Air Inclusive North & South India Deluxe FAM Tour - 13 Days
EJIG's Deluxe FAM - N&SI

Delhi • Agra • Fatehpur Sikri • Jaipur • Udaipur • Ranakpur • Mumbai • Cochin • Kumarakom • Kerala Backwaters • Chennai

DAY 1 - Delhi

Arrive Delhi. A representative from Exotic Journeys will meet you at the arrival lounge and escort to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure.

Delhi is a city of immense past. Seven mighty empires have risen, ruled the sub-continent & fallen here. It is dotted with hundreds of landmarks and has accumulated a tremendous heritage of art, architecture and culture. New Delhi, the present capital of the largest democracy in the world, is the creation of world famous architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens.

Attractions include, Rashtrapati Bhavan or Presidential Palace, Parliament House, Red Fort- a Massive fort built by master builder Shah Jahan, Jama Masjid- the largest mosque in Asia, Jantar Mantar- the medieval observatory designed & built by Maharajah Jai Singh of Jaipur, the 16th century tomb of Mughal emperor Humayun, Raj Ghat- where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and Shantivana- the cremation site of Jawaharlal Nehru.

Shopping: Delhi is a shoppers' paradise, as not only are local handicrafts available, but nearly every state of India has its handicrafts emporium at Delhi. Some of the special handicrafts available are silver work, filigree, Indian perfumes, saris and fabrics embroidered with gold and silver, curios and paintings, semi-precious and precious jewelery, brass and copper ware, Indian musical instruments etc.

Overnight at:
Vivanta by Taj Dwarka
Lalit, New Delhi

DAY 2 - Delhi

City tour of Delhi visiting Presidential Palace, Parliament House, Jantar Mantar Observatory, Humayun's Tomb and India Gate.

Overnight at:
Vivanta by Taj Dwarka
Lalit, New Delhi

DAY 3 - Delhi/ Agra

Morning city tour of old Delhi visiting Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat and Shantivana.
Afternoon transfer to Agra.

Agra is the city of the inimitable Taj Mahal. The story of Agra begins much earlier than the Taj, However it finds mention in the epic Mahabharata when it was called Agrabana or Paradise. Ptolemy, the famous second century A.D. geographer, marked it on his map  of the world as Agra. It was Mughals who finally nurtured Agra with the finest monuments architects could design: The Taj Mahal of Shah Jahan, Agra Fort of Akbar, Itemad-ud-Daula and neighboring Sikandra are but few of the many UNICEF World Heritage sites that spangle the city, each of which stands in mute testimony to the city's grandeur over the ages.

Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the eight wonders of the world and some western historians have noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. The Taj is the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals. Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. The Taj seems to glow in the light of the full moon. On a foggy morning, the visitors experience the Taj as if suspended when viewed from across the Jamuna River.
Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife and Queen Mumtaz Mahal. It is an "elegy in marble" or some say an expression of a "dream". Taj Mahal is a Mausoleum that houses the grave of Queen Mumtaz Mahal at the lower chamber. The grave of Shah Jahan was added in 1661.
Shopping: Agra is famous for marble inlay work, leather goods and handicrafts.

Overnight at:
Trident/
Taj Gateway

DAY 4 - Agra/ Fatehpur Sikri / Jaipur

City tour of Agra visiting Agra Fort, Taj Mahal and Itemad-ud-Daula.
Transfer to Jaipur en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri.

