Itinerary
- Day 1
Delhi
You'll arrive in Delhi whenever your flight gets in and head to your hotel in the Karol Bagh area. If you're not too tired from traveling, the electric Karol Bagh market is right there and worth checking out for an evening walk. Otherwise, settling in and resting after your journey is completely reasonable.
- Start point
- Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), Airport Rd, New Delhi, Delhi 110037, India (Main Entrance)
Optional Activities
- Explore Karol Bagh market
- Day 2
Delhi to Jodhpur
Start with a city walk through Old Delhi to see the historical and cultural side. You'll visit Jama Masjid, the Great Mosque with its massive courtyard that can hold up to 25,000 worshippers, and the ancient Sikh temple Gurdwara SisGanj from 1783. After that, you'll head to Delhi railway station to board an overnight train heading to Jodhpur.
Included Activities
- Old Delhi orientation walk
- Visit Jama Masjid (Great Mosque)
- Visit Gurdwara SisGanj Sikh temple
- Rickshaw ride on Silver Street Chandni Chowk
Landmarks Jama Masjid Gurdwara Sis Ganj - Day 3
Jodhpur
You'll arrive in Jodhpur, known as the blue city, and check into your hotel. The colossal Mehrangarh Fort is the main attraction, one of the largest in India with great views over the city. In the evening, you'll take a cooking class to learn how to make a proper Indian thali.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cooking class - Indian thali preparation
Optional Activities
- Visit Mehrangarh Fort - explore palaces, galleries and artillery
- Visit Sadar Bazaar, one of India's oldest markets
- Try lassi (traditional Indian drink)
Landmarks Mehrangarh Fort Sadar Bazaar 
- Day 4
Jodhpur to Udaipur
Grab an auto-rickshaw to the bus station and board a local bus for an 8-hour journey to Udaipur. This city sits in the Aravalli Hills around Lake Pichola, a man-made lake from the 14th century. Once you check in, walk through the twisting alleyways where shops sell silver jewellery, shoes, bags, leather goods, and miniature paintings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore alleyways and bazaars in Udaipur
Landmarks Lake Pichola - Day 5
Udaipur
You have the day to yourself in Udaipur. You can see Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas rising out of Lake Pichola, or tour the lakeside City Palace complex, which is the largest palace in Rajasthan with vivid murals and royal antiques. It's entirely up to how you want to spend your time here.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- View Jag Mandir palace
- View Jag Niwas palace
- Tour City Palace complex - largest palace in Rajasthan with murals and royal antiques
Landmarks Jag Mandir Jag Niwas City Palace - Day 6
Udaipur to Tordi Garh
After a morning transfer to Udaipur railway station, you'll board a day train to Tordi Garh. Once you arrive at the station, you'll be transferred to this heritage property in the heart of Rajasthan. The village itself offers authentic experiences with wilderness nearby, cultural sites, old step wells, archaeological sites, temples, and options for jeep, camel cart, and horse rides.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Camel cart rides
- Jeep safaris
- Horse rides
- Day 7
Tordi Garh
The full day is yours to explore around Tordi Garh. Take a camel cart ride to the dunes, do a jeep safari to see 300-year-old step wells, or check out shepherd villages. If you're an experienced hiker, the 400-year-old Tordi Fort is within reach. A simple village walk works too if you prefer something more low-key.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Camel cart ride to the dunes
- Jeep safari to see 300-year-old step well
- Explore shepherd villages
- Hiking to 400-year-old Tordi Fort
- Village walk
Landmarks Tordi Fort - Day 8
Tordi Garh to Jaipur
You'll drive to Jaipur, Rajasthan's capital. Start by exploring the market and then head to the Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal), built in 1799 so royal women could watch street celebrations without being seen. Your evening is free to hunt down the best local restaurants and dining spots.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore market
- Visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)
- Sample dal baati (dal served with wheat rolls)
Landmarks Hawa Mahal 
- Day 9
Jaipur to Agra
