Day 1: Depart for India.




Day 2: Arrive at Mumbai* – your room is available for immediate occupancy (most international flights arrive in the evening). You are greeted at the airport by an ETI Travel Facilitator or your Tour Director, and then ushered to a waiting vehicle and your chauffeur. You are driven to your hotel where you are assisted with your check in. The next few days plans are briefly reviewed and the Facilitator/Tour Director hands over travel documents such as your air tickets and hotel vouchers to you.

* This itinerary can easily be altered to start from Delhi or elsewhere in India.




Day 3: Mumbai. You are at leisure in the morning to recuperate from your international travel. Start your exploration of India with a half day Mumbai city tour in the afternoon. The tour begins at the Prince of Wales Museum, built to commemorate King George V first visit to India in 1905. Designed in the Indo-Saracenic style, the museum has sections of art, paintings, archeological exhibits and natural history. Visit the famous ‘Dhobi Ghat’ & observe the age old tradition of the Dhobi’s doing Mumbai’s laundry!
Continue the tour with a drive up to Malabar Hill, where the hanging gardens give a panoramic view of the city and the "Queens Necklace" (Marine Drive). The tour then takes a drive through the Flora Fountain and Fort area, where you can view the Gothic and Victorian style buildings. Visit the Victoria Terminus (now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus) India’s finest Gothic building and a bustling Railway Station. Continue drive around Horniman Circle and visit the Town Hall, right besides the docks of Mumbai. Visit “The Gateway of India”, Mumbai’s foremost landmark overlooking the harbor. This structure was conceived following the visit of King George V in 1911 and officially opened in 1924.




Day 4: Mumbai – Aurangabad. You are assisted with your check-out by an ETI Travel Facilitator and then driven to the airport. Board the early morning flight to Aurangabad. Upon your arrival at Aurangabad you are greeted at the airport by an ETI Travel Facilitator and ushered to a waiting vehicle and your chauffeur. You now proceed for a half day guided excursion to Ellora. Explore the magnificently sculptured caves of Ellora. These caves illustrate a resurgence of Hinduism, reflected by the creation of these 17 caves with Hindu themes, sculpture, and art; including Cave 16, the awe-inspiring "Kailash Temple". Like all of the other Cave temples, this one was created out of one rock. However, the significance of that fact changes when you put it in perspective of this enormous structure.
Check into your Hotel after the tour of Ellora.




Day 5: Aurangabad. Enjoy a full day guided excursion to Ajanta. Buddhist monks and other craftsmen began excavating, sculpting, and painting at Ajanta in the 2nd century BC. The incredible variety of paintings and sculpture were created in hard rock by using elaborate and ingenious lighting, tools, and materials. These 28 caves are a testimony to the devotion of the Buddhists, as well as the talents of their skilled craftsmen. Ajanta's incredible paintings are even more amazing considering that the color and texture you're admiring today was created by artists about two thousand years ago.




Day 6: Aurangabad – Trivandrum. You are assisted with your check-out by an ETI Travel Facilitator and then driven to the airport. Board the morning flight to Mumbai. Connect with the flight to Trivandrum. Arrive at Trivandrum and you are greeted at the airport and ushered to a waiting vehicle and your chauffeur. You are driven to nearby Kovalam and assisted with your check-in at your ocean front hotel.
Mid-afternoon – You are at leisure for the balance of the afternoon.




Day 7: Kovalam (Trivandrum) – Cochin. You are assisted with your check-out by an ETI Travel Facilitator in the mid-morning and you proceed to nearby Trivandrum. Enjoy a city tour of the ancient city of Trivandrum. Explore the temples, monuments and statues, all of which are great examples of pure Dravidian Temple architecture.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (included) and then proceed on the picturesque journey to Cochin. There are a plethora of opportunities for photography and Keralan rural cultural experiences on this drive.
Arrive at Cochin and you are assisted with your check-in at your hotel.




Day 8: Cochin. Start your exploration of the fascinating port city of Cochin. The tour begins from the Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays and Saturdays) built in 1568, and next to the synagogue is Cochin’s fascinating Jew Street with its antique stores. Also visit the St. Francis Church, established by the Portuguese Franciscan friars in 1503. Vasco Da Gama was buried in the courtyard of this European church, one of the first built in India. Visit the Chinese fishing nets. More than a century old and still in use, they are a great part of this tour. Walk through Fort Kochi and experience the culture and unique local architecture that was influenced by various European settlers over the last millennium.
Evening – You are driven to a local theatre to watch a Kathakali dance (the art of storytelling through dance) performance. Cap off your evening by having a delicious dinner at the home of a famous Keralan Chef. Cooking lessons are included.




