North and South India Tour

  • Duration: 16 days
  • Price: $2,550

Season: from November till March

Our premier tour of North and South India includes all of the stops you won’t want to miss, including the yoga and meditation capital of the world – RISHIKESH; the Holy river GANGA darshan; the TAJ MAHAL, Old COCHIN City, the Periyar TIGER RESERVE, experiencing an ELEPHANT RIDE, visiting tea and herb plantations along and the hills of MUNNAR, relaxing at Varakala Beach, and the famous KERALA back water cruise in house boat and more!

For booking contact TREK NATION INDIA
at: info@treknationindia.com, travelnatindia@gmail.com
call: (+1) 929 293 2029, (+1) 646 644 1979
or use the book/inquiry link below:

Day 1

ARRIVAL IN DELHI

Meet upon arrival at the Delhi International Airport and check into the hotel for rest and relaxation after a long flight. Evening dinner provided with overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 2

DELHI / RISHIKESH (245 km 5 / 6 HR)

Departure: 9:00am

In the morning we begin our journey with a drive to Rishikesh.  Driving through streets of Delhi, we will see the India Gate, Parliament House and Chanakyapuri, a famous embassies area. In the evening, arrive in Rishikesh, a small town with an elevation of 356m at the foot of the Himalaya Mountains known as the world yoga and meditation capital, famous for its ashrams, Ghats, Hindu temples, Holy River Ganges, beautiful beaches and tranquil atmosphere. Evening walk on Ganga shores. Overnight stay in Rishikesh.

Day 3

IN RISHIKESH

Departure: 4:30am

We begin our morning with a drive (about 45min) to get to the highest point of Rishikesh called Kunjapuri, also the sight of a famous Goddess temple for Hindus at an elevation of 1990 meters. If the weather is clear, from the top enjoy the sunrise over spectacular views of the snow-capped Himalayas Mountains and admire views of Rishikesh and the Ganges River. Afterwards, trek down (30 min) and drive back to Rishikesh for breakfast! Rest for a short while and at 11:00am, join us for a combined sightseeing tour of Old Rishikesh and Haridwar. Visit Bharat temple, old market, Triveni Ghat, Chandi Devi temple and Har Ki Paidi. Return to Rishikesh in the evening and stay overnight.

Day 4

IN RISHIKESH

Departure: 10:00am

Depart after breakfast to the Vasishtha cave for meditation, followed by a 2 kilometer nature walk to Neergarh waterfall. We’ll sightsee famous Ramjhula and Lakshman Jhulla suspension bridges, Shivananda ashram, walk through silver sandy beaches of Ganges. In the evening we’ll witness a traditional Goddess Ganga Aarati ceremony. Stay overnight in Rishikesh.

Day 5

RISHIKESH / (245km 5-6 h) DELHI DOMESTIC AIRPORT / COCHIN 

Departure: according to flight time

Begin with an early morning drive to the Delhi domestic airport to catch a flight for Cochin. Upon arriving in Cochin, we will check into our hotel. Evenings will be free for personal activities, walking and exploring the surroundings.  Cochin is a city that was influenced by many international cultures such as Portuguese, Chinese, British and Dutch. Stay overnight in Cochin.

Day 6

IN COCHIN

Departure:  10:00am

After breakfast at 9:00am, we will sightsee Cochin which is a city historically known as the “Queen of Arabian Sea.” We will visit the Mattanchery Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue established in 1568 where the scrolls of the Old Testament and copper plates inscribed in Hebrew script are preserved. Visit St. Francis’ Church where Vasco da Gama was buried in 1524 and the Chinese fishing nets.  Fort Kochi is an excellent place to explore on foot. Catch a show of classical Kathakali dance.  Arrive back at the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 7

KOCHIN / ALLEPY HOUSE BOAT (90 KM 1.5HR) 

Departure:  10:00am

Depart to the Allepy and check into a houseboat at 12:00pm. Meet the captain and the chef. The boat will take us along winding canals and waterways dotted by tiny villages and vast green paddy fields. At about 8:00pm dinner will be served. Overnight stay at the Houseboat.

