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Highlights of India
14 days, Delhi to Vypīn Island
Itinerary
Day 1Delhi
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included.
There are no planned activities, so check into to the hotel (check-in time is 12 noon) and enjoy the city.
Women on Wheels Transfer
Transfer by a G Adventures-supported project, Women With Wheels. This program provides safe and reliable transport for travellers, while providing a dignified livelihood for a local woman from a resource poor community.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Delhi/Āgra
Walk through the backstreets of Delhi with a young adult taking part in the G Adventures-supported New Delhi Streetkids Project. Later, explore Old Delhi with our CEO before an afternoon drive to Agra.
Your G for Good Moment: City Walk
Explore the streets of Delhi with a youth-led tour guide from the G Adventures-supported City Walk project. As a former at-risk youth, your local guide will have a unique perspective on the city and can provide more information on the life of a child in India. The guided tour helps support the guide's college or university tuition.
Please note that City Walk is closed on Sundays and holidays and this activity will not run on those days.
Old Delhi Guided Walk
Visit historic Old Delhi. Explore Jama Masjid, the "Great Mosque," and enjoy its massive courtyard, which can hold up to 25,000 worshippers. Also, visit the ancient Sikh temple of Gurdwara SisGanj, which was established in 1783.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Āgra
Spend the day visiting the highlights of the walled city of Agra including the famed Taj Mahal, Baby Taj, and Agra Fort.
Taj Mahal Visit
Cross one off your bucket list as you visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the gorgeous white marble mausoleum, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a testament of his love for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Baby Taj Visit
Visit this mausoleum that looks like a jewel box, built before the Taj Mahal by Queen Nur Jahan for her father. Enjoy the intricate details of the structure; it was the first Mughal building faced with white marble and where "pietra dura" (precious stones inlaid into marble) was first used.
Agra Fort Visit
Enjoy a visit to this impressive Mughal fort made of red sandstone and white marble.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Āgra/Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur, visiting the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri and the village of Abhaneri, which has one of India's deepest and largest stepwells (tank gardens).
En route to Jaipur, stop for an hour at the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri and the village of Abhaneri, which has one of India's deepest and largest stepwells (tank gardens). Arrive in Jaipur in the evening.
Fatehpur Sikri Visit
Explore the magnificent red sandstone fort city that was once the capital of India's Mughal Empire and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Keep an eye out for elements of different religions, as King Akbar built three palaces for each of his favourite wives—a Hindu, a Muslim, and a Christian—in the city.
Abhaneri Stepwell Visit
Walk around the amazing Chand Baori, a tenth century water tank that's an impressive 6.1m (20 ft) deep. Learn about ancient Indian environmentalism—a "baori" is a unique Indian invention for harvesting rainwater.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Jaipur
Explore the 'Pink City' of Jaipur, including the Amber Fort, City Palace, and view the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). Opt to visit local markets and catch a Bollywood film.
Consider treating yourself to a night at the cinema. Going to see a Bollywood film in India is much, much more than what we are accustomed to in the west. The atmosphere, energy, and pure fun (not to mention volume!) has to be experienced to be believed.
Amber Fort Visit
Take in the Hindu and Muslim architecture of the beautiful Amber Fort. Wander through the halls and courtyards and admire the intricate details.
City Palace Visit
Explore the courtyards, gardens, and buildings that make up the City Palace. Located in the heart of the Old City, it is a striking blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. Visit the palace's museum to look at ancient carriages and the former maharaja's gold-embroidered wedding outfit.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 5 HideShow
Movie at Raj Mandir
200-400INR per personVisit this spectacular cinema and watch a song-and-dance Bollywood film.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Jaipur/Sāwarda
Drive to the rural village of Sawarda where we stay in a heritage home. Exploring this traditional village is like stepping back in time. Enjoy a walk in the village and observe a family prayer session.
The village is about 60 Kms from Jaipur and has a very interesting tone to it. It has beautiful temples dedicated to different religions and also has a unique sikh temple here. The residents of the village are still involved in age old commercial activities. You can see Bulls being used for taking out oil, potters on potter wheel, old gold and silver smiths, cobblers, very traditional huts, visit old temples, and small stepwells
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Local Village Immersion
Step back in time and explore the traditional village of Sawarda to get a glimpse of life in rural India. Topics of discussion along the way can include how urbanization affect village life, information technology, and modernization in its benefits and disadvantages, as well as simple village customs and traditions.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 7Sāwarda/Delhi
Drive back to bustling Delhi.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Delhi/Kochi
Fly to the port city of Kochi. Settle into your hotel and enjoy free time to relax the rest of the day. Opt to catch the sunset over the Arabian Sea, framed by hundreds of boats and fishing nets.
