This India Signature Journeys tour covers some of the best destinations of amazing India such as Mumbai, Cochin, Aurangabad, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Udaipur, Delhi and Agra. Explore the heritage and rich cultural life of the each city. This is truly a signature journey to royal India.
Tour Duration : 20 Nights / 21 Days
Places To Visit : Mumbai - Cochin - Aurangabad - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaipur - Agra - Jhansi - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi
A Quick Walk Through Signature Destinations Of India
Day 01: Arrive in MumbaiGo Heritage India Journeys representative will receive you at the airport and escort you to the hotel. The rest of the time is for complete rest.
Mumbai, the hub of Mumbai Stock Exchange and the vogue center of fashion and film is always an attraction for the tourists. Mumbai boasts of beaches, colonial heritage, religious sites, Bollywood film city and many more. Entertainment buffs find a paradise in this dream city of India. Geographically Mumbai is an amalgamation of seven islands lying off the Konkan Coast.
In the evening walk past the Marine Drive known as Queen’s Necklace. After dinner, stay overnight.
Day 02: Mumbai - Cochin (By Flight)
Take flight to Kochi airport to reach your next destination, Cochin (new name Kochi). On arrival transfer to the hotel. Take rest.
Cochin was a fishing village before the European settlement. The Portuguese, Dutch established their settlement first in Kochi. Later British took over it and the fishing village was transformed into a port city as well major hub of trade. Now apart from the colonial memoirs Kochi is one of the developing industrial cities of Kerala.
In the evening enjoy a harbor cruise. Cruising down on the sea enjoy the evening. Then come to the hotel and stay overnight.
Day 03: Cochin
Post breakfast, explore the Kochi city. Visit the Jew town, Mattancherry Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Chinese Fishing Nets, Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow, etc.
In the afternoon, take a boat ride and visit the Bolghatty Palace and Vyppin Island. In the evening enjoy Kathakali dance programme. After dinner stay overnight.
Day 04 : Cochin - Aleppey - Cochin
Drive to Aleppey. Then embark on a houseboat. Your boat will cruise down along the backwaters. You will discover a world of peace and serenity. You will have your lunch on the houseboat. Savor the local cuisine and feel the aroma of Keralite cuisine. On the way visit the St. Mary’s Church at Champakulam. It is one of the oldest churches in Kerala.Then drive back to Cochin and stay overnight.
Day 05 : Cochin - Mumbai-Aurangabad (By Air Cochin-Mumbai) (Mumbai - Aurangabad - by flight)
Post breakfast, take the flight to Mumbai. On arrival you will be met by our representative. A Bollywood tour is planned for you. You might have a passion for the largest film industry of the world, Bollywood. So today virtually visit the Film city and enjoy the view of the stars and film crews shooting films.
In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport. Take the flight to Aurangabad, the largest industrial city of Maharashtra state. On arrival take the hotel and stay overnight.
Aurangabad was founded by the Malik Ambar, the Prime Minister of Murtaza Nizam Shah II. The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb later made this city his capital and renovated the city. This city is now gateway to the famous World Heritage Sites-Ajanta and Ellora. This city is known for its silk textiles, and hand woven brocades of silver and gold fabrics.
Day 06 : Aurangabad
After breakfast, proceed to Ajanta village to explore the Ajanta caves. The rock cut caves of Ajanta seems like a mammoth horse-shoe and it houses total 30 caves. The caves date back to 2nd century BC and these caves were discovered by a group of British army officers. The caves were once the centre of the Buddhist monastic order. The main attractions are the paintings, panels and sculptures of Buddha’s life. These caves are said as the masterpieces of Buddhist pictorial art.After Ajanta caves exploration, return to Aurangabad and visit the Daulatabad Fort.This 12 century fortress was named as City of Fortune by Muhammad Tughlaq, Sultan of Delhi.
After dinner, stay overnight. Day 07 : Aurangabad
On the 7th day of India Signature Journeys, visit the Ellora Caves, and Aurangabad Caves.Ellora Caves comprise of 34 caves of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Among the 34 caves, 12 caves are Mahayana Buddhist caves, 17 caves are Hindu caves and 5 caves are of Jain faith. 22 more caves were discovered recently and these caves are dedicated to Lord Shiva. The major attraction is the Kailasha temple located in the cave 16. After the Europeans these caves have been visited by the historians, antiquarians and scholars.
After Ellora cave visit proceed to the Aurangabad caves located on the outskirts of the city. The caves date back to 2nd to 6th century AD. The nine caves are mainly monasteries.
In the evening a textile tour is planned for you. After dinner, stay overnight.
Day 08 : Aurangabad - Mumbai - Udaipur
Take the flight to Mumbai and then to Udaipur city.
Udaipur, the lake city of Rajasthan was the princely states of the Mewar Sisodia Rajputs. This city is flanked by three lakes and houses the palaces, gardens and temples. It is located at the scenic environ of the Aravalli hills and offers a romantic ambience.
In the evening enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola. After dinner, stay overnight.
Day 09 : Udaipur
Post breakfast, explore all the attractions of Udaipur city. Visit the majestic City Palace and its mirrored interiors and the marble balconies. Located on the bank of Lake Pichola City Palace echoes the glorious rule of the Mewar rulers. Then visit the Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the local folk Museum.Boat ride on Lake Pichola. In the evening enjoy dance programme. After dinner, stay overnight.
Day 10 : Udaipur
Relax at the hotel. You can take a morning spa massage. Then visit the old city and proceed towards Devigarh Palace located near this city. Have your dinner at Devigarh Palace and return back to the hotel.
