South India with Rajasthan Tour

After breakfast, step into the living history of Old Delhi. Begin with the magnificent Jama Masjid — India's largest mosque built by Emperor Shah Jahan — and the vibrant lanes of Chandni Chowk, one of Asia's oldest and busiest markets. Take a cycle-rickshaw ride through the narrow gallis for an authentic Old Delhi experience.

After lunch, explore New Delhi: marvel at Humayun's Tomb — the architectural prototype for the Taj Mahal and a UNESCO World Heritage Site — and the towering Qutub Minar, the world's tallest brick minaret (72.5 m). Drive past the India Gate war memorial, Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's Residence), and Parliament House. End your day at the serene Laxmi Narayan (Birla) Temple. Overnight in Delhi.

After breakfast, depart for Agra (approx. 220 km, 3.5 hrs via the Yamuna Expressway). Check in to your hotel and enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, visit Agra Fort — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the mighty red sandstone citadel of the Mughal emperors, from whose windows the heartbroken Shah Jahan spent his final years gazing at the Taj. Later, visit the iconic Taj Mahal — ideally at golden-hour — and witness the monument that has defined the word "beauty" for over 350 years. Overnight in Agra.

Rise early for a magical sunrise view of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh across the Yamuna River — a perspective most visitors miss. After breakfast, depart for Jaipur en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri — Emperor Akbar's magnificent abandoned Mughal capital, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the Tomb of Salim Chishti (where devotees tie sacred threads for wishes), the grand Panch Mahal palace, the Diwan-i-Khas, and the Buland Darwaza — the largest gateway in the world (54 m high). Continue to Jaipur, check in, and explore the vibrant bazaars. Overnight in Jaipur.

Begin the day with an elephant ride up to the legendary Amber Fort (Amer Fort) — a stunning 16th-century Rajput palace complex perched on a rocky hill, featuring the dazzling Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors). Then visit the City Palace — still partially home to the Jaipur royal family — and its excellent museum of royal artifacts, costumes, and arms. See the Jantar Mantar observatory (UNESCO World Heritage Site) — the world's largest stone sundial, built in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Drive past the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) — Jaipur's most iconic facade — and the Jal Mahal (Water Palace) floating serenely on Man Sagar Lake. Evening: explore Jaipur's famous bazaars for gems, blue pottery, and bandhani textiles. Overnight in Jaipur.

After breakfast, drive to Pushkar (approx. 145 km, 3 hrs) — one of India's oldest and most sacred cities, believed to have been created by a lotus flower dropped by Lord Brahma. Pushkar sits on the banks of the only natural lake in Rajasthan — the holy Pushkar Lake, lined by 52 bathing ghats and 500 temples. Visit the Brahma Temple — one of only a handful of temples in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma. Take an evening stroll on the famous Bazar Road lined with silver jewellery, tie-dye fabrics, and flower offerings. Perform aarti at the lake ghats as the sun dips below the Aravalli Hills. Overnight in Pushkar.

After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur (approx. 190 km, 3.5 hrs) — the second largest city of Rajasthan, nicknamed the Blue City for the indigo-painted houses of its old town. Check in and refresh, then explore the commanding Mehrangarh Fort — one of India's largest forts, rising 125 metres above the city on a sheer rocky bluff. Its seven gates, pearl-encrusted throne rooms, carved windows, and panoramic views are extraordinary. Within the fort, the museum houses the finest collection of Rajput royal artifacts in the country. As evening falls, lose yourself in the lanes and aromas of the famous Clock Tower Market (Sardar Bazar) — Jodhpur's best bazaar for spices, textiles, and street food. Overnight in Jodhpur.

After breakfast, begin the scenic drive to Udaipur with a stop at Ranakpur — home to one of India's most breathtaking Jain temples, the Adinatha Temple (built 1437 AD). This masterpiece features 1,444 intricately carved marble pillars, no two alike, supporting 29 halls and 80 domes. The temple complex is set in a deep forest valley and holds extraordinary spiritual energy. Continue to Udaipur — the City of Lakes — and check in. Overnight in Udaipur.

Spend a full day exploring the romantic lakeside city of Udaipur. Begin with the magnificent City Palace — the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, built over 400 years by successive Maharanas of Mewar, with stunning views over Lake Pichola. Explore the royal zenanas, crystal gallery, and museum collections. Visit Saheliyon Ki Bari (Garden of the Maidens) — a delightful 18th-century garden with fountains, marble kiosks, and lotus pools. In the afternoon, take a peaceful boat ride on Lake Pichola, gliding past the fairy-tale Lake Palace (now a luxury hotel) and Jag Mandir island. As sunset approaches, drive up to Monsoon Palace (Sajjangarh) for a panoramic golden view over Udaipur and its lakes. Overnight in Udaipur.

