Golden Triangle and Kerala India Tour

On arrival in Delhi, your India tour begins and you will be taken to The Claridges for a two-night stay. That evening a welcome dinner hosted by your tour leader is arranged in a traditional setting.

Accommodation: The Claridges*, Delhi

Meals Included: Dinner

Your morning tour begins in Old Delhi, the former Mughal city of Shahjahanabad, exploring vibrant market lanes, old mansions, and colourful neighbourhoods. Navigate Chandni Chowk on a cycle rickshaw, witnessing the sale of spices, brassware, antiques, jewellery, and perfumes. Visit the ornate Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, drive past the Red Fort, and visit Raj Ghat.

In the afternoon, explore New Delhi, showcasing modern India’s story with open spaces, government buildings, museums, and wide avenues. Drive by Rashtrapati Bhawan, Raj Path, and India Gate. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Qutab Minar and conclude with a visit to Humayun’s Tomb, the first garden tomb built by the Mughals in India.

Accommodation: The Claridges, Delhi

Meals Included: Breakfast

Drive to Agra after breakfast, renowned for its Mughal architecture, taking approximately 4 hours. In the afternoon, explore the imposing red sandstone battlements of Agra Fort, including the impressive Diwan-e-Am and Diwan-e-Khas halls.

Later in the evening, visit the famous Taj Mahal at sunset for fantastic photo opportunities. This magnificent marble monument, built in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, showcases elaborate geometric forms and intricate inlay work.

Accommodation: Hotel Tajview*, Agra

Meals Included: Breakfast

Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted capital of Emperor Akbar is the first place you visit today before proceeding to the pink city of Jaipur. The city was once the capital of the Mughal empire and includes a stunning mosque, which is still in use today.

En route, there is a lunch stop at Bharatpur and a visit to the 9th-century stepwells at Abhaneri.

Accommodation: Narain Niwas Palace*, Jaipur

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

This morning, explore the stunning 17th-century Amber Fort atop a hill outside the city. Ascend the fort by jeep for breathtaking views of surrounding gorges and a lake. Tour the Maharaja’s apartments adorned with murals and mosaics, including the dazzling Hall of Mirrors.

In the afternoon, drive through vibrant bazaars to view the Hawa Mahal, designed for royal ladies to observe the world through delicate screened windows. Visit the Royal Observatory, locally known as Jantar Mantar, built by Jaipur’s founder, Jai Singh, an avid astronomer. Explore the City Palace complex, housing rare manuscripts, armour, and costumes.

Accommodation: Hotel Narain Niwas Palace*, Jaipur

Meals Included: Breakfast

A free day to explore Jaipur’s colourful markets. In the evening, enjoy a cookery session followed by a traditional meal with a local family.

Accommodation: Hotel Narain Niwas Palace*, Jaipur

Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

After your morning flight to Cochin, you will be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is free for you to relax or explore.

Accommodation: Eighth Bastion*, Cochin

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, embark on a sightseeing tour of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry, visiting the Chinese fishing nets, fish market, St. Francis Church, Jewish Synagogue, and Dutch Palace.

The afternoon is free for a stroll on Jew Street to discover souvenirs like spices, handlooms, ethnic wear, and antiques. In the evening, enjoy a Kathakali dance show, the traditional Kerala dance drama, with vibrant costumes. Arrive early to witness the dancers applying their bold makeup.

Accommodation: Eighth Bastion*, Cochin

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, you head inland to Periyar National Park, with a stop at a plantation bungalow for lunch with a local family.

Accommodation: Spice Village, Periyar

Meals Included: Breakfast and lunch

In the morning, you have the chance to try your hand at bamboo rafting on Periyar Lake. This is followed by gentle trekking through some of the richest forest paths of the Periyar Tiger Reserve to see some of the rare birds endemic to this sanctuary.

There is a good chance to spot some wildlife including Sambar deer, Indian Bison and wild elephants. In the afternoon, you can explore further or relax at your hotel.

Accommodation: Blanket Hotel & Spa*, Thekkady

Meals Included: Breakfast

Enjoy a scenic drive through rolling hills of Western Ghats visiting tea and rubber plantations on the way, before arriving at the tranquil backwaters of Kumarakom. Stay overnight at Coconut Lagoon*. Along the way, we will stop for a home-cooked lunch at one of the old estate bungalows on a plantation.

In the evening, enjoy a sunset cruise on Vembanad Lake.

Accommodation: Coconut Lagoon*, Kumarakom

Meals Included: Breakfast

In the late morning, a brief one-hour drive will bring you to Alleppey, often called the ‘Venice of the East.’ Around lunchtime, you’ll board your private houseboat for an overnight cruise through the renowned Kerala Backwaters, a highlight for many.

The air-conditioned premium houseboat offers a leisurely journey through tranquil Kerala backwaters. Glide across Lake Vembanad, navigate narrow canals southward, passing rice fields, churches, temples, schools, and village life.

Enjoy lunch, evening tea, and dinner served on board by your exclusive crew. The houseboat anchors at sunset to avoid fishing nets, providing you with a magical experience of gentle rocking under the starlit sky before spending a blissful night on the houseboat.

Accommodation: Private Houseboat

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Consider waking up early to observe the daily activities on the backwaters. Following a relaxed breakfast, you’ll disembark from your houseboat in Alleppey, where your driver will meet you for the 45-minute drive to Mararikulam, a charming fishing village north of Alleppey.

The rest of the day is yours to unwind on the beach or make use of the hotel’s amenities, including a pool, expansive gardens, and an Ayurveda spa facility.

Accommodation: Marari Beach Resort, Marari

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, you can choose to explore the nearby local fishing harbour and take a walking tour of the temples and markets in Mararikulam and Alleppey. The rest of the day is free for leisure, allowing you to relax by the beach. In the evening, we gather for a farewell dinner.

Accommodation: Marari Beach Resort, Marari

Meals Included: Breakfast and dinner

You will be transferred to Cochin airport for your flight back to the UK or an onward destination.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Dates, Pricing and Inclusions

This Golden Triangle and Kerala Private Tour is available from Delhi from £3,190 per person.

Special Remarks

Why not incorporate a festival into your tour? Celebrate Diwali in November and Holi in March in Jaipur.

Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast, lunch on days 4 and 9, dinner on days 1 and 6 and full board on the houseboat.

Best Season: October to April.

Clothes: Cottons with light woollen for mid-winter in the north.

* Alternative accommodation of a similar standard may be offered to the hotels listed.

Included in the price:

• Accommodation for 17 nights in hotels and 1 night on the houseboat
• All internal road travel by an air-conditioned vehicle, driver and guide
• All scheduled sightseeing with an English-speaking guide
• Entrance fees at the monuments
• Delhi – Cochin flight tickets in economy class
• Bamboo rafting on Periyar Lake

Not included in price:

• International flights
• India visa
• Travel Insurance
• Meals not included in the meal plan
• Expenses of personal nature (like room service, laundry, drinks, phone calls etc)
• Camera fees at the monuments

This tour can also be taken privately on a date of your choice. Please contact us for more details.

For more information on this Golden Triangle and Kerala tour, please email info@aitholidays.com or call our India specialists on 01792 315499.

Authentic India Tours is a member of ABTA and ATOL. All the holidays on this website are ABTA protected. If you would like us to arrange your holiday including flights we will be happy to provide a quote and your holiday will also be ATOL protected.