Day 11 : Udaipur - Jodhpur (By Road 250 km in 6 hr)
On the 11th day of India Journeys drive to Jodhpur, the sun city of Rajasthan. Enroute visit the Ranakpur Jain temples. The architecture and the pillars of the temple are considered as masterpieces of Jain architecture.Lunch will be served at the Fateh Bagh Palace and then again drive to Jodhpur. On arrival take the hotel.
Jodhpur is located at the edge of the Thar Desert and it is called the sun city of Rajasthan. This city was founded by Rao Jodha, a Rathore clan of the Rajputs. The major attractions are the massive Mehrangarh Fort and the royal cenotaphs.
After dinner, stay overnight.
Day 12 : Jodhpur
The whole day is reserved for sightseeing in Jodhpur. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort perched on a hillock overlooking the city. Explore the palaces located inside it. The main attractions are the miniature paintings and the rich interiors. Then visit the marble cenotaph, the Jaswant Thada Memorial.
In the afternoon, explore the artifacts in the Palace museum.
Day 13 : Jodhpur - Jaipur (By Road 250 km in 6 hr)
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur and enroute visit the hundred year old reservoir, Chatrasagar. Explore the Fort of Nimaj and other attractions of the town. After lunch, proceed towards Jaipur, the pink city of Rajasthan.
On arrival take the hotel in Jaipur. The pink hues of the monuments and the city will thrill you. You might have heard about the lavish lifestyle of the Jaipur kings and the most celebrated queen of Jaipur, Maharani Gayatri Devi. The major attractions are the Rajput forts and palaces and the colorful bazaars.
Day 14 : Jaipur
After breakfast, tour the Amber Fort perched on a hillock. The erstwhile capital of the Amer kings, Amber Fort is a massive Rajput fort. It is perched on a hillock of Aravalli and offers a spectacular view of the Jaipur city. Elephant ride on the Amber Fort shouldn’t be missed.After lunch, tour the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and the bazaars of Jaipur. You can go on a shopping spree as Jaipur markets have so much to offer you. After a theme dinner party at an ethnic restaurant, stay overnight.
Day 15 : Jaipur - Agra (By Road 221 km in 5 hr)
Drive to Agra, the erstwhile capital of the Mughals. Enroute tour the monuments of Fatehpur Sikri which served as a short-term capital for the Mughal Emperor Akbar. It is said that Akbar built this city in honor to the Saint Salim Christi. Akbar was awarded with a male heir after offering prayers to this saint. Fatehpur Sikri is a World Heritage Site and you will get to explore the tombs and monuments.
Drive to Agra and on arrival take the hotel. Today just explore the markets of Agra. After Mughalai dining stay overnight.
Day 16 : Agra
In the early morning visit the Taj Mahal. Explore the inner and outer architecture of this great monument of love. Taj wears a new look at the sunset time. Don’t miss it.Then visit the Agra Fort, the giant red sandstone building. Explore all the palaces and gardens. The walls of Agra Fort and the gates look majestic. It is the fort in which half dozen of the Mughal emperors lived.
After lunch visit the Baby Taj and it is known for its marble inlay of works. Back to the hotel. You can take an evening spa in the city of love.
Day 17 : Agra - Jhansi (By train - 3 hours)
Jhansi - Khajuraho: (By Road 175 km in 4 hr)Take the train to Jhansi railway station located in close proximity to Khajuraho. Reaching Jhansi drive to Khajuraho. Enroute tour the Orcha medieval Hindu temples. The Chattris built in memory of the kings are the major attractions of Orcha.
On arrival at Khajuraho take the hotel. Khajuraho is a World Heritage Site famous for its erotic sculptures and the Khajuraho Dance Festival. The temples were built by the Chandela rulers. The sculptures of the temples depict the sexualities of gods and goddesses and celebrate womanhood in several motifs.
Today visit the eastern set of Khajuraho temples. In the evening enjoy the Light and Sound Show Programme in the temple complex.
After dinner, stay overnight at Khajuraho.
Day 18 : Khajuraho - Varanasi (By flight)
Post breakfast, visit the western set of temples. Then take the flight to the Hindu holy city Varanasi. On arrival take the hotel.
Varanasi is located on the bank of the River Ganga and it houses the temples and River Ghats. Varanasi is one of the oldest cities of the world and it is even older than history marked by Mark Twain.
Today visit Sarnath, the Buddhist pilgrimage site located near Varanasi. This site has great religious importance in Buddhism as Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath. Explore the temples and monasteries.
In the evening visit the Ghats to enjoy the view of the evening aarti. After dinner, stay overnight.
Day 19 : Varanasi
In the early morning take a boat ride to explore the morning beauty of Ganga. In the early morning devotees throng the Ghats to offer prayers to Ganga.
Post breakfast, a guided tour is planned for you. Visit the Bharat Mata temple, Vishwanath temple and then Benaras Hindu University and its Art gallery.
In the evening walk past the Ghats to feel the aura of the city. You feel something different and might know the secret why Hindus visit this city on a pilgrimage tour.
After dinner, stay overnight.
Day 20 : Varanasi - Delhi (By flight)
Take the flight to Delhi. On arrival take the hotel.
Delhi, the national capital of India is one of the most visited cities of the world. The rich cultural heritage as well the vibrant markets of Delhi attracts the tourists from across the globe. Today you visit the Old Delhi Region. First pay tribute to the Father of Nation at his Raj Ghat Memorial. Then visit the majestic Red Fort and the Jama Masjid.
After dinner, stay overnight.
Day 21 : Delhi
Post breakfast, set out your sightseeing tour in Delhi. Visit the monuments of Lutyen’s Delhi and the other monuments of the city. Your Delhi tour covers Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple, National Art Gallery, India Gate, etc.Then shopping at the markets of Delhi. Go Heritage India Journeys representative will transfer you timely to the airport. Your India signature tour comes to end.
