Colonial India and Backwater Tour (14 Days)

Colonial India and Backwater Tour (14 Days)

Witness the world’s most incredible diversity, while exploring “Colonial India & Backwater” in the company of Agora Voyages. This two week tour begin in Delhi, a city that boasts of a living history & heritage of close to three millennia. See the monument of love, the iconic Taj Mahal and explore the sacred city of Varanasi. Witness the culture that fused European philosophies with Indian tradition in Kolkata the colonial city developed by the British East India Company. Discover colonial Madras through the buildings the British left behind. Walk thru the French Colony quiet, clean streets, lined with bougainvillea-draped townhouses numbered in an almost logical manner. Witness the remnant of colonial buildings made by the Dutch, Portuguese and English in the colourful kaleidoscope of cultures, religions and backwater in Cochin. Finally reach Mumbai the home to Bollywood and the largest number of Billionaires in India.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Delhi

Pass By: New Delhi, New Delhi, National Capital Territory of Delhi
On arrival at IGI airport assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Delhi

Pass By: Old Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi, India
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Delhi. Visit Old Delhi which include Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market. Enjoy Cycle Rickshaw ride. After lunch visit New Delhi which includes Qutab Minar, Humayun Tomb, Lotus Temple. Drive thru VVIP areas which includes President House, Parliament house, India Gate & War Memorial within India Gate.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Delhi - Varanasi (flight)

Stop At: Dasaswamedh Ghat Road Bangali Tola, Varanasi 221001 India
Breakfast at hotel transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi one of India's oldest and holiest cities. Evening boat ride to witness the the magical Aarti Ceremony performed at Dasashwamedh Ghat.
Duration: 4 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Varanasi

Stop At: Dasaswamedh Ghat Road Bangali Tola, Varanasi 221001 India
Early morning boat ride and Ghat visit along the Ganges and catch the scene of devotees bathing and praying in the sacred water. Breakfast at hotel.

City tour of Varanasi visit World famous Benaras Hindu University, The Ramnagar Fort Palace. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath one of the three holiest sites for Buddhists where the Buddha delivered his first sermon in 528 BC. There are many temples here, representing the many cultures where Buddhism is the dominant religious philosophy.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005 India
City tour of Varanasi visit World famous Benaras Hindu University, The Ramnagar Fort Palace. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath one of the three holiest sites for Buddhists where the Buddha delivered his first sermon in 528 BC. There are many temples here, representing the many cultures where Buddhism is the dominant religious philosophy.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Varanasi - Kolkata (flight)

Pass By: Kolkata (Calcutta), Kolkata (Calcutta), Kolkata District, West Bengal
Breakfast at hotel transfer to airport to board flight for Kolkata. On arrival at Kolkata airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest time free for personal activities relax.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Kolkata

Stop At: Fort William, Brigade Parade Ground & Race Course, Kolkata (Calcutta) India
Breakfast at hotel. Full day city tour visiting historical landmarks the magnificent Fort William, Victoria Memorial, Netaji Bhawan, Howrah Bridge, Zoological Gardens & Dakshineswar Kali Temple.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Kolkata - Chennai (flight)

Pass By: Chennai (Madras), Chennai (Madras), Chennai District, Tamil Nadu
Breakfast at hotel. As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Chennai. On arrival at Chennai airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel. Later city tour of Chennai the colonial city which includes few Churches, Fort St. George, Museum and government buildings. Also visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Marina Beach & Dakshina Chitra a living-history museum.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (235kms/ 5hrs approx)

Stop At: Monuments at Mahabalipuram, Mahabalipuram India
Breakfast at hotel drive to Pondicherry via visiting Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram Temples. Arrive Pondicherry check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 9: Pondicherry - Chennai (160kms/ 2hrs approx)

Stop At: Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Rue de la Marine, Pondicherry India
Breakfast at hotel sightseeing of French colony, churches, Temple and Aurobindo Ashram. Afternoon drive to Chennai check in at hotel.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Chennai - Cochin (flight)

Pass By: Kochi (Cochin), Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
Breakfast at hotel. As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Cochin. On arrival at assistance and transfer to hotel.

Stop At: Mattancherry Palace, Palace Road, Kochi (Cochin) India
Laler half day city tour of Cochin that has managed to preserve the remnants of its colonial past with utmost care. Explore the Fort Kochi & smell the seawater and fish, hung over nets and locals on the beach. Visit the church of St Francis, the oldest European church in India, then walk to the town’s waterfront site of the iconic Chinese fishing nets and the many fish stalls. Later visit Mattancherry Palace, which was built by the Portuguese in 1557 as a gift to the Raja of Kochi, and the town’s fine synagogue. The area here is also known for its many antique and souvenir shops. End the day with a mesmeric sunset cruise around the bustling harbour.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Cochin - Alleppey (60Kms/ 1.3hrs approx)

Stop At: Alleppey Backwaters, Alappuzha India
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Alleppey to join a private houseboat for overnight cruise. Board a houseboat from here and enjoy the cruise through the enchanting backwaters. Alleppey, also called the Venice of East, interlocked with a large number of canals and bridges. Houseboat comprises double/ twin bed room, with attached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in which to relax and enjoy the sights on the shore. Start sail through scenic backwaters, passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level. Witness local life with children swimming and playing in the water, women attending to their daily chores and men fishing from their canoes. Lunch & dinner on board houseboat. Overnight in houseboat - cruise.
Duration: 6 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Alleppey - Cochin - Mumbai (flight)

Pass By: Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Breakfast at hotel transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai the commercial capital of India. On arrival assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest time free for personal activities relax, you can take a walk to have a glance of the city, visiting local markets and restaurants.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Mumbai

Stop At: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, DN Road Mumbai CST Area, Mumbai 400001 India
Breakfast at hotel. Drive thru Marine Drive one of the most beautifully laid boulevards in the city. Parliament House, the Maharashtra State Assembly (view from outside), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), formerly Victoria Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (view from outside). Visit Dhobhi Ghat to see the city's famous open-air laundry in action, Prince of Wales Museum (Monday closed), a heritage museum comprises of a number of ancient artifacts, Mani Bhawan, also known as Gandhi Museum, here Gandhi laid the foundation for many independence movements. Mount Mary Church, an ancient church, built in 1640 and then rebuilt in 1761, The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount is also an important religious place in Mumbai. In the evening, visit Iskcon Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, the architectural splendour of the ISKCON Temple is adorned with murals and sculptures.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 14: Mumbai - Departure (flight)

Pass By: Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Breakfast at hotel as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.