board a train to travel to Ranthambore National Park and settle into your luxury tent for a two night Special Stay.

Accompanied by an expert wildlife naturalist, search for the elusive Bengal Tiger during your private morning and afternoon game drives.

Drive to the Pink City, visiting Abhaneri village and its 1,000-year-old step well en route. Afterwards stop for lunch at the Castle Kanota, the setting for the Viceroy Club in the film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Stay at your regal hotel in Jaipur for three nights.

Visit the City Palace, home to the rulers of Jaipur. Marvel at the magnificent Jantar Mantar, an observatory built in the 18th century. Discover the magnificent Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) with its honeycombed sandstone windows. Take a rickshaw ride into small chowkris of the city before returning to your hotel.

Freechoice Dining: Learn about traditional Indian cooking with the Ikaki Niwas family or savour the views from high up in Amer Fort whilst dining at 1136 Restaurant. Alternatively, dine in house at the Giardino Italian restaurant.

Begin the day exploring the striking hilltop Amer Fort. Enjoy your farewell dinner at the restored Samode Haveli.

Fly to South India via New Delhi and enjoy a restful two-night stay in Bangalore.

Visit the Botanical Gardens, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace and the Bull Temple, then drive past the Government Secretariat, Legislature Building and Cubbon. Enjoy lunch and wine tasting at Grover Zampa vineyards to learn about the art of making wine.

Fly to Mangalore and continue to Bekal, located on the coast of the Arabian Sea. Relax by the sea during a two night stay.

During your morning’s exploration visit Madhur Temple, Malik Deenar Mosque and Bekal Fort. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to enjoy the resort’s facilities at leisure.

Leave for Coorg and a two night Special Stay, staying in a Lily Pool Villa with your own private pool. After lunch, enjoy a guided walking tour of a working coffee and spice plantation.

In a Kodava village interact with the locals and appreciate their age-old culture and traditional houses.

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After learning about their culture, enjoy a delicious home cooked Kodava lunch with the villagers.

Drive to Kabini, the base for exploring Nagharhole National Park and your two night Special Stay. En route visit Bylekuppe Monastery, the second largest Tibetan settlement outside Tibet.

Sundowners
Gather around the infinity pool with its views of the Kabini River for refreshing drinks and canapés.

Tonight watch a troupe of Kuruba tribal dancers or a documentary about the local wildlife.

Rise early for a game drive around the park. Afterwards visit a nearby Kuruba tribe village with a naturalist, who will talk about local agriculture. Later this afternoon keep your eyes out while on a boat safari along the Kabini River.

Leave for Mysore, known for its glittering royal heritage and colonial buildings before checking intoyour hotel for two nights. Later visit Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills and St. Philomena’s Church. Return to Mysore Palace to view the magnificent weekly illumination by approximately 97,000 lightbulbs.

Freechoice: Enjoy a morning walk through Devaraja Market or learn about the hand-painted Indian card game called Ganjifa. Drive to Srirangapatna Fortress, the former capital of the Tipu Sultan.

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Enjoy dinner with a local family in Mysore related to the former royal family. The host has converted most of the rooms of her home into a colourful local school for children.

Visit Somnathpur, then continue to Bangalore for a flight to Kochi. Upon arrival check into your hotel, your beautiful colonial-era home for the next three nights.

Head down to the harbour and watch the local fishermen expertly handling the Chinese fishing nets. Discover the different colonial influences during your tour of Fort Kochi, then visit Mattancherry Palace, Jew Town and the Synagogue. In the evening, witness a traditional Kathakali performance, a highly evolved classical form of dance, drama and music.

Freechoice: Visit a local market and learn the secrets of South Indian cooking or enjoy a Me Time yoga workshop. Alternatively, visit Kumbalanghi Village to experience traditional village life and activities.

Freechoice Dining: Dine at Pepper, an all-day diner, or try Rice Boat, a seafood specialty restaurant. Otherwise try Dolphins Point multi-cuisine barbeque and grill.

After a relaxing morning, travel into the Kerala Backwaters to Kumarakom and your hotel the next two nights.

Luxury Houseboat - Alternatively, take the opportunity to spend your first night in Kumarakom on board a houseboat and cruise through the lakes and Backwaters past small villages to witness the local life. Included at no extra cost but must be pre-booked.

Freechoice: Visit Philip Kutty’s Farm and enjoy a Keralan cooking class and lunch, or unwind with a traditional Ayurveda massage before lunch at the resort.

Tonight enjoy your farewell dinner.

Take away wonderful memories of your adventures in India as your journey concludes with your transfer to Kochi airport.

Welcome home.