Contrasts of India: Northern Cities & Kerala Backwaters

Contrasts of India: Northern Cities & Kerala Backwaters

This is the ultimate tour of India, taking you from the Golden Triangle in the north to Kerala's backwaters in the south. You'll tour Old Delhi in the company of former street children, who will introduce you to the India that few travellers get to see. You'll visit the stunning Taj Mahal and head off on two safaris in Ranthambore National Park in search of tigers. In Jaipur you'll discover the Amber Fort and the magnificent City Palace, and in Karnataka, tour a plantation and explore fascinating temple towns. The pace slows as you enjoy a cruise on Kerala's idyllic palm-fringed lakes and lagoons. And your tour ends with a relaxing stay at a spa hotel located on a beautiful stretch of beach in Marari.

What's Included

• Return flights from London
• 16 nights in 4 and 5-star hotels and a lodge plus 2 night in flight
• 37 meals: 16 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 16 dinners and welcome drink
• All highlights included
• Travelsphere Holiday Director
• Overseas transfers, internal flights, other transportation and porterage

Holiday Highlights:

• ​Old Delhi and walk with former street children
• New Delhi tour
• The world-famous Taj Mahal
• Agra Fort visit
• Search for tigers on two safaris in Ranthambore
• Abhaneri stepwells
• The 'Pink City' of Jaipur
• Discover the Amber Fort
• Bandipur National Park drive
• Ooty tour and botanical gardens
• Tea plantation and Sims Park
• Cochin tour with Mattancherry Palace and Fort Cochin
• Srirangapatnam, the island fortress of the warrior King Tipu Sultan
• Kerala's beautiful port city of Cochin
• Cookery demonstration including dinner
• Kathakali dance performance
• Stay on a houseboat amongst Kerala's tranquil backwaters

Day 1: Uk - Delhi

Depart for your flight to Delhi today.

Day 2: Delhi

On arrival in Delhi we'll transfer you to your hotel. Your sightseeing starts in the 17th century walled city of Old Delhi. Here you'll delve into a maze of crowded streets and vibrant markets, and stroll through the fabled street bazaar of Chandni Chowk. We'll stop to admire the marble domes of Jama Masjid Mosque before visiting the Gandhi Smriti Museum and Humayun's Tomb.

Day 3: Delhi - Ranthambore

Your day is filled with wonderful experiences, starting with a short tour of Paharganj, in central Delhi. You'll do this in the company of former street children, who now work with the Salaam Baalak Trust. This charity, supported by Travelsphere Cares, equips the youngsters with a range of skills and helps them to better their lives. They are also provided with a warm bed at night and a hot meal each day.

Next we travel onto Ranthambore National Park where we stay for two nights.

Day 4: Ranthambore

An exciting day is on the cards, with morning and afternoon safaris in Ranthambore National Park, said to be the best game reserve in India. We'll make our way through thick forest interspersed with pretty waterfalls, which provides the perfect habitat for more than 300 species of birds. With the help of a Local Guide we'll look for wildlife including crocodile, hyena, jackal and more. If you're lucky you may spot the elusive tiger or the even rarer leopard.

Day 5: Ranthambore - Agra

Today we'll drive to Agra. If you want to this evening you could join our sunset excursion to Mehtab Bagh, a centuries-old garden complex, which sits on the other side of the river to the Taj Mahal and is exactly aligned with this iconic masterpiece. You'll get to see an alternative view of the Taj Mahal from here before our sunrise visit in the morning.

Day 6: Agra - Jaipur

Today is the day that you'll see one of India's most famous landmarks, the incredible Taj Mahal. This mausoleum on the banks of the Yamuna River was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz, and it's a sight that will take your breath away. You're also going to visit the red-sandstone Agra Fort.

Later we travel onto Jaipur, en-route we stop at the incredible sight - Abhaneri stepwell and we hvae an included lunch stop.

