Journey to Himalayas

Trip Overview

The majestic Rajasthan is where we begin our journey. Several Forts and Palaces that belonged to erstwhile Maharajas adorn the landscape of this region. Splendors of the Great Kings from here lead this State to be often called “Jewel in the Crown of India”.

After one week in Rajasthan, our journey will bring us to Kerala in South India – the land of Spices, Ayurveda & beautiful Beaches along the Arabian Sea. Following our journey through this wonderful region, you will realize why the phrase “God’s Own Country” is often used to refer to this State. Here, you will visit the backwaters, tea gardens, spice plantations and the beautiful beach at Marari.

Our trip will come to an end with a delightful visit to the finest example of Mughal Architecture in the world – Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Features

• Small Group (max of 15 people) – ensures a container of safety and care for your journey
• Experienced local guides – fluent in English and Hindi
• Exciting and Safe travel – taking the “hassle” out of being in India so you can relax and soak up the experience
• High Quality Amenities – top class accommodation, outstanding food, every effort made to accommodate dietary and personal needs
• Authentic Cultural Experience – Connections with local people open doors to remarkable experiences and encounters

JAIPUR … the pink city

Enthralling, historical Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, is the gateway to India’s most flamboyant state. The city’s colourful, chaotic streets ebb and flow with a heady brew of old and new. Careering buses dodge dawdling camels, leisurely cycle-rickshaws frustrate swarms of motorbikes, and everywhere buzzing autorickshaws watch for easy prey. In the midst of this mayhem, the splendours of Jaipur’s majestic past are islands of relative calm evoking a different pace and another world. At the city’s heart, the City Palace continues to house the former royal family; the Jantar Mantar, the royal observatory, maintains a heavenly aspect; and the honeycomb Hawa Mahal gazes on the bazaar below. And just out of sight, in the arid hill country surrounding the city, is the fairy-tale grandeur of Amber Fort, Jaipur’s star attraction. (~ words from Lonely Planet) 

JODHPUR … blue city

Mighty Mehrangarh, the muscular fort that towers over the Blue City of Jodhpur, is a magnificent spectacle and an architectural masterpiece. Around Mehrangarh’s base, the old city, a jumble of Brahmin-blue cubes, stretches out to the 10km-long, 16th-century city wall. The Blue City really is blue! Inside is a tangle of winding, glittering, medieval streets, which never seem to lead where you expect them to, scented by incense, roses and sewers, with shops and bazaars selling everything from trumpets and temple decorations to snuff and saris. (~ words from Lonely Planet)

UDAIPUR… City of Lakes

Beside shimmering Lake Pichola, with the ochre and purple ridges of the wooded Aravalli Hills stretching away in every direction, Udaipur has a romance of setting unmatched in Rajasthan and arguably in all India. Fantastical palaces, temples, havelis and countless narrow, crooked, timeless streets add the human counterpoint to the city’s natural charms. For the visitor there’s the tranquillity of boat rides on the lake, the bustle and colour of ancient bazaars, a lively arts scene, the quaint old-world feel of its better hotels, endless tempting shops and some lovely countryside to explore on wheels, feet or horseback.(~ words from Lonely Planet)

KOCHI (Cochin)… Queen of Arabian Sea

Serene Kochi has been drawing traders, explorers and travellers to its shores for over 600 years. Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix: giant fishing nets from China, a 400-year-old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj. The result is an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal, Holland and an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. It’s a delightful place to spend some time and nap in some of India’s finest homestays and heritage accommodation. Kochi is also a centre for Keralan arts and one of the best places to see Kathakali and kalarippayat.(~ words from Lonely Planet)

MUNNAR… Tea Estates

The rolling hills around Munnar, South India’s largest tea-growing region, are carpeted in emerald-green tea plantations, contoured, clipped and sculpted like ornamental hedges. The low mountain scenery is magnificent – you’re often up above the clouds watching veils of mist clinging to the mountaintops. Munnar town itself is a scruffy, traffic-clogged administration centre, not unlike a North Indian hill station, but wander just a few kilometres out of town and you’ll be engulfed in a sea of a thousand shades of green.(~ words from Lonely Planet)

ALAPPUZHA (Alleppey) … Backwaters

Alappuzha – most still call it Alleppey – is the hub of Kerala’s backwaters, home to a vast network of waterways and more than a thousand houseboats. Wandering around the small but chaotic city centre and bus-stand area, with its modest grid of canals, you’d be hard-pressed to agree with the ‘Venice of the East’ tag. But head west to the beach or in practically any other direction towards the backwaters and Alleppey becomes graceful and greenery-fringed, disappearing into a watery world of villages, punted canoes, toddy shops and, of course, houseboats. Float along and gaze over paddy fields of succulent green, curvaceous rice barges and village life along the banks. This is one of Kerala’s most mesmerisingly beautiful and relaxing experiences.(~ words from Lonely Planet)

TAJ MAHAL … Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal rises from Agra’s haze as though from a dream. You’ve seen it in pictures, but experiencing it in person, you’ll understand that it’s not just a famous monument, but a love poem composed of stone. When you first glimpse it through the arched entryway, you might find yourself breathless with awe. Many hail it as the most beautiful building on the planet.(~ words from Lonely Planet)

Delhi –Jodhpur – Udaipur – Cochin – Munnar – Marari – Delhi (17 Days)

PLEASE NOTE that this is a tentative itinerary. We do try to follow the original plan as close as possible. But the exact dates might differ depending on road conditions and other factors that can’t be controlled or predicted. The Pick-up and Drop-off date will not change. Please read TOS for details.

