Embark on a mesmerizing journey through the cultural tapestry of India with our "Ancient Caves with Temple & Backwater" itinerary. Begin your adventure in Mumbai, where a city tour unfolds the historical Gateway of India and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. Fly to Aurangabad for an exploration of the ancient Aurangabad Caves and Bibi Ka Maqbara. Delve into the rich history of Ajanta Caves and Ellora Caves, followed by a flight to Hyderabad. Discover the charms of Golconda Fort, Qutub Shahi Tombs, and more. Continue your odyssey through Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Chidambaram, and Thanjore, unraveling the architectural wonders and cultural delights. The journey culminates in Alleppey, where a houseboat cruise on the enchanting backwaters offers a perfect finale to this extraordinary expedition.
Inclusions & Exclusions
✔ 15 Nights' accommodation (if option selected) in selected price category hotels.
✔ Private AC car/van for airport transfers, sightseeing, and excursions as per the program.
✔ Lunch
✔ Government taxes.
✔ Bottled drinking water in the car.
✔ Dinner
✔ Breakfast
✔ Monument entrances and activity charges mentioned in the itinerary.
✔ English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per the program
✔ Assistance on arrival at the airport.
✖ Any flight ticket.
✖ Camera charges at monuments if any.
✖ Meals other than mentioned in inclusions.
✖ Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet, etc.
✖ Gratuities and optional activities.
✖ Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
Pickup Locations
1. Mumbai Airport
Additional Info: On arrival at Mumbai airport assistance and transfer to hotel
Itinerary
Mumbai
1
Mumbai
On 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.
Mumbai
1
Elephanta Caves
Breakfast 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.
Duration: 2 hours
2
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
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.
Duration: 2 hours
Mumbai - Aurangabad (flight)
1
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar
Breakfast at hotel. As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Aurangabad.
2
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar
On arrival at airport assistance and transfer to hotel.
3
Bibi Ka Maqbara
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.
Aurangabad - Ajanta - Aurangabad (104kms/ 2hrs approx one way)
1
Ajanta Caves
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.
Duration: 8 hours
Aurangabad - Hyderabad (flight)
1
Ellora Caves
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).
Duration: 4 hours
2
Daulatabad
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.
Duration: 4 hours
3
Hyderabad
Later transfer to airport to board flight for Hyderabad.
4
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.
Duration: 2 hours
Hyderabad
1
Qutb Shahi Tombs
Breakfast 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.
Duration: 8 hours
Hyderabad - Chennai (flight)
1
Chennai District
Breakfast at hotel. As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Chennai.
2
Chennai District
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.
Duration: 8 hours
Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram - Pondicherry (235kms/ 5hrs approx)
1
Kanchipuram
Breakfast at hotel drive to Pondicherry via visiting Kanchipuram
& Mahabalipuram Temples. On arrival in Pondicherry check & overnight at hotel.
Duration: 4 hours
Pondicherry
1
Pondicherry
Breakfast at hotel sightseeing of French colony, churches, Temple and Aurobindo Ashram. Rest time free and easy to relax on the beach.
Duration: 8 hours
Pondicherry - Chidambaram - Gangai Konda Cholapuram - Darasuram - Thanjore (185kms/ 4hrs approx)
1
Chidambaram
Breakfast at hotel drive to Thanjore via visiting Chidambaram - Gangai Konda Cholapuram - Darasuram Temple. On arrival check in & overnight at hotel.
Duration: 2 hours
Thanjore - Trichy (60kms/ 1.5hrs approx)
1
Breakfast at hotel visit Brihadeshwara Temple & Thanjore Fort. Drive to Trichy check in at hotel. Later visit Rock Fort Temple & Srirangam Temple.
Duration: 4 hours
Trichy - Madurai (140kms/ 3hrs approx)
1
Madurai
Breakfast at hotel drive to Madurai heck in at hotel.
2
Later sightseeing of Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Mahal & Vaniyur Mariamman Teppakulam Temple.
Duration: 8 minutes
Madurai - Periyar (Thekkady) (160kms/ 3hrs approx)
1
Periyar Tiger Reserve
Breakfast at hotel drive to Periyar check in at hotel.
2
Periyar Tiger Reserve
Late afternoon spice plantation tour and village visit.
Periyar (Thekkady)
1
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.
Duration: 2 hours
Thekaddy – Alleppey (135kms/ 3hrs approx)
1
Alleppey Backwaters
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.
Duration: 4 hours
Alleppey – Cochin (60kms/ 1.5hrs approx)
1
Kochi (Cochin)
After breakfast disembark houseboat and drive to Cochin.
2
Mattancherry Palace
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.
Duration: 4 hours
3
Kochi (Cochin)
Later in evening/ night board flight for onward destination.
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel at least 6 full day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 2 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
Additional info
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