Start with Amber Fort, a hilltop fortress overlooking Moata Lake and a great example of Rajput architecture. Inside you'll see the Sheesh Mahal covered in mirrors that light up with a single match. After the tour you'll have free time, then choose between the Royal City Palace or Jantar Mantar observatory with its astronomical instruments. Late afternoon you'll drive to Agra.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Amber Fort
- View Sheesh Mahal inside Amber Fort
Optional Activities
- Visit Jaipur's Royal City Palace
- Visit Jantar Mantar observatory
Landmarks Amber Fort Sheesh Mahal City Palace Jantar Mantar 
- Day 10
Agra to Varanasi
Early risers can catch the sunrise at Taj Mahal, the white marble mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz. Later, visit the Red Fort on the Yamuna River banks, originally built in 1565. If there's time, continue to Akbar's Mausoleum. That evening you'll board a 12-hour overnight train to Varanasi in Third Class AC.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Taj Mahal
Optional Activities
- Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal
- Visit Red Fort
- Visit Akbar's Mausoleum
Landmarks Taj Mahal Red Fort Akbar's Mausoleum 
- Day 11
Varanasi
You'll arrive in Varanasi this morning and get transferred to your hotel. Varanasi sits on the Ganges banks and is one of India's oldest holy cities, a center for Shiva devotion for over 1,200 years. In the midafternoon, head to Sarnath to see the Buddhist sites where Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment. By evening, join an aarti ceremony on the riverbanks with priests performing rituals accompanied by bells, drums, cymbals, and Sanskrit mantras.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Aarti ceremony on the banks of River Ganges
- Visit Sarnath Buddhist places
Landmarks River Ganges Sarnath - Day 12
Varanasi to Bangalore
Wake early for a boat ride along the holy Ganges past the numerous ghats lining the banks, including those used for public cremations. You'll see pilgrims bathing, cremation fires, and riverside haircuts, which is best experienced before dawn. Return to your hotel, then head to the airport to catch your flight to Bangalore.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Early morning boat ride on River Ganges
Landmarks River Ganges - Day 13
Bangalore to Mysuru
Drive to Mysuru and stop at the Chennakeshava Temple in Somnathpur along the way, a fine example of Hoysala architecture. Once you arrive, check in at your hotel. You can walk around the ornate Mysore Palace or head into the countryside to climb Chamundi Hill and visit the Sri Chamundeswari Temple at the top, dedicated to goddess Durga.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Chennakeshava Temple in Somnathpur
Optional Activities
- Walk around Mysore Palace
- Explore countryside
- Climb Chamundi Hill
- Visit Sri Chamundeswari Temple
Landmarks Chennakeshava Temple Mysore Palace Chamundi Hill Sri Chamundeswari Temple - Day 14
Mysuru to Ooty
You'll spend most of today traveling about 4 hours by private vehicle to Ootacamund, often called 'Snooty Ooty,' where snooker was arguably created. Stretch your legs by checking out Hindu temples or taking a stroll through what almost feels like English countryside. Pack appropriate clothing since it's pleasantly mild in summer but can get cold in winter.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Hindu temples
- Stroll through town
- Day 15
Ooty
Today is yours to relax and rest. Visit Ooty's Botanical Gardens with over 650 species of plants and trees, or take a boat ride on the lake. You can spend the day however you'd like in this peaceful setting.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Ooty Botanical Gardens
Optional Activities
- Boat ride on Ooty Lake
Landmarks Ooty Botanical Gardens - Day 16
Ooty to Madurai
Board Ooty's toy train for a scenic ride along the Nilgiri Mountain Railway with great views over the lush countryside. Try to get a window seat for the best experience. When you arrive at Coonoor, you'll drive to Madurai and check in at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Ride Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train
Landmarks Nilgiri Mountain Railway 
- Day 17
Madurai
Explore Madurai's Tamil roots stretching back 2,500 years, making it one of India's oldest cities. Walk through the lamp-lit maze of the Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple, devoted to Lord Shiva and goddess Meenakshi. Visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum to see details of India's independence struggle and the bloodstained dhoti worn when the leader was assassinated. Take a rickshaw ride through the city.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Rickshaw ride in Madurai
