Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport for a two-night stay. Your National Escort or Local Guide from Wendy Wu Tours will meet you at the Delhi International Airport in the Arrivals Hall. Together with other group members who may be arriving at a similar time, you will transfer 45 minutes to your hotel and check-in.

This morning the tour introduction will either be held in the hotel or on the coach. After your breakfast we will embark on a full-day of sightseeing around Old and New Delhi, involving approximately 03- 3.5 hours on foot. Travel approximately 30 – 40 minutes to Khari Baoli Spice Market and enjoy a rickshaw ride before visiting Jama Masjid. Next, head for a brief photo stop at India Gate. Continue to Gandhi Smriti and drive past Rashtrapati Bhavan and Parliament House. End your day with a visit to Qutub Minar and the Iron Pillar.

In the morning, transfer 45 minutes to the airport to board your onward 1-and-a-half-hour flight to Varanasi. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, approximately 45 minutes’ drive. This afternoon travel to Sarnath to visit the Buddhist sacred sites. In Varanasi, it would be unwise to wander around without your National Escort or Local Guide at night as there have been several reports of pickpockets. Next day, rise early this morning for a 1-2 hour cruise on the River Ganges to view the ghats at sunrise, where you will have a vantage spot to watch the devotees perform their ablutions. Please note that it is inappropriate to take photos of any burning ghats, as this is a funeral ceremony. Return to the hotel for breakfast. The rest of the day’s sightseeing is leisurely, involving a couple of hours walking. Enjoy a tour of Varanasi, visiting the Bharat Mata Mandir and Durga Temple. This evening, take a rickshaw ride through the streets of Varanasi to the ghats of the River Ganges where you will witness the Puja ceremony of Ganga Aarti. Please note: The Ganga Aarti takes place most evenings, so please be prepared for many crowds through the streets, especially leading up to the ghats. Remember to wear closed in shoes and to always be careful and mindful of your belongings. It is also important to watch where you step, as devotees, crowds of tourists, animals and rickshaws all head in the same direction of the ghats.

Today fly to Khajuraho. Upon arrival drive 15 minutes to the Khajuraho temples, spending approximately 2 hours exploring the Western and Eastern groups of temples. You will see the Vamana Temple, dedicated to the ‘Vamana’ or dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu as well as the Javari Temple. Sightseeing here involves walking with little shade, so make sure you bring sun protection. This evening enjoys a cultural dancing performance.

Depart Khajuraho and drive approximately 4 to 5 hours to Jhansi, visiting the medieval city of Orchha en route. Sightseeing in Orchha is easy with a few steps and may take up to an hour. Continue to the railway station to board the Shatabdi Express train for approximately 2 and a half hours to Agra, where, upon arrival, you will transfer to your hotel and check-in.

Rise early and begin the day by viewing the Taj Mahal in all its glory as the sun is rising. To reach the Taj Mahal, you will board your group coach and drive through the awakening streets of Agra (an early start means that we can avoid the heat and crowds at the Taj Mahal later in the day). Disembarking the coach, you will board smaller electric carts to continue to the entrance gate. After clearing security and baggage checks you will be admitted to the complex. Usually 2 hours is spent here; sightseeing is easy without many steps. For admission to the main mausoleum area, you are required to wear shoe covers (this may be provided on site – be prepared to bring an additional pair of socks). Return to your hotel to freshen up before visiting a marble inlay workshop. In the afternoon, explore the impressive Agra Fort. Sightseeing here involves approximately 1 and a half hours on foot and climbing of stairs.

Today drive approximately 5 hours to Ranthambore, visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route. Enjoy lunch in Bharatpur before continuing your journey. Upon arrival in Ranthambore, check into your hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Next day, you will have safaris in the park. The time in between these safaris will be at leisure. Please note: You will need your passport to gain entry to the national park.

Today drive approximately 4 to 5 hours to Jaipur. Upon arrival check into your hotel and this afternoon explore Maharaja’s City Palace and Jantar Mantar, the UNESCO World Heritage listed ancient observatory. Next day, begins with a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) in downtown Jaipur. Tourists are unable to enter, so you will view it from the busy road opposite. Tour members are asked to be careful when crossing the road for a closer photo. Continue to the impressive Amber Fort, where you will ride jeeps to and from the bus park and palace entrance. Elephant rides up to the palace have not been included in your itinerary because of the concerns to the animals and the unreliability of this service. Sightseeing this morning involves 2 to 3 hours on foot and there are a number of steps within the fort. Later, experience block printing and carpet weaving. Please note: Jaipur is a larger city where it would be unwise to wander around without your National Escort or Local guide at night, as there have been reports of pickpockets.

After breakfast, drive approximately 3 to 4 hours to Pushkar, where, on arrival, you will check in at your hotel. Later this afternoon, visit Pushkar Lake and the temple of Lord Brahma, the creator according to Hindu mythology. In the evening, enjoy a camel cart ride to watch the sunset in the desert. The next day after breakfast, drive around 3 to 4 hours to Khimsar, on arrival check in at hotel. Here, you will overnight at the 15th-century fortress which is now converted into a heritage hotel. Later explore the local area in Khimsar to get a glimpse of life in rural India.

