North India with Kerala Tour
One of the questions we’re most frequently asked by clients contemplating their first trip to India is ‘whether to go north or south’? This tour neatly sidesteps the dilemma by combining the highlights of both. Beginning with an introduction to the Northern India – including the Taj Mahal, Delhi’s Jama Masjid, Royal Bengal Tigers at Ranthambore and “Pink City” of Jaipur – we head to the far southern state of Kerala, whose lush, tropical backwaters and tea plantations.
- Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise
- Search for tigers in Ranthambore National Park
- Experience Jaipur's palaces
- Take a cruise & stay on a traditional rice barge houseboat
Itinerary
Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
On arrival in Delhi, you’ll be met by your Indus Bound Representative and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll be staying for two nights. Spend the remainder of the day recovering from your journey, and perhaps a stroll around the local neighborhood later.
Day 02 - In Delhi
Explore Delhi today starting with Old Delhi in the morning: enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride in the bustling lanes of Chandni Chowk followed by the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. In the afternoon, drive past Lutyens's New Delhi and visit the tomb of Humayun and the Qutab Minar. Spend some time at the Bangla Sahib Sikh Temple for blessings and see & participate in the community kitchen.
[Optional : Cooking Class experience with a local]
Day 03 - Drive to Agra
Drive to Agra (03-04 Hrs). Spend rest of your day at leisure or explore neighborhood with your driver.
[Optional : Visit to the Sherous Hangout Cafe]
Day 04 - In Agra
An early start this morning, but worth it for sunrise views of the Taj Mahal. It's also the quietest time to visit, before the crowds arrive. Return back to your hotel and later proceed for your city tour of Agra, including visit to the impressive Agra Fort, a mix of Hindu and Islamic architecture followed by a visit to the ornate tomb of Itamud-ud-Daulah.
Day 05 - Drive to Ranthambore
Morning drive to Ranthambore National Park (05-06 Hrs) where you would be visiting the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri enroute. Arrive at your hotel in Ranthambore and spend leisure time at your hotel
Day 06 - In Ranthambore
Head into Ranthambhore Park twice to enjoy game drives through the rugged terrain which is home to lots of wildlife, including the elusive Bengal tiger. Your game drives are early in the morning and then early evening, when temperatures are at their coolest, and animals at their most active.
Day 07 - Drive to Jaipur
Enjoy your final game drive in the park this morning before a leisurely breakfast back at your hotel. After breakfast drive to the Pink City of Jaipur (04-05 Hrs). Spend rest of your day at leisure or explore neighborhood with your driver.
Day 08 - In Jaipur
Enjoy a full day’s sightseeing in Jaipur today, beginning with a trip out to Amber, followed by the Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar Observatory and world-famous City Palace museum. Enjoy a local market walk to explore the way of life here.
Day 09 - Fly to Cochin
Morning flight to Cochin. On arrival, you’ll be met by your Representative and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll be staying for two nights. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, and perhaps a stroll around the local neighborhood of Fort Cochin later.
Day 10 - In Cochin
Spend the day exploring the old colonial district of Fort Cochin. Tucked away in the narrow streets of Fort Cochin are a number of delightful art galleries, cafés and interesting clothes boutiques, as well as centuries-old houses. You will visit the residence where Vasco da Gama stayed when he was here in the early 16th century, and have a look around India’s oldest church, as well as one of one of the region’s few surviving synagogues down in Jew Town, near Mantancherry, site of a Keralan palace with superb traditional murals. Around sunset time, watch local fishing boats chug past the famous Chinese fishing nets. Venture out in the evening for a performance of Kathakali dance.
Day 11 - Drive to Munnar
Drive inland to the Cardamom Hills for a two-night stay in Munnar, hub of the region’s tea industry (03-04 Hrs). Relax on arrival and take in the beautiful views, go birdwatching or on a butterfly walk.
Day 12 - In Munnar
Visit a local tea plantation and factory today, and a museum presenting a history of tea cultivation in the area. Spend your afternoon trekking through the beautiful hills surrounding Munnar. If you find the trek to be too strenuous then ask our guide to take it at a slower pace and to shorten it if need be.
