Het programma voor het eerste deel van de reis ziet er als volgt uit (uit Hi-Tours programma):
TOUR ITINERARY: -
01-AUG-07: ARRIVE DELHI / DRIVE TO AGRA
Upon arrival at Delhi, our Executive will meet you at the Airport followed by transfer from Airport to Agra. On arrival check into the Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel in Agra.
02-AUG-07: AGRA / JAIPUR
Breakfast at Hotel in AGRA. Morning Sunrise visit of Taj Mahal, regarded as one of the Wonders of the World. After breakfast visit Agra Fort, which has been the seat of Mughal rulers for several years. Then Drive to Jaipur, en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri. On arrival check into the hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel in Jaipur.
03-AUG-07: JAIPUR
Breakfast at Hotel in Jaipur. Morning excursion to Amber Fort with Elephant Ride (Elephant subject to availability), visit Sheesh Mahal, Ganesh Pol, Shila Devi Temple, Kesar Kyari Bagh. Climb up the fort on elephant’s back like the Maharajas and visit the Amber Palace of the Kuchchawa rulers. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur city visiting Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), The City Palace, Jantar Mantar etc. Return to Hotel. Overnight stay.
04-AUG-07: JAIPUR / BUNDI
After breakfast drive to Bundi & transfer to hotel. Later visit Taragarh Fort built in 1354 A.D.. Afternoon excursion to nearby tribal villages of Bundi, and visit Jait Sagar Lake, and Rameshwaram cave. Overnight stay.
05-AUG-07: BUNDI / UDAIPUR
After breakfast drive to Udaipur. Udaipur is the most romantic city in Rajasthan. Also called the 'City of Lakes', Udaipur was the capital of the erstwhile kingdom of Mewar. Arrive and check in at Hotel. Overnight at hotel.
06-AUG-07: IN UDAIPUR
Breakfast at the hotel followed by a sightseeing tour of Udaipur visiting City Palace, Jagdish Temple and Saheliyon ki Bari. Evening sunset boat cruise on Lake Pichola. Returned to Hotel and Overnight stay.
07-AUG-07: UDAIPUR / JODHPUR
After breakfast depart for Jodhpur - 276 Kms/06 hours enroute visiting Ranakpur Temple. On arrival transfer to hotel. Pm visit visiting the Mehrangarh fort and Jaswant Thada Overnight at hotel.
08-AUG-07: JODHPUR/JAISALMER
After breakfast drive by road covering 330 km in 6/7 hr. to Jaisalmer. On arrival transfer to hotel. In the evening take an excursion to Sam Sand Dunes, part of the barren desert that stretch to the Pakistan border Overnight at hotel.
09-AUG-07: JAISALMER / DELHI (Train JSM DLI EXPRESS at 16:00hrs 2nd AC Sleeper Class)
Breakfast at Hotel in Jaisalmer. Morning visit the Jaisalmer Fort perched high on a hill with its 99 bastions and seven-story palace. Intime transfer to Jaisalmer Railway Station to Board Night to Delhi. Overnight at Train.
10-AUG-07: ARRIVE DELHI (by Train JSM DLI EXPRESS at 1000hrs by 2nd AC Sleeper Class)
Upon arrival at Delhi, our office representative will meet you at the Delhi Railway Station followed by transfer to Hotel. On arrival check into the Hotel. Then proceed for city tour of Old & New Delhi including Red Fort (closed on Monday), Raj Ghat, and Drive around India Gate, President House, Rajpath, Visit of Qutab Minar. Returned to Hotel. Overnight stay at Hotel in Delhi.
11-AUG-07 DELHI / DEPART
Breakfast at Hotel in Delhi. Later transfer to Domestic Airport to board flight to onward destination. Departure from Delhi with plane.
