Mystical India Discovery

Live like a maharaja on travels from northern India to its southern tip, while taking in cultural treasures and staying in lavish palace hotels. Two-night stays in luxurious Agra accommodations with views of the spectacular Taj Mahal, and in Udaipur at one of the world’s top-rated hotels, are just a few of many highlights on Windhorse’ s comprehensive India tour. Explore Old Delhi aboard a trishaw through back streets and bazaars, view the temples of Khajuraho, and cruise by houseboat through Kerala’s canals. Unique experiences on your India tour include a private ceremonial dinner and boat ride on the Ganges River to witness spiritual rituals in Varanasi, a cooking demonstration and traditional dinner in the home of a Kerala chef, and an unforgettable holistic martial arts demonstration.

Outline Itinerary 

Day 01: Arrival in Delhi:
Upon arrival at Delhi International Airport you will be met by Windhorse representative and transferred to Hotel The Oberoi New Delhi. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02: Explore New Delhi Delhi (B/L/D)
After breakfast city tour of New Delhi visiting the fabulous sights- Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace), India Gate and other palatial government buildings. Visit Humayun tomb,Qutub Minar with a historic Iron Pillar that has survived the ravages of time for over 1500 years. You will also visit modern day landmarks of the city, its new shopping arcades in Connaught Place. Overnight at The Oberoi New Delhi.

Day 03 : Explore Old Delhi (B/D)
After breakfast at the hotel tour of the city takes you to the sumptuous Mughal monuments Red fort visit India’s largest mosque Jama Masjid with its black and white onion domes, minarets and white marble, and take a cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, the bustling old bazaar (market). Later on you can pay your respects at the final resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, the Raj Ghat. Overnight at The Oberoi New Delhi.

Day 04: Excursion to Sarnath (B/L/D) 
Board flight for Varanasi.  The city is the oldest living city of the world an excursion to Sarnath, the site of the deer park where Gautama Buddha is said to have given his first sermon about the basic principles of Buddhism. It has been a premier centre for Buddhism & has a rich collection of ancient Buddhist relics & antiques comprising numerous Buddha & Bodhisattva images on display at the Archaeological Museum. In evening enjoy the famous Aarti (prayer) ceremony at the bank of river Ganges. Overnight at hotel at Gateway Hotel Ganges.

Day 05: River cruise and fly to Khajuraho (B/L/D)
Morning cruise on the river Ganges. Witness the daily miracle to unfold, as the Sun appears triumphantly over the horizon. The sound of conches & temple bells add to the delicate pink fabric of dawn. Later we explore the city by foot to get the feel of this oldest living city of the world.

Board flight for Khajuraho:
Explore temples famous for the magnificent carvings depicting numerous exotic postures of the famous Kamasutra. Only 22 temples survive of the 85 originally built. Overnight at hotel at Grand Temple View.

Day 06: Orchha / Train to Agra (B/L/D)
Morning proceed to Jhansi train station. En route visit the beautiful Orchha village visit  Jahangir Mahal, built by Raja Bir Singh Ji Deo in the 17th century to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jahangir to Orchha with visit to Raj Mahal, built in the 17th century by Madhukar Shah. You also visit Ram Raja temple. Board train to Agra.
Overnight at The Oberoi Amarvilas.

Day 07: Experience Taj Mahal & Agra Fort (B/L/D)
Early morning at sunrise visit to Taj Mahal – the monument of love, which was built in 1630 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal. Back to hotel and after breakfast visit the Red Fort of Agra built by Akbar the great. a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Inside, witness the medieval lifestyles of 16th- and 17th-century Mughal emperors. Overnight at The Oberoi Amarvilas.

Day 08: Jaipur:Ghost city (B/L/D)
Drive to Jaipur en route visit to ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri built in 1569 by the Mughal emperor Akbar. Here you can visit the complex built for the Akbar’s Hindu wife called Jodha Bai Palace. Mariyam Palace and Panch Mahal. Visit the famous Dargah with the highest entrance gate in Asia. Arrive in Jaipur for a two-night stay at the former palace home of a Maharaja, the Rambagh Palace. Overnight The Rambagh Palace.

Day 09: Palaces and Pavillions of Jaipur (B/L/D)
Morning after breakfast enjoy half-day excursion to Amber fort with Elephant Ride (subject to availability). Enjoy the sights of the Shish Mahal, built in the 17th century a perfect blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture will surely hypnotize you. Also see the hall of public audiences and Maharaja Man Singh’s Palace who had 12 queens. Later on visit the city palace Museum, the royal residence and Jantar Mantar (astronomical observatory).
Overnight The Rambagh Palace.

