DAY 01:ARRIVE DELHI
Welcome to Delhi, India! a monumental city with a vibrant mix of old and new teeming bazaars, stately British boulevards, powerful Mughal palaces and forts, and intricate, ethereal towers, temples and tombs.

You will be met on arrival at the international airport by a representative of Hi-Tours and escorted by private vehicle to the hotel. While the room keys and check-in are organized, our representative will brief you about the tour program and hand over the documents to you. Overnight stay at hotel. (No Meals)

DAY 02:DELHI
Our adventure begins in Old Delhi, the Mughal capital established by Shah Jahan in 1638. At the famous Red Fort, where Jawaharlal Nehru unfurled the flag of newly-independent India on August 15, 1947, we trade our car for bicycle rickshaws. Weaving through the warren of crooked, congested alleys off Chandni Chowk, one of India's oldest and busiest bazaars, we will see that the traditional workmanship for which India is well known still thrives. Explore Kari Baoli: under the Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan, this street was the route of a canal, which watered the luxurious gardens of the Fort. Today, Kari Baoli is the popular shopping center of choice for Delhi's discerning shoppers, who are drawn here by the market's breathtaking selection of nuts, dried fruits, and spices. Your guide will lead you through the plethora of offerings including almonds, cashews, nutmeg, betel nut (used in paan, the popular digestive which leads to the red spitting seen throughout India), sultanas, etc.
Afternoon set out on an introductory tour of New Delhi. Your guide will take you to the Qutab Minar, one of Delhi's oldest remaining emblems: the minaret is a fascinating symbol of the city's diverse history. Also visit Humayan's Tomb, the architectural forerunner to the Taj Mahal. Drive past India Gate, Parliament House, and other masterpieces of Lutyen's unique architectural blend of classical Imperial design with India's own rich traditional styles. This evening begin your exploration of India's distinct culinary traditions with dinner at the Bukhara Restaurant. Its décor is inspired by the rugged depths of India's famed Northwest frontier. The restaurant's layout offers ample opportunity to watch the chefs prepare your meal. Overnight stay at hotel. (B/D)

DAY 03:DELHI
The morning, visit the Crafts Museum, India's finest showcase of the many rich and distinctive regional styles of weaving, printing, jewelry making, puppetry, and more. The afternoon is free for you to relax, or you may like to shop at the many shops along Baba Kharak Singh Marg. This evening, enjoy dinner at Dhaba recreates the ambience of the archetypical rustic highway eatery. The menu offers a tantalising taste of wholesome North Indian cuisine, highlighted by signature dishes like tandoori kebabs, balti meat, baingan ka bharta and chef's special thali. Overnight stay at hotel. (B/D)

DAY 04:DELHI – AGRA (SHATABDI EXP. 0615/0812)
Take an early morning express Train to Agra. Upon arrival met with our representative and transfer to the hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing tour of Agra visit Taj Mahal, regarded as one of the Wonders of the World, built by Emperor Shahjahan in pure white marble in memory of his beloved Mumtaz Mahal. Return hotel for breakfast. After breakfast explore the Agra Fort, the work of Akbar the Great, who built it over the course of eight years (1565-1573). The fort was successively occupied by Emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan; the latter died here, imprisoned by his son, left to gaze at the Taj Mahal he had built. Evening enjoy Mughal cuisine, one of India's most popular culinary styles. Some of their traditional dishes are "Biryani" - a dish of meat and rice; "Rogan Josh" - a hot lamb curry cooked in butter and spiced; "Murg Musallam" - pieces of chicken cooked in white cashew and almond sauce. Several different bread varieties range from "Naan" to "Paranthas, with different stuffings". Among the sweets, the most popular ones are "Carrot Halwa" and "Shahi Tukra". Overnight stay at hotel. (B/D)