Optional Activities
- Explore Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple
- Visit Gandhi Memorial Museum
Landmarks Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple Gandhi Memorial Museum - Day 18
Madurai to Periyar National Park
Travel by private vehicle to Periyar National Park, roughly 4 to 5 hours away. After checking in, head out to tour a local spice farm. Walk through the winding paths among plantations experiencing cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. You'll see cardamom flowers, feel cool breezes, and watch sunlight filter through pepper plants before settling in for a relaxed evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Spice plantation tour
Landmarks Periyar National Park 
- Day 19
Periyar National Park
After breakfast, you have a free day with an optional walk around Periyar National Park where you might see tiger tracks, spotted deer, Indian elephants, or gaur (the world's largest buffalo species). Keep in mind encounters aren't guaranteed and this is more of a jungle walk than dedicated animal spotting. In the afternoon, try an optional ayurvedic massage or simply relax in your scenic surroundings.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Boat ride on Lake Periyar
Optional Activities
- Walk around Periyar National Park
- Ayurvedic massage
Landmarks Periyar National Park - Day 20
Periyar to Thodupuzha
Drive to Thodupuzha to stay at a unique home stay resort with a peaceful, unspoiled setting. Home grown produce is freshly cooked for you to sample gourmet traditional Keralan food. You can join professional chefs in informal cooking sessions in their state of the art kitchen if interested.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Home-grown produce freshly cooked), Lunch (Traditional Keralan gourmet food), Dinner (Traditional Keralan gourmet food)
Included Activities
- Learn-to-cook session with professional chefs
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Day 21
Thodupuzha
The morning offers plenty of chances to experience authentic village life. Try cycling on village roads to see how people actually live on small farms. You can try milking a cow or get hands on experience in farming. The home stay has many options to enjoy genuine Keralan village culture during your stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Home-grown produce freshly cooked), Lunch (Traditional Keralan food), Dinner (Traditional Keralan food)
Included Activities
- Village walking tour
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Optional Activities
- Cycling on village roads
- Milking the cow
- Hands-on farming experience
- Day 22
Thodupuzha to Alleppey
Drive to Alleppey, the tranquil backwater region of Kerala. Board a houseboat and cruise along the intricate network of canals, lakes, lagoons, and rivers called the 'Venice of the East.' Watch Kerala's rural lifestyle as you glide past tiny villages with rice fields, see women washing clothes on riverbanks, children playing in shallows, and kingfishers darting among palm trees.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Houseboat cruise through Kerala backwaters
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Day 23
Alleppey to Kochi
You'll leave the houseboat and drive to Kochi, a principal port and center of the Malabar Coast spice trade since the 14th century. Known as the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea,' Kochi had the first European settlement in India established by the Portuguese. See the 16th century St. Francis Church, one of the oldest churches built by Europeans in India. Watch local fishermen using cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, distinctively unique to Kochi and dating back to Kublai Khan's era. Later, enjoy a Kathakali dance performance, Kerala's classical form of dance, drama, and music, followed by dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at hotel restaurant)
Included Activities
- Visit St. Francis Church
- Observe Chinese fishing nets
- Kathakali dance performance
- Dinner at hotel restaurant
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Explore Kochi at your own pace
Landmarks St. Francis Church Chinese Fishing Nets - Day 24
Kochi
You'll be transferred to Kochi airport in time to board your flights for your onward journey. Tour ends.
- End point
- Cochin International Airport (COK), Nedumbassery, Aluva, Kerala 683111, India (Main Entrance)
