Colonial India & Kerala Backwaters

On arrival at Delhi airport, we’ll meet you and transfer you to your hotel. Hotel check–in is from 12:00 – early check–in is subject to availability. The rest of the day is free to relax or for your own plans – you can choose to go out for dinner with your driver. Overnight at the hotel in Delhi.

After breakfast at the hotel, we set out on a full day tour of Delhi. In Old Delhi, we visit the Red Fort – home of the Mughal emperors for nearly 200 years until 1857 – and Jama Masjid, one of the world’s largest mosques built by Shah Jahan. We take a cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk and Khari Baoli Spice Market, a lively maze of stalls selling spices, dried fruit, silver jewellery, vivid saris, essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. We continue to Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi at the site of his cremation. In New Delhi, we visit Humayun’s Tomb – the subcontinent’s first garden tomb, commissioned by Empress Bega Begum in 1569–70 – and Qutab Minar, a 73 metres tall minaret in the Qutb complex and a fine example of Afghan architecture. We also visit the Lotus Temple, a Bahai House of Worship known for its flowerlike design and open to all, and drive through the government district, passing the President’s House, Parliament and India Gate. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax or explore at your own pace. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast in Delhi, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Varanasi. On arrival, we’re met and driven to the hotel. In the evening, we take a guided walk along the ghats to see temples and a mosque, then attend the Holy Ganga Aarti at Dasashwamedh Ghat at sunset – we board a boat and pause by the steps for the best view. Overnight at the hotel.

Varanasi Early start for a boat ride and ghat visit along the Ganges – we take in the morning rituals as devotees bathe and pray on the riverfront steps. Varanasi has 88 ghats, most used for bathing and puja, with two dedicated to cremation – a vivid snapshot of daily life with priests, students and visitors gathering at dawn.We return to the hotel for breakfast, then continue on a city tour. We visit Banaras Hindu University – founded in 1916 and today a major centre of learning – followed by Bharat Mata Temple, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936 and notable for its marble relief map of undivided India. We also see Tulsi Manas Mandir, built in white marble with images of Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman, and walls inscribed with verses from the Ramcharitmanas.In the afternoon we drive to Sarnath, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment. We explore the Dhamekh Stupa and other important remains, including Dharmrajika Stupa and Mulgandhkuti Vihar. The Ashokan pillar here – dated to 273–232 B.C. – marks the foundation of the Buddhist Sangha, and its Lion Capital is now India’s national emblem.We end the day at Ramnagar Fort on the eastern bank of the Ganga to see sunset over the river. Built in red sandstone, the fort includes a temple dedicated to Ved Vyasa and a museum displaying a royal collection of vintage cars, palanquins, ivory works, old weaponry and an unusual astrological clock. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, we transfer to Varanasi airport for your flight to Kolkata. On arrival, our representative will meet you for assistance and we transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free – you can relax or head out for personal activities as you wish. Overnight at the hotel.

Kolkata After breakfast, we set out on a full-day city tour. We visit Fort William – built in the early years of the Bengal Presidency on the eastern bank of the Hooghly and covering about 70.9 hectares – one of the city’s enduring Raj-era landmarks. We continue to the Victoria Memorial, dedicated to Queen Victoria, whose museum displays items such as the queen’s dresses and period weaponry. At Netaji Bhawan – the Bose family home built in 1909 – we explore the memorial with its museum, archives and library dedicated to Subhas Chandra Bose. We then take in the iconic Howrah Bridge over the Hooghly, widely regarded as the gateway to the city. Later, we visit Dakshineswar Kali Temple on the riverbank, with its large courtyard, twelve Shiva shrines, riverside bathing ghat and a shrine to Rani Rashmoni. Return to the hotel for the night.

