Palaces and Palms: Rajasthan and Kerala Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

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This itinerary is perfect for those who are unsure if they will return to India and really want to combine the best of India encorporating Rajasthan, Agra and Delhi in north with the backwaters and beaches of Kerala in the south in just a little over 2 weeks.

With careful planning and some Experience Travel signature experiences along the way, we've made it possible for you to experience the best of India and what it has to offer and get under the skin of the places you visit: enjoy some incredible (and deeply contrasting) tasting food, marvel at some of the world’s most striking architectural achievements and get some downtime to whilst relaxing in beautiful hotels.

Highlights:

The Taj Mahal: it’s world famous for a very good reason!
Be dazzled and confused in equal measures by the incredible buzz and whirl of both Jaipur and Delhi.
Relax in India’s most romantic city – the ‘Pink City’, Udaipur and Lake Pichola.
The varied and tasty cuisine of Cochin
The dreamy backwaters and a few days of blissful relaxation on a palm fringed beach in Kerala.

As with all of our suggested itineraries, we can tailor-make your best of India holiday to suit your budget, style and expectations. Find out about our exclusive ‘Journey Planner’ here.

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart and fly to Delhi.

DAY 2 Delhi

Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your hotel in the heart of New Delhi.

DAY 3 Delhi

An interesting experience exploring locally with one of the ex-street kid guides from the Salaam Baalak Trust, they'll give you a brilliant and fun tour of the streets where they grew up, tell you eye popping stories and give a fantastic insight into another side of Delhi. The cost of this tour goes directly to the trust and helps other street kids.

After lunch you will see both sides of Delhi – the historic city and its modern face. Old Delhi is the ancient walled city, capital of the Mughal Empire. Explore by cycle rickshaw and see the formidable Red Fort. Make your way through Chandni Chowk, filled with twisting lanes and crowded bazaars. Return to New Delhi by the very modern Delhi Metro system, a marvel of modern engineering in one of the most crowded parts of India. In the evening we can suggest some superb restaurants for you to try.

DAY 4 Delhi to Agra

After breakfast, your chauffeur will arrive to drive you down the excellent new highway to Agra. On arrival, after lunch and checking in at your hotel you will be able to visit the Taj, the premier iconic site in the whole of India and deservedly so.

Day 5 Agra to Jaipur

This morning you’ll be driven to Jaipur, via a stop at the incredible ruined city of Fatehpur Sikri. This fairly tale city in the desert is still in pristine condition, despite being completely abandoned 100’s of years ago.

On from there to Jaipur, the ‘Pink City’ and the third point of the famous Indian ‘golden triangle’ of tourist sites. Check into your wonderful hotel in a converted Haveli (aristocratic mansion) and there is time to relax or explore if you are keen.

Day 6 Jaipur

Jaipur is a riot of colour and as the capital of Rajasthan, it's a very busy place with buzzing spice markets and streets filled with multicoloured saris and rampaging rickshaw drivers. Today you’ll have a full day with a local guide to explore the city's Hindu and Mughul heritage and the many palaces and forts, home to intricate and exquisite Indian art and architecture, including the extraordinary Palace of the Winds.

Day 7 Jaipur to Udaipur

A 7 hour journey today with stop offs and lunch on route to lovely Udaipur, on the banks of Lake Pichola. You’ll take a boat trip across the lake to get the best view of the famous Taj Palace Lake Hotel (you can stay here too if you wish of course).

Day 8 Udaipur

A full day exploring the sights and sounds of Udaipur, including the City Palace complex and the markets and bazaars of the old city.

Day 9 Udaipur to Cochin

Wave goodbye to your chauffeur today and transfer to the airport for your flight to Cochin via Mumbai. Arrive and check in before exploring Cochin and perhaps sampling some of the local food for which the region is famous.

Day 10 Cochin

Your tour of Cochin focuses on the fascinating blend of architectural styles for which the town is associated. There are Portuguese churches, Chinese fishing nets, colourful Hindu temples and even a synagogue, built in the 1560s in the old Jewish Quarter.

