the best of south india and the taj mahal

The Best of South India and the Taj Mahal | 1

The Best of South India

and the Taj Mahal March 17 - 26, 2017


India is a land of variety and contrasts. To the north, it is bordered by the world’s highest

mountain chain. In the south, plateaus and tropical rain forests are bordered by palm-

fringed beaches. You will see some of India’s finest architecture, sculptures and curves,

cruise scenic backwaters and enjoy performances of Indian classical dance and music.

Start your journey in Mumbai (the center of Bollywood), where this vibrant city welcomes

you with open arms to see the best of what it has to offer. On this trip, we take you through

the state of Kerala, where life moves at a less frantic pace than in the cities, although

Mumbai and the great port of Kochi provide ample city excitement and attractions for

most. But it is in the backwaters, aboard a beautiful house boat; in Kumarakom. We'll

discover the first European foothold in India in Kochi, the Venice of the East. You’ll then

take into India’s capital of Delhi. Admire the contrast of Old and New Delhi before

moving on to Agra and the wonder that is the Taj Mahal.

Journey

17 March Depart Newark, USA

18 March Mumbai

19 March Mumbai – Kumarakom

21 March Kumarakom

22 March Kumarakom – Kochi

23 March Kochi – Delhi

24 March Delhi

25 March Delhi – Agra

26 March Agra – Delhi departure

26th or 27th Arrive Back USA

Accommodations

Mumbai – Trident Nariman Point

Kumarakom – Coconut Lagoon

Kochi – Fragrant Nature

Delhi – The Palms

Agra – Radisson

Meals

As per itinerary


DETAILED ITINERARY

17 March Depart Newark, USA

18 March Arrive Mumbai

After clearing all immigration formalities, you will be met by our Travel Manager and

transferred to our hotel.

Mumbai was named by the original inhabitants, the Kolis, after their goddess mother

Mumba Devi. Mumbai was once a group of seven islands given to the British as a dowry

when Charles II married Catherine of Braganza. The British leased the islands to the East

India Company, who in turn began initial development of the city. Today this

cosmopolitan city is one of India’s most important centres for industry, commerce, foreign

trade and Bollywood.

Overnight: Trident Nariman Point

19 March Mumbai

This morning depart your Hotel for City tour. Our First stop is Gateway of India. After that

you will be escorted for a walking tour of downtown Mumbai, where the amazing sights

and architecture will fascinate you. Later drive through the Dhobi Ghat and hanging

gardens.

This afternoon visit the Prince of Wales Museum, and Mani Bhawan, the memorial built for

Mahatma Gandhi. Later explore local markets.

If time permits we visit a Bollywood Dance Academy to learn steps of “Bollywood Dance.”

Overnight: Trident Nariman Point

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner


20 March Fly Mumbai – Kochi – Drive to Kumarakom

Today Morning fly to Kochi. On arrival drive to Kumarakom a cluster of little islands on

Vembanad Lake. Kumarakom captures the essence of Kerala in a unique and lovely

setting. Conde Nast Traveller rated Kumarakom among the 25 best getaways in the

world. The remainder of the day is free.

Your exquisite hotel is constructed from fragments of Keralan palaces, with beautiful

carvings and brass work, and is set on an abandoned coconut plantation that can be

reached only by boat.

Overnight: Coconut Lagoon


21 March Kumarakom – House Boat (Alleppey)

Morning is free to enjoy at your hotel.

This afternoon, a deluxe Kettuvallam or houseboat is waiting to take you on a journey

through tranquil waterways formed by 40-some rivers that flow down to the Arabian Sea

from the Cardamom Hills. These have thatched roof covers over wooden hulls. In the

Malayalam language "kettu" means "to tie" and “vallam” means boat – the two together

make the local name "kettuvallam”. Each houseboat is constructed using the ancient

principles and techniques of boat building by the local carpenters using 'Anjili' wood. Coir

ropes are used for fastening the wooden planks together.

Lunch will be prepared and served on board.