Day 10: Scenic lake cruise and a world-renowned resort stay (B/L/D)
Fly to Udaipur – the city of Lakes. Enjoy a two-nights stay amidst the romance and splendor of your palatial lakefront resort, rated the “number one hotel in the world” by the readers of Travel + Leisure.In evening enjoy cruise at lake pichola. Overnight at The Oberoi Udaivilas.

Day 11: Discover Udaipur (B/L/D)
After breakfast enjoy the city tour of Udaipur – the beautiful 16th century city is considered to be the most romantic spot in India. Visit city palace, here you will see rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the peacock courtyard. Also visit the lovely Sahelion- ki- Bari (royal maid garden), the jagdish Temple and the local folk museum. Overnight at The Oberoi Udaivilas.

Day 12: Arrive Cochin / Sunset cruise + Kathakali dance visit (B/L/D)
Fly to Kochin (Cochin) Cochin (Kochi) a cosmopolitan city in the federal state of Kerala, is known as the gate way to Kerala for tourist as well as business travelers. It is the ideal starting point for exploring the diversity and beauty of Kerala – the god own country, rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler’s ’50 greatest places of a lifetime’. At 1700hrs enjoy a sunset cruise on private motorboat on the Arabian sea. Later for a visit to the famous dance drama of Kerala, the “Kathakali”. This dance can be characterized by grotesque gesticulations, amazing costumes and very extensive make-up. The stories are mostly taken from the epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana. Overnight at hotel Le Meridien Cochin.

Day 13: Cochin sightseeing + Cooking demo/Cooking Traditional Syrian Christian Cuisine (B/L/D)
Explore Cochin visiting: ‘The Jewish Synagogue’ at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town, The Dutch Palace, Spice market at the narrow streets, ‘The St. Francis Church’, the oldest European Church in India, ‘The Santa Cruz Basilica’ originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese.In the evening hand on cooking by one of the most famous cookery demonstrator from Kearla MS. NIMMI PAUL. The cooking demo in traditional kerala home ambiance followed by Dinner with one of those dishes on the demo is definitely an experience must during your visit to Kerala.
Overnight at hotel Le Meridien Cochin.

Day 14: Cochin to Kumarakom – Kumarakom Lake Resort (B/L/D)
Check out from the hotel and drive the back roads to reach the Unique backwater destination of Kumarakom. On the back roads you will come across with every turn a new feast for eyes that includes the real village of coastal kerala, people of work at coir/rope, fisherman etc..etc… In the evening enjoy the cultural evening folowed by Dinner at residing hotel.  Overnight at Kumarakom Lake Resort.

Day 15: Kerala Backwater Cruise on “Kettuvallom” (Houseboat) (B/L/D)
Morning at leisure in the hotel or enjoy a nice ayurvedic general body massage at the resorts Ayurveda centre. At 1230hrs embark a private House Boat which will take you on a tour through the backwaters, a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves. You can sunbathe on the deck or observe the landscape from the protection of the cabin. The people sail, fish, swim and do their washing and their washing up. They are so adapted to the water that you can see people talking for long time while they are up to their necks in water. Country boats/canoes take care of the supplies and the public transport by government is also the major mode of transport for people living on backwater lands. The trip goes through a wonderful area full of coconut palms, Rice fields and floating water plants that surround the boat like emerald Green Island. The trip ends by Sunset and you disembark at the hotel of stay. Just before dinner enjoy the most spectacular show of the seldom available “Kalaripayat” – traditional martial art form of Kerala. Dinner at residing hotel. Overnight at Kumarakom Lake Resort – Kumarakom

Day 16: Welcome Mumbai (B/L/D)
Fly to the “City of Gold surrounded on three sides by the Arabian Sea. Upon arrival, an introductory sightseeing tour maps out the city for you. Your accommodations for the next two nights are at the five-star deluxe Taj Mahal. Overnight the Hotel Taj Mahal.

Day 17: Excursion to Elephanta (B/L/D)
In today’s visits include the towering Gateway of India and sweeping Marine Drive, resplendent with a thousand glittering lights. Drive on this avenue known as the Queen’s Necklace, serving as the main thoroughfare that links Malabar Hill with the rest of the city. Continue to Mani Bhawan, the small museum dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi; Kamla Nehru Park; Dhobi Ghat, a sprawling, colorful outdoor laundry; and the Prince of Wales Museum. Overnight at Taj Mahal Mumbai

Day 18: Journey Home Tour ends: Mumbai (Bombay).
Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from your hotel in Bombay International Airport.