Day 13 - Drive to Alleppey
Drive to Alleppey (04-05 Hrs) and embark your traditional rice barge to spend your afternoon and evening cruising along the backwaters. A private chef on-board will provide you with a freshly cooked dinner made from local ingredients.
Day 14 - Drive to Mararikulum
Wake up on your houseboat and enjoy breakfast before disembarking. Drive to Mararikulum (01 Hr), to base yourself at picturesque Marari Beach to spend your final two nights. Take a stroll along the beach or relax under a palm tree with a book.
Day 15 - In Mararikulum
Full day at leisure. You might like to try an Ayurvedic massage, or hire a bicycle to explore the surrounding quiet lanes.
Day 16 - Drive to Cochin & Departure Transfer
Drive to Cochin & transferred to International Airport for your flight back home, or continue with your onward journey with us
Quick Enquiry
Starting from USD 1780 Per Person
Price is based on double occupancy, and is subject to change based on hotels & dates of travel. Price includes daily breakfast, sightseeing, monument entrance fees, private guides, domestic flights, Jeep Safaris in the Park, transfers, chauffeur driven air-conditioned SUV car & All Taxes.
When to Travel?
For our North India with Kerala Tour, the best time is between October and March, when the weather is more likely to be warm, sunny, and dry in both regions.
Hotel Ideas
These are some of the recommended hotels for your private tour. Let us know for more options you may need, we work with a wide range of hotels in India & Beyond.
The Imperial
New Delhi
OPULENT, HERITAGE
The Claridges
New Delhi
FIRST CLASS, HERITAGE
Colonels Retreat
New Delhi
BASIC, B&B
The Oberoi Amarvilas
Agra
OPULENT
ITC Mughal
Agra
FIRST CLASS
Coral Tree Homestay
Agra
BASIC, HOMESTAY
The Oberoi Vanyavilas
Ranthambore National Park
OPULENT, WILDLIFE RESORT
Six Senses Fort Barwara
Ranthambore National Park
OPULENT, HERITAGE
Khem Villas
Ranthambore National Park
MID RANGE
Taj Rambagh Palace
Jaipur
OPULENT, HERITAGE
Royal Heritage Haveli
Jaipur
FIRST CLASS, HERITAGE
Dera Mandawa
Jaipur
MID RANGE, BOUTIQUE HOMESTAY
Brunton Boatyard
Cochin
FIRST CLASS, HERITAGE
Fragrant Nature
Cochin
FIRST CLASS, HERITAGE
Windermere Estate
Munnar
FIRST CLASS, HERITAGE, TEA ESTATE
Spice Coast Cruises
Alleppey
FIRST CLASS, HOUSEBOAT
Marari Beach Resort
Mararikulum
FIRST CLASS
Marari Villas
Mararikulum
FIRST CLASS, BOUTIQUE
Why 'Private' Travel?
Full flexibility & Personalized service with your own experienced Private guide
A private Car & Driver at your disposal for your holiday. Set your own pace
Select from Hand-picked hotels; from Luxury Palaces to boutique homestays
Meet the locals & Discover the real 'authentic' experiences of a destination
Our Reviews
Our guests seem happy to tell us about their Indus Bound holidays and we are very happy to share their thoughts with you.
Dear Pankaj, you delivered what we missed in our last 6 trips to India, a true Indian experience!! An advise for all those hesitating working with you, 'If you are tired of cookie-cutter tours and looking for an authentic travel experience in India, you are at the right place'.
Ms Elaine & Mr Wayne Helson, UK
Tailor-made Central India & Gujarat
I wanted to take the time to thank you for all the hard work you put in to arrange a magical honeymoon for us. We had a ball. All the transfers worked like clockwork, the hotels were great and the route planning excellent. We really felt we were spoon-fed all the way through.
You guys were absolutely true to your word, the holiday experience we have been waiting for years. Big thanks for arranging our visit to Ruskin Bond's home, you are certainly more than a holiday provider.
Mr Neil & Mrs Susan Everington, UK
Tailor-made North India & Nepal
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