Discovering India

After breakfast, we head towards Agra, famous for its many monuments from the Mughal era but also known as the city of Taj Mahal. The city was first mentioned in the Indian epic Mahabharata, where it was called Agrevana (meaning "the forest frontier"). Although Agra's history is mainly associated with the Mughal Empire, the place existed long before that and has links dating back to the Mahabharata period. The city's golden age began with the Mughals. At that time, it was known as Akbarabad and served as the capital of the Mughal Empire.

Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Then in the afternoon, visit the Red Fort of Agra, a semi-circular complex of red sandstone forts richly decorated with double walls and monuments. The rest of the evening is free.

Today, we start our day very early to enjoy an incredible sunrise over the Taj Mahal. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj is a true masterpiece in white marble. A symbol of love, it stands on the banks of the Yamuna River. It was built by the 5th Mughal king Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to his fourteenth child. After the visit, return to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, we head to Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan and known as the "Pink City". On the way, we visit Keoladeo Ghana National Park, formerly known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. More than 230 bird species are known to inhabit it. It is also a major tourist center for ornithologists who like to visit during the winter season. It was declared a protected sanctuary in 1971 as well as a world heritage site. We are taken for bird watching by rickshaw to try to observe 366 bird species, 379 floral species, 50 fish species, 5 snake species and 7 turtle species.

Later, we will head towards the pink city of Jaipur. It was called the pink city because of its colored pink buildings. Being a bustling city of Rajasthan, it is widely known for its fort and palaces. Jaipur was founded in 1726 by Jai Singh II, the king of America who ruled from 1688 to 1758. The city was planned according to the Indian by Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya in 1727.

Upon arrival in Jaipur and check-in at the hotel.

Today, free time in the morning before taking our flight to Kochi(also known as Cochin), a city in south-east Inde, in the state of Kerala. The city has had a port since 1341, created by a flood which allowed it to open to Arab, Chinese and European merchants. Kochi was also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea. Kochi was the first of the European colonies in colonial Inde. It was also the center of trade for Indian spices for several centuries. Upon arrival at Kochi airport, we are transferred to our hotel to relax and spend the night.

We then drive to Thekkady passing through rubber and tea plantations and arrive at Thekkady in late afternoon. Night at the hotel.

Periyar National Park also known as Periyar Tiger Reserve. It is located in the mountainous Western Ghats of Kerala, in southern India. It is a protected area near Thekkady in the districts of Idukka, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta in Kerala. The protected area covers an area of 357 m² and 140 m² of the central zone were declared Periyar National Park in 1982. It is home to wildlife such as wild boar, monkeys, flying squirrels and elephants. It is also home to 260 bird species, including eagles, ospreys and kingfishers. We then embark on a guided tour in the hope of seeing one of the wildlife creatures.

After completing our guided tour in the park, we head towards Chennmkary village. On the way we stop to visit a tea factory at Vendeperiyar. Later, we arrive at the village of Chennmkary, which is located 12 km east from the headquarters Alappuzha and surrounded by Veliyanad Taluk to the east. Chennmkary is also an ideal place for filming movies, TV series and music albums because of its superb landscape. Our accommodation is spread across several village houses featuring typical Kerala architecture. The houses are relatively smaller and, due to space constraints, the family must share rooms together. All accommodations are close to each other. We are provided with bedding and towels. Our meals are prepared by the locals and served in the traditional style so we can enjoy the meal together. We then observe closely the local and cultural life. Night at the house.

After breakfast, we head to Alleppey, a town on Laccadive Sea in the southern state of Kerala. It is best known for houseboat cruises along the rustic backwaters of Kerala, a network of serene canals and lagoons. Here, we board our houseboat and begin our rejuvenating journey on the Kerala backwaters. These small cruises have a limited number of rooms depending on the size and feature a common area to relax and enjoy the scenic beauty of the backwaters. Motorboats are used as taxis by villagers and are an integral part of their daily life.

During our houseboat excursion, we stop at several points, including Chambakulam Saint Church and Chambakulam Chundan - the famous snake-shaped boat. Night in a floating house.

Today, after disembarking the houseboat, we head for a short transfer to Mararikulam, a beachside village in Alappuzha district. It is a fertile land of communism that has a very beautiful beach known as Marari or Mararikulam. Marari is a paradise for nature lovers and a morning walk is an excellent way to discover the unique ecosystem of the Malabar coast and explore its myriad of charm. Overnight at the hotel.

Today, our tour ends here and we are transferred to Cochin airport for our return flight.