Sightseeing between Vizag & Rajkot Test Matches

Wednesday 7th February
On arrival at Delhi airport and you will be met by our representative and transfer to the Eros Hotel, Delhi (hotel website). Overnight stay at the hotel.

Thursday 8th February
After breakfast, full day city tour of Delhi.

Old Delhi unravels the old charm and speaks volumes about India’s history, culture and tradition, whereas fascinating New Delhi exhibits the picture of modern India.

The tour will begin with a visit to the Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques. It was built in red sandstone and marble by more than 5000 artisans. Later visit Chandni Chowk, Asia’s largest wholesale market, a massive area packed with shops, bazaars and people. Drive past the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan in 17th century. Also visit the Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

Proceed towards New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The first stop will be a UNESCO World Heritage site – Qutub Minar, the second tallest minar in India. It is made of red stone and marble covered with intricate carvings and verses from the Qur’an. Later visit the 16th century Humayun’s Tomb, the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style and a precursor of the Taj Mahal. The tour to Imperial Delhi will also include a drive past of India Gate, the 42 m high War Memorial Arch, the Parliament House, the Secretariat buildings and the Vice Regal Palace, now the official residence of the President of India.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Friday 9th February
After breakfast, drive to Agra (4 Hrs Approx.). Upon arrival check in at the DoubleTree by Hilton Agra Hotel (hotel website). Later visit of Agra Fort.

Known as the Red Fort of Agra, this walled imperial city was renovated in 1565 by the Emperor Akbar (1556-1605) and is a well-deserving UNESCO World Heritage site, located just 2.5 kilometres from the famous Taj Mahal. Its palaces, grand mosques and elaborate public hall are crafted from pink-red sandstone and are testament to an era when Indo-Muslim art, strongly marked by influences from Persia, was at its height. Emperor Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal for his deceased wife, was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb in Agra Fort. He is said to have died in the Musamman Burj, a marble tower he himself built, with one of the most alluring views of the Taj Mahal.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Saturday 10th February
Sunrise visit Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday).

The iconic Taj Mahal is not only an architectural masterpiece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World – it’s also the enduring legacy of a royal love story. It was commissioned in the 15th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan after the death of his third and favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, to serve as her final resting place and a symbol of his eternal affection for her. Combining Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian design elements, it’s an awe-inspiring structure of elegant domes and white marble, which changes colour along with the light – pink at sunrise, pearly white in the afternoon and silver-gold in the full moon.

Return back to hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, drive to Jaipur (5 Hrs Approx.) enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri.

A highlight in the province of Uttar Pradesh, Fatehpur Sikri served briefly as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585. This world heritage site is rated as one of the best-preserved collections of Mughal architecture in India. Surrounded by a six-kilometre wall, a day can be spent exploring the elaborate structures within. Marvel at the impressive Jama Masjid Mosque, the detailed palaces built for Emperor Akbar’s wives, the public and private discussion halls and vast ornamental pool; all of which took over 15 years to conceptualise and build.

Later continue drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival check in at the Hilton Jaipur (hotel website).

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Sunday 11th February
After breakfast, enjoy a full day city tour of Jaipur and a Jeep Ride at Amber Fort.

Drive just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort, en-route stopping for photo stop at the `Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. Later, visit the City Palace, an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armory, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur in the 18th century which is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even to this day.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Monday 12th February
After breakfast, transfer to Jaipur airport to board the flight for Mumbai.

Upon arrrival at Mumbai airport transfer to the Trident Nariman Point (hotel website). Enjoy an evening at leisure.

Tuesday 13th February
After breakfast, embark on a city tour of Mumbai. Visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Formerly known as Prince of Wales Museum) built in grand Indo Saracenic style, drive past Marine Drive, Mumbai’s most popular seaside promenade and see the Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens on the slopes of the Malabar Hills, offering a nice view of the marine lines and the Chowpatty Beach. Visit Mani Bhawan where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay and the Dhobi Ghat. Drive past the Flora Fountain, the colourful Crawford Market and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Formerly Victoria Terminus Train Station).

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Wednesday 14th February
After breakfast, depart your hotel for your domestic flight to Rajkot.

Upon arrival in Rajkot, rejoin the rest of the group and check-in to your chosen hotel, ready for the Test Match on Thursday.

Wednesday 7th February
Transfer to Vizag airport for you domestic flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai airport, you will be met and we will transfer to the Trident Nariman Point (hotel website) where you will check in for your stay.

Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Thursday 8th February
After breakfast, enjoy your city tour of Mumbai. Visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Formerly known as Prince of Wales Museum) built in grand Indo Saracenic style, drive past Marine Drive, Mumbai’s most popular seaside promenade and see the Kamla Nehru Park and Hanging Gardens on the slopes of the Malabar Hills, offering a nice view of the marine lines and the Chowpatty Beach. Visit Mani Bhawan where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay and the Dhobi Ghat. Drive past the Flora Fountain, the colourful Crawford Market and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Formerly Victoria Terminus Train Station).

Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Friday 9th February

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board the flight for Jabalpur. Arrival at Jabalpur airport and drive to Kanha (Approx 125 Kms / 3.5 Hrs).

Flight details: Mumbai – Jabalpur (6E 276 @ 1230/1410 Hrs).

Also known as the Kanha Tiger Reserve, the Kanha National Park is widely considered to be the greatest of India’s wildlife reserves and the inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s classic, ‘The Jungle Book’. This impressive expanse of wilderness is set in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, encompassing about 950 square kilometres of lush rolling hills, peaceful rivers, bamboo forest, and endless stretches of savanna grassland. This spectacularly scenic environment provides a diverse range of habitats for an extraordinary array of wildlife including tigers, leopards, jackals, swamp deer, foxes, porcupines, sloth bears, pythons, hare, chitals, gaur monkeys, mongooses, and hundreds of species of bird.

Check-in to the Kanha Earth Lodge (hotel website) on a full-board basis. Overnight is at the Hotel.

Saturday 10th February
Today enjoy early morning & afternoon Jeep Safaris.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Sunday 11th February
Today enjoy early morning & afternoon Jeep Safaris.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Monday 12th February
After breakfast, drive to Pench (Approx. 220 Kms / 5 Hrs). Check-in to the Pench Tree Lodge (hotel website) on a full-board basis.

Resting in the lower southern reaches of the Satpuda Hills, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, Pench National Park is renowned for having the highest concentration of prey, compared to any other park in India.
Visitors, therefore, have an increased chance of spotting predatory cats such as leopard and tiger. This impressive expanse of wilderness features a typical central Indian teak jungle and is bisected by the scenic Pench River. Aside from the river, the park also contains several bamboo-lined jungle streams providing a valuable water source for the local wildlife, which includes, among others: wild dog, sloth bear, wolf, jungle cat, hyena, jackal, gaur, sambar, and chital. Pench is also a bird lover’s paradise, with over 250 species inhabiting the area, including; parakeets, hornbills, kingfishers, orioles, wagtails and a large selection of birds of prey.

Overnight is at the Hotel.

Tuesday 13th February
Today enjoy early morning & afternoon Jeep Safaris.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Wednesday 14th February
After breakfast, depart your hotel for your domestic flight to Rajkot.

Upon arrival in Rajkot, rejoin the rest of the group and check-in to your chosen hotel, ready for the Test Match on Thursday.

Wednesday 7th February
Check out of your hotel in Vizag and transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Kochi. Upon arrival in Kochi transfer to the Fragrant Nature Kochi (hotel website) and check-in for your two-night stay.

Enjoy an evening at leisure.

Thursday 8th February
After breakfast, enjoy your city tour of Kochi. Visit the Dutch Palace, which has some of India’s most beautiful murals, the Jewish Synagogue in the heart of Jew Town and the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. See St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was originally buried and the Santa Cruz Church with its pastel coloured interior and carved wooden panels. Also, visit the Hill Palace Museum, which displays royal memorabilia, paintings, carvings and arms.

In the late afternoon, enjoy a performance of Kathakali, the pantomimic dance-drama. It is a combination of facial expressions and body movements, which brings out the thought and emotion of the character. Kathakali is performed by men.

Overnight at the hotel.

Friday 9th February

After breakfast, drive to Periyar (Approx. 160 KM/4.5 Hrs). Arrive and check in at Spice Village, Thekkady (hotel website). Later in the evening enjoy the Kalaripayattu Martial Art Show.

Kalaripayattu-the oldest of martial arts-is a gift to the modern world and known as the mother of all martial arts. Legend traces the 3000-year old art form to sage Parasurama-the master of all martial art forms and credited to be the re-claimer of Kerala from the Arabian Sea. Kalaripayattu originated in ancient south India. Kung-fu, popularised by the monks of the Shaoline Temple traces its ancestry to Bodhi Dharma-an Indian Buddhist monk and Kalaripayattu master.

