Delhi. We start our day off with a city tour of New Delhi where we will visit the Presidential Palace, the Secretariat Buildings, the impressive Rajpath and India Gate. We will also visit the Qutub Minar, Delhi's most curious antique, the Iron Pillar dating back to the 4th Century. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. BD

Day 5.Delhi to Varanasi. This morning we fly today to India’s Holiest City, Varanasi also known as Benares or Kashi, the “City of Light”. In the afternoon, drive to Sarnath where Buddha preached his first sermon. Visit the Dhamek Stupa, an ancient monastery and a new monastery where the major events of Buddha’s life are depicted in wall paintings. We will also have time to visit the Archaelogical Museum in Sarnath. This evening, you will witness a spectacular Arti (special Hindu religious ceremony) on the banks of the Ganges. Ramada Plaza

Day 8
Taj Mahal. After breakfast, visit the Taj Mahal, the greatest love story ever told. Shah Jahan built this memorial as a tomb for his favourite wife. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 10.Jaipur. Known as the "Pink City" due to the colour of the stone used in its buildings. This morning, visit the Amber Fort with its honey coloured fortress palace. It has been described as "the sleeping beauty of Rajasthan". The exterior opens on to striking views of the nearby gorge. In the afternoon, we'll enjoy a city tour which includes a visit to the "Hawa Mahal", (Palace of Winds), Jai Singh's Observatory built in the 17 th century by the founder of Jaipur and the City Palace with its fine Moghul paintings, rare manuscripts, an armoury plus amazingly embroidered  clothes of the Maharajas and the Maharanis BD

Day 11
Jaipur to Mumbai. This morning we fly to the city of Bombay, now known as Mumbai. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel. In the afternoon, a tour of the city includes visits to the Gateway of India, the old Secretariat, the High Court, the Victoria Terminus, the most remarkable example of Victorian Gothic architecture in India, Marine Drive, Chowpatty Beach and the Hanging Gardens so named since they are located on top of a series of tanks that supply water to Bombay. Finally, visit the Mani Bhavan where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay on his visits to Bombay

Day 12. Mumbai. Enjoy the morning at your leisure. This afternoon offers an opportunity to go on a guided shopping tour to Colaba Causeway. BD

Day 13. Mumbai to Cochin to Kumarakom. This morning we'll fly to Cochin. From there depart for Kumarakom in Kerala province. It is situated on the banks of the Vembanad Lake - the famous Backwater destinations in Kerala. Remainder of the day at your leisure. Radisson Plaza (2 nights). BD

Day 14. Kumarakom. In the morning, enjoy a full day boat cruise with lunch and explore the local life of Kerala. A boat cruise along the Vembanad Lake is the best way to experience the serenity of the enchanting backwaters. BLD

Day 15. Kumarakom to Cochin. Drive back to Cochin after breakfast. Check-in to your hotel and relax or spend the balance of the day exploring Cochin. Meridien (2 nights). BD

Day 16. Cochin sightseeing. Today visit the Mattancherry Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese in 1555. Also, see the Jewish Synagogue, St Francis Church, the oldest European Church in India and the Chinese fishing nets along the tip of Fort Cochin unique to this part of Kerala. BD

Day 17. Cochin to Chennai(Madras) to Mahabalipuram. Today we will be transferred to the Cochin airport for our morning flight to Chennai. Upon arrival into Chennai Airport we will drive directly to Mahabalipuram. Mahabalipuram lies on the Coromandel Coast which faces the Bay of Bengal. This is an elegant place to watch which a well established sea port was during the 7th and 10th centuries of the Pallava dynasty. Rest of the day at leisure or enjoy some time on the beach. GRT Temple Bay (2 nights) BD

Day 18. Kanchipuram sightseeing. This morning, we depart for full day tour of one the seven sacred cities of India. The best known landmark is the Shore Temple which has stood by the sea for 12 centuries. The city is prominent in present times for the hand-woven silk fabrics and is regularly visited by tourists from all over India and abroad. City is also famous for Tamil art, an open air museum of sculpture in living rock. BD

Day 19. Mahabalipuram to Chennai. Drive to Chennai and upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel. Start with an afternoon tour of the city known as "the Gateway to the South". Our tour includes Fort St George, St Mary's, the first church consecrated on Indian soil and the National Art Gallery. Drive along the Marina, an elegant promenade and proceed to the old Indian section of Mylapore. Visit San Thome and Mylapore Temple. GRT Radisson (1 night) BD

Day 20. Chennai to North America. Depart today from Chennai flying back to North America and arriving the same day in time to connect to your home city

International flights with British Airways, domestic flights within India, accommodation at First Class hotels with private facilities and air-conditioning, meals as shown as BLD, sightseeing by private bus, professional escort from North America plus local guides, all transfers, taxes and entrance fees.

For information on the inclusions for this special idea,

Insurance, optional excursions, items of a personal nature such as laundry, dry cleaning, phone calls, drinks, excess baggage charges, Government departure taxes

3/09