Welcome to the commercial capital of India and home to the famous Bollywood Film Industry. Enjoy a city tour of South Mumbai and visit the prince of Whales Museum, Gateway of India, Marine Drive, the Mumbai Stock Exchange, Nariman Point, High Court, and Hanging Gardens. Rest in your hotel this evening or enjoy a night on the town on your own.  

Today we take a flight to Aurangabad (403 kms) from Mumbai. You will visit Biwi ka  Makbara (a replica of the Taj Mahal, built  by Emperor Aurangzeb) and royal buildings  built during the rule of emperor Aurangzeb.  Rest in your hotel this evening or enjoy a  night on the town on your own.   

Leave in the morning to visit Ajanta and  Ellora to see the frescoes, painngs and  also the carvings made in the caves during  the me Buddhism spread into India. The  most imposing excavaon is the  magnificent Kailasa Temple (Cave 16)  which is the largest monolithic structure in  the world. Enjoy the night at leisure in your  hotel.  

Early morning check out and return to Mumbai. Visit Haji Ali, Iskon (Hare Rama  Hare Krishna Temple) and also Juhu beach  if me permits.  In the evening, fly to Chennai.  Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel to spend the night.  

In the morning aer breakfast, take a  sightseeing tour of the city.  Visit Fort St.  George ‐ built in 1640, St. Mary's Church ‐ the oldest Anglican church in India built in  1680, and Valluvar Koayam, which is the  replica of the temple chariot in Thiruvarur.   In the evening return to the hotel for overnight.  

In the morning check‐out and set off  for Mahabalipuram [52 kms; 1 hr].  Relax on the beaches and visit the  monuments that Mahabalipuram has  to offer you. The five chariot shaped temples or rathas, the shore temple  and the carved depicons of episodes  from the Mahabharata are arsc  highlights of this historic place in  South India. Also visit 6‐8th century Pallave rock cut caves, Panch Ratha  temple, and the 7th century shore  temple where both Vishnu and Shiva  are enshrined under one roof.  In the evening drive back to Chennai and fly to Trivandrum.  Upon your arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel.    

You have the day at leisure to enjoy and relax on the pristine beaches. Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programs, and catamaran cruising.  Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night.  Overnight at hotel.  

After breakfast this morning, set off for Allepey [161 km, 3 hrs].  Upon arrival, check in to your houseboat and prepare for the cruise of a life time.  Coast along the backwaters of your private house on the water.   Enjoy freshly cooked meals cooked right on the boat by your own crew.   Spend the night on the houseboat.    

Enjoy breakfast this morning and drive to Munnar, the famous hill‐station in the  mountains [163 km; 4 hrs].  Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the stunning city and its panoramic views of tea plantaons.  

After breakfast, drive to Cochin [127 km; 3 hrs], which sits on the coast of the Arabian Sea.  Visit Fort Cochin, the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church, and Chinese fishing nets.  In the evening, catch a flight to New Delhi,  India’s bustling capital.  On arrival, transfer to your hotel where you will  spend the night.

After breakfast, take a city tour of the capital of India. Visit the various temples, the Parliament House, Raj Ghat, AmarJawan Jyo, Rajpath and the Presidenal Palace.  Overnight at the hotel.  

Your city tour of Delhi continues today as you visit the Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Connaught Place, Humayun's  Tomb, Qutub Minar, and Shalimar Baug. Overnight at the  hotel.  

In the morning, leave for your visit to Jaipur [264 km; 4  hrs].  Today you will see Birla Temple or the Lakshmi ‐  Narayan Temple, situated just below the Mo Dungari.  This is a modern temple built of white marble on top of a  hill, dominang the skyline of south Jaipur. Tour the City  Palace ‐ located in the heart of the walled city. Jantar  Mantar is across the road from the palace and is one of  the five observatories in India. Built by Sawai Jai Singh,  this is one of the largest and the best preserved. Over  night at hotel.  

Leave for Amber Fort in the morning ‐ Amber  (pronounced Amer) is situated about 11 kilometres from  Jaipur and was the ancient citadel of the ruling Kachhawa  clan of Amber, before the capital was shied in the plains  to present day Jaipur.  Kanak Vrindavan ‐ located in the  foothills of Nahargarh Hills on the way towards Amber, is  a popular spot for picnic and film shoots. Behold the  Hawa Mahal ‐ poet‐king Sawai Pratap Singh built this  Palace of Winds. This is the most easily recalled  landmarks of Jaipur and is also its icon. Located in the  City Palace, it is best viewed from the outside for the  palace is really a facade. Your evening is free for  shopping and leisure. Overnight in the hotel.  

After check in, visit the Taj Mahal ‐ this immortal poem in  white marble is the finest expression of love known to  man. Your next stop is Agra Fort ‐ built in 1565 AD, this  fort is a masterpiece of design and construcon. A must  see is also the tomb of Salim Chish. Overnight in the  hotel.  

Check out in me to board your train bound for  Khajuraho. Enjoy the sights through the countryside as  you travel towards Khajuraho. On arrival, transfer and  check‐in to your hotel and stay overnight.  

Visit the Kandariya Mahadev Temple.  Perfectly symmetrical, it soars 31 km  high. Though the four temples that  stand at the corners of the main shrine  are now in ruins, the main shrine has  an exquisitely carved entrance arch  with a multude of themes, the  Chaunsat Yogini temple ‐ the only  granite temple in the Khajuraho group.  Devi Jagdambe Temple ‐ another Kali  Temple (originally dedicated to Vishnu), Chitragupta temple ‐ dedicated to the sun‐god, Surya. The  image of this powerful deity in the inner sanctum is parcularly  imposing: 5 high, and driving a seven‐horsed chariot.   Vishwanath Temple ‐ lions flank the northern steps and  elephants the southern, leading up to the temple. Within, there is an impressive three headed image of Brahma. The  exteriors are exquisitely carved. Overnight at the hotel.  

Morning depart Varanasi by air. On arrival check in to your  hotel. Aernoon free at leisure to explore Varanasi on your  own. Overnight at the hotel.  

After breakfast, visit the Ghats where Hindus come from across  India to purify themselves from all their sins. This also serves as  a beginning of an individuals new self. Also not to be missed  are the narrow by‐lanes (called as Galis) of Varanasi,  Manmandir Observatory, the Tulsi Manas temple dedicated to  Lord Rama, Ramnagar Fort and the museum. Overnight in the  hotel.  

Check out and depart for Kathmandu, Nepal by air. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy your day at leisure to roam  and explore the city by yourself. Overnight in the Hotel.  

Enjoy a morning tour of Kathmandu and Swambhounath Stupa  ‐ the most ancient and enigmac of all the valley's holy shrines  ‐ which lies 2 km west of Kathmandu, across the Vishnuma  River. The golden spire of Swayambhunath Stupa crowns a  wooded hillock and offers a commanding view of Kathmandu  city. Boudhnath Stupa is the biggest stupa in the Valley. The  Stupa, well known as Khas, is also a World Heritage Site. It looms 36 meters high and presents one of the most fascinating  specimens of stupa design. Pashupanath Temple is Nepal's  most scared Hindu shrines and one of the subconnent's  greatest Shiva sites, a sprawling collection of temples, ashrams,  images and inscriptions raised over the centuries along the  banks of the sacred Bagma River. Afternoon tour to Patan City. Overnight in the hotel.  

After breakfast, check‐out and head to the airport for your flight back home with a heart full of memories!