India16 days
North India to Kerala: Palaces, Forts & Backwaters — 16 Days
Delhi to Cochin via Rajasthan's royal cities and Kerala's tea hills and houseboat routes
This 16-day itinerary moves from the Mughal and colonial monuments of Delhi through Rajasthan's fortress cities — Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur — before traveling south to Kerala's hill stations and backwaters. The route traces two distinct Indian geographies: the arid palatial landscape of North India, where Mughal tombs and medieval fortifications dominate the urban centres, and the tropical monsoon belt of the south, where tea estates and coconut-fringed waterways define the terrain. Accommodation throughout is in established hotels and heritage properties. Transport is by private air-conditioned vehicle and domestic flight. An English-speaking guide accompanies all ground activities. The itinerary permits leisurely days in both regions — time to walk the bazaars of Jaipur, navigate the blue-painted old city of Jodhpur, sit on Lake Pichola at sunset, and drift through Kerala's backwaters by houseboat.
Highlights
- Taj Mahal viewed at sunrise from Agra
- Mehrangarh Fort overlooking Jodhpur's blue-walled old city
- Lake Pichola boat cruise at sunset with Udaipur's lakeside palaces in view
- Amer Fort approached by road through terraced Jaipur hinterland
- Khejarla Fort, a working heritage palace hotel in rural Rajasthan
- Kathakali classical dance performance in Cochin
- Tea estate walks and spice gardens in Munnar
- Kumarakom houseboat overnight cruise through Kerala's backwaters
- Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb in Delhi's historical layering
- Ranakpur Jain temple complex en route to Udaipur
- Eravikulam National Park for Nilgiri Tahr viewing in Munnar's hill terrain
- Cochin Fort and Jewish Synagogue in the old port district
Day by day
1Arrival in DelhiDelhi International Airport · central Delhi
Arrival at Delhi International Airport. Transfer by private vehicle to accommodation in central Delhi. Afternoon and evening at leisure to rest after travel. Overnight in Delhi.
2Old and New Delhi: Mughal and Colonial LandmarksJama Masjid · Red Fort · Chandni Chowk · Raj Ghat · India Gate · President's House · Qutub Minar · Humayun's Tomb
Full day with English-speaking guide covering Old Delhi's layered urban fabric: Jama Masjid, the Red Fort exterior, Chandni Chowk's market lanes by rickshaw, Raj Ghat memorial. New Delhi's civic monuments follow — India Gate, President's House gardens, Qutub Minar, Humayun's Tomb. Overnight in Delhi.
3Agra: Taj Mahal and Mughal FortificationsAgra · Taj Mahal · Agra Fort · Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb
Drive south 200 kilometres to Agra. Tour the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb. Afternoon and evening at leisure. Overnight in Agra.
4Fatehpur Sikri and JaipurFatehpur Sikri · Jaipur
En route to Jaipur, stop at the UNESCO-listed Fatehpur Sikri, the 16th-century palatial and administrative complex. Continue 235 kilometres to Jaipur and check into accommodation. Overnight in Jaipur.
5Jaipur: Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal and City CentreAmer Fort · Hawa Mahal · City Palace complex · Jantar Mantar Observatory · local bazaars in the pink-walled old city
Guided tour of Amer Fort, the City Palace complex, Jantar Mantar Observatory, and Hawa Mahal. Visit local bazaars in the pink-walled old city. Overnight in Jaipur.
6Khejarla Fort via PushkarKhejarla Fort · Brahma Temple · Pushkar Lake
Drive 270 kilometres westward through Pushkar. Stop at the Brahma Temple and Pushkar Lake. Arrive at Khejarla Fort, a heritage palace hotel set in rural Rajasthan. Overnight at Khejarla Fort.
7Jodhpur: Mehrangarh Fort and Blue CityJodhpur · Mehrangarh Fort · Jaswant Thada cenotaph · Umaid Bhawan Palace · old city's indigo-painted quarters · local markets
Drive 85 kilometres to Jodhpur. Tour Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada cenotaph, and Umaid Bhawan Palace. Walk the old city's indigo-painted quarters and local markets. Overnight in Jodhpur.
8Ranakpur Jain Temple Complex and UdaipurRanakpur · Udaipur · Lake Pichola
Travel 260 kilometres to Udaipur, stopping at Ranakpur to tour the 15th-century Jain temple carved in white marble. Arrive in Udaipur and take a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola viewing the palaces from water. Overnight in Udaipur.
9Udaipur: Palace, Temple and GardensUdaipur · City Palace · Jagdish Temple · Saheliyon Ki Bari · Fateh Sagar Lake · Crystal Gallery
Guided tour of the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Saheliyon Ki Bari (the 'Garden of the Maidens'), Fateh Sagar Lake, and the Crystal Gallery. Evening cultural performance. Overnight in Udaipur.
10Flight to Cochin and Portuguese Colonial QuarterCochin · Udaipur to Cochin
Domestic flight from Udaipur to Cochin. Transfer to accommodation. Evening at leisure or optional Kathakali classical dance performance. Overnight in Cochin.
11Cochin: Fort, Synagogue and Spice MarketsCochin · Fort Kochi · spice market warehouses
Tour Fort Kochi's colonial district: the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church, and Chinese fishing nets. Walk the spice market warehouses and waterfront. Overnight in Cochin.
12Munnar Tea Estates and Spice GardensMunnar · spice gardens · tea plantations · terraced tea fields
Drive to Munnar, a hill station in Kerala. Visit tea plantations, spice gardens, and walk amongst the terraced tea fields. Experience the cooler mountain air and mist-covered ridges. Overnight in Munnar.
13Munnar National Park and Hill TerrainMunnar · Eravikulam National Park · Mattupetty Dam · Echo Point
Tour Eravikulam National Park to view the Nilgiri Tahr, an endemic wild goat species. Visit Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point. Leisure time amongst the scenic hills and local markets. Overnight in Munnar.
14Kumarakom Houseboat CruiseKumarakom · private houseboat · Kumarakom backwater system
Drive 150 kilometres downhill to Kumarakom on the backwater system. Board a private houseboat and cruise the narrow channels and lakes lined with coconut palms and small settlements. Overnight on the houseboat.
15Return to Cochin and FarewellCochin · the coast
Disembark and drive 50 kilometres back to Cochin. Day for shopping or rest by the coast. Farewell dinner. Overnight in Cochin.
16Departure from CochinCochin International Airport
After breakfast, transfer to Cochin International Airport for your onward journey. The tour concludes, leaving you with enduring memories of India.
Where you go
- 1Delhi International Airport
- 2Red Fort
- 3Agra
- 4Taj Mahal
- 5Agra Fort
- 6Fatehpur Sikri
- 7Jaipur
- 8Hawa Mahal
- 9Brahma Temple
- 10Jodhpur
- 11Mehrangarh Fort
- 12Ranakpur
- 13Udaipur
- 14Lake Pichola
- 15Udaipur
- 16City Palace
- 17Jagdish Temple
- 18Saheliyon Ki Bari
Included
- Mineral Water Bottles
- Lunch at 5 Star Hotel.
- Preferred Accommodations as Per Package.
- Air Condition Vehicle for All Airport Transfers, Tours and Intercity Travel as Per Itinerary.
- Private English-Speaking Guide,Approved by Ministry of Tourism (Other language guides also available upon request).
- Daily Breakfast at hotel.
- Toll Taxes, Parking, Driver Allowance, Fuel and all applicable taxes.
- Assistance by a dedicated tour manager and associates throughout the tour. .