(Click on each day to reveal detailed itinerary)

Depart London and fly overnight to Delhi

On arrival at Delhi international airport a transfer will be provided to your hotel. In the afternoon you will depart for a half day of sightseeing in New Delhi to include the 73m high minaret of Qutab Minar, the tomb of Moghul emperor Humayun, the Parliament buildings and the India Gate. Overnight in Delhi. (Hotel) Meals: no meals included on day 2

In the morning you will tour Old Delhi, you will see the Red Fort and  take a cycle rickshaw ride through the narrow streets and bazaars in the heart of the old city, you will also get chance to see the largest mosque in India before heading out of the city, south to Agra. Overnight in Agra. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Said to be the most beautiful monument ever built for love, the Taj Mahal took 22 years to build and was the work of 22,000 craftsmen. An early start allows you to see this incredible building at its best – at sunrise. After breakfast there will be some free time in Agra and a chance for some gem shopping before you leave for the immense Agra Fort which dominates the city and then on to see the picturesque Baby Taj built by the wife of Emperor Jehangir for her father. Overnight in Agra. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

This morning you will leave behind the city of the Taj and drive to Bharatpur stopping on the way to tour the amazing ghost city of Fatephur Sikri built by Akbar the Great. In the late afternoon you will arrive at the Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur. You’ll arrive at the best time of day for viewing the bird life, the park is home to over 340 bird species including the rare Siberian crane. Overnight in Bharatpur. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, dinner

Today you will leave Bharatpur and head for Sariska, This beautiful National Park covers 800 sq km and supports a wide range of wildlife such as hyena, jackal, leopard, sambar and tiger. In the afternoon you can do a game drive in the National Park. Overnight Sariska. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, dinner

Early in the morning you can enjoy another game drive in the park. After breakfast you will continue your journey to Jaipur. On the edge of Jaipur, high on a rocky cliff, lies the beautiful Amber Palace. The palace and fort at Amber was once home to the Rajput warriors until, during a time of peace, Rajput ruler Jai Singh II built the city of Jaipur. You can tour this incredible palace and marvel at the exquisite hall of mirrors. Overnight in Jaipur. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

You have a full day to explore the famous city of Jaipur. Jaipur is literally awash with colour from the pink city walls, the colourful turbans of the Rajput men, the heavily laden camels and the beautiful palaces. You can do a walking tour to visit the Palace of the Winds, Jai Singh’s observatory (the biggest stone observatory in the world built in 1728) and the magnificent City Palace, still home to the current Maharaja of Jaipur. Overnight in Jaipur. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

This morning you will drive back to Delhi. In the afternoon you will take a flight down to Kochi to start the southern leg of your journey.  The rest of the day will be free to relax, get some rest or wander through the colourful streets of KochiOvernight in Kochi (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Today you have a full day to explore Kochi, starting with Jewtown and the Pardesi Synagogue then continuing to St. Francis - the oldest European church in India. You shall see the Santa Cruz Basilica; built by the Portugese in 1557 and the Dutch Palace, the tour will end at the colourful spice market. Overnight in Kochi. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

This morning you will head east into the highlands of Kerala. Your journey will take you through rolling hills covered in tea estates and spice plantations. Munnar itself is a scenic hill station, at 1500m the views from the town are breathtaking. On arrival you will check in to your hotel and take dinner. Overnight in Munnar. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

After breakfast you will drive to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. The reservoir, made here by the British in 1895 meanders through the deciduous forests providing a continuous water supply for the local wildlife. The sanctuary is home to bison, deer, wild boar, 4 species of primate, around 40 tigers, and 265 bird species. In the surrounding area there are many spice plantations such as tea, coffee, cardamom and sandalwood, in the afternoon you can do a spice tour of these plantations with a local expert guide. Overnight in Periyar. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today you have a full day to explore Periyar. In the morning there is a jungle walk within the sanctuary, this is the most exciting way to see wildlife, walks are led by an experienced local guide and take around three hours This is your best chance of seeing some of the more elusive animals in the reserve. In the afternoon we have included a boat trip on the reservoir, this is a more relaxing way to view the wildlife in the sanctuary, especially the wild elephants that come to the water’s edge to bathe. Overnight in Periyar. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

This morning you will head for the famous backwater region of Kerala. Your destination is Kumarakom, beautifully positioned on Vembanad Lake in the very heart of the backwaters. The region is one of lush, green vegetation, fringed with coconut palms through which twists and turns a maze of waterways. The view of the lake at sunset is particularly captivating. Overnight in Kumarakon. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, dinner

At Kumarakom there is a fantastic bird sanctuary, as well as being a place of natural beauty the bird sanctuary is an important site for migratory birds and a paradise for bird watchers. You may wish to visit the sanctuary during this free day in Kumarakom. Overnight in Kumarakom. (Hotel) Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

In the morning you will board your private houseboat for a magical journey through the backwaters. The boats we use are very comfortable with private bedroom and bathroom facilities. The crew will ‘punt’ the rice boat through the narrow waterways en-route to Alappuzha. This is time for total relaxation, to appreciate the enchanting scenery and watch daily life along the backwaters. Your trip passes through exquisite areas of palm trees, rice paddies and lakes. All your meals whilst onboard will be prepared by the crew using fresh local produce. Overnight on backwaters. (Houseboat) Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

After a leisurely breakfast you will reach your destination at Alappuzha and say goodbye to your crew. From here you will travel the short distance back to Kochi by road.  Overnight in Kochi (Hotel) Meals: breakfast

Early in the morning you will be taken to the aiport for your onward flight. Meals: breakfast