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India · Archaeology
The journey
Discover India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage on a 16-day journey through historic cities, sacred temples, ancient cave complexes, and Kerala’s serene backwaters. From Mumbai and the Elephanta Caves to Aurangabad’s Ajanta and Ellora, this itinerary brings together some of the country’s most remarkable archaeological and religious sites.
Continue through Hyderabad, Chennai, Pondicherry, Thanjore, Trichy, Madurai, and Periyar, exploring forts, museums, colonial landmarks, temple towns, and wildlife-rich landscapes along the way. The experience ends with a memorable houseboat stay in Alleppey and a city tour of Cochin, offering a relaxing finale to this wide-ranging adventure.
Discover India’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage on a 16-day journey through historic cities, sacred temples, ancient cave complexes, and Kerala’s serene backwaters.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
MumbaiOn arrival at Mumbai airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel (hotels check in time 1200hr afternoon, early check in subject to rooms availability). Rest time free for personal activities relax.Overnight at hotel.
MumbaiBreakfast at hotel. Excursion to Elephanta Island located 10kms away from the Gateway of India. Motorboats take passengers from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century BC.Later Mumbai city tour. Visit the Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (museum). Marine Drive which runs along the shoreline, starting at Nariman Point and up to Malabar Hill. Hanging Gardens laid out in 1881 these formally laid out gardens have a notable collection of hedges shaped like animals.Overnight at hotel.
Mumbai - Aurangabad (flight)Breakfast at hotel. As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Aurangabad.On arrival at airport assistance and transfer to hotel.Later city tour of Aurangabad, visit the Aurangabad Caves, which are artificial caves that were dug out of soft rock during the 6th and 7th century. Then, visit the Bibi Ka Maqbara - the burial place of Aurangzeb's first wife. Also visit a small archeological museum nearby.Overnight at hotel.
Aurangabad - Ajanta - Aurangabad (104kms/ 2hrs approx one way)Breakfast at hotel.Full day excursion to Ajanta Caves (Monday closed). The Buddhist Caves of Ajanta were discovered by the British officers in 1819 while tiger hunting. Ajanta Caves were first mentioned in the writings of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who visited India between A.D 629 and 645. The Caves at Ajanta are older than those at Ellora , which date from about 200 B.C to 650 A.D. Thirty beautiful Buddhist Caves with mesmerizing sculptures and paintings depicting Buddha's life as well the lives of the Buddha in his previous births. Five of these Caves are Chaityas (Place of worship) while the other twenty-five are Viharas (monasteries). Ajanta Caves are divided in two categories based on two schools of Buddhist thought - Hinayana Caves and Mahayana Caves.Evening back to hotel in Aurangabad for overnight stay.
Aurangabad - Hyderabad (flight)Breakfast at hotel.Excursion to visit the Ellora Caves (Tuesday closed), a UNESCO World Heritage Site from about 200 B.C. to 650 A.D. There are a total of 34 monasteries and temples at Ellora, belonging to the three different religions, namely - Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism.Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The temple is an important pilgrimage site in Shaivism tradition of Hinduism, which considers it as the last or twelfth Jyotirlinga (linga of light).On way back visit Daulatabad Fort one of the most powerful forts of the medieval Deccan. The defence system that made Daulatabad virtually impregnable comprises fortifications with double and even triple rows of massive walls.Later transfer to airport to board flight for Hyderabad.On arrival at Hyderabad airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel (hotels check in time 1200hr afternoon, early check in subject to rooms availability). Rest time free for personal activities relax.Overnight at hotel.
HyderabadBreakfast at hotel, explore this wondrous capital, a 400 year-old metropolitan city teeming with bustling-bazaars and Muslim monuments. Visit to Golconda Fort, Qutub Shahi tombs, Salar Jung Museum, Hussain Sagar, Charminar, Grand Mecca Masjid.Overnight at hotel.
Hyderabad - Chennai (flight)Breakfast at hotel. As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Chennai.On arrival at Chennai airport assistance and transfer to hotel. Later sightseeing of colonial Chennai which includes Churches, Fort, Museum and government buildings. Also visit Marina beach.Overnight at hotel.
Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (235kms/ 5hrs approx)Breakfast at hotel drive to Pondicherry via visiting Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram Temples. On arrival in Pondicherry check & overnight at hotel.Overnight at hotel.
PondicherryBreakfast at hotel sightseeing of French colony, churches, Temple and Aurobindo Ashram. Rest time free and easy to relax on the beach.Overnight at hotel.
Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Gangai Konda Cholapuram - Darasuram - Thanjore (185kms/ 4hrs approx)Breakfast at hotel drive to Thanjore via visiting Chidambaram - Gangai Konda Cholapuram - Darasuram Temple. On arrival check in & overnight at hotel.Overnight at hotel.
Thanjore - Trichy (60kms/ 1.5hrs approx)Breakfast at hotel visit Brihadeshwara Temple & Thanjore Fort. Drive to Trichy check in at hotel. Later visit Rock Fort Temple & Srirangam Temple.Overnight at hotel.
Trichy - Madurai (140kms/ 3hrs approx)Breakfast at hotel drive to Madurai heck in at hotel.Later sightseeing of Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Mahal & Vaniyur Mariamman Teppakulam Temple.Overnight at hotel.
Madurai - Periyar (Thekkady) (160kms/ 3hrs approx)Breakfast at hotel drive to Periyar check in at hotel.Late afternoon spice plantation tour and village visit.Overnight at hotel.
Periyar (Thekkady)Breakfast at hotel explore the park by boat. The special animals in this region include wild elephants, nilgiri langur monkeys, sambar deer, wild bison, and colorful birds.Overnight at hotel.
Thekaddy – Alleppey (135kms/ 3hrs approx)Breakfast at hotel drive to Alleppey. Board a houseboat from here and glide over the enchanting backwaters of Kerala. Houseboat stay includes lunch & dinner on board.Houseboat stay.
Alleppey – Cochin (60kms/ 1.5hrs approx)After breakfast disembark houseboat and drive to Cochin.City tour of Cochin - one of few places in India that has managed to preserve the remnants of its colonial past with utmost care. Visit Te Chinese fishing nets, St. Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Jewish Synagogue and the Mattancherry Palace.Later in evening/ night board flight for onward destination.
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