This morning marks the journey's great transformation. Transfer to Udaipur airport for your flight to Kochi (Cochin) — Kerala's historic port city on the Malabar Coast. Upon arrival, our representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. As you drive through the city, Kerala's lush tropical landscape — coconut groves, backwater channels, and red-tiled rooftops — signals a magnificent new chapter of the journey. Check in and rest. Overnight in Kochi.

Explore Fort Kochi — one of India's most uniquely layered heritage neighbourhoods, shaped by Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonialism. Begin at the Jewish Synagogue (Paradesi Synagogue) in Mattancherry — built in 1568, it is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth, famous for its hand-painted Chinese floor tiles and 11 hanging brass chandeliers. Visit Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace) — a Portuguese gift to the Rajas of Kochi, renowned for its extraordinary Kerala-school murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Walk to the iconic Chinese Fishing Nets (Cheena Vala) at Fort Kochi beach — 500-year-old cantilevered net systems that make for unforgettable photographs. Visit the historic St. Francis Church (built 1503, the oldest European church in India, where Vasco da Gama was originally buried) and the Santa Cruz Basilica. Stroll along the beautiful Marine Drive promenade. Evening: enjoy a mesmerising Kathakali dance performance — Kerala's ancient classical dance-drama, famous for its elaborate costumes and dramatic facial expressions. Overnight in Kochi.

After breakfast, drive to Munnar (approx. 130 km, 3.5–4 hrs) through a breathtaking mountain road that climbs through Kerala's Western Ghats. The landscape transitions from coconut palms to rubber plantations to the iconic emerald-green tea estates that have made Munnar famous the world over. Check in and enjoy the cool mountain air (Munnar sits at 1,600 m altitude). In the afternoon, visit a working tea garden and witness the entire tea-making process at the Tata Tea Museum — from plucking and withering to rolling, fermenting, and drying. Browse through fine Munnar teas and take home the region's finest blends. Overnight in Munnar.

After breakfast, spend a full day exploring Munnar's extraordinary natural landscapes. Visit Eravikulam National Park — home to the world's largest population of the Nilgiri Tahr (an endangered mountain goat) and the breathtaking Rajamala highlands. Drive to Mattupetty Dam and its scenic reservoir, where you can enjoy a boat ride surrounded by rolling tea hills. Explore Echo Point — a natural echo spot by a serene lake with beautiful views. Visit the Top Station at 1,700 m for panoramic views across the Western Ghats into Tamil Nadu. Evening: wander through the old Munnar town's local markets for spices, homemade chocolates, and Ayurvedic products. Overnight in Munnar.

After breakfast, drive to Periyar (Thekkady, approx. 110 km, 3 hrs) — Kerala's most celebrated wildlife destination, famous for its lush spice plantations and the Periyar Tiger Reserve. Check in and refresh, then embark on a guided spice plantation walk. Walk through groves of fragrant cardamom — the main crop of this region — alongside pepper vines climbing teak trees, clove trees, nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, and exotic herbs. Your guide will explain the cultivation, harvesting, and medicinal uses of each spice. Purchase authentic Kerala spices directly from the plantation. Overnight in Periyar.

An early morning is ideal to witness the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary at its most active. Join a boat safari on Periyar Lake — the artificial lake at the heart of the reserve — and watch for wild elephants coming to the water's edge at dawn, herds of gaur (Indian bison), Sambar deer, macaques, birds of prey, and if lucky, a glimpse of the elusive leopard or tiger. The forest-fringed lake views are stunning at any time of day. In the evening, witness a thrilling performance of Kalarippayattu — one of the world's oldest martial arts, originating in Kerala over 3,000 years ago, featuring extraordinary feats of agility, weapon skills, and controlled combat. Overnight in Periyar.

After breakfast, drive to Kumarakom (approx. 140 km, 3.5 hrs) — a cluster of small islands on the shores of the vast Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest lake. Kumarakom offers a gentle, restorative experience of Kerala's backwater ecosystem. Visit the celebrated Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary — a protected 14-acre forest of herons, egrets, cormorants, and parrots alongside rare migratory species including the Siberian Crane, teal, lark, and flycatcher, which arrive between October and February from the Himalayas and Siberia. Spend the afternoon on a peaceful country boat ride through the narrow waterways, watching the late sunlight play on the rice paddies and coconut groves. Overnight in Kumarakom.