Day 7: Jaipur

Your grand tour continues this morning in the 'Pink City' of Jaipur. A morning of discovery takes you to the Amber Fort, a 17th century stronghold set high on a hill above the parched desert. Step inside to see the Temple of Kali, the Palace of Mirrors and the Hall of Pleasures. You'll also visit Jaipur's City Palace this morning, with the elaborate façade of the Palace of the Winds just one highlight.

This evening we experience the mastery of the local cuisine by joining a local family for a delicious home cooked meal.

Day 8: Jaipur - Bangalore

In the morning we'll fly to Bangalore, the capital of the state of Karnataka. The city is an important centre for business and technology but despite its cosmopolitan feel, it still retains many traces of its British colonial past in its grand architecture. If you head out to explore, look out for the grand Tudor-style Bangalore Palace and its beautiful gardens, or head to one of the many lovely parks - Bangalore is known as the 'Garden City'. You'll also find plenty of Western-style bars and restaurants if you want to stop for refreshments.

Day 9: Bangalore - Mysore

Before we leave Bangalore we take a city sightseeing tour including the 16th century Bull Temple and the summer palace of British military adversary Tipu Sultan. Next in our journey we will visit Sri Rangapatnam located on an Island in the Cauvery River. In Sri Rangapatnam you will visit Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tipu’s Death Place, Daria Daultabad and Gumbaz. Our final destination of the day is Mysore. According to legend, the city of Mysore was ruled by Mahishasura, a buffalo-headed demon who was slayed by the goddess Chamundeshwari on top of Chamundi Hill, where devotees still worship her to this day.

Day 10: Mysore

Today we include a visit to Chamundi Hills and a city tour to uncover Mysore's highlights. The opulent City Palace is the star of the show - it's one of the largest monuments in India and is surrounded by a large garden. In the afternoon we take in the sights of the local vegetable and flower market.

Day 11: Mysore - Ooty

Today's journey includes incredible scenery, during the drive we will pass through Bandipur National Park, through lush green landscapes and with a bit of luck elephants, deer and peacocks by the roadside. On arrival in Ooty we will visit the botanical gardens, church and the local market.

Day 12: Ooty

We make our way to the railway station to join the toy train from Ooty to Coonoor. Here we will tour a tea plantation and see the tea plucking in action, and visit Sims Park. Later in the day we will return to Ooty and have a little time this afternoon to relax.

Day 13: Ooty - Cochin

It is time to head to South India to Kerala, we drive to Coimbatore where we will join a train headed for Cochin.

Day 14: Cochin

Our tour this morning will take us to the exquisite murals at Mattancherry Palace, the ancient Jewish synagogue and enchanting Fort Cochin, where Chinese fishing nets line the shore. This afternoon you could join our optional excursion - a spice trail walking tour which will take you through the story of the international spice trade since the 1400s. In the evening we will experience a traditional Kathakali dance performance - a colourful spectacle with elaborate costumes and references to literature, music, painting and dance.

Day 15: Cochin - Alleppey

Today is the day that we will experience the incredible backwaters of Kerala. We travel to Alleppey to board our traditional, thatch-roofed Kettuvallam houseboat for a lazy cruise through the labyrinthine canals past coconut groves, rice fields, hidden temples and tiny islands. We will stay on board overnight.

Day 16: Alleppey - Marari

After breakfast aboard our houseboat we travel on to the beach resort of Marari. As with many hotels in India our hotel has a bring your own policy and doesn't serve alcohol on site so we stop along the way at the perfect place to pick up some drinks to enjoy whilst there.

Day 17: Marari - at Leisure

You might choose to enjoy some 'me' time today on the beach, which is just steps away from your spa hotel. You can laze on its golden sands under the shade of a palm tree, or take a dip in the enticing waters of the Arabian Sea. Perhaps you'll have the chance to watch as the fishermen haul in their traditional nets.

Day 18: Marari - UK

Today we'll transfer you to the airport for your flight back to the UK.