Day 1

Feb 13

Turkish Valencia to Delhi

11.50 - 05.20

Day 2

Feb 14

Met at airport. Private transfer to your hotel

Afternoon tour of Lodhi Gardens & Gandhi Smriti: After time to freshen up at the hotel you will be taken out for a gentle introduction to Delhi. Your first visit will be to Lodhi Gardens. This 80-acre park is peaceful, well-maintained, and a firm favourite of Delhi-ites. The parkland is dotted with garden areas and a string of impressive tombs, as well as an attractive central lake. Later you will be taken to nearby Gandhi Smriti, a moving memorial to the father of Indian democracy. Situated on the very spot of his assassination, the memorial houses various tributes to Gandhi.

Day 3

Feb 15

Guided tour: Old Delhi. Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India built by the emperor who also built the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. In the surrounding bazaars there are many fascinating businesses here. Walk the main bridal street of, Kinari Bazaar, with its display of embroidered silk wedding saris, and colourful turbans for the bridegroom. Move on to the Khari Baoli, which is about spices. In the afternoon explore New Delhi taking in Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar and a drive through Lutyens’ New Delhi. Humayun's Tomb is a magnificent Mughal building set in a square enclosed garden. This fine structure served as a model for the Taj Mahal. Dominating the ruins of the earliest settlement of Delhi is the city's famous landmark - the Qutab Minar: an imposing tower (73 m) has five storeys, each marked by intricately carved balconies. Drive through Lutyens’ New Delhi, taking in the India Gate, the Rashtrapati Bhawan (President's House), and Parliament House.

Day 4

Feb 16

Road journey to Agra: Head south from Delhi on the Yamuna Express Toll Road to Agra, about three and a half hours.Guided tour of Agra Fort and Taj Mahal sunset from Mehtab Bagh: Construction of the Fort was begun in 1565, with embellishments continually added . The magnificent palaces, towers, bastions, ramparts and gateways symbolise the power of the mighty Mughals, and with its red sandstone wash Agra Fort is a striking partner to the Red Fort in Delhi. After the Fort you will be taken to the Mehtab Bagh, one of a series of 11 parks which line the eastern bank of the Yamuna River. The park is pleasant in itself, but the utmost attraction here is a clear view directly across to the Taj Mahal: the Mehtab Bagh Gardens are perfectly aligned with those across the river, and at sunset the view offered here is spectacular. After taking in the sunset you will return to the hotel.

Day 5

Feb 17

Early morning tour of the Taj Mahal:. Coated in shimmering white marble, the Taj is a mirror of daylight conditions and it begins the morning bathed in delicate hues of pink, giving way to cream and amber as the sun climbs. The Taj Mahal is its blend of grandeur: a massive overall design, matched with immaculately intricate execution. Built by Mughal Emperor Shan Jehan in the memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal complex took 22 years to be completed. The road journey to Jaipur, via Fatehpur Sikri: A straight journey will take approximately three to four hours, but you will stop enroute to visit the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built by in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire, this citadel of grand courts, and palaces, once rivalled the splendours of Delhi and Agra. Unfortunately a shortage of water, compounded by local unrest, forced Akbar to abandon the city only 13 years after its completion. However, even today the magnificence of this royal city has not faded and remains immaculately preserved. Continue on to Jaipur, arriving early eveningl.

Day 6

Feb 18

Day 7

Feb 19

Road journey to Jodhpur: The journey takes around six hours but will be punctuated with rest stops and a lunch break (payable locally). On arrival in Jodhpur you will be transferred to your hotel.

Founded in 1459 by Mewari ruler Rao Jodha, Jodhpur is located at the southern edge of the Thar Desert and has been a trading outpost for centuries. Above all else, literally, the city is dominated by mighty Mehrangarh. This staggering hilltop fortress has been home to the ruling family for four centuries: it has been outstandingly preserved and one should allow several hours to explore the lanes, ramparts, and palaces which make up its interior. The Blue City takes its name from the houses which spill out and around the base of Mehrangarh: so painted to display colour of the Brahmins, signifying residents of a higher caste.

Day 8

Feb 20

Day 9

Feb 21

Day 10

Feb 22

Guided tour of Udaipur: the City Palace, which towers over the eastern shore of Lake Pichola. This is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, and is a blend of Rajput military architecture and lavish decorative art. The City Palace is made up of four separate interconnecting palaces built over a period of nearly three centuries. The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum which houses artefacts from the days of royalty. Then visit Sahelion-Ki-Bari: gardens laid out in the 18th century for a retinue of 48 young ladies-in-waiting, who were sent to Udaipur as part of a princess's dowry. The gardens have beautiful lawns, lotus pools, marble pavilion - all of which reinforces the romantic reputation of Udaipur. Next continue to Jagdish Temple, sitting just outside the northern gates of the City Palace. This Indo-Aryan temple enshrines a black stone image of Lord Vishnu, the creator of the universe. You will make a photo stop at Lake Pichola, looking out towards the iconic Lake Palace. After the tour you will have some time at leisure to look for souvenirs

Day 11

Feb 23

In the late morning you will be driven to Udaipur’s Airport, around an hour outside the city, in time to board your onward flight on Air India Express flight IX2607 to Bengaluru Airport. The flight departs at 10:40 and arrives at 13:00: On arrival in Bangalore you will be met and driven west to Mysore, a journey of four hours. En route you will have the option to make a sightseeing stop at Srirangapattam (Tipu's summer Palace).