11/08/2007: ARRIVE IN BANGALORE AND TRANSFER TO THE HOTEL
Upon arrival our executive will meet you in the airport and then followed by an transfer to the hotel, then the rest of the day is at leisure. (Overnight stay at Bangalore)
12/08/2007: IN BANGALORE SIGHTSEEING (0R) FREE FOR OWN ACITIVITES
Sight seeing in Bangalore (or) free for own activities (visit Belgium sister Orphanage visit – Coach at disposal)
In the morning after breakfast move for the sightseeing in Bangalore, which includes the ISKCON Temple (International Society For Krishna Consciousness). Visit this ornate temple built on a hillock with granite, marble and Korean glass, this huge cultural complex was established to promote Vedic culture and spiritual learning. It houses various deities, including Krishna, Balaram and Radha. Later visit to ‘Vidhan Souda’-one of India most spectacular building that houses the secretariat and the state legislature, onward we visit “The Government Museum” – one of the oldest in India established in 1864, the ‘Bull temple’ – one of the oldest temples of Bangalore built in Dravidian style and houses a monolith Nandi (bull) of huge size and the ‘Tipu Sulthan Palace’ – a palace completed of 1971 by Tippu sulthan. We complete the sight seeing tour around 12.30pm and then for a lunch break at one of the nice restaurants. After lunch drive to Mysore – the palace city of South India. Enroute visit Channapatna. Lacquerware products include brightly coloured wooden toys, door curtains, powder boxes and napkin rings, besides a range of distinctive jewellery. (Overnight Stay in Bangalore)
13/08/2007: BANGALORE TO MYSORE (140 KMS / 3 HRS)
Depart from the hotel after breakfast and then drive towards Mysore, is the erstwhile capital of Wodeyars, the rulers of Mysore state. The charm leaves no one untouched.Mysore traces its history into the mythological books where there is reference of Mahishasur (Mahishasura) or the buffalo-headed demon king who is believed to have lived here. Goddess Chamundeshwari of Chamundi hills killed this demon and hence the Dussehra, the festival of the victory of good over evil, is celebrated with unprecedented grandeur. Today Mysore is one of the major cities of Karnataka. Mysore has emerged as a thriving market for exotic sandalwood & incense, the Mysore silk sarees and stone carved sculptures. In the afternoon visit the Srirengapatna The island fortress of Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan is picturesquely located in the River Cauvery. Then visit the places like the 'Daria Daulat', Tipu's summer palace with a beautifully gilded and painted interior and the majestic 'Gumbaz'-his mausoleum, are located close to the river. Then in the evening visit the Visit to Chamundi Hill Temple - at a height of 1062mts. The 2000-year-old temple is dedicated to Goddess Chamundi. A seven storey, 40mts high tower, dominates the temple. A view of entire Mysore city from this hilltop is breath taking. (Overnight stay at Mysore)
14/08/2007: MYSORE TO MUDUMALI (110 KMS / 02 HRS)
Depart from the hotel after breakfast and drive towards Mudumalai, The Famous Mudumalai wild life Sanctuary is situated at an elevation of 1000 meters and extending over an area of 321 sq.kmts lies this sanctuary between Kerala and Karnataka states. This is one of India's best sanctuaries. Nature has been lavish in providing this sanctuary with thickly wooded hills, plateaus, deep valleys, waterfalls, rivers, marshes and streams. The varied flora and topography meet the ecological requirements of several species in habitating the sanctuary and give the visitors a sense of satisfaction. upon arrival check in to the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure. In the evening visit the elephant pooja ceremony in mudumalai (Overnight stay at Mudumalai)
15/08/2007: IN MUDUMALAI / SIGHTSEEING
Depart from the hotel after breakfast and move for the sightseeing inside the park. In Mudumalai the mostly dense forest is home to spotted deer, Indian Bison, tiger, panther, wild boars and sloth bear. The wild life elephant population estimated around 600 is one of the largest in the country. On arrival check in to hotel and at 01.00pm proceed for a. An approved jungle guide well versed in the ways of nature providing an illuminating insight into the realm of this forest trek will accompany you on this tour, covering some of the most beautiful areas of the park such as Singara hillock and Moyar river side, where nature is left to itself, undisturbed by outside influences. This trekking will give you many photo opportunities as well as to watch the untamed in its own habit.
