The Jewels of India Tour with extension Tour of Varanasi - TID 8710 (Feb 3 to Feb 23, 2015) In the fall of 2013, we went to Bhutan and Myanmar. Arrangements were all made by Windhorse travel. We were able to enjoy the people, culture and food of those amazing countries. The trip was expertly planned by Wind Horse. When…
The Jewels of India Tour
Simply the best overview of India
The Jewels of India Tour that summarize in a way that no other tour can match its richness of history, the monuments, diversity of landscapes, culture, people and even the different activities that have been included. This trip without a doubt captures the essence of the true spirit of India. Start your India journey from Delhi covering Udaipur following Mumbai, Chennai, Pondicherry, Munnar and Tamil Nadu tours. Finish with south India tours, which cover various historical and religious sites.
The Jewels of India Tour Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Welcome at Delhi
Upon arrival at Delhi International airport you will be met by Windhorse representative and transferred to hotel.
Overnight stay at Hotel City Park or similar
Day 02: Delhi- Agra
In the morning, visit some of the landmark monuments of Old Delhi and New Delhi: Jama Masjid, President’s House, India Gate and other historical sites. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar and drive to Agra after lunch.
Overnight stay at Hotel Holiday Inn or similar
Day 03 & 04: Jaipur
At sunrise visit Taj Mahal and Red fort in Agra. Drive to Jaipur en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri. On the following day visit Amber Fort, Hawal Mahal, City Palace, Jantar Mantar Observatory and stroll through the market of Jaipur.
Two nights stay at Hotel Narain Niwas Palace or similar
Day 05: Jaipur – Udaipur
In the morning fly to Udaipur. Visit Bhartiya Lok kala Mandal folk Art Museum & Gallery, Saheliyo Ki Bari Garden, Pratap Smarak memorial and drive along Lake Fateh Sagar. In the evening, ride a boat on Lake Pichola and enjoy the views of Palaces and landscapes including Lake Palace.
Overnight stay at hotel Raj Darshan or similar
Days 06 & 07: Mumbai
Visit City Palace in the morning and its museums in Udaipur. Later fly to Mumbai. On the following day go to the Gateway of India and take a ferry to visit Elephanta Caves. Later visit Prince of Wales museum, Mani Bhawan, Kamla Nehru Park, Jahangir Art Gallery and Juhu Beach area.
Overnight stay at hotel Ramee Guest Line or similar
Day 08: Mumbai – Chennai & Mamallapuram
Fly to Chennai (Madras). From Chennai airport travel to the seaside town of Mamallapuram. Visit Arjuna‘s Penance’ (bass relief), ‘Five Rathas’ (chariots) and the famous ‘shore temple’. We will also make a special visit to a sculpture studio.
Overnight stay at Mamallapuram in GRT Temple bay Resort or similar
Day 09: Mamallapuram – Pondicherry
Drive along the scenic east coast for about 2 hours to Pondicherry. Explore the area by walking through French quarters and visit an Ashram & Center of Aurobindo.
Overnight stay at hotel Le Duplex or similar.
Day 10: Pondicherry – Tanjore via Kumbakonam
Early morning drive to Tanjore. En-route visit temples of Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram (Airawatheshswar temple). In Tanjore, visit the World Heritage Brihadeshwara Temple and the Palace Museum.
Overnight stay at Tanjore in hotel Parisutham or similar.
Day 11: Tanjore – Madurai
Drive to Madurai to visit the famous Meenakshi Temple and stroll through the market area.
Overnight stay at Hotel GRT Regency or similar
Days 12 & 13: Munnar
Board the train from Madurai to Bodi Nayakannur (2 ½ hrs ride). Take a delightful drive up the Cardamom hills to Munnar, a popular hill resort with winding roads, picturesque towns, surrounded by tea estates and colorful market. On the following day take a jeep and visit Munar including trip to Eravikulam National Park.
Two nights stay at Hotel Tall trees or similar
Day 14: Munnar to Periyar
Drive through tranquil countryside and rich plantations to Periyar (Thekkady), home of one of the world’s most fascinating natural wildlife reserves – the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary & Tiger reserve. In the evening, take a boat trip on Periyar Lake to see the wild animals.