Overnight: Coconut Lagoon



22 March Kumarakom – Kochi

Today you will drive to Kochi. Kochi (Cochin), also known as Ernakulam, the commercial

capital of Kerala. The district took its form on 1st April 1958, by carving out the areas of

Travancore, Kochi and Malabar kingdoms. The word Ernakulam was derived from a Tamil

word Erayanarkulam which means “Lord Shiva's abode.”

This afternoon you will take a tour of Kochi, beginning with St. Francis Church. Located

at Fort Kochi, this Protestant church was originally built by the Portuguese in 1510 AD and

is believed to be the oldest church built by the Europeans in India.

A trip through the Dutch Palace provides a view of 17th century frescoes, court attire and

other artifacts. It is also known as Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese and

presented to the Raja of Kochi in 1555 A.D. It acquired the present name after 1663 when

the Dutch carried out extensions and repairs in the palace. It is interesting to note that at

no time did the Portuguese or Dutch actually stay here. Its interiors are decorated with

murals from the Ramayana and there are some lively displays of royal costumes and

palanquins.

Later visit the Chinese fishing net area and witness the spectacular Kathakali dance

drama, a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance. Dancer

wear extraordinary makeup, headdresses, and costumes meant to raise the participants

above the level of mere mortals, allowing them to transport the audience to a world of

wonders.

Overnight: Fragrant Hotel



23 March Fly Kochi – Delhi

Today you will fly to Delhi. Delhi, the capital and the third largest city of India, is a fusion

of the ancient and the modern. Standing along the West end of the Gangetic Plain, the

capital city paints a picture rich with culture, architecture and human diversity, deep in

history, monuments, museums, galleries, and gardens. Upon arrival in Delhi you will be

taken directly to the hotel.

Overnight: The Palms


24 March Delhi

Today morning we will start our tour from Old Delhi. We travel by rickshaw through the

winding streets of Old Delhi, the capital of Muslim India from the 12th through the 19th

centuries. Narrating the city's Mughal past, Old Delhi takes us through the labyrinthine

streets passing formidable mosques, monuments and forts. We will also discover lively and

colourful bazaars that carry all sorts of goods amidst an atmosphere of barely controlled

chaos. We will visit India’s largest mosque, the white marble Jama Masjid, with its marble

domes and splendid minarets.

New Delhi was designed and built by the British in the 1920s. The imperial city displays

well-composed and spacious streets under the shade of beautiful trees and imposing

government buildings. We will visit Humayun's Tomb, which was built by the wife of

Mughal Emperor Humayun, Haji Begum in the mid-16th century. This red sandstone

structure is considered to be the predecessor of Taj Mahal. The structure is one of the best

examples of Mughal architecture. Humayun's wife is also buried in the tomb, which is built

of red and white sandstone and black and yellow marble.

From here we will drive towards Hotel, stopping at India Gate for photo opportunities.

India Gate, standing like a pride of Delhi at the centre of New Delhi, is a 42-metre high

archway in the middle of a crossroad. Similar to its French counterpart, the Arc-de-

Triomphe, it commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the

British Army during the World War I. The memorial also bears the names of more than

13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of

1919.

Overnight: The Palms



25 March Delhi – Agra

This morning we will drive to Agra.

Afternoon visit Agra Fort. The great Mughal Emperor Akbar commissioned the

construction of the Agra Fort in 1565 A.D., although additions were made until the time

of his grandson, Shah Jehan. The forbidding exteriors of this fort hide an inner paradise.

The fort is crescent shaped, flattened on the east with a long, nearly straight wall facing

the river. It has a total perimeter of 2.4 kilometres, and is ringed by double castellated

ramparts of red sandstone punctuated at regular intervals by bastions. A 9-metre wide

and 10-metre deep moat surrounds the outer wall.

In the evening enjoy the grand live performance “Mohabbat-e-Taj”, based on the love

story of Taj Mahal.

Overnight: Radission


26 March Agra – Delhi Departure

Early morning explore Shah Jehan’s monument to love – the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal

was built by the Mughal emperor as the final resting place for his favorite Queen, Mumtaz.