After breakfast we transfer you to the airport in line with your flight schedule for the journey from Kolkata to Chennai. On arrival, our representative will meet you and assist with the transfer to your hotel. Later, we set out on a city tour of Chennai, visiting Fort St George and its museum – built by the British East India Company in 1640 – Semmozhi Poonga botanical garden, DakshinaChitra, a living history museum dedicated to South Indian heritage, and the 8th century Arulmigu Sri Parthasarathy Temple, a Vaishnavite shrine to Lord Vishnu. We round off the day with a walk along Marina Beach. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, we drive from Chennai to Pondicherry via Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram – 235 km, around 5 hours. In Kanchipuram, we visit Kailasanathar Temple, an 8th century shrine to Lord Shiva noted for its sandstone architecture, sculptures and 58 small shrines around the main sanctum. We continue to Ekambareswarar Temple, another ancient Shiva temple, home to a mango tree said to be 2,500 years old with four branches yielding different varieties. We also visit Varadharaja Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and known for its fine sculptures, Vaikundhaperumal Temple, another Vishnu shrine counted among the 108 Divyadesams, and Kamakshiamman Temple, dedicated to Goddess Kamakshi and closely associated with Adi Sankaracharya.In Mahabalipuram, we see Krishna’s Butterball, a giant boulder poised on a slope, then the monolithic rathas – rock‑cut temples carved from the top down, with pyramidal vimanas and sikhara – eight in total across Mamallapuram. We visit the Shore Temple, built in the 7th century under King Narasimhavarman II Rajasimha, comprising two Shiva shrines and a relief of Anantasayana Vishnu, facing east and entered through a small gopura – one of South India’s oldest structural stone temples and part of the UNESCO‑listed Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram since 1984. We also explore the Cave Temples, adorned with panels in the Mamalla style from the 7th century.We then continue to Pondicherry and check in at the hotel. In the evening, you can unwind on the beach. Overnight at the hotel.

Pondicherry – Chennai (160 kilometres – around 2 hours). After breakfast we visit Auroville – an experimental community founded in 1968 by Mirra Alfassa – with time at the Matrimandir, its spherical, gold‑disc‑clad focal point. We also see the Auroville Botanical Gardens, which protect the region’s tropical dry evergreen forest, and Auroville Beach, a long sandy stretch with gentle surf. We continue to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram – established in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother – where residents continue to practise their teachings. We then explore the Pondicherry Museum, noted for its art and history collections, including 81 Chola‑period lost‑wax bronze sculptures. Later, we take a guided walk through the French Quarter to appreciate its distinct architecture and town planning – you can pause for coffee and desserts along the way – and, with your guide, you can tailor the route to include the French Consulate, French Institute, Raj Nivas, Bharati Park (Aayi Monument), Government Square, beaches, monuments, churches and French schools. In the afternoon we drive to Chennai and check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Chennai – Cochin (flight) After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our flight to Cochin. On arrival we receive assistance and transfer to the hotel. Later we take a half day tour of Fort Kochi, visiting St Francis Church – the oldest European church in India – and walking to the waterfront to see the iconic Chinese fishing nets and the busy fish stalls. We continue to Mattancherry Palace, built by the Portuguese in 1557 as a gift to the Raja of Kochi, and the nearby synagogue, with time to browse the area’s antique and souvenir shops. We end the day with a sunset cruise around the bustling harbour. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive from Cochin to Alleppey – about 60 km, approximately 1 hour 20 minutes – and board your houseboat at the jetty to begin a leisurely cruise through the Kerala backwaters. We sail along palm‑fringed canals past paddy fields and small villages, with views of Chinese fishing nets along the way. Look out for flocks of ducks and local birdlife as we glide through the waterways. Lunch and dinner are served on board, and in the evening we watch the sunset from the sundeck. You can also try your hand at fishing from the houseboat. Your boat has electricity, a combined sitting and dining area, a private bedroom with an en suite Western‑style bathroom, a sundeck and a fully equipped kitchen with a chef, plus a driver. Overnight on the houseboat.

After breakfast we disembark the houseboat and drive to Cochin Airport for our flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai we meet our representative and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure – you can take a walk to get a feel for the city, browse local markets or sample a nearby restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Mumbai After breakfast at the hotel, we set out to explore the city. We drive along Marine Drive, then stop for exterior views of the Parliament House – Maharashtra State Assembly – and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We visit Dhobi Ghat to see the city’s famed laundry in action and the Prince of Wales Museum – closed on Mondays – to view its collection of historic artefacts. We continue to Mani Bhawan, also known as the Gandhi Museum, and to Mount Mary Church, originally built in 1640 and rebuilt in 1761, an important place of worship also called the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount. In the evening, we visit the ISKCON Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and admire its murals and sculptures. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer you to Mumbai airport in line with your flight schedule to board your onward flight.