Overnight stay at Muthoot Cardamom County resort or similar
Day 15: House Boat
In the morning enjoy walk through spice and coffee plantations. Descend the hills of Periyar across rugged country roads through spice, tea and rubber plantations to Kumarakom. Board air-conditioned houseboat (Kettuvallams), which is the overnight accommodation as well as the transport for a relaxing cruise through the tranquil “Backwaters” of Kerala.
Overnight in House Boat
Days 16 & 17: Cochin
Disembark from the houseboats and drive for a little over an hour drive to Cochin (Kochi). Wander the old lanes of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry Palace. Here we come upon such incongruous sites comprised of a traditional Dutch architecture, a Portuguese palace, a synagogue and other oddities that reflect the European influence on Cochin. In the evening enjoy a traditional dinner and attend a performance of a traditional dance drama ‘Kathakali’. The following day is a free time in Cochin for shopping, rest or to pursue your own interests.
Two nights stay at Hotel Abad Atrium or similar
Day 18: Departure transfer & Journey Home
Transfer to the Cochin airport. Flight out of Cochin is extra depending on your next destination or Fly back home.
Trip highlights
Historic Capitals, ancient forts, monuments, temples, local markets, elephant ride, boat ride, beaches, short optional walks, Wildlife
18-day trip, from 3700 per person. Tell us your dates and group size and we will price it exactly.
Included
- Accommodations in listed 4 star hotels (or similar) or in a heritage hotel.
- Daily breakfast, 8 lunches and 2 dinners.
- Overland transfers and sightseeing by A/C vehicle.
- Entrance fees.
- Local English speaking Guides.
- Full size group will also be accompanied by one national Wind Horse Tour Leader/Escort.
- Internal flight tickets (Jaipur to Udaipur, Udaipur to Mumbai, Mumbai to Chennai).
- Please note cost excludes flight from Cochin.
Not included
- Indian Visa.
- International airfare to Delhi and from flight out of Cochin.
- Meals those not listed in the inclusion.
Rajat Gupta
Rajat Gupta is the gun young at Wind Horse Tours, New Delhi. With his advent there is infusion of fresh ideas, exuberance and passion , that changing travel scenario demands. He completed his degree course in Tourism Management in 2014. At Wind Horse Tour, India, he is setting pace for…
Gaurav Goyal
Gaurav Goyal remains stalwarts of Wind Horse Tours, India since its inception in 2005. Along with company he gained salience. His friend says " He aged once he started to work ". Like any other works, it was hardly a stroll in park at the start. In initial days, where…
What travelers most often ask us before a trip to India & Sikkim.
As Sikkim and Darjeeling Border with Nepal, China Bhutan and close-by to Bangladesh. How safe is it?
Sikkim is the safest state in India.As there had been no record of political turmoil, anti social or anti national activities even though it shares border with Nepal, China & Bhutan. On other hand, Darjeeling had seen some internal
political turmoil in past, but tourists were never bothered on these grounds. Now, things are much better from tourism perspective and back to normal even after Covid lockdown.
Is it mandatory to hire local English speaking guide if I book one of your tour for Indian Tourists? Do the drivers speak Hindi in Darjeeling and Sikkim?
No, hiring guide on tour for Domestic Indian Tourist is totally on their own preference. As your driver will be communicating with you in Hindi, he can easily provide you all the information which you want to know.However we recommend to have a guide for they are well trained in their trade, linguists and indept local knowledge.
There are certain monuments which remains closed on Monday i.e. Red Fort, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, National Museum and Gandhi Smriti (Birla House or Birla Bhawan).
Existing guidelines require that nationals of Pakistan, Bangladesh, China and Myanmar can be given Inner Line Permits only after approval from the Ministry of Home Affairs in New Delhi. Further all Bhutan nationals are exempt from the requirement of obtaining ILPs. They do not require to obtain permits to enter Sikkim. Permits to foreign diplomats and members of United Nations and International Organisations holding diplomatic/official passports are issued only at Delhi by the Ministry of External Affairs.
You can provide any of the following documents:
1.Pass Port 2- Ration Card 3 – Voter Card 4 Adhar Cards and 4 pass port size photos is required. For Children Birth Certificate and 4 pass port size photo is required.
Yes, night view is allowed between 20:30 to 00:30 hour only and the duration of visit is 30 minutes. The maximum no. of people allowed are 400, divided in 8 batches of 50 people each.
Foreigners need a permit to enter Sikkim, however we take care of your all the permit when you travel with us. Indian Tourist traveling to North Sikkim and Tsangu lake need to avail permit which is taken care by our organization.