The 20 day tour Incorporates the fine capital city of Delhi, Moghul Agra with the dream-like Taj Mahal, the unexplored Eastern coast and the temples and cultures South India. For those who want to stay on after the tour we have arranged an e extension to regal Rajasthan, with its palaces and forts, or a relaxing extension to the former Portuguese colony on the shores of the Arabian Sea.
The departure dated, have been carefully chosen to take advantage of the autumn weather conditions and, as demand is sure to be heavy, early bo is recommended.
THURSDAY DEPARTURES
ITINERARY
1st day
Depart London Heathrow by British Airways for Delhi.
2nd day
Arrive in the morning and transfer to The Oberoi Hotel. Rest of day at leisure. Optional evening visit to a Son et Lumiere performance at the Red Fort.
3rd day
Our sightseeing will include separate visits to New Delhi, where we see the the fine Lutyens designed government buildings, and Old Delhi to visit the Red Fort and the marble domed Jams Mai Mosque.
4th day
In the morning depart by coach for Agra. On arrival, transfer to the Clarks Shiraz Hotel (superior rooms). In the late afternoon, there will be an opportunity to see the Taj Mahal at sunset.
5th day
Morning tour of Agra, including the white marble Taj Mahal built by Shah Johan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and Agra Fort. Afternoon at leisure.
6th day
Fly to Varanasi, the sacred Hindu city and one of the most ancient places in India. Stay at the Clarks Hotel (superior rooms).
7th day
An early morning boat ride on the Ganges to witness the pilgrims, devotees, fakirs and yogis purifying themselves in the river. Rest of day at leisure.
8th day
Fly to Bhubaneshwar and transfer to the Oberoi Hotel.
9th day
Bhubaneshwar, in Orissa s1ste, is known as the “Cathedral City of India’ owing to its innumerable temples. We will visit Konarak, site of the impressive Sun Temple built in honour of Surya, the Sun-God, which look 1,200 sculptors twelve years to comp1ste.
10th day
At leisure until the flight to Hyderabad where on arrival we transfer to the Krishna Oberoi Hotel.
11th day
Morning tour of this important and colourful city including the Solar Jung museum which houses the fabulous private collection of a former prime minister. An optional tour to Golconda Fort and the tombs of the Cuffs Shah! Kings who ruled the Deccan plateau in the 10th and 11th centuries could be arranged during our stay.
12th day
Fly to Madras, chief city of the Coromandel Coast steeped in centuries of history. Stay at the Oberoi Trident Hotel.
13th day
Morning tour including the National Museuni Fort and San Thorne Cathedral. Afternoon at leisure.
14th day
A full day sightseeing in which we will visit Kanchipuram, one of the Seven Sacred Cities of India dating back to the 6th century. After lunch we stop at the coastal city of Mahattalipuram with its wonderful monolithic monuments and stone sculptures from the Pallava era including the spectacular Shore Temple decorated with a row of Nandi bulls.
15th day
Fly to Bangalore and continue by road to Mysore where accommodation will be at the Southern Star Hotel.
16th day
Sightseeing will include a visit to the Somnathpur Temple and the summer palace of Tipu Sultan at Srirangapatnam. There will also be a city tour of Mysore.
17th day
At leisure with the opportunity of visiting the Hoysala temples at Belur and Halebid.
18th day
Return by road to Bangalore and fly to Bombay. Transfer to the Oberoi Towers Hotel.
19th day
At leisure in Bombay. It may be possible to take an optional trip to Elephants Island.
20th day
Leave by British Airways for London Heathrow arriving in the early morning.
MEALS:
Half Board. Lunch included on days 9, 14, 15 and 18