Grand India Tour: From the Golden Triangle to Kerala’s Backwaters

Overview

Discover the rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and diverse heritage of India on this immersive 18-day tour. From the bustling cities of the north to the serene backwaters of Kerala, this journey is a perfect blend of history, nature, and relaxation.

Highlights

• Return flights from Heathrow with Emirates & internal flights
• 16 nights in luxury 4- and 5-star hotels + 1 night in flight
• 36 meals included: 16 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 16 dinners
• Expert guidance from a Travelsphere Tour Manager
• Overseas transfers and all transportation included
• Luggage porterage for a hassle-free experience

Itinerary

Day 1: UK → Delhi, India

• Depart from the UK on an overnight flight to Delhi, via Dubai.

Day 2: Arrive in Delhi

• Morning arrival in Delhi and transfer to hotel.
• Explore Old Delhi, featuring:
  • Chandni Chowk, a vibrant street bazaar.
  • The Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque.
• Visit Gandhi Smriti Museum and Humayun’s Tomb.

Day 3: Delhi → Agra

• Morning walking tour of Paharganj, guided by former street children from the Salaam Baalak Trust, a charity supported by Travelsphere Cares.
• Explore New Delhi, including:
  • India Gate and Parliament House.
  • Qutub Minar, a soaring sandstone tower.
• Drive to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal.

Day 4: Agra (Taj Mahal & Agra Fort)

• Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
• Visit Mehtab Bagh, a garden complex offering panoramic views of the Taj Mahal.
• Explore Agra Fort, a UNESCO-listed red sandstone fortress.

Day 5: Agra → Ranthambore (Train Journey & Fatehpur Sikri)

• Visit Fatehpur Sikri, a beautifully preserved deserted Mughal city.
• Travel by train to Modhopur, then transfer by road to Ranthambore National Park.

Day 6: Ranthambore (Wildlife Safari)

• Morning & afternoon safaris in Ranthambore National Park, one of India’s best game reserves.
• Spot crocodiles, hyenas, jackals, and possibly the elusive tiger or leopard.

Day 7: Ranthambore → Jaipur

• Drive to Jaipur, stopping at the village of Abhaneri to admire its ancient carved stepwells.

Day 8: Jaipur (Amber Fort & City Tour)

• Visit Amber Fort, a 17th-century hilltop fortress, featuring:
  • The Palace of Mirrors.
  • The Hall of Pleasures.
• Explore Jaipur’s City Palace and see the Palace of Winds.

Day 9: Jaipur → Bangalore (Flight to South India)

• Morning flight to Bangalore, the capital of Karnataka.
• Explore the ‘Garden City’, known for its:
  • British colonial architecture.
  • Tudor-style Bangalore Palace and lush gardens.

Day 10: Bangalore → Hassan (Temple Tour)

• Drive to Hassan, Karnataka’s oldest town and coffee-growing hub.
• Visit the temple towns of Belur & Halebid, famous for their intricately carved Hoysala temples.

Day 11: Hassan → Coorg (Tibetan Settlement & Coffee Country)

• Scenic drive to Coorg, through lush coffee plantations.
• Visit Bylakuppe, a Tibetan settlement, home to:
  • The Golden Temple, with 40-foot gilded Buddhist statues.

Day 12: Coorg (Hill Station Tour & Coffee Plantation)

• Visit Madikeri Fort, with its Gothic-style Anglican Church.
• Explore Omkareshwara Temple, blending Islamic & Gothic architecture.
• See Abbey Falls, a 70-foot cascading waterfall set amid coffee plantations.
• Guided tour of a coffee plantation, learning about India’s coffee production.

Day 13: Coorg → Mysore (Chamundi Hill & City Palace)

• Travel to Mysore, a city steeped in royal history.
• Visit Chamundi Hill, home to Chamundeshwari Temple.
• Tour Mysore’s grand City Palace, one of India’s largest monuments.

Day 14: Mysore → Bangalore → Cochin (Kerala)

• Drive to Bangalore, stopping at Srirangapatnam, the island fortress of Tipu Sultan.
• Fly to Cochin, Kerala’s coastal gem.

Day 15: Cochin (City Tour & Kathakali Dance Performance)

• Morning tour of Cochin, featuring:
  • The Jewish Quarter.
  • The Dutch Palace.
  • St. Francis Church, where Vasco da Gama was buried.
• Enjoy a traditional Kerala cookery demonstration & lunch.
• Watch a Kathakali classical dance performance.

Day 16: Cochin → Kovalam (Backwaters Cruise)

• Scenic drive to Kovalam, stopping for a houseboat cruise on Kerala’s backwaters.
• Sail past palm-fringed lagoons and traditional fishing villages.
• Arrive at a beachfront spa hotel in Kovalam.

Day 17: Kovalam (Relaxation & Ayurveda Spa Experience)

• Full day to unwind on Kovalam’s golden beaches.
• Option to experience Ayurveda spa treatments or explore local markets.

Day 18: Kovalam → UK

• Transfer to Trivandrum Airport for your return flight to the UK.

What’s Included

✔ International return flights from Heathrow with Emirates
✔ Domestic flights within India
✔ Luxury 4- and 5-star hotels + a lodge in Ranthambore
✔ Daily breakfast, plus 4 lunches & 16 dinners
✔ All airport transfers and transportation between destinations
✔ Expert-led guided tours & wildlife safaris
✔ Visits to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Bangalore, Coorg, Mysore, Cochin & Kerala
✔ Porterage for luggage handling

This ultimate India tour combines cultural wonders, wildlife safaris, scenic beauty, and coastal relaxation, making it the perfect way to explore India from north to south!