| POPULAR TOURS - 28 Days - Indian Impression with Nepal |
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| No. of nights: - Delhi (2) Jaipur (2) Agra (2) Khajuraho (1) Varanasi (2) Kathmandu (3) Mumbai (1) Aurangabad (3) Cochin (2) Bangalore (1) Mysore (1) Madurai (1) Chennai (3) Pondicherry (1) |
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| Route: - Delhi – Jaipur – Agra - Khajuraho – Varanasi – Kathmandu – Mumbai – Aurangabad – Cochin – Benguluru – Madurai – Chennai – Pondicherry - Chennai |
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| Welcome to India a country with lots of diversities, to get to know and experience INDIA in a short time, take this tour which allows you to explore some of the important places that will give you much delight with diverse culture and you can have your own Indian Impression. Also included is short Nepal tour that is not to be missed. |
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| ITINERARY |
| Duration: 27 Nights/28 Days |
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| Day 01: Arrive Delhi |
Arrive Delhi, India’s capital and meet the MERU TOURS representative at the arrival hall and transfer to Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel in Delhi |
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| Day 02: In Delhi |
Morning after breakfast you will have a guided combined city tour of Old & New Delhi. You will first visit Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid by bicycle rickshaws, one of Asia’s largest mosques. The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Yamuna was built during the years 1638 - 48 when the Moghul Empire was at its peak.
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After visiting Old Delhi, you will then be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the life-styles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past life-style in all its facets, colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards. With the Asian Games coming up in 2010 the city is all set to meet up the international standards.
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The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutab Minar built in 12th Century. Qutab Minar; gracefully fluted and hand carved for its entire height of 234 feet. Near it stands the Iron Pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and hasn’t rusted in 1500 years. Also, visit the graceful mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor Humayun and the modern Birla Temple. Drive past the President's House, the Parliament House and the Secretariat buildings.
Overnight at Hotel in Delhi. |
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| Day 03: Delhi – Jaipur - 268 Kms - 06 hrs drive |
Morning after breakfast drive to Jaipur. . Jaipur is in the State of Rajasthan, which is the Land of Kings. Jaipur is the victorious city and is also know as Pink city. Arrive and check in at hotel.
Overnight at Hotel in Jaipur |
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| Day 04: In Jaipur |
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Afternoon you will be taken on a guided tour of Jaipur city. The tour includes visit to City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even to this day.
Overnight at Hotel in Jaipur |
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| Day 05: In Jaipur |
Early morning after breakfast you will be taken on the guided tour of Amber Fort. Amber Fort is the ancient capital. An Elephant ride will take you up to the fortress and while coming back you can walk down or alternately use jeep. On the way back from Amber Fort we will see Palace of Winds which is also known as Hawa Mahal. Afternoon at Leisure.
Overnight at Hotel in Jaipur |
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| Day 06: Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra – 220 Kms – 06 hrs drive |
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Morning after breakfast you will be driven to Agra en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri, the old capital which was deserted by the Great Mughal King Akbar in 16th century. After visiting Fatehpur Sikri drive to Agra and upon arrival check-in at your hotel.
Overnight at Hotel in Agra |
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| Day 07: In Agra |
After the sumptuous morning breakfast you will be taken on the guided tour of Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal is one of the greatest Mughal architecture. After visit to Taj Mahal you will visit Agra Fort. (Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays) Afternoon at leisure to visit local market and explore. Local market is well known for Marble works and Leather goods.
Overnight at Hotel in Agra |
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| Day 08: Agra – Jhansi – 200 Kms – 3 hrs by Train |
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After early breakfast, transfer to Agra Cantonment railway station to board Shatabdi Express for Jhansi.
Departure Agra :08:15 hrs Arrive Jhansi – 10:35 hrs
On arrival at Jhansi you will be taken on a guided tour of the Fort and Rani Mahal after which you will proceed to Orcha (14Km) The guide will take you on the tour of Raj Mahal, Jahangir Mahal and The Chaturbhuj temple.
Lunch at Orcha and then drive to Khajuraho (180 Kms / 04 hrs)
On arrival at Khajuraho check-in at hotel.
Overnight at Hotel in Khajuraho |
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| Day 09: In Khajuraho |
After breakfast, proceed on the guided tour of Khajuraho temples. Khajuraho, which is famed for its erotic sculpture is just a small part of the wealth. The present day sex education has it basis to the sculptures of that era. All the sculptures depicted reflect everyday life of those days. Khajuraho is not to be missed in the itinerary.