DAY 05:AGRA - JAIPUR (232 KMS/05 HRS).
After breakfast we will continue overland to Jaipur. We will stop en route at Fatehpur Sikri, the eerily abandoned capital of the Mughal Empire between 1570 and 1586. Akbar built this city to celebrate the birth of his son and future heir to the thrown, Emperor Jahangir. While Akbar is believed to have been illiterate, he took great interest in the arts and architecture; Fatehpur Sikri is one of his masterworks. Sadly, it served as a capital for little more than a decade, eventually abandoned for lack of accessible water. Upon arrival check in to the hotel. This evening indulge in a Rajasthani dinner. This regional style is a direct by-product of Rajasthan's history of wandering warriors: meat hunted while on expeditions was marinated with Kachri, then barbecued, to create a distinct dish known as Sula. The other Rajasthani cooking styles that developed were strictly vegetarian: Vaishnavs and the Marwari style. Overnight stay at hotel. (B/D)

DAY 06:JAIPUR.
This morning we will drive a short distance outside of the city to Amber Fort and Palace. Perched on a hillside on the outskirts of town, the palace was constructed in the 1590s by Maharaja Man Singh, the commander of Akbar's army, and was largely motivated by the highly defensible location. This is a beautiful and very well preserved structure, built on four levels and surrounded by ruins, which served as the backdrop for the Mira Nair movie "Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love." And in the afternoon we return to the city for a look at the grand Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). This magnificent structure was built to allow the royal ladies of the palace to discretely watch the grand processions along the main street, City Palace and impressive Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in the early 1700s by Maharaja Jai Sing II, the great warrior-astronomer to which this city owes its name. This evening enjoy your dinner at Raj Palace. Overnight at the hotel. (B/D)

DAY 07:JAIPUR – UDAIPUR
Early morning transfer to the airport to connect flight for Udaipur via Delhi. Upon arrival check in to the hotel. Udaipur, the majestic city of lakes and palaces. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 and fondly referred to as Rajasthan's most romantic city, its rich history is matched by its picturesque setting among the Aravalli Mountains and three manmade lakes. In the afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur visit City Palace, overlooking the blue waters of Lake Pichola. Maharana Udai Singh initiated construction in 1559 A.D., and it was subsequently expanded, with impressive uniformity, by several succeeding Maharanas. The palace consists of a number of beautiful courtyards and gardens. The main hall has been converted into a museum, housing opulent artifacts and original works of art. We will continue walking towards the Jagdish Temple to study its many remarkable friezes. Lavishly built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh, it is easy to understand why Jagdish is the most venerated Hindu temple in Udaipur. In the early evening, we will take a sunset cruise on Lake Pichola, sailing past its picturesque ghats and palaces, stopping at the island of Jag Mandir, a 17th century water palace that witnessed two important historical events. It was the refuge for Prince Khurram, later known as Shah Jahan, when he was exiled by his father. Later, during the uprising of 1857, the island offered safety to several British families who fled from nearby Neemuch. Overnight at the hotel. (B/D)

DAY 08:UDAIPUR
After breakfast we head for an excursion to visit Ranakpur complex of Jain Temples. Ranakpur Jain Temple built in the 15th century are situated in the lovely valley of the Aravalli. Its surrounding is quiet and picturesque. Ranakpur has grand structures and beautiful sculpture. There are 1444 pillars in the temple and none of them are similar. The magic of light & shade is really awe inspiring. Lunch is organized at the "Maharani Bagh Orchard Retreat". This delightful orchard retreat is close to the Ranakpur temples. The orchards, surrounded by Aravalli hills, were laid out in the late 19th century by the Maharaja of Jodhpur and have always been a favorite holiday resort of the Maharaja's family. Return to Udaipur later this afternoon. Overnight stay at hotel. (B/L)

DAY 09:UDAIPUR – MUMBAI
Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to the airport to connect flight for Mumbai. Upon arrival met with our representative and proceed for city tour of Mumbai visiting Prince of Wales Museum – which was built to commemorate the visit of King George V. Built in the Indo- Saracenic style, the Museum stands amidst a well-laid ornamental garden. The museum was opened in 1923 and is divided into three sections art, archaeology and natural history. Also visit Malabar Hill with its fine views over the bay, and the Hanging Gardens atop the hill. This evening's dinner features the superb vegetarian Gujarati cuisine, best enjoyed as a thali, which literally means plate, to connote the traditional platters on which these multi-course extravaganzas are served. The thali features dal (lentils), kadhi (yoghurt base curry), two dry vegetables, two vegetables in gravy, two savories and a selection of bread and rice. All this is washed down with a glass of sweetened buttermilk. A small bowl of "Shrikhand" or sweetened yogurt rounds off a meal, which is a masterpiece of flavors and textures, spiced to perfection. The mixture of dishes in a thali are meant to represent the three types of food in the Ayurvedic system: rajassic, tamassic, and sattvic. Foods are associated with these three categories, and are seen to stimulate or lessen a range of mental and physical states. Overnight stay at hotel. (B/D)