Day 9: Cochin – Backwaters cruise. You are assisted with your check-out by an ETI Travel Facilitator, and then driven to the backwaters. If day 8 was a Saturday, you can visit the Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays & Saturdays) this morning. Proceed on the drive to Alleppey in the morning & board your houseboat.
Take our word for this, your backwaters cruise will become one of your most treasured memories that you will cherish forever. Relax and have a great time until the next morning as you cruise the amazing backwaters. The cook and other staff make sure that all your needs are taken care of, while serving you with delicious Kerala cuisine.




Day 10: Backwaters – Periyar National Park. Disembark from your houseboat in the morning and then you begin your drive to Thekkady (Periyar National Park).
Arrive at Thekkady and you are assisted with your check-in at your hotel. This is the heart of spice country and the pleasant mild aroma from the surrounding plantations will fascinate you on arrival.
Periyar is located around a picturesque artificial lake that was formed in 1895 by building a dam on the Periyar River. The terrain is hilly and the elevation of the park ranges from a few hundred feet to about 6000 feet above sea level. The lake occupies the valleys of the thickly forested hills, serving as a permanent source of water for wildlife in the Park. Although it falls under “Project Tiger”, the main attractions of the park are definitely elephants. Periyar is home to just under a thousand elephants and also over 60 other mammal species including tigers, bison, deer, wild boar, and wild dog. There are over 300 species of birds, and even 160 species of butterflies. Prominent among the birds are Cormorants, Kingfishers, Darters, the great Malabar Hornbill, and the racket-tailed Drongoes.
Afternoon – Drive up to Lake Periyar and embark on a boat ride around the lake. View the wildlife as you cruise around the spectacularly scenic lake –elephants, wild boar and deer are the most commonly sighted wildlife.




Day 11: Periyar - Madurai. Start your morning with a visit to a neighboring spice plantation – you will be guided by a naturalist.
Freshen up on your return to your hotel and then you are assisted with your check-out. After eating lunch you will proceed on the picturesque drive to Madurai.
Arrive at Madurai where you are assisted with your check in to your Hotel.
Over 2500 years old, Madurai is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu. It is an important cultural and commercial centre. It was once the seat of Tamil learning and still the place where the Tamil language is spoken in its purest form. The city is planned in the shape of a lotus. Modern Madurai is a burgeoning industrial center, even though the vast stretches of paddy fields, dusty roads and crowded bazaars make it seems like an overgrown village.
Evening - attend the ancient & impressive evening “Palli Arai” ceremony at Sree Meenakshi Temple with your guide.




Day 12: Madurai. Proceed for a half day city tour of Madurai. The primary attraction is the great Meenakshi Temple, where Dravidian temple architecture may be considered to be at its best. Its Hall of a thousand Pillars is fabulous and is filled with worshippers at all hours of the day. You will witness various ceremonies as you explore this huge structure, possibly including parts of traditional weddings. The great Meenakshi temple is dedicated to the consort of Lord Shiva.
The tour of Madurai also includes a visit to the Thirumalai Nayak Palace and Thiruparangundram temple.
Afternoon – you are at leisure.




Day 13: Madurai – Trichy – Tanjore. You are assisted with your check-out and then you proceed on the drive to Trichy. Arrive at Trichy & visit the famous Rock Fort perched on a boulder that is 84 meters (256 feet) high. At its summit, reached by climbing 437 steps that are cut into the rock, is the Vinayak temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh. There is also a Shiva temple and several cave temples with beautifully carved pillars and panels.
While you are in Trichy you will also tour the temple complex of Srirangam, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is surrounded by 7 concentric walled courtyards with 21 magnificent gateways. Within the walls are several shrines and bazaars.
Late Afternoon - drive to Tanjore where you are assisted with your check in to your Hotel.




Day 14: Tanjore – Pondicherry. Start your day with a visit to the most spectacular of all the Tanjore temples: the Brihadishwara. The crown of this ancient temple is a monolithic cupola made of a single granite rock, weighing 80 tons. The temple itself is decorated with carved panels depicting mythological events. An immense Nandi (the Bull) - 6 meters long - carved out of a single piece of granite stands in front of the shrine. Also visit Saraswati Mahal Library and Art Gallery. There is a large collection of ancient Chola bronzes on display, and the building itself is a unique example of Hindu architecture.
Late Afternoon - You are assisted with your check-out by an ETI Travel Facilitator and then you proceed on the drive to Pondicherry and check in to your hotel.




Day 15: Pondicherry - Mahabalipuram. Proceed for a tour of Pondicherry. Pondicherry, a former French colony, presents an unusual combination of European culture and Indian traditions. Its history can be traced back to Agastya, the revered sage of South India who built his hermitage here in 1500 BC.  It became a part of India in 1954, but traces of its history as a French colony still remain in its churches, cuisine, grid-pattern streets and colonial buildings.
Afternoon - You are assisted with your check-out by an ETI Travel Facilitator and then you drive to the nearby town of Auroville, an oasis of peace and enlightenment. In the late afternoon, after exploring the Ashram at Auroville, you will drive to Mahabalipuram. Arrive at your destination and you are assisted with your check-in at your hotel.