16/08/2007: MUDUMALAI TO CONOOR (60 KMS / 1 ½ HRS)
Depart from the hotel after breakfast and drive towards Ooty - known as Udagamandalam is the "Queen of hill stations" and the capital of Nilgiris district. It is one of the most popular tourist resorts in India. Nilgiris means "Blue Mountains". It is a land of picturesque picnic spots. Used to be popular summer and weekend getaway for the Britishers during the colonial days. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. One can notice a marvellous change in vegetation, as one goes from Kallar to Coonoor. The establishment of numerous tea estates made Ooty famous. Lofty mountains, dense forest, sprawling grasslands and miles and miles of tea gardens greet the passengers on most routes. (Overnight stay at Conoor)
Train No:661 - Udagamandalam Mettupalayam Passenger /Dep UAM:15.00Hrs – Arr ONR:16.00Hrs
17/08/2007: CONOOR TO COCHIN (281 KMS / 6 ½ HRS)
Depart from the hotel after breakfast and drive towards Cochin. Kochi or Cochin is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula, in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, dubbed 'God's Own Country'. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. Upon arrival check in to the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure and in the evening visit the famous dance and Drama of Kerala, the “Kathakali”. This dance can be characterized by grotesque gesticulations, amazing costumes and very extensive make-up. The stories are mostly taken from the epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana. (Overnight stay in Cochin)
18/08/2007: IN COCHIN / SIGHTSEEING
Depart from the hotel after breakfast and we move for the sightseeing in Cochin which includes the places like - ‘The Jewish Synagogue’ at the heart of what is locally called the Jew Town, ‘The St. Francis Church’, the oldest European Church in India, ‘The Santa Cruz Basilica’ originally built in 1557 by the Portuguese, The Dutch Palace and Spice market at the narrow streets. (Overnight stay at Cochin)
19/08/2007: COCHIN TO ALLEPPEY (65 KMS / 1 ½ HRS)
Depart from the hotel after breakfast and then we dive to the Houseboat, which take you on a tour to the splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves. You can sunbathe on the deck or observe the landscape from the protection of the cabin. The population’s whole life takes place on the water. The people sail, fish, swim and bathe there. They do their washing and their washing up. They are so adapted to the water that you can see people talking for an hour, while they are up to their necks in water. Canoes with huge sails still transport people and you can find vegetable sellers, fisherman and other household materials being brought door to door by small wooden boats. This whole area is surrounded with coconut palms and lush green rice fields. The major cropping here is coconut and it is said that the name KERALA comes from the old name of coconut - KERA. (Overnight Stay at Houseboat)
Please note:
The houseboat cruise will start around 12 noon. You will cruise for some time, and the crew will stop the boat for lunch. You will then cruise again until 6 pm, when it will stop for the night to leave the Backwaters free for the fishermen. Dinner will be served onboard. In the morning, after breakfast, the boat will start again and the cruise will end around 9 am.
The meal by default is always Kerala non-vegetarian. Please let us know in advance if you have any food preference.The shower will only be a hand-shower. The water in the shower will be cold. It is possible to get hot water on request to the crew, but it will only come in a bucket.