Day 8

ALLEPY HOUSEBOAT / VARAKALA BEACH (119 KM 3 / 4 HR)

Departure:  9:00am

After breakfast served in the houseboat, we will disembark at the jetty around 9.30am and leave Allepy for Varakala beach.  Arrive at Varkala at about 2:00pm, check into the hotel and freely spend the day on beach activities. Overnight stay at a hotel at Varakala.

Day 9

IN VARAKALA BEACH

Spend morning time enjoying the beach, getting ayurvedic massage or shopping, etc. At 4:00pm, proceed for a short excursion to see Kappi Lake and Vishnu temple in Varkala village.  Overnight stay in Varakala.

Day 10

VARAKALA BEACH / THEKKADY (175 KM, 4 HRS)

Departure:  7:30am

After breakfast we start our drive to Thekkady, South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, home to bison, wild elephant, boar, languor, the great Indian tiger and more. Upon arrival check into the hotel. An afternoon boat cruise is planned at Periyar Lake to watch wild animals, birds and beautiful flora. Overnight stay at Thekkady.

Day 11

IN THEKKADY 

After breakfast, visit the elephant junction for an elephant ride! In the afternoon, visit a local market for spices and herbs. Later if time allows proceed for an Ayurvedic treatment (additional cost will apply).  In the evening, visit Kalari martial arts centre. Dinner and overnight stay in Thekkady.

Day 12

THEKKADY / MUNNAR (108 KM 3 / 4 HR) 

Departure:  8:00 am

After breakfast we will begin our drive to Munnar, the heart of Kerala’s tea growing region. The drive itself is very scenic through the hills and forests! Spend the afternoon walking through a tea plantation and cardamom gardens. Visit a local spice market. Dinner and overnight stay in Munnar.

Day 13

IN MUNNAR  

Departure: 10:00am

Breakfast will be served at the hotel, and shortly thereafter we will begin our sightseeing of Munnar. Our stops include Mattupetty Dam, Kundale Lake and Echo Point. Munnar is 1600m above sea level. This majestic hill station was once the summer resort of the British government in South India. In the afternoon, proceed to Rajamalai where the rare species of mountain goats, Nilgiri Thars, can be spotted. Overnight stay in a local hotel in Munnar.

Day 14

MUNNAR / (107 KM 2/ 3 HR) KOCHIN AIRPORT / DELHI

Departure: according to flight time

After breakfast, we will drive to the Kochin airport to catch flight back to Delhi.

After our arrival in Delhi, we will check into our hotel and stay overnight.

Day 15

DELHI / AGRA / DELHI (460 km both ways – about 6 hrs)

Departure: 7:30am

After breakfast we will proceed to Agra. It’s the city where the Taj Mahal is located and one of the Seven Wonders of the World built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz. The monument is made of white marble took over 22 years to finish between 1630 AD. To 1652 AD. Visit Agra Fort, a massive structure on the bank of Yamuna built by famous emperor Akbar in 1565 AD. It has numerous places and a beautiful pearl mosque. It is a day trip from Delhi. A distance of about 460 km both way can be covered in about 6 hours. Arrive back to Delhi in the evening for an overnight stay.

Day 16

DELHI / DEPARTURE 

Depart from Delhi International Airport to fly back home.

 

Inclusive:

 

  • Accommodations in double sharing on MAPAI basis – bed, breakfast and dinner in *2 and *3 hotels or equivalent
  • Transportation by an air-conditioned vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary
  • English speaking tour escort/guide throughout the tour
  • Accommodations at the houseboat for Kerala’s backwater cruise. Included are breakfast, snacks, lunch and dinner
  • Elephant and boat ride in Thekkady
  • Entrance fee of all monuments, national parks and shows
  • Monument guide charges
  • Tips
  • Flight fare in economic class from Delhi / Cochin / Delhi   (maximum baggage allowance is 20kg – for excess baggage additional charge will apply accordingly and will be paid directly to the airlines by the passengers!)
  • Assistance on arrival and departure

Rate does not include:

International airfare, Indian visa fee, excess baggage charge for domestic airlines, any beverages, laundry, camera entrance fee, video making, ayurvedic and medical treatments, extra meals besides breakfast and dinner, personal expenses, expenses incurred beyond our control such as bad weather, flight cancellation, road closures, landslides, political disturbances, etc.