In the evening, there will be a welcome meeting for new travellers joining the group.
You may have one CEO for the North and one for the South. In this case you will be transferred to the airport in Delhi and fly unescorted to Kochi -- either on your own or with any other travellers who are continuing on for the south portion of the tour. Upon arrival to Kochi, there is free time to relax until the welcome meeting in the evening.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Kochi
Explore on a walking tour in old Fort Kochi, including the fish market, famous Chinese fishing nets, Dutch Palace, Jewish quarter, and spice market. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance performance.
After breakfast, explore the old part of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry. Visit the Dutch Palace, which was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin King in the 16th century and the St. Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, and Santa Cruz Basilica—built by Portuguese in the 16th century. Also walk through the fishing market and the famous Chinese fishing net, believed having been brought by traders from Kubla Khan's court in China. In the evening, attend the popular classical dance-drama of Kerala "Kathakali", which combines literature, music, painting, acting, and dance.
Orientation Walk
Get to know the delightful city of Kochi through this guided walk, with a chance to explore St Francis Church, the oldest church in India.
Kathakali Dance
Considered one of the oldest dance forms in India, Kathakali is a combination of drama, dance, music, and ritual. Characters with vividly painted faces and elaborate costumes re-enact stories from the Hindu epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana. This dance drama is famous for amazing costumes, extensive makeup, and explosive body movements, and is performed exclusively by men.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Kochi/Kumarakom
Visit Tripunithura Hill Palace then continue to Kumarakom. Enjoy a canoe paddle in the narrow canals and take a walking tour of the paddy fields and Chempu village.
Visit Tripunithura Hill Palace then continue to Kumarakom, set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala. Enjoy a canoe paddle in the narrow canals and take a walking tour of the paddy fields and Chempu village.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Tripunithura Hill Palace Visit
Enjoy the impressive architecture and beautiful grounds of the Tripunithura Hill Palace. Built in 1865, it is now the largest archaeological museum in Kerala, though it was originally the administrative office for local royalty. There is also a heritage museum, deer park, and children's museum in the complex. Make sure to check out its collection of rare species of medicinal plants.
Canoeing
Enjoy a canoe paddle through the narrow canals in Kumarakom.
Walking Tour
Enjoy a walk through the green paddy fields of Kumarakom and the delightful little village of Chempu.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 11Kumarakom/Kerala Backwaters
Spend the day cruising the Kerala backwaters on a comfortable houseboat while observing local village life and bird watching. Later, arrive at our homestay in Alleppey and enjoy a cooking demonstration of traditional Kerala cuisine and dine with a local family.
This morning we travel to Allepey, a golden streak of land surrounded by rivers, lakes, lagoons and canals where we board our private House boat. You can sunbathe on the deck and enjoy the scenery watching daily life take place on the water. The trip goes through a wonderful area full of water birds, palm trees, rice fields and floating water plants that surround the boat like emerald Green Island.
Later, arrive at our home stay in Alleppey and enjoy a cooking demonstration of traditional Keralan cuisine and dine with a local family.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Kerala Backwaters Houseboat Excursion
Lay back and relax on a houseboat as it takes you through the the Kerala backwaters. Look around and enjoy the stunning scenery, dotted with coconut trees and reminiscent of a paradise lost.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Family Home Meal Experience
Enjoy a visit with a local family in Alleppey and get a real taste of Southern India culture and what life in the backwaters is like. Enjoy a demonstration and learn how to cook some delicious dishes, intrinsic to Southern Indian cuisine. After dinner, kick back and relax, getting to know our local hosts and what daily life in Kerala is like.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 12Kerala Backwaters/Vypīn Island
Take time to relax in paradise with free time to explore the local village and pristine beaches. There's an option to visit an Ayurvedic spa or go cycling.
Take time to relax in paradise with free time to explore the local village and pristine beaches. There's an option to visit an Ayurvedic spa or go cycling.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Optional Activities - Day 12 HideShow
Ayurvedic Spa
Kerala is famous for its Ayurvedic spas. Visit one and choose from a number of treatments available, like a full body massage.
Cycling
Jump on a bike and enjoy the ride!
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Vypīn Island
Free Time on Vypīn Island.
Free Time
Enjoy some free time, relax on the beach, visit the spa, or go cycling.
Optional Activities - Day 13 HideShow
Ayurvedic Spa
Kerala is famous for its Ayurvedic spas. Visit one and choose from a number of treatments available, like a full body massage.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Vypīn Island
Depart at any time.
Depart at any time, hotel checkout is at 12:00pm. It is very easy to arange a transfer from the resort to the Cochin airport - your CEO will be happy to assist.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.