Duration : 19 nights / 20 days

Cities covered : Mumbai, Hyderabad, Madras, Bangalore, Mysore, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Agra.

Highlights : The rich architectural heritage of India contributed by various empires; Afghan, Persian, Mughals, British, etc. Imposing monuments, architectural testimonials to the grandeur of India's history. Trip is accompanied by a specialist and can be tailored to provide an overview or extensive detail.
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[These Special Interest Tour Programs are best run with minimum 6 travelers to a group & more]

Day 1 - MUMBAI
Arrive Mumbai. Meeting and transfer to hotel. (Check-in time 12 noon). Overnight at hotel.

Day 2 - MUMBAI
Morning excursion to Elephanta caves by motor launch. It contains a fine cluster of 6th-8th century rock-cut caves. The sculptures are beautifully executed and the most outstanding of these is the Maheshmurthy or Trimurthy, a five metre high three- headed bust hewn from a single rock, representing the three aspects of Shiva, viz the creator, the Preserver and the Destroyer.

Afternoon city tour visiting the Gateway of India-built during the period 1924-1927 to commemorate the visit to India of King George V, of England in 1911. The Gateway is a popular promenade along with sea. Visit the prince of Wales Museum - the Victorian domed structure contains a fine collection of miniature paintings. Its three sections are on Art, Archaeology and Natural history. The museum’s style of architecture is Indo-Saracenic. Visit the 8- meter Rajabai Clock tower - the gothic style Mumbai University clock tower built in the last century.

The Victoria terminus is considered the most beautiful edifice in the city. This sprawling structure blends both Gothic and Indian architectural styles. Drive past Nariman point to Malabar Hill which is a winding stretch of road along the sea with tall buildings on one side. Overnight at hotel.

Day 3 – MUMBAI / HYDERABAD
In time transfer to airport to board flight for Hyderabad. Meeting and transfer to hotel.
Afternoon city tour visiting Char Minar-built in 1591, a charming rectangular building with four slender minarets, housing a small mosque. Visit Osmania university founded in 1918 - the main building is blend of Hindu and Muslim styles of architecture, the Salar Jung Museum displays the private collections of Nawab Salar Jung III, an instance of a unique one man enterprise in the sphere of art collection. the Birla Temple, is a beautiful white temple dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 4 - HYDERABAD
In time transfer to airport to board flight for Chennai. Meeting and transfer to hotel.
Afternoon city tour visiting the fort of St. George, built by the East India Company in 1640 A.D., St. Mary’s church within the fort is believed to be the oldest Anglican church in the East. Visit the High court buildings put up in 1861 are of interest for their Indo-Sarcenic architecture. The Kepaleeshwara Temple is at Mylapare, 4.8 kms from the city centre. This is an ancient Shiva temple built in the Dravidian style. visit the San Thome Cathedral and Marina Beach.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 5 - CHENNAI
Full day excursion to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram

Mahabalipuram - famous for the seven pagodas. Here on the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples which are the examples of Dravidian style of Architecture.
The sculptures are more than 1200 year sold. There are five chariots cut tour of rock in individual pieces and carved out intricately. See the world’s largest and finest stone Bas-relief 27 metres long and 09 meters wide depicting Arjuna’s penance.

Kanchipuram known as the golden city of a thousand temples speaks of the gorgeous dravidian heritage. These temples provide an opportunity to study the temple architecture in South India.
Return to Chennai.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 6 – CHENNAI / BANGALORE
In time transfer to airport to board flight for Bangalore. Meeting and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon city tour visiting Cuban Park, which is a huge tree-studded lawn spread over 300 acres with a number of public buildings gracing its boundaries. Located at one end of the park is the magnificent Vidhana Soudha built after independence, stands out by its imposing architecture in the Neo-Dravidian style. visit Lal Bagh, laid some 200 years back, the gardens are spread over 240 acres and have 1000 varieties of trees and plants. A Glass House built on the lines of the Crystal Palace of London, is the venue of flower shows . It has a huge Nandi Bull carved out of a single grey granite.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 - MYSORE
Full day excursion to Belure and Halebid temples.
In Belure visit the Chennakesawa temple built 900 years ago, is an exquisite specimen of Hoysala art. In Halebid visit the 12th century Hoysaleswar and Kedareswara temples which rank among the masterpieces of Hindu Art. Also visit on your way back to Mysore ‘Saravanbelagola’ - a 17 metre high statue of Lord Gomateshwara. Hewn out of single rock, this gentle colossus a top a hill can be seen from distance.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 8 – MYSORE / BANGALORE / AHEMDABAD
Depart by coach for Bangalore.
On arrival transfer to airport to board flight for Ahmedabad.
Meeting and transfer to hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9 - AHEMDABAD
Morning city tour visiting Teen Darwaza, a triple gateway 37 feet high built by Sultan Ahmed, the Jumma Masjid, the Hathi Singh temple, a richly marble temple surrounded by 52 smaller temples, Rani Sipri Mosque, Sahking Minarets and the Step wells of Dada Hari, an example of remarkable style of monument that is a specialty of Gujrat.