DAY 10:MUMBAI – COCHIN (SG103:1455/1655)
Morning, one hour boat ride across Mumbai Harbour brings you to the lush green Elephanta Island. Here, visit some of the huge and intricately carved Elephanta Caves that date back to the 8th century. For rows of massive columns cut into solid rock from three magnificent avenues, lead to the outstanding three-headed sculpture representing Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer.
After noon transfer to the airport to connect flight for Cochin, Upon arrival meet & greet by our Representative followed by transfers to Hotel in Cochin - one of the Kerala's most visited tourist destination, It has one of the finest natural harbours in India around which is based an ancient history of maritime trade. The cosmopolitan city is fascinating in many ways. (Overnight stay at Cochin) (B)

DAY 11:COCHIN
Meander through the old districts of Mattancherry and Fort Cochin where the various European influences are most apparent with merchant houses and old warehouses cramming the waterfront and narrow streets. Take in the Pardesi Synagogue in Jew Town, St Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, and the highly decorated Santa Cruz Basilica. Allow time to admire the colourful murals, including depictions of the Ramayana, in the 16th century Dutch Palace. Linger in the colourful, pungent spice markets before moving on to the much-photographed Chinese nets that line the shore of Fort Cochin. we take you to a Cooking Class at house of Nalini Verma. Nalini Verma is a professional cookery instructor for the last 26 years and has authored four cook books. Nalini Verma offers tourists from across the globe a unique opportunity to get acquainted with finer nuances of traditional Kerala cuisine through her special cookery classes. These classes / demonstrations are meant exclusively for foreigners and conducted at her residence in Panampilly Nagar, Kochi, and Kerala (India) .On arrival welcome drink will be served. Every single dish will be demonstrated to the guest. Printed notes will be given. We will also arrange for Market trip –like visit vegetable market and spice market. Guests are also provided the opportunity to enjoy a meal with an Indian family whereby they can enjoy delicious food in homely ambience and get an opportunity to interact with members of the host family on a personal level and experience the nuances of a joint family system. The unique experience brings tourists in close touch with the traditions; values and cultural ethos of this enchanting land. Evening we visit Kathakali dance show - the epic Ramayana comes to life at a Kathakali performance, traditional Keralan dance, where the characters use larger than life gestures, wear outrageous costumes and dramatic make up. (Overnight in Cochin) (B/ L)

DAY 12:COCHIN – PERIYAR
Depart from Hotel and drive to Periyar. The evocative name of the Cardamom Hills is home to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, a reserve on the Kerala/Tamil Nadu border which is surrounded by tea and spice plantations. Lush forest, with a vast lake at its heart, is home to many indigenous animals. After noon we proceed to Visit a Keralan family Spice garden, the rambling gardens contain familiar, and unusual spices and herbs, with a variety of culinary and medicinal purposes. Its totally organic, with natural forms of pest control. The owner and his family were very knowledgeable about their produce, and were keen to show us the various spices and herbs, encouraging us to smell and taste various clipping. Enjoy typical home lunch and demo of home cooked food. (Overnight in Periyar) (B/ L)

DAY 13:PERIYAR
Rise early for the best chance to spot elephant, deer, wild boar, mongoose and colourful birds on a dawn walk. Your experienced guide will know the best places for game viewing and, if you are extremely lucky, you may even come across elusive leopard and tiger and afternoon we proceed to boat ride onboard a small boat for the chance to cruise the lake at the heart of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. From the tranquillity of the lake, enjoy the lush scenery all around you and keep a look out for animals that may come down to the water's edge – maybe a family of elephants, scurrying Wild Boar or the magnificent Sambar Deer. Evening enjoy popular tribal foods at residing hotel. (Overnight in periyar) (B/ D)