Day 12

Feb 24

Guided tour of Mysore: even today, is one of the best planned cities in Southern India. Mysore combines modernity and hustle with traditional grandeur. You will visit the city's principal sights: the magnificent Mysore Palace. The former residence of the Wodeyar Maharajas. Highlight attractions here include are a gold throne, which is displayed during the Dussehra festival celebrations, a carved silver door, and the Kalyana Mandapa (Marriage Hall) and its depictions of royal rule. Continue on to the local markets where you will see fruits and vegetable vendors selling their wares, and local artisans practising their craft. Your guide will take you to visit a sandalwood incense maker, and will also uncover a favourite spot to try some of Mysore's famous sweets. Then a trip up Chamundi Hill, which overlooks the city. At the top of the hill there is a 2000 year old temple, from where one can enjoy fantastic panoramic views. Time-willing you will also visit Somnathpur, slightly further out of the city, a star shaped temple which is a great example of Hoysala architecture.

Day 13

Feb 25

Drive to Kabini, near the Nagarhole National Park. 2 hours drive

Afternoon game drive. Nagarhole has a rich variety of flora and fauna: there are large groups of gaur, elephant, sambar, chittal, with even the occasional sighting of tiger and leopard. Other common mammals in the park include the muntjac, the tiny mouse deer, wild boar, pangolin, giant squirrel, slender loris, langurs and macaques. Lesser cats such as the jungle cat, leopard cat and rusty spotted cat are also resident species.

Day 14

Feb 26

Day 15

Feb 27

Road journey from Kabini to Coonoor: This will be a scenic drive of around 4.5 hours, depending on stops and local traffic. On arrival, you will check in to your hotel . Coonoor offers a beautiful escape, high up in the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu. The area is home to numerous alluring heritage properties, fine bases to explore the surrounding plantations or perhaps further your knowledge of Coonoor's principal export - tea. Plantation tour & tea-tasting: In the afternoon you have some free time to explore the area and, quite literally, drink in your surrounds! Your hosts will take you for tour of the plantation, through the emerald tea fields, culminating in an exclusive tea-tasting session.

Day 16

Feb 28

Tour of Ooty and ride the Nilgiri Mountain Railway: Ooty. You will have some time to explore this beautiful hill station. Afterwards, you will visit the Nilgiri Mountain Railway station, which is a UNESCO Heritage Site, and starting point for one of the most scenic stretches of track in all of India. You will board the train down to Coonoor, a journey of around an hour which takes you through hair-raising curves and tight tunnels, the steam train chugging along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens. Arrive back at Coonoor

Day 17

Mar 1

Road journey to Pollachi: drive out of the hills and down to Pollachi District, still within Tamil Nadu but just on the provincial border with Kerala. This scenic drive should take around 4.5 hours. You will arrive at your rural resort in the early afternoon, and have some time to settle in.

Road journey to Pollachi: drive out of the hills and down to Pollachi District, still within Tamil Nadu but just on the provincial border with Kerala. This scenic drive should take around three to four hours. You will arrive at your rural resort in the early afternoon

Day 18

Mar 2

Road journey to Kochi: The drive is 4.5 hours, the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Evening performance of the Kathakali Dance Drama: you will taken to witness the spectacular Kathakali Dance Drama. Kathakali is Kerala’s very own classical dance-drama form which combines facets of ballet, opera, masque and pantomime.Presented in the temple precincts after dusk falls, Kathakali is heralded by the Kelikottu, or the beating of drums, which is accompanied by the Chengila (gong). The rich blend of colour, expressions, music, drama and dance are unparalleled in any other art form.

Day 19

Mar 3

Guided tour of Kochi: Mattancherry Palace which was built by the Portuguese in 1555. Later renovated by the Dutch. The little museum at the palace has a collection of costumes, and other articles from the royalty. Adjacent to the palace is the Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568. This simple building has rich interiors with clusters of coloured glass lamps hanging from the ceiling, and a floor of blue willow-patterned tiles. Although 'Jew Town', as the area around the synagogue is known, has lost much of its earlier glory, it has retained its status as an important centre of the spice trade. An exotic odour of the finest spices emanates from the spice warehouses lining the street. From here to St. Francis Church, which was built in 1503 at Fort Cochin, making it one of the oldest churches in the subcontinent. It was built by the Portuguese, but became a Protestant church with the arrival of the Dutch and an Anglican church after the British occupation. Vasco da Gama – – is buried in its churchyard. Then take a short walk to see the Chinese fishing nets