Day 16: Mahabalipuram. Proceed for a tour of the ancient port of Mahabalipuram. This laid back coastal town south of Chennai is world famous for its 8th century shore temple & other historical marvels. Mahabalipuram was the second capital (and sea port) of the Pallava Kings of Kanchipuram, the first Tamil dynasty after the fall of the Gupta Empire. The massive rock sculptures carved into softly sloping hills, monolithic shrines, ancient manmade caverns with incredible sculptures, and the world’s largest bas relief in stone all combine to make much of Mahabalipuram a fabulous open-air museum. Vying with this splendor is a beach and the picturesque Bay of Bengal. The famous temples of the Rathas, the Penance of Bhagirath, the Shore Temple and the eight Mandapams (Shallow halls carved out of sheer rock) are located right at the edge of the waterfront. As a background to this you will observe the local fisherman ply their trade.
Late afternoon – you are at leisure to explore the surroundings or relax at your oceanfront resort.




Day 17: Mahabalipuram – Kanchipuram – Chennai – Mahabalipuram. Explore the ancient holy city of Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram is known as the golden city of a thousand temples and is one of the seven sacred cities of India. Its many gopurams (temple domes) can be seen from a great distance, as you approach the city. Kanchipuram was successively the capital of many South Indian dynasties, including the Pallavas, the Cholas and the Rayas of Vijaynagar. Enjoy this ancient city and its culture that has not changed much over the last millennium.
After touring Kanchipuram you will drive to Chennai so as to tour India’s third largest city. The tour begins from the ‘St. Mary’s Church’, built in 1678 – 80, this was the first English Church in Chennai. Continue to visit the Saint Thomas Cathedral, built in 1504, then re-built in neo - gothic style in 1893, this Roman Catholic Church is said to house the remains of St. Thomas the Apostle. Visit the National Art Gallery & Museum and explore the beautiful temple friezes, the bronze gallery, and the Archaeological section. End the tour with a drive by the High Court, Fort St. George, and the Tamil film studios that come second only to Bollywood as they put out hundreds of movies a year.
Return to your ocean front hotel at the end of the day.




Day 18: Mahabalipuram - Mysore. You are assisted with your check-out by an ETI Travel Facilitator and then driven to the railway station. Board the express train to Mysore. You are assisted to your seats and your baggage is placed on the overhead racks.
Arrive at Mysore and you are greeted at the railway station by an ETI Travel Facilitator and then ushered to a waiting vehicle and your chauffeur. You are driven to your hotel where you are assisted with your check in.
Mid-Afternoon - you are at leisure to explore Mysore with your guide and chauffeur.




Day 19: Mysore. Explore the main tourist attraction of Mysore - The Mysore Palace, an incredibly opulent structure that is one of the most impressive palaces in the world. You'll be amazed by its sheer size, the incredible richness of its interior, and the beautiful facade of this Indo-Saracenic architectural gem. It was the seat of the Maharajas of Mysore, and was rebuilt in 1912.
Afternoon – Brief city tour – Up on a hill overlooking the city is the temple to Chamundeswari, its patron goddess. The tour includes a visit to St. Philomena’s church, one of the largest churches in the country. You will marvel at the Victorian Gothic architecture of this active place of worship.




Day 20: Mysore - Bangalore. You are assisted with your check-out by an ETI Travel Facilitator and then you proceed on the drive to Bangalore. Visit Srirangapattanam on the way. On arrival at Bangalore you are assisted with your check-in at your hotel.
Afternoon - Take a drive around the modern metropolis and visit Cubbon Park (1864), which is made up of 300 acres of verdant gardens in the heart of Bangalore.
Visit the Government Museum and Venkatappa Art Gallery – one of the oldest in the country, established in 1886. It contains relics from the prehistoric Mohenjo-Daro period. Also visit the Vidhan Soudha, the impressive granite structure of the state legislative complex.




Day 21: Bangalore – International Flight (OR Mumbai/Delhi) You are assisted with your check-out by an ETI Travel Facilitator and then driven to the airport. Board your international flight or your flight to Mumbai/Delhi. If you are doing the latter, upon your arrival at Mumbai/Delhi you are greeted at the airport by an ETI Facilitator & your chauffeur. If you are doing this visit as part of an ultra small group, you are provided with personal vehicles for each single traveler / couple / family traveling together. Do any last minute shopping and sightseeing that you feel you may have left for the end.
Your vehicle and chauffeur stay with you till your (usually late evening) assisted check in at the airport.

Our services end at Bangalore/Mumbai/Delhi airport.




Day 22: Arrive in your Country of Origin.