The Jewels of Kerala and North India Escorted Tour combines India’s Southern and Northern regions and offers some of the best known and iconic attractions in India. This spectacular 10 day tour explores wildlife reserves, spice plantations and the backwaters of  laid-back Kerala in the South and the Royal heritage cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, which form part of the ‘Golden Triangle’ in the North.

** THIS TOUR DEPARTS EVERY TUESDAY **

Please see itinerary details below:

Day 1 – Tuesday: Arrive Cochin

Upon your arrival at the airport, you will be met by our representative and escorted to your Hotel. Cochin is the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala, also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, is one of the finest natural harbours in the world. First settled by the Dutch, then the Portuguese and later by the British, Cochin was the site of the first European colonial settlements in India. Overnight in the Trident Hotel on a B&B Basis.

Day 2 – Wednesday: Day in Cochin
After breakfast you embark on a city tour of Cochin, visiting the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, the Cochin Fort, St. Francis Church and the famous Chinese fishing nets. Overnight in the Trident Hotel on a B&B Basis.

Optional Cultural Performance Evening: This evening, you have the option to watch a spectacular Kathakali performance. Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in India. It is a spectacular combination of drama, dance, music and ritual. Characters with vividly painted faces and elaborate costumes re-enact stories from the Hindu epics of Mahabharata and the Ramayana (at extra charge)

Optional Motor Boat Cruise: Enjoy a sunset motor boat cruise along the coastline of Kochi, where you can marvel at the spectacular sunsets and the daily lifestyle along the Kochi harbour (at extra charge).
 
Day 3 – Thursday: Cochin to Periyar
Today you embark on a scenic drive to Periyar, the wildlife and spice plantation hub of Kerala. In the afternoon you take a spice plantation tour and learn about the mystery and history of Indian spices. You have the opportunity to shop for fragrant spices at a local market before returning to the Elephant Court Hotel, staying here on a B&B Basis

Optional Evening Tour: This evening, you have the option to visit the Periyar Wildlife sanctuary, one of the finest elephant reserves of southern India. Take a walk around the park or a boat cruise on serene Lake Periyar, spotting migratory birds and local wildlife around the shore (at extra charge).

Day 4 – Friday: Periyar to Kumarakom
Your tour departs after breakfast and you drive to Kumarakom, the coastal town in the backwaters of Kerala. On arrival, check-in at your hotel and freshen up. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Kumarakom. Overnight in the Zuri Resort on a B&B Basis

Optional Backwaters Sunset Cruise: This evening enjoy a sunset motorboat cruise along the backwaters of Kumarakom. Kerala’s backwaters consist of a complex network of lagoons, lakes, & canals and are best experienced while slowly rowing down the labyrinth of canals, appreciating life on the banks, lush green rice fields, and coconut groves (at extra charge)

Day 5 – Saturday: Kumarakom – Kochi / Delhi
After a leisurely breakfast, you embark on your return drive to Kochi, where you will be transferred to the Airport in time for your flight to Delhi, the capital city of India. Upon arrival in Delhi you are met and transferred to the Country Inn Suites, where you stay on a B&B Basis

Day 6 – Sunday: Delhi – Agra (210km +- 5hrs)
This morning you discover the history and heritage of Delhi, with a visit to the Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture. Then you are driven to the old part of the city, where you walk through the busy streets of the Chandni Chowk, Delhi's largest bazaar and you visit the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. En-route you are driven past the splendid Red Fort, the India Gate, the President's and Parliament Houses and other Government Secretariat Buildings of Lutyen’s Delhi. Afterward you depart by road to Agra, where on arrival you check in to the Radisson Agra Hotel, staying on a B&B basis.

Day 7 – Monday: Day in Agra
Your day starts early today with a sunset visit to the spectacular Taj Mahal. This inimitable poem in white marble was built over a period of 22 years by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Later you visit the splendid Agra Fort, built in red sandstone before returning to your Hotel. Overnight in the Radisson Hotel Agra on a B&B basis.

Optional Theatre Performance: This evening, you have the option to watch a live theatre performance, introducing you to the story of the Taj Mahal. Watch the spectacular performance - “Mohabbat the Taj – The saga of love”, staging the largest replica of the Taj Mahal, and presenting the legend of love that created this magnificent mausoleum (at extra charge). Overnight in the Radisson Hotel Agra on a B&B basis.

Day 8 – Tuesday: Agra – Jaipur (235km +- 6hrs)
After breakfast you embark on a leisurely drive to Jaipur - land of the Rajputs. Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance and traditional arts and crafts. Known, as the 'Pink City', Jaipur is home to ancient forts and palaces and is one of India's most well planned cities.

En route to Jaipur, you visit Fatehpur Sikri, the capital city of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. Upon arrival check in to the Fortune Select Metropolitan Hotel, staying on a B&B basis.

Optional Home Hosted Dinner: This evening you have the option to learn more about local lifestyle and culture of India with dinner at an Indian home. Spend time talking to your hosts and learn about their way of life. You may also opt for a unique opportunity to step inside an Indian kitchen and learn the age old art of Indian culinary delights. Your hosts will be happy to share their secret recipes and give you some handy tips about Indian cooking (at extra charge).

Day 9 – Wednesday: Day in Jaipur
This morning you embark on a guided tour of the ‘Pink City’, visiting the Amber Fort, a marvellous example of Rajput architecture, ascending the hill by elephant, before visiting the City Palace, the Jantar Mantar Astronomical Observatory and the Hawa Mahal or ‘Palace of Winds’. Evening at leisure where you might enjoy the colourful bazaar renowned for its spices and craft work. Overnight at the Fortune Select Metropole Hotel on a B&B basis.

Day 10 – Thursday: Jaipur to Delhi (260km +- 5hr)
Today you return to Delhi by road and your escorted tour ends at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

At GoHop.ie we have extensive knowledge of India and we can always offer you an itinerary tailor-made just for YOU ! So please give us a call if you want a very special experience of ‘Incredible India’. We can offer Tiger & bird safari’s, Yoga & Ayurvedic retreats,  trekking and adventure or culinary tours and may other options !

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Dear Alana, Paul here, totally forgot to email you since we came home from our trip of India and Nepal. we had an absolute blast, only thing was it was way too short of a holiday. India was what we expected and more but we were really surprised about the whole "culture shock". we had seen it in Beijing before so India wasn't all that bad, even the biggest slum in Asia (slumdog millionaire was filmed in). the south of India was beautiful and the north was chaotic but great. Nepal was absolutely beautiful. Kathmandu had such a friendly atmosphere and we were lucky enough to be there for Holi, the festival of colours. Pokhara was a gem in the Himalayas. so peaceful, we didn't want to come home. The hotels, guides, drivers and cars were top class. we felt like real rich people as opposed to our usual trips in hostels and buses. It really has given us itchy feet to go travelling again so all we have to do now is make the big decision to pack in our work and head off. Easier said than done though! Anyway, thanks so much for all your help and for a great trip. We are very grateful. Traveled March 2012 !