Overnight at Hotel in Khajuraho |
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| Day 10: Khajuraho - Varanasi - by flight – 45 min |
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After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the eastern and western group of temples. Afternoon you will be transferred to airport to board flight to Varanasi
Scheduled Dep: Khajuraho - 13:30 Hrs
Scheduled Arr: Varanasi – 14:10 Hrs
Arrive Varanasi and transfer to your hotel.
The timing of the flight may change and accordingly the itinerary is adjusted.
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Afternoon proceed to the guided tour of the Varanasi city which included Vishawanath Temple, Benaras Hindu University, Bharat Mata Temple and Annapurna Temple
Evening you have option to visit the banks of Ganges to witness the Ganga Aarti at the Assi Ghat.
Overnight at Hotel in Varanasi |
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| Day 11: In Varanasi |
Early morning boat ride on the River Ganges to view the beautiful sun rise and also view all the ghat’s. The riverfront, as seen from a boat early in the morning is a spiritually uplifting sight. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath.
Return to your hotel for buffet breakfast.
Overnight at Hotel in Varanasi |
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| Day 12: Varanasi – Kathmandu – by flight – 60min |
Morning after breakfast you will leave for the airport to board flight to Kathmandu
Scheduled Dep: Varanasi - 12:10 Hrs
Scheduled Arr: Kathmandu – 13:10 Hrs
Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel.
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu |
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| Day 13: In Kathmandu |
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After breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed for a sightseeing tour of Kathmandu visiting Durbar Square; the Temple of Kumari, the residence of the living Goddess which, has profusely carved wooden balconies and windows; Kasthamandap, a pagoda believed to have been built from the timbers of a single tree by King Laxmi Narsingh Malla; the National Museum; Swayambhunath, which is said to be over 2,000 years old and one of the world's most fabulous Buddhist Stupas, and the Machendranath Temple, situated on a wide, spacious quadrangle on the outside of the main market place. Move on to Swayambhunath |
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- the "Monkey Temple", the oldest shrine in the world established more than 2500 years ago.
Afternoon excursion to Patan
Return to your hotel after sightseeing tour.
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu |
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| Day 14: In Kathmandu |
After breakfast day at leisure. We recommend Mountain flight in the morning and afternoon excursion to Bhadgaon (optional)
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu |
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| Day 15: Kathmandu – Delhi – Mumbai – by flight (change flight at Delhi) |
Scheduled Dep: Kathmandu - 14:10 Hrs
Scheduled Arr: Mumbai - 21:40 Hrs
Overnight at Hotel in Mumbai |
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| Day 16: Mumbai – Aurangabad – by flight – 60 min |
Morning after breakfast you will be taken on the guided tour of Mumbai. The tour includes Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Tower of Silence, Malabar Hill, Hanging Gardens, Dhobi Ghats, Mani Bhawan Wales Museum and Elephanta caves
(Please note Prince of Wales Museum & Elephanta Caves is closed on Mondays)
Evening transfer to domestic airport to board flight to Aurangabad.
Scheduled Dep: Mumbai - 18:25 Hrs |
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Scheduled Arr: Aurangabad - 19:25 Hrs
Overnight at Hotel in Aurangabad |
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| Day 17: In Aurangabad |
After buffet breakfast at the hotel proceed for Ellora, cave temples of three religions, Hindu, Buddhist and Jain stand next to one another. Of the 34 caves, the most remarkable is the magnificent Kailash Temple carved out of a mountainside, from a single rock, an engineering marvel! (Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesday).
Overnight at Hotel in Aurangabad |
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| Day 18: In Aurangabad |
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After buffet breakfast at the hotel proceed for a full day excursion to Ajanta Caves (Ajanta Caves is closed on Mondays).
The Ajanta caves, numbering 30, show embellishments including paintings and sculptures on the walls and ceilings. These portray the life and miracles of the Buddha, the lives of kings and the common people, of beautiful women, their jewellery and hairstyles, all marked by great dignity and grace.
Overnight at Hotel in Aurangabad |
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| Day 19: Aurangabad – Mumbai – Cochin – by flight – (change flight at Mumbai) |
After Early morning buffet breakfast drive to airport for flight to Cochin
Scheduled Dep: Aurangabad - 08:25 Hrs
Scheduled Arr: Cochin - 15:25 Hrs
On arrival you will be transferred to your hotel. Evening visit to local theatre to watch beautiful kathakali dance performance. Kathakali represents a synthesis of all that is best in dance, drama and music and has been recognized by connoisseurs of art, the world over as a `total art form of immense sophistication and power’. It is the impression created by make-up and the costumes that make Kathakali a visual par excellence.