Today is one of the most anticipated experiences of the entire tour. After breakfast, drive to Alleppey (Alappuzha) — the "Venice of the East" — and board your traditional Kerala Kettuvallam houseboat for an unforgettable overnight cruise through the backwaters. Drift silently through 900 km of interconnected canals, lagoons, and lakes that make up Kerala's famed backwater network. Palm-fringed narrow canals wind through vast paddy fields; tiny neat hamlets line each bank; Chinese fishing nets stretch across the water at every village. Fishermen cast their nets; children wave from canal-side schools; women wash clothes on mossy steps. Your houseboat comes with a chef who prepares fresh Kerala meals — rice, fish curry, coconut-based gravies, and tropical fruits. Watch the sunset over the paddy fields from the open deck. Dinner and overnight on the houseboat.

Wake up on the houseboat to a magnificent backwater sunrise and a fresh Kerala breakfast. Disembark and drive to Kovalam (approx. 150 km, 3–3.5 hrs) — Kerala's most celebrated beach resort, set on the Arabian Sea. Kovalam consists of three adjacent crescent-shaped beaches: Lighthouse Beach (the most popular, named after the red-and-white lighthouse on the promontory), Hawah Beach, and the serene Samudra Beach preferred by Ayurveda retreat guests. Check in to your beachside hotel. Spend the rest of the day acclimatising to the sounds and sights of the sea. Overnight in Kovalam.

A full day of leisure at Kovalam. Spend the morning on Lighthouse Beach — swimming in the warm Arabian Sea, sunbathing on the golden sands, or watching local fishermen haul in their morning catch. Kovalam is one of India's best destinations for traditional Kerala Ayurveda treatments. Consult a certified Ayurvedic physician and indulge in therapies such as Abhyanga (full-body warm oil massage), Shirodhara (warm oil poured over the forehead), or Pizhichil (medicated oil bath). These ancient wellness traditions, practised in Kerala for over 2,000 years, offer profound relaxation and healing benefits. Overnight in Kovalam.

Another day of leisure in Kovalam. Take a sunrise walk along the beach, enjoy yoga by the sea, or explore the small fishing village of Vizhinjam — home to Kerala's largest natural harbour and an ancient rock-cut cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Enjoy the fresh seafood at beachside restaurants — Kerala's coastal cuisine of grilled prawns, fish molee, and coconut-based curries is unmissable. Alternatively, visit the famous Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium or take an afternoon boat ride to explore the coastline. Overnight in Kovalam.

Enjoy your final full leisure day in Kovalam. Watch the morning fishermen unload their catches on the beach and witness the lively fish market that erupts on the sands each morning. For the adventurous, try surfing or kayaking in Kovalam's gentle waves. Visit the Halcyon Castle — a heritage palace once used by the Travancore royal family — or explore the picturesque Poovar Island nearby, where a golden estuary meets the sea. Overnight in Kovalam.

Today's day excursion is one of the tour's most memorable. Drive to Kanyakumari (approx. 70 km, 1.5 hrs) — the southernmost point of mainland India, where the Bay of Bengal, Arabian Sea, and Indian Ocean meet in a dramatic confluence. The sight of three differently coloured seas meeting at one point is extraordinary. Visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial — built on a rocky island where Swami Vivekananda sat in meditation before his legendary address at the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago (1893). Take the short ferry to the rock. See the towering Thiruvalluvar Statue (133 ft, representing the 133 chapters of the Thirukkural). Visit the Bhagavathy Amman Temple — an ancient and sacred shrine to the Goddess. Pay respects at the Gandhi Smarak Mandapam — the memorial built at the spot where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were kept before immersion. Watch the spectacular sunset at Kanyakumari — where the sun sinks into the sea at the exact meeting point of three waters — one of the most moving sunsets in all of India. Return to Kovalam for dinner and overnight.

After a final Kerala breakfast, check out and transfer to Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) (approx. 17 km, 30 mins from Kovalam) for your onward flight home or to your next destination. As you board your flight, carry with you a lifetime of memories — the golden domes of Rajasthan's forts, the mirrored halls of Amber, the mist-draped tea gardens of Munnar, the starlit nights on an Alleppey houseboat, and the three seas meeting at the feet of India. Tour concludes here. Until your next journey!