Day 20

Mar 4

Drive south of Kochi to Alleppey, about two hours, at the southern end of the vast Vembanad Lake. You will arrive around lunchtime to check in for your cruise. Around an hour later lunch will be served - delicious local cuisine - and after lunch your houseboat will continue meandering slowly through the network of water canals, dotted with busy hamlets and lush green paddy fields. A houseboat ride through these placid backwaters is a wonderfully relaxing experience and watch the world glide silently by. Towards the end of the afternoon you will have the option of transferring to smaller rowboat (payable locally), which will take you deeper into the narrow canals which are unnavigable for larger houseboats. Taking this route allows you to get deeper into the lush, bucolic scenes, passing through tranquil hamlets and observing the rural lifestyles. You return to the houseboat for another hour or so cruising, and as the sun falls you will draw over to the water's edge and moor up for the night. Dinner will be served on board

Day 21

Mar 5

Morning backwater cruise: A further hours' cruising, heading back to the dock at Alleppey. Breakfast will be served on the way (the boat staff will discuss options with you the previous evening), and you will arrive back in Alleppey to disembark around 09.30am. Road journey to Munnar: After disembarking your cruise, you will leave the backwaters and travel to Munnary. The drive will last around four hours and on arrival you will check into your hotel.

Windermere Estate

Day 22

Mar 6

Guided walk of the Lockhart Tea Estate: you will be taken for a guided walk within the Lockhart Tea Estate. The walk will last around 4-6 hours depending on your level of fitness and ability. The 1600 acre Lockhart tea plantations are nestled on the slopes of the Chokramudi hills. Lockhart tea factory, built in 1857 is one of the oldest tea factories still following the orthodox methods of tea processing to produce superior quality green tea, black tea and white tea. The walk through the Lockhart estate will be amidst green carpeted tea fields with stunning views. Your lunch will be enjoyed at estate bungalow, after which you will visit the tea factory and conclude the day's tour with an exclusive tea tasting program.

Day 24

Mar 7

Road journey to Madurai: a journey of around 4 hours. Check in to your hotel. Afternoon tour and temple visit: Later in the afternoon, you will be picked up by your guide and taken on a tour of Madurai. Your first stop will be to Tirumalai Palace, an Indo-Saracenic construction which dates back to 1523. Later in the evening, you will be taken to visit the mesmeric Sri Meenakshi Temple. The temple complex is within a high-walled enclosure, at the core of which are two sanctums. You will arrive in time for the evening ‘putting to bed’ ceremony, a dazzling affair of noise and colour which is not to be missed. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva’s consort Parvati. Following the final prayer of the day the image of Shiva is taken from his quarter of the temple to join Parvati in hers, escorted on a silver palanquin, and accompanied by dance, music, and devotions.

Day 25

Mar 8

At the locally advised time, you will be transferred to Madurai's airport in time for your onward flight. Domestic flight: Depart Madurai Airport on IndiGo Airlines flight 6E7196 to Chennai Airport. The flight departs at 10:00 and arrives at 11:20. Private transfer to Covelong: After the sightseeing you will be transferred to Covelong - a pleasant coastal area around 45 minutes south of the city centre. Afternoon guided tour of Chennai: starting at Fort St George and the nearby High Court, improbable Tamil temple architecture at the Kapaleshwar temple, plus Art Deco touches and Greek colonades throughout Georgetown. Each building is a time capsule which reveals the hopes and fears of its creators, as well as the history of this ever-vibrant city.After your guided tour, you will be transferred to Mahabalipuram. This journey, heading south along the Tamil Nadu coast, will take around 1 hour. On arrival, you will be taken to your hotel .

Day 26

Mar 9

Day 27

Mar 10

At the locally advised time today you will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Chennai's airport in time for your onward flight. Domestic flight: Depart Chennai Airport on IndiGo Airlines flight 6E6014 to Mumbai Airport. The flight departs at 11:00 and arrives at 12:55. Private transfer to your hotel: You will be met on arrival in Mumba and taken to your city hotel to check in.

Day 28

Mar 11

Tour of Mumbai: begins from Victoria Terminus -s an architectural marvel. A UNESCO Heritage Site, the station is a hallmark of Victorian Gothic. You will continue on foot down DN Road, also called the Heritage Mile. DN Road is one of the oldest parts of the city, reminiscent of its colonial past, and your walk here will culminate at the ornate Flora Fountain. Continue to explore the historic district of Kala Ghoda, with its many Gothic buildings. From here head on to the Gateway of India, an icon of Mumbai. Head by road to the Oval Maidan where in a great phalanx lie the Old Secretariat, University Library and Convocation Hall, High Court Building, the old PWD Building and Telegraph Department. You will then finally reach Churchgate Station around lunchtime to watch the Dabbawallas are in full swing delivering 200,000 lunch boxes daily. From Churchgate Station take you will board a local train to nearby Mahalaxmi station from where you can see the Dhobi ghat (the washermen’s colony). Dhobi Ghat is a well-known open air laundromat

Day 29

Mar 12

Private transfer to the airport: At the locally advised time today you will be met at your hotel and transferred to Mumbai airport in time to check-in for your flight.

07.00 - Mumbai- Istanbul - Valencia