This perfectly symmetrical monument took 22 years (1630-1652 A.D) of hard labor and

20,000 workers, masons and jewellers to build. It was designed by the Persian architect,

Ustad Isa. The verses of Holy Quran are inscribed on it and at the top of the gate’s 22

small domes, signifying the number of years the monument took to built. The elegant

dome of the Taj has a diameter of 60 feet, and directly under the dome is the tomb of

Mumtaz Mahal. Fantastic inlay work, using semi-precious stones, decorates the exterior

and interior.

Afternoon that you will drive back to Delhi. After change and wash you will be transfer to

International airport to catch your flight back home.


Accommodations

Mumbai – Trident Nariman Point

CR 2 Nariman Point, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra 40002, India

Tel: +91-226 632 4343 Website: http://www.tridenthotels.com/hotels-in-mumbai-nariman-point

Kumarakom – Coconut Lagoon

Kumarakom, Kottayam, Kerala 686563, India

Tel: +91- 484 301 1711 Website: http://www.cghearth.com/coconut-lagoon

Kochi – Fragrant Nature

Near SBI Calvathy Calvathy Ernakulam, Bazaar Rd, Mattancherry, Fort Kochi, Kerala 682001, India

Tel: +91- 484 221 3600 Website: http://www.fragrantnature.com/HotelsKochi

Delhi – The Palms

B Block, Sushant Lok, Phase I, Gurgaon - 122001, India

Tel: +91-124 419 9900 Website: http://www.thepalms.in


Agra – Radisson Blu

Taj East Gate Road, Uttar Pradesh 282001, India

Tel: 011-91-562 405 5555 Website: http://www.radissonblu.com/hotel-agra


TOUR PRICES & OTHER INFORMATION

Trip cost includes round trip international flights (Minimum of 10 people traveling)

Per Person Twin-Share USD 4,399

Single Room Supplement (Additional for staying in Single room) USD 1,000

Trip cost without international flights (Minimum of 10 people traveling)

Per Person Twin-Share USD 2,999

Single Room Supplement (Additional for staying in Single room) USD 1,000

COST INCLUDES

Twin sharing accommodation

All arrival and departure transfers

All sightseeing and excursions

International Round trip flight (From the gateway city as determined by WWA)

Two Internal flights: Mumbai/Kochi; Kochi/Delhi

Meals as specified in the itinerary

Houseboat day cruise in Kumarakom

Kathakali Dance Drama

Rickshaw ride in Delhi

Sunset cruise at Kochi Harbour

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE

Meals not mentioned in the itinerary

Beverages other than bottled water

Additional activities not outlined in the detailed itinerary

Personal Expenses

Gratuities


Terms & Conditions

HOW TO BOOK

Complete, sign and return the booking form with your deposit and send to Worldwide

Adventures.

DEPOSIT & SUGGESTED PAYMENT INFORMATION*

(Applicable for all-inclusive package includes round-trip flights)

Initial Deposit: US$ 500 – Due at the time of registration

First Payment US$ 2000 – Due on 25th Oct

Final Payment US$ 1899 – Due on 70 days prior to departure

Single room supplement should be paid if applicable

(Applicable for all-inclusive package without round-trip flights)

Initial Deposit: US$ 500 – Due at the time of registration

Final Payment US$ 2499 – Due on 70 days prior to departure

Single room supplement should be paid if applicable

PAYMENT INFORMATION

Payments are accepted by check made payable to: Worldwide Adventures India

Mail to: Worldwide Adventures India

Towne Place at Garden State Park

923 Haddonfield Road - Suite 300

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 USA

OR

Give to: Professor John Quinesso, Jr.

Rowan University

James Hall - Suite 3068

PH: 609-922-6385 or 856-324-8245

E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]

CANCELLATION POLICY

a) Cancellation by You - Cancellation charges will be applied as shown below, calculated from

the day written notification is received by Worldwide Adventures. In addition to cancellation fees

for tours operated by Worldwide Adventures as shown below, airlines, hotels and other third

parties may impose up to 100% cancellation charges.