Week 1: FORTS OF RAJASTHAN
JAIPUR, JODHPUR, UDAIPUR

Day 01: Arrive in Delhi.
Late Evening/Night Pick Up at International Airport New Delhi.
Please make sure that you reach Delhi by the night of Day 1.

Day 02: Jaipur
Drive from Delhi to Jaipur (5-6 hours).

Day 03: Jaipur
Sightseeing of Amer Fort.
Local sightseeing of Jaipur City in the evening.

Day 04: Jodhpur
Drive to Jodhpur visit Ajmer Sarif en-route. (6-7 hours).

Day 05: Jodhpur
Visit Mehrangarh Fort in the morning. In the afternoon enjoy the Village Safari.

Day 06: Udaipur
Drive from Jodhpur to Udaipur (5-6 hours). En route visit Jain temple at Ranakpur.

Day 07: Udaipur
Sightseeing of Udaipur, followed by boat ride on Lake Pichola.

Week 2: BACKWATERS OF KERALA
COCHIN, MUNNAR, MARARI

Day 08: Cochin
Fly from Udaipur to Cochin via Mumbai / Hyderabad. Transfer to hotel.

Day 09: Cochin
Guided sight-seeing tour of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry is followed by visit to Chinese fishing nets. Enjoy the Kathakali dance show in the evening.

Day 10: Munnar
Drive to Munnar.

Day 11: Munnar
Day at Munnar to see tea plantation and tea factories and other places of interest.

Day 12: Marari
Munnar to Alleppey/Marari. Part of this journey will include a cruise on the waterways in the backwaters to witness the rural life of Kerala. Lunch on-board houseboat.

Day 13: Marari
Sightseeing with local guide.

Day 14: Marari
Sightseeing with local guide.

Finale: Taj Mahal
DELHI, AGRA

Day 15: Marari-Cochin-Delhi.
Drive from Marari to Cochin, followed by flight from Cochin to Delhi

Day 16: Day trip to Taj Mahal (by Train)
Delhi to Agra (Taj Mahal): 196 km by train, 2 hours one way. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 17: Delhi (Shopping)
Local sightseeing in and an opportunity to shop at State emporiums in Delhi.
*Dinner for this day is not included in the cost of tour package.
(Trip package will cover your stay till the morning of the following day)

Au Revoir!!

DATES

Main Tour: Feb/Mar (17 Days)
Pick Up and Drop Off: New Delhi International Airport (DEL)

COST

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: Two people sharing the same room. Separate beds
SINGLE OCCUPANCY: Each person has an individual room

To register/book (confirm your spot) for this trip, you are requested to make a deposit of booking amount for trip package.

PLEASE NOTE: This will be a non-refundable deposit.

Price inclusive of:

• Accommodation while in India 
• Cost of all meals, except where otherwise specified (Alcohol exclusive).
• All Transportation costs within India
• Entrance to Museums and Monuments
• Permits and other fees incurred while traveling in India
• Cost of special events like Cooking Evening or a Culture Show

Price exclusive of:

• International flight to India.
• Visa Fees
• Room Charges at hotels for snacks and drinks.

BOOKING & PAYMENT

To book this trip, please deposit the booking amount (non-refundable) or the full amount, into the bank account of “Journey to Himalayas”. You will be required to deposit the full amount 90 days before the trip starts. Please read TOS for details.

BOOKING & PAYMENT

To register/book (confirm your spot) for this trip, you are required to
1. Register Online (Book Now)
2. Make a payment of the booking amount or full amount of the trip package.
After you register on the website, you will get the banking info in the email.

Payment Options:

1. 1. BANK DEPOSIT
      You can deposit directly into the “Journey to Himalayas” bank account in Canada (CIBC). You can go to the bank personally or send the money by email transfer or wire transfer. We also accept money through TransferWise. Your order will get confirmed only after we have received money in our bank account.

1. 1. PAY PAL (JTH Website)
      You can use your credit or debit card to directly make the payment.

ONLINE REGISTRATION: If you are paying by “Bank Deposit”, you will not be required to make any payment through this website. We still encourage/suggest our clients to go through the steps in the “Book Now” section to register themselves online. This helps us to keep your information updated. We will need this information to make hotel and travel bookings in India. Through your account profile, you will also be able to check the status of your payment. Thank You!

DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: Two people sharing the same room. Separate beds
SINGLE OCCUPANCY: Each person has an individual room