The founding of Fatehpur Sikri reads like a fairytale. When all else had failed, the Mughal Emperor Akbar came here in search of the renowned Sufi mystic, Sheikh Salim Chishti, to ask the blessing for a son. His prayers were answered and soon the queen was blessed with a son. In honor of the saint, Akbar named the prince Salim and vowed to found a new city. And so Fatehpur Sikri, a magnificent city rose on the craggy hills 40 Kilometers from Agra and served as the capital of the Mughal Empire for 16 memorable years between 1570 and 1586.
Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a deserted, a phantom city. But the inner citadel is immaculately preserved. Its walls, palaces, baths, royal mint, courts and gardens still stand in splendid homage to a great emperor. The heart of the palace complex however, is very much alive. The white marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti is set in the courtyard of the Royal Mosque. Thousands of pilgrims still come here to pray for the gift of son.
The city was intended to embody the noble ideals and the humanitarian bent of this dynamic emperor. Although a Muslim, Akbar was famous for his incredible tolerance towards other religions. He also created a new religion, Deen - e - Elahi that attempted to fuse positive aspects of all the major religions of India into one composite whole.
The finest monuments within this area are the Diwan - i - Am, Diwan - i - Khas, Panch Mahal, Jama Masjid, Buland Darwaza and the tomb of Saint Sheikh Salim.

Overnight at:
Trident
Taj Jai Mahal Palace

DAY 5 - Jaipur

Jaipur is a city where royalty still lives in the grandeur of its palaces, where fighting for the honor of the clan has never been a need but a way of life, and where treating guests as gods has been a tradition from time immemorial. Jaipur got its name from its founder Sawai Jai Singh (1693-1743), who had the vision to create a meticulously planned city as his capital. All the houses in the old city are painted pink, including the famous Hawa Mahal / Palace of Winds, thereby giving the city its alternative name, the Pink City.

Jai Singh - a prince, soldier, planner and astronomer founded the rose pink capital city in 1728. The beautifully planned city is a tribute to the king considering that western world perhaps had very few-planned city at that time. The observatory-Jantar Mantar-is an excellent example of the marvelous precision in astronomical calculators built in solid concrete. The City Palace is an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthan and Mughal art and architecture. Now a museum, it has fine collection of sculpture, carpets paintings, manuscripts and armory.

A short drive from Jaipur is Amber Fort, perched atop a hill. Within its precincts are Sheesh Mahal or chamber of mirrors - reputedly the best in the world, Victory Hall and Pleasure Palace. The fort is reached by riding an elephant or by jeep.

Shopping: Jaipur is a place to find hand crafted diamond and gold jewelry, Rajasthani hand woven fabric, carpets, handicrafts, curios, paintings, Indian musical instruments etc at a bargain.

A morning elephant ride will take you to Amber Fort and its sandstone palaces perched atop a hill. Within its precincts are Sheesh Mahal or chamber of mirrors reputedly the best in the world, Victory Hall and Pleasure Palace.

City tour visiting Haw Mahal - the Palace of Winds, the facade of which is all pink windows and filigree screens, the Jantar Mantar - the largest and best preserved 18th century stone observatory, the City Palace - still the home of the former royalty of Jaipur housing an extensive collection of art, carpets and old weapons and local bazaars.

Morning excursion to Amber Fort. Afternoon city tour visiting City Palace, Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), Jantar Mantar Observatory.

Overnight at:
Trident
Taj Jai Mahal Palace

DAY 6 - Udaipur

Fly / drive to Udaipur. City tour visiting city palace, Jagdish Temple, Sahelion ki Bari and Lake Palace.

Udaipur is interspersed with shimmering lakes, marble palaces and fountains. The Maharana€™s Palace is the largest of its kind. It is remarkable for octagonal towers, brilliant multicolor mosaics of inlaid tiles, inlaid mirror work and exquisite paintings. Sahelion ki Bari is a fascinating garden, adorned by Lotus pool, a marble throne and finely sculptured cenotaphs. 

City tour visiting the dream-like marble Palaces - the Jag Niwas (Lake Palace) and the Jag Mandir, which appear to rise from the blue waters of Lake Pichola, City Palace and the crystal gallery.

Overnight at:
Trident
Leela Palace

DAY 7 - Mumbai

Fly to Bombay. City tour visiting Hanging Gardens, Tower of Silence, Kamla Nehru Park, Gateway of India, National Museum, Crawford Market.