Depart Khimsar and travel 5 to 6 hours to Jaisalmer, where you will proceed to your hotel for check-in. Later enjoy an evening visit to Sunset Point to take in the views. Next day, enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Jaisalmer. Explore Jaisalmer Fort, built atop the 80-metre-high Trikuta Hill, before continuing to the beautifully carved Jain temples and Badal Vilas Palace. The mornings activities will involve 2 to 3 hours of walking. After lunch visit the opulent Patwon Ki Haveli mansion. Finish the day with a trip to the Sam Sands Dunes in the Thar Desert.

This morning, depart Jaisalmer and commence the drive to Jodhpur, the second largest city in Rajasthan. Drive approximately 6 to 7 hours to Jodhpur. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel for a two night stay. Later, explore the imposing Mehrangarh Fort, which involves 2 hours of sightseeing over steps of varying heights. Visit Jaswant Thada and stroll through the museum located in the Umaid Bhawan Palace before enjoying some free time to wander Subzi Mandi, a local vegetable and spice market. The next day after breakfast this morning, drive by jeep to Rohetgarh to meet the people of the Bishnoi Tribe. Stop for lunch, followed by your return to Jodhpur where you have the rest of your day at leisure.

Depart Jodhpur and begin the drive to Udaipur, stopping to explore the Jain temple complex of Ranakpur en route. The drive to Ranakpur is approximately 4 hours and sightseeing here involves 30 minutes of easy walking. Drive approximately another 2 to 3 hours to Udaipur. Upon arrival, proceed to your hotel for a two night stay. Next day, Begin the day with a drive around the Fateh Sagar Lake. Tour the city, visiting sites such as the Sahelion Ki Bari Gardens, the Folk Museum and Mewar Art Gallery. Later, explore the City Palace, which involves approximately 2 hours of sightseeing on foot. Some stairs at this location are without handrails, so please be cautious. At the palace there are many Pols, also known as gateways. This afternoon, take a relaxing cruise on Lake Pichola, passing the Lake Palace.

After checking out of your hotel, you will be transferred approximately 45 minutes to the airport for your 1-and-a-half-hour flight to Mumbai where you will connect with an onward flight to Aurangabad. Due to flight schedules, there will be a long transit in Mumbai airport between flights. Please note that any time at leisure you have this morning is dependent on your flight departure time from Udaipur. This will be communicated to you in your final documentation.

This morning drive 4 hours to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Ajanta Caves. Sightseeing here involves climbing a short but steep hill to enter the first cave, then 2 to 3 hours walking with few stairs. Please note that flash photography is not allowed here so it is a good idea to bring a small flashlight. Return to Aurangabad and this evening enjoy an Indian Tandoor BBQ for dinner. The next day, travel 2 hours to the Ellora Caves, another UNESCO World Heritage listed site. Sightseeing here involves approximately two hours walking with some stairs. Later, return to Aurangabad where you will be transferred to the airport to board your 1-hour onward flight back to Mumbai. Transfer to the hotel and check-in for overnight stay.

Tour the thrilling city of Mumbai today. Drive past the Gateway of India, the Afghan Church and along Marine Drive. Visit the Hanging Gardens, Chowpatty Beach, Kamalala Nehru Park and Mani Bhavan, where Mahatma Gandi stayed during his visits to Mumbai in 1917 to 1934. Stop to view the Dhobi Ghat and the colourful Crawford Market and Flora Fountain. This evening transfer to the airport where you will board the onward 1-and-a-half-hour flight to Kochi for a two-night stay.

Today tour the satellite towns around Kochi and Ernakulam, visiting sites such as the Dutch Palace, the Santa Cruz Basilica and St. Francis Church. While driving along the coastline near the harbour, view the unique cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. End the day exploring Fort Kochi and this evening enjoy a Kathakali dance performance. Sightseeing today involves approximately 2 to 3 hours of walking.

This morning visit the Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays and Saturdays) before driving 1 and a half hours to Nedumudy to board your overnight houseboat, a converted rice barge known as a ‘Kettuvallam’. Enjoy lunch on board as you cruise past Kerala’s exceptional scenic beauty. The boat docks for the night at sunset as the fishermen cast their nets in the backwaters and therefore boats are not allowed to cruise.

Disembark your houseboat this morning and drive 5 to 6 hours to Kovalam. Upon arrival in Kovalam, proceed to your hotel for an overnight stay. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Trivandrum today. Tour the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple before continuing to the Sri Chitra Art Gallery and the Museum. Later visit the Observatory, the Kanakakunnu Palace and Sree Moolamthirunal Shastri Purthi Memorial （State Handicraft Institute）.

You will be transferred to Indira Gandhi International Airport according to the departure time of your flight today. Any time before your flight will be at leisure.