Prior to 90 days Only International Ticket Cancellation Fee

89 to 70 days USD 250 + International Ticket Cancellation fee

69 to 31 days 20% of tour cost

30 to 15 days 70% of tour cost

Less than 14 days 100% of tour cost

International Flight Cancellation Charges USD 550


In addition to the above, cancellation charges may apply for additional arrangements booked

by Worldwide Adventures, such as air tickets, hotels. If the reason for cancellation is covered by

your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

b) Cancellation by Us - We reserve the right to cancel a tour for any reason (such as failure to

reach minimum tour participant numbers). Except for force majeure, we will not cancel a tour

less than 60 days before departure. No further compensation will be paid in the event of

cancellation by Worldwide Adventures. A full refund of monies paid for tour costs will be the full

extent of our liability.

Cancellation and/or amendment fees may apply for additional travel arrangements booked by

Worldwide Adventures.

PASSPORTS, VISAS & VACCINATIONS

All travelers must be in a possession of a valid passport – most countries require a 6-month validity

from your date of entry or exit. It is your responsibility to ensure you have the valid visa. You are

also responsible for obtaining all necessary inoculations and preventative medicines as may be

required for the duration of the tour.

TOUR PRICES

Prices quoted in our tour information are based on exchange rates, cost of services and

applicable taxes at the time of publication. Prices may be subject to change in the event of

significant currency fluctuations or the introduction of new taxes, up until final payment is

received. In the event of a price increase, whether because of a currency fluctuation, increase

in taxes or a correction in advertised prices, we will advise you and you have the option of

accepting the amended prices, inclusions and booking conditions or withdrawing from the tour

and receiving a full refund of all monies paid.

Once final payment is received, all prices will be guaranteed and no surcharges will apply.

FITNESS AND PARTICIPATION

Most of our tours require a MODERATE level of fitness. If you (or we) have any doubts about your

level of fitness, you may be required to have a doctor’s appraisal. This would require your doctor

to read the itinerary of your chosen tour, including the fitness level, and provide you (and us) with

a written confirmation of your ability to participate.

MODERATE

For the overall benefit of the group, all tour members must possess a moderate level of mobility,

including the ability to:

• negotiate airports without wheelchair assistance

• use combined shower/bath facilities (it is impossible to guarantee walk-in shower facilities)

• undertake walking tour of 1-2 hours duration, including using stairs, walking over cobblestones

and other uneven surfaces

• stand for long periods in museums and other sites

• embark/disembark coaches, trains and other methods of transportation without assistance

• handle your own luggage


Payments and Booking Form

Please send your completed booking form to: Worldwide Adventures India P Ltd

Worldwide Adventures India

Towne Place at Garden State Park

923 Haddonfield Road - Suite 300

Cherry Hill, NJ 08002 USA

Ph: 856 - 324 - 8245

Attention: John J. Quinesso, Jr.

Email: [email protected]

**PASSPORT INFORMATION **

Passport #: ……........................................................... Nationality: …............................................….

Issued At: ..................................................................... Issue Date (mm/dd/yy): ..............................

Passport Name: .......................................................... Expiry Date (mm/dd/yy): ……….…………..

Date of Birth: ............................................................... Email: ……………………………………………

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the expected date of your

return home.

I do not yet have a passport, but will be applying for one.

In completing this form, I affirm that I am in general good health, capable of performing the

required exercise to participate, and that I have not recently been treated for, nor am I aware

of, any condition that would jeopardize myself or other members of this tour. I accept as my

personal risk the hazards of such participation, and will not hold Worldwide Adventures India or

its representatives responsible.

I hereby release and forever discharge Worldwide Adventures, its officers, directors, servants

and agents from any liability whatsoever arising as a result of my participation in this trip, and I

declare this release is binding upon me, my heirs, executors and assigns. I agree that this

agreement shall be governed in all aspects by, and interpreted in accordance with, the law

of TRIVANDRUM, INDIA.

I have read the Terms & Conditions as outlined above. I also understand that the unique nature

of this type of travel involves accommodations, transport, safety and medical facilities not found

on a conventional vacation.

SIGNATURE: ______________________________ DATE: __________________________

the best of south india and the taj mahal

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