20/08/2007: ALLEPPEY TO PERIYAR (145 KMS / 3 ½ HRS)
After breakfast check out from the hotel and you travel to a lower lying part of the mountain range where tropical rainforest still holds its own in the Periyar National Park. On arrival check in to hotel and in the evening you board in a boat for a trip at Periyar Narional park. There are many animals to see, including herds of elephants, bison’s and packs of wild boars that roam through the woods and parade along the shores of the lake just before sunrise and sunset. You can also see also different species of apes. The golden langur monkey that lives here is rarely seen in the rest of India. Other animals in Periyar are otters and porcupines. Water turtles can often be seen sunning themselves on the pieces of wood that stick out of the water. Osprey and Cormorants belong to the most important species of birds in this area. In the evening visit the national park and have a boat ride inside the park. (Overnight stay at hotel in Thekkady/Periyar)
21/08/2007: PERIYAR TO MADURAI (170 KMS / 4 HRS)
Depart from the hotel after breakfast and drive towards Madurai, one of the fascinating temple towns of TamilNadu. Madurai known, as the Nectar city of Tamilnadu is the oldest city in Tamilnadu and it is also known as the “Athens of the East”. The Meenakshi Amman Temple dominates the city evolved around it. The temple is mainly dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and also to Lord Shiva (as Sundareshwar). The Thousand Pillar Hall with in the temple campus (actually has only 985 pillars). Azhagar temple, Gandhi Museum & The palace of King Thirumalai Nayak is added attractions to Madurai. Evening visit for the night ceremony at Meenakshi temple, where lord Shiva is taken to Meenakshi bedroom. (Overnight Stay at Madurai)
22/08/2007: MADURAI TO TANJORE / ENROUTE VISIT TRICHY (145 KMS / 3 ½ HRS)
Depart from the hotel after breakfast and drive towards Tanjore, on the way towards Tanjore enroute visit Trichy, Trichy situated on the banks of the river cauvery the fourth largest city in the state was a citadel of yearly cholas then captured by pallavas. After Breakfast a city trip will be arranged in the local bus that can help you to know about the local people daily life. The sightseeing includes srirangam, thiruvannaikaval a place for the Shiva lingam, which is mentioned for water. The lingam is in a room, which is surrounded by water the priest will be standing in the water and he will make all the poojas. Then moving to Rock fort, china bazaar and the Gandhi market. Then in the evening drive towards Tanjore upon arrival check in to the hotel. (Overnight stay at Tanjore)
23/08/2007: IN TANJORE / SIGHTSEEING
After breakfast depart from the hotel and drive to Tanjore a cultural land where you can see the arts of the of Predecessors in Stones. Sightseeing starts with Tanjore big temple is the famous temple there inside the temple there are about 108 lingams are there. The one part of the palace in Tanjore is given to the government and next part was converted into museum there you can find a lot of sculptures of various god can seen there. Further we visit a village on the out skirts of Tanjore for a glance on people at work making Bronze Statues. (Overnight stay in Tanjore)
24/08/2007: TANJORE TO THIRUVANNAMLAI (255 KMS / 4 ½ HRS)
Depart from the hotel after breakfast and drive towards Thiruvannamalai, one of the places attributed to five elements viz., earth, water, fire, sky and air. This place is dedicated to the Fire element, whereas Chidambaram is Akasa sthala. It is also said that one attains salvation by merely thinking about Thiruvanamalai. Ramana Maharishi has glorified the place with his penance and attaining samadhi here. His ashram at the out skirts of the town attracts devotees and followers by its serene, tranquil atmosphere. The beautiful hill is said to be abode of sages. (Overnight stay at Thiruvannamalai)
25/08/2007: THIRUVANNAMALAI TO MAMALLAPURAM (160 KMS / 3 ½ HRS)
Depart from the hotel after breakfast and drive towards Mamallapuram, Mamallapuram lies 60 kms, South of Chennai, nestling on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, was once a port of the Pallavas. The Pallavas have created many marvellous monuments with Sculptural Panels, Caves, Monolithic Rathas and Temples. Once a thriving port trading with many distant nations, Pallava Chisels have breathed life into stone. The Pallavas art this place emphasises robust eatherly beauty, imbibed with life. These monumental splendours and sunny beach resorts attract tourists from all over the world (Overnight stay at Mamallapuram)
26/08/2007: IN MAMALLAPURAM / SIGHTSEEING
Depart from the hotel after breakfast and move for the sightseeing in Mamallapuram which includes the places like the Arjuna`s Penance (Bass Relief) and onward visiting monuments of Krishnas Butterball, Five rathas (symbolises equality of men & women) & to end with at the famous Shore temple. (Overnight stay at Mamallapuram)
27/08/2007: DEPARTURE TRANSFER / CHENNAI AIRPORT (70 KMS / ½ HRS)
Depart from the hotel and move towards the chennai airport to Board flight to back home.
FLIGHT CHENNAI - MUMBAÏ , MUMBAÏ - BRUSSELS
Aankomst in Brussels op 28/08/07 om 07.10 u plaatselijke tijd - JetAirways vlucht 9W 228