Overnight at Hotel in Cochin |
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| Day 20: In Cochin |
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you would be taken for the guided tour of Cochin. The tour starts with Mattancherry, where you will visit the oldest Jewish Synagogue in India, built in 1568; it was destroyed by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch a century later.
From Jewish Synagogue you will visit Chinese fishing nets. The cantilevered fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour mouth. From the Chinese fishing nets you will visit St. Francis Church, originally named after Santo Antonio and dedicated to him as the Patron Saint of Portugal, St. Francis Church is the first church to have been in the new European influenced |
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tradition. From the Francis Church you will visit The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry, which was built in 1555 and its coronation hall and murals at Ramayana are noteworthy features.
(The Dutch Palace is closed on Fridays and the Synagogue is closed on Fridays & Saturdays.)
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Afternoon proceed for backwater cruise. You would be driven to the Jetty to board your cruise boat on the backwaters of Kerala. Houseboats are also known as the "Ketuvallam" or the Rice Boat. Ketuvallam ride can be the most romantic ride you can ever have with a night halt in the middle of the lake Vembanad Lake/canal.
(Night halt on houseboat is optional) You can either stay overnight a hotel or on houseboat.
Overnight at Hotel in Cochin |
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| Day 21: Cochin – Benguluru – by flight – 1hr.15 min |
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After buffet breakfast at hotel, transfer to Cochin airport to board flight to Bangalore.
Scheduled Dep: Cochin - 8:25 Hrs
Scheduled Arr: Bangalore - 09:45 Hrs
On arrival transfer to hotel and rest. Afternoon you will be taken on the guided tour of Benguluru city. The tour starts with visit to Lalbagh botanical garden, then to The Vidhan Soudha, then to the Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace and finally to the Bull Temple
Overnight at Hotel in Bangalore |
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| Day 22: Benguluru – Mysore – 140 Kms – 3 Hrs drive |
After early buffet breakfast, proceed for a full day guided tour of Mysore city (139 Kms) The tour includes Maharaja’s Palace, Chamundi Hills, optional tour to Sandalwood Oil factory or Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji’s ashram.
Overnight at Hotel in Mysore |
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| Day 23: Benguluru – Madurai – by flight – 1hr.15min |
After morning breakfast optional visit to Srirangapatnam on the way back to Benguluru airport.
Scheduled Dep: Benguluru - 17:15 Hrs
Scheduled Arr: Madurai - 18:30 Hrs
Welcome to the ancient city of Madurai is one of southern India's oldest with a recorded history going back to the 6th century B.C., has been a seat of learning from time immemorial and the centre from which the Tamil language developed and flourished. The town has been patterned on the lotus flower with the temple of Goddess Meenakshi at the |
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Centre.
In the evening, witness aarti ceremony at Meenakshi temple (Please note foreigners are not allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the temple)
Overnight at Hotel in Madurai |
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| Day 24: Madurai – Chennai – by flight – 60 min |
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Morning after breakfast proceed on the local sightseeing of Madurai city. A visit to Tirumalai Palace is also included.
Afternoon transfer to airport to board flight to Chennai
Scheduled Dep: Madurai - 17:10 Hrs
Scheduled Arr: Chennai - 18:05 Hrs
Overnight at Hotel in Chennai |
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| Day 25: In Chennai |
Morning after breakfast proceed for the guided tour of the Chennai city. The tour includes Fort St.George, Kapaleeshwarar temple, San Thome Cathedral, Sri Parthasarathy temple, Marina beach, Vivekenanda House. Optional visit to Dakshinchitra (artist’s village)
Overnight at Hotel in Chennai |
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| Day 26: Chennai – Mahabalipuram – Kanchipuram – Pondicherry |
Morning after early breakfast Proceed for a guided day excursion of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram and drive to Pondicherry.
Overnight at Hotel in Pondicherry. |
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| Day 27: Pondicherry – Chennai |
After breakfast proceed on a guided tour of Pondicherry includes Aurobindo ashram and Auroville. Afternoon at leisure to explore the city.
Evening drive back to Chennai
Overnight at Hotel in Chennai |
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| Day 28: Transfer to International airport |
| Breakfast at hotel and then as per the flight timings you will be transferred to International airport. |
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