Mumbai (Bombay) is the commercial capital of India and is many cities in one. The city hums with activity and its several million residents seems to be constantly on the move. The original island of Bombay is only 24 kilometers (15 miles) long and some four kilometers (2.5 miles) wide at its broadest point. Modem skyscrapers and gracious colonial buildings, Mosques, Churches and temples are medley of contradictions that makes Mumbai a representative city of India.

City tour will include Gateway of India, Assembly Hall, Secretariat, Nariman Point, Marine Drive Hanging Garden, Kamla Nehru Park, Mahalaxmi Temple, Mani Bhavan, Jehangir Art Gallery, Prince of Wales Museum, Haji Ali, Race Course and Nehru Planetarium.

Overnight at:
Trident
Taj Mahal Tower

DAY 8 - Mumbai

Boat excursion to Elephanta Island Caves.

Overnight at:
Trident
Taj Mahal Tower

DAY 9 - Cochin

Fly to Cochin. Sightseeing includes Cochin Fort, St. Francis Church, Jewish Synagogue.

Overnight at:
Taj Residency

Trident

DAY 10 - Cochin

City tour visiting Dutch Fort, Mattancherry Palace, Bolghatty Palace. The afternoon is at leisure.

Overnight at:
Taj Residency

Trident

DAY 11 - Kumarakom/ (Backwaters)

Transfer to Kumarakom, enjoy a backwaters cruise, including a visit to the Vembanad Bird Sanctuary.

Overnight at:
Taj Residency /
Trident

DAY 12 - Chennai

Fly to Chennai. City sightseeing includes Mylapore Temple, Cathedral of St. Thome, Fort St. George, and National Art Museum.

Overnight at:
Taj Connemara
Trident

DAY 13 - Chennai

Morning excursions to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram.
Check out from the hotel by noon. (Optional: Day Room may be available)
Evening transfer to airport.
Depart on your onward journey.

Extension to Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, South India and Sri Lanka are available upon request.
visit Multi-Destination Tours
Call your consierge at 800.554.6342 / 312.332.4722 for assistance.

General Information & Reservation

Tour Price Includes: Deluxe Five / four star hotels, hotel room taxes, daily breakfast, all meals on on board the luxury house boat/ s, food and beverage taxes, private escorted airport transfers, private escorted city tours and excursions, English speaking guides, entrance fee to monuments, ground transportation by air-conditioned coach / cars, and inter India flights as per the itinerary.

Airport Security Fee and Fuel Surcharges: Add as applicable.
For flights included in itinerary in India $184.88
(Taxes Fuel Surcharge remain subject to change by airlines till ticketed.).

Government Tourist Service Tax : $ 198.95 (subject to change).

To Book: Log on to Reservation Form or call us at 1. 800. 554. 6342 / 312. 332. 4722 or e-mail. Return completed form, a business card, copy of current IATAN / ARC / CLIA list. Land only booking requires $ 500.00 deposit. Balance is due on 90 days prior to departure. Air inclusive booking requires full payment.

Eligibility: IATAN / ARC / CLIA/ NACTA/ ASTA / PATA - Industry membership ID is required.

Notes: Deposits are fully refundable if space cannot be confirmed. Visa for India is participants’ responsibility. Login to Resources for Travelers for online visa forms. Post FAM extensions to Sri Lanka is available. If traveling on your own air, obtain tickets to Delhi and return from Chennai. Bulk air available upon request on a number of airlines and gateway cities. Trip Insurance is mandatory for all FAMs. Please read carefully Terms and Conditions. Prices reflect discounts for check payments. Credit Card payments have foreign exchange conversion / bank and processing agency fees of 4.98%. Itinerary remain subject to change. Any voluntarily changes to original booking requires $ 100.00 change fee. FAM trips are heavily discounted by hotels, airlines and others suppliers. Restrictions apply. All rates are current at the time of publication. Actuals will be quoted at the time if booking. Govt Taxes / VATs & flight taxes are extra. Land Prices are valid as published till September , 2022.