The day will finish with a sunset cruise around Cochin harbour, a fun way to finish your first full day in the south.

Day 11 The Backwaters

A day cruise today on the backwaters of the Kuttanad region reveals the expanse of village life alongside the waterways. You will pass Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest lake and the longest in India. The day boat is able to access the small canals that larger overnight boats miss. You'll stay in a beautiful hotel overlooking the lake.

Day 12 The Backwaters

A free day today to soak up the sleepy atmosphere of Kumarakom: a small cluster of palm-fringed islands set against the backdrop of the vast Vembanad Lake. The area is home to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, which keen bird watchers might like to explore.

Days 13, 14 & 15 Mararikulam

Off to one of Kerala’s best beaches today for a few days R&R, you'll have plenty of time to soak up the sun and unwind after our adventure exploring two completely contrasting regions of India.

Days 15 fly home (or stay!)

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

As every holiday is unique to you, prices vary. To give you an indication, two-week holidays range from roughly £2,500 to £8,000 per adult, with an average price of £3,300. We also offer substantial child and seasonal discounts.

Fill in our Quote Request form to get your quick, no-obligations proposal.

As every holiday is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 for an inclusive, personalised quotation for your preferred dates or use the quote request form below...

Inclusions

Your personalised quotation with Experience Travel Group will include:

International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer)
Accommodation as described
Privately guided tours and transfers
Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences
Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding)
Meals as described
24 hour in-country backup whilst away
Your own dedicated travel expert in the UK

For more on our pricing policy read here.

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the hotels and villas within this holiday as standard...

Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom

Coconut Lagoon is a tropical sanctuary in picturesque Kumarakom. Come here for luxury, tranquillity, and traditional Keralan cuisine.

Malabar House, Cochin

Malabar House is intimate and charming, famous for its great central location in Fort Cochin and for its first class seafood.

Marari Beach Resort, Mararikulam

The cottages at Marari Beach Resort are designed in fishing village style. Expect sound eco-friendly policies, good facilities, and great dining.

Samode Haveli, Jaipur

Constructed 175 years ago as a nobleman’s residence, Samode Haveli was restored in the original Indo-Saracenic style and is now a gorgeous hotel.

The Claridges, Delhi

The Claridges is a large and pleasant colonial style hotel in a quiet New Delhi suburb, particularly well-suited to leisure travellers.

Tree of Life, Udaipur

Wellness, rejuvenation, and green surroundings give this lovely contemporary hotel near Udaipur an edge. It’s an oasis of calm with wonderful service.

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the experiences & activities within this holiday as standard...

Cochin Tour and Performance, Cochin

As the oldest European settlement in India Kochi (Cochin) features a fascinating blend of architectural styles.

Cruise the Keralan Backwaters, Kumarakom

Explore the Keralan backwaters on a smaller vessel for a day cruise, and get right out into the smaller tributaries.

Delhi: Old & New, Delhi

Discover both sides of historic Delhi, capital of the Mughal Empire, and then Lutyens magnificent New Delhi, symbol of the British empire.

Evening Cruise on Lake Pichola, Udaipur

An early evening boat ride will take you out onto the placid waters of Lake Pichola, for wonderful views of the City Palace.

Jaipur and the Amber Fort, Jaipur

Discover Jaipur and the Amber Fort as part of your experience based, tailor-made holiday.

'Proper' Cooking Experience, Jaipur

A hands on and involved cooking experience in a family home. Organic ingredients and real local food. Delicious, fun and informative.

Salaam Baalak Trust Walk, Delhi

A fantastic walking tour through the narrow streets of Paharganj, this walk is guided by ex-street kids and is a hugely uplifting experience.

Taj Mahal & Agra Fort , Agra

The Taj Mahal is the crowning glory of Mughal architecture and the incredible fort at Agra is not far behind on the India 'must see' list.

Customer Feedback

It is impossible to put into words just how fascinating India is and its people are incredibly friendly and welcoming. Thank you Experience Travel!

- AT, January 2015

About: Highlights of East India

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