Morning visit the modern buildings of interest. Visit the institute of Indology and Rabindranath Tagore theatre (both by architect B.V. Doshi), the Mill Owner’s Club by Le Corbusier, the Gandhi Memorial Museum on the Sabarmati river (by C.M. Correa) and the institute of Management - a large new residential business college by the American architecture, Louis Kahn. Afternoon at leisure.
Evening transfer to the airport to board flight for Delhi. Meeting and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 10 – AHEMDABAD / DELHI
Morning visit old Delhi to see the Jama Masjid and red Fort built by Shahjehan between 1639-1648 symbolizing the Mughal Glory. Visit the Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana - the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Drive past Chandni Chowk- the busy shopping centre of the walled city.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 - DELHI
Morning city tour of New Delhi visiting Qutub Minar , built in 12th century, Humayun’s tomb, built in mid 16th century by Haji Begum-this edifice was a trend setter of the time in its layouts as all later Mughal monuments including the Taj Mahal followed its design. drive past President’s House, Parliament House and other Secretariat Buildings laid out by Lutyens in 1911. The Diplomatic Enclave where all the embassies are situated including those of special architectural interest such as American and the Swiss.
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 - DELHI
Morning transfer to New Delhi railway station to board the Shatabdi Express train for Chandigarh.
Depart Delhi at 1020 hrs
Arrive Chandigarh at 1310 hrs

Arrive and transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon city tour of Chandigarh, Designed and built by the famous French architect Le Corbusier. Visit the Secretariat - an imposing building with a large tank, roof and garden. High Court - designed and constructed by the principles of the modern architecture - economy of space and beautiful presentation. Assemble chambers, a wonder of architectural innovation
Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 – DELHI / CHANDIGARH
Afternoon transfer to railway station to board the Shatabdi Express train Delhi.

Depart Chandigarh at 1235 hrs
Arrive Delhi at 1535 hrs
Meeting and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 – CHANDIGARH / DELHI
Depart for Jaipur by surface.
Arrive and check-in at hotel.
Afternoon city tour visiting the Maharaja’s city Palace and the Observatory. Drive past Hawa Mahal, the Palace of winds and rose-pink residential and business areas of Jaipur. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15 – DELHI / JAIPUR
Morning excursion to Amber fort , the ancient capital of state until 1728. visit Jag Mandir or the hall of victory flittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal and temple Kali. Ascend the Fort on elephant back.

Afternoon at leisure for shopping.
Jaipur is a major gems and jewellery centre where one can find some of the finest Jewellery besides woolen carpets & cotton rugs, Hand- block printed Sanganeri 7 Bagru cotton fabrics. Thereafter, proceed by surface for Samode.
Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 16 - JAIPUR
Morning depart by surface for Agra. En route visit Fatehpur Sikri, built b emperor Akbar. It is a perfectly preserved city built between 1570-1586.
Continue to Agra and Check-in at Hotel.
Rest of the Day at Leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 17 – JAIPUR / AGRA
Morning visit the world’s greatest love tribute : the Taj Mahal, built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal is like a silent Rhapsody that you will carry in your heart. Also visit Agra Fort - an impressive cluster of Palaces, fortresses and Mosque on the banks of river Yamuna across the Taj Mahal.

Later visit Sikandra- the tomb of Emperor Akbar, the structure is a combination of Hindu and Muslim architecture styles, the building with three storey minarets is built of Red Sandstone inlaid with white Marble polygonal patterns.

Time at leisure till departure transfer to railway station to board the Shatabdi Express train for Delhi.

Day 18 – AGRA / DELHI
Depart Agra at 2010 hrs
arrive Delhi at 2200 hrs
Meeting and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 19 – DEPART DELHI
In time transfer to International airport to board flight for onward destination.