Exotic Indian Panorama - HolidayKeys.co.uk

Day 1 – Arrival at Delhi Airport. Overnight stay.
Day 2 – After the breakfast in the morning, todays visit to
New & Old Delhi, including Qutub Minar built in the 12 th
century, gracefully hand – carved and the only 120 meter
tallest minar in the world, there is also an eminent
monument inside its complex named as the Iron Pillar
which was constructed by the Gupta Empire, it is a rust –
resistant composition. And The pride of India Red Fort,
where on every Independence day of India 15 August,
Prime Minister of India hoists the Tiranga (tricolour
national flag), at the main gate and broadcast the speech
from its rampart. It was built by the Mughal Empire Shah
Jahan and it houses so many museums.
Visit the mausoleum of emperor Humayun – a forerunner of
the Mughal style of architecture and the imposing modern
Lakshminarayan temple. Drive past the India Gate, the
presidents residence – formerly the Vieroys Palace,
parliament House and the Secretariat buildings, – an
interesting blend of the Victorian and 20 th century
architecture.
Old Delhi drives you to the Raj Ghat (memorial of Mahatama
Gandhi), Jama Masjid, and the largest mosque in India. And
the famous Chandni Chowk which was an imperial avenue of
Mughal Royalty, and it is the busiest commercial area of the
city. Overnight stay.

Day 3 – After breakfast, check out from the hotel board the train
to reach Varansi for 10 hours. It is the dusk and the time for the
Aarti at Ganga Ghat, so go to attend the Aarti ceremony. After
the dinner, overnight stay at in a hotel.
Day 4 – After the breakfast, lets go for visiting the spiritual
capital of India. First visit to Manikarnika Ghat the holy place of
goddess Sati and Dashashwamedh Ghat, these two Ghats have a
major importance in mythology, and the Vishnu temple.
After taking the lunch, depart to Sarnath for 10 kilometers in 37
minutes. The Buddha preached his first sermon to five disciples
at the Deer Park here, enshrining the principles of his teaching
into laws. The Dhamek Stupa marks the location of a once
resplendent monastery. A large complex of ruined monasteries
covers the area north of the stupas. Some of the buildings
belong to the Kushan and Gupta period. The first monk
communities probably settled here in the 3rd century BC. Near
the Dhamek Stupa is a new monastery built by the Buddhist
Mahabodhi Society. The major events of Buddhas life are
depicted here in wall paintings by a Japanese artist. Sarnath has
an interesting archaeological museum, which has preserved the
famous Sarnath pillar whose capital forms Indias national
emblem.
Overnight stay.

Day 5 – Check out from hotel early morning, leaving for Khajuraho for 8 hours.
Check in at a hotel.
After lunch, lets move for sightseeing of the place, The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of Hindu and Jain
temples, and UNESCO World Heritage Site of India. These temples are built between 950 and 1050 by the Chandela
dynasty. Only 20 temples are remaining out 0f 85. They are the strange works of a long dead people. Khajurahos
temples are covered with hundreds of sculptured figures – a galaxy of gods and goddesses, beasts and serpents, and a
multitude of erotic couples, which represent a paean to life, to love and to joy. The most famous are the Kandariya
Mahadev, the Chaturbhuj, the Paraswanath and the Ghantai – the summit of Hindu sculpture: voluptuous forms;
human and divine, throbbing with life and sublime in expression. Overnight stay.

Day 6 - Check out from the hotel and board train to Agra.
Board train from the Jhansi Station to Agra for 4 hours and 30 minutes.
After lunch in the afternoon, visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen
Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece
fashioned from white marble that stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia,
Turkey, France and Italy and who took 17 years to complete this Love Poem in Marle. (Friday closed). Later visit the
Agra fort containing the halls, private and public audiences and other palaces.
Now, move to other precious monuments consisting of Agra Fort, Mehtab Bagh, Akbar's Tomb, Tomb of Mariam-uz-
Zamani, Panch Mahal Fatehpur Sikari.
Overnight stay.

Day 7 - Check out from the hotel and board flight for Jaipur.
Check in at a hotel.
After the lunch go for sightseeing in the city, Amber Fort,
Jaigarh, Jal Mahal on the way of returning and Hawa Mahal.
Overnight stay.
Day 8 - Check out from the hotel and board flight for Cochin.
First, visit to the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue – (which
remains closed on Saturdays) St. Francis Church and the Santa
Cruz Basilica. While driving along the coastline, at the Harours
mouth, one can also view the unique and still-in-use Chinese
Fishing Nets which were introduced by the Chinese traders in
the 14th Century. The tour ends in the Fort Kochi area where
you can walk through the historical Dutch and Portuguese
buildings. Some parts of this nearly 500-year-old Fort are still
amazingly well preserved.
In the evening, witness Kathakali classical dance performance.
Enjoy Indias most spectacular Dance Drama based on stories
from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The dancers are elaborately
made up with paint and masks, accompanied by drummers and
musicians. Overnight stay.

Day 9 – After the breakfast, drive for Periyar for 4 hours.
After the lunch, move for sightseeing. The wildlife sanctuary
here is the natural habitat of a wide variety of animal species.
The Periyar Lake is a paradise for the nature lovers. It gives you
an opportunity to observe the wild animals roaming in the
jungle. The lake is also a irdwathers delight. The greatest
attraction of Periyar Lake, however, is the herds of wild
elephants that come down to play in the lake. This lake serves
as the waterhole for the animals and they come here to drink or
take a dip. There are over 260 species of birds here; including
Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, blue-winged Parakeets, and White bellied
Tree Pies, laughing Thrushes and Fly Catchers.
Overnight stay.
Day 10 - After the breakfast, drive for Kumarakom for 3 hours.
After the having the lunch in the traditional manner with a
delicious food, move for sightseeing of the paradise, Vembanad
Lake, this invites the migratory birds and offers you a joyful
houseboat trip.
In the evening move to Aruvikkuzhi waterfalls – the famous for a
picnic spot. Pathiraman Island is known as sand of night. The
island can be accessed only by the boat. The ancient Juma
Masjid, which is over 1000 years old.
Overnight stay.

Day 11 – After the breakfast, drive for Kovalam for 4 hours and 30 minutes.
After the lunch, move for sightseeing in the city of beaches consisting of Light Beach, Hawa Beach, Samudra Beach,
with the lavish groves of coconut tree along the way.
Overnight stay.
Leave Kovalam to board the flight from Trivandrum International Airport. End of the service.
This trip offers you unforgettable memories of the exotic Indian panorama.