This martial art is performed in kuzhikalari, a pit dug into the ground, surrounded by a well-designed gallery built in such a way, viewers will get a clear vision from a safer distance. Kalaripayattu is a traditional psycho-physiological discipline emanating from Kerala’s unique mytho-historical heritage as well as a scientific system of physical culture training.

Overnight at the hotel.

Saturday 10th February
After breakfast, you will be taken for the Spice plantation walking tour. Later you will be enjoying the boat ride on Lake Periyar.

The spice plantations in Thekkady have different spices that are cultivated in different sections of each plantation. Having generations of experience in spice farming, an experienced guide will explain the different spices like pepper, cardamom, cloves, turmeric, vanilla, all spice, cinnamon, and more.

One of the best ways to explore the Periyar Tiger Reserve is by taking a boat ride through the Periyar Lake. It offers travelers the opportunity to view the natural beauty of the forest with its tall trees and resident wildlife. The duration of the boat ride is one and a half hours. The lake is surrounded with a thick dense tree line on either shore. These trees are home to some of the resident avian species that are unique to the Periyar Tiger Reserve. If one is fortunate one can catch glimpses of rare species of birds like the Malabar Grey Hornbill and the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon. Also one can hear the welcome of the lion tailed monkey as it announces your arrival from the tree tops. Common sights of a herd of elephants and deer are seen during this period.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Sunday 11th February
After breakfast, drive to Alleppey (Approx. 3.5 Hrs) and embark your houseboat (website) on a full-board basis.

The Spice Coast Cruises is part of the CGH Group and organises cruises on houseboats along the inland sea of the Vembanad. Staying true to eco-friendly practices of the CGH Group, the houseboats are made from natural materials and are powered by solar energy.

The houseboats contain comfortable amenities and an on-board chef. There’s also a cane lounger on the foredeck to view the surroundings while passing rice fields, palm trees and nearby villages.

Monday 12th February

After breakfast, disembark your houseboat and drive to Kumarakom (Approx. 1.5 Hrs). Check in the the CGH Earth Coconut Lagoon (hotel website) for your two-night stay.

Tuesday 13th February
Day at leisure to relax at the hotel, or head out and explore Kumarakom.

Wednesday 14th February
After breakfast, depart your hotel for your domestic flight to Rajkot.

Upon arrival in Rajkot, rejoin the rest of the group and check-in to your chosen hotel, ready for the Test Match on Thursday.

Wednesday 7th February
Check out of your Vizag hotel and transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Goa via Mumbai. Upon arrival, check into the Zuri White Sands Resort (hotel website) and settle in!

The Zuri White Sands Goa Resort reflects all that is Goa. The award-winning, five-star beach resort sits on the scenic, picturesque white-sand Varca beach. The 38 acres of paradise boasts a meandering pool and a spectacular view of the sea from the Goan-style luxury rooms. Guests can enjoy dining at the six onsite restaurants which offer authentic Goan, European, and Pan Asian cuisine. Hotel amenities include a spa, free Wi-Fi and fitness centre.

Thursday 8th – Tuesday 13th February
Relax and enjoy your time in Salcete!

Salcete is a taluka (district) in the state of Goa on the west coast of India. This region is home to the culturally-rich city of Margao, as well as some of South Goa’s most lovely beaches. Don’t miss the bustling Pimplapedd (Closed Market) or the grand Holy Spirit Church in Margao, before heading to Salcete’s celebrated coastline. This region of Goa – though still highly popular – is less frenetic than the north, with fewer party destinations on offer, and quieter, cleaner beaches. Choose from up-market Cavelossim, laid-back Benaulim and Colva (which offer diving and snorkelling opportunities), or the even more relaxed destinations of Agonda, Palolem and Patnem. Though swimming and sunning are the most popular activities in Salcete, there are also great walking trails available in the green Goan countryside.

Tuesday 13th February
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival, transfer to the Trident Nariman Point (hotel website) for your one-night stay.

Wednesday 14th February
After breakfast, depart your hotel for your domestic flight to Rajkot.

Upon arrival in Rajkot, rejoin the rest of the group and check-in to your chosen hotel, ready for the Test Match on Thursday.

Wednesday 7th February
On arrival at Mumbai airport and you will be met and transfer to the Trident Hotel, Mumbai (hotel website). Settle in to your home for the next week!

Thursday 8th February – Tuesday 13th February
Enjoy days at leisure in Mumbai.

Wednesday 14th February
After breakfast, depart your hotel for your domestic flight to Rajkot.

Upon arrival in Rajkot, rejoin the rest of the group and check-in to your chosen hotel, ready for the Test Match on Thursday.