This itinerary, covering some of the highlights of North and South India, will give you an idea of just how varied the two halves of the country are...

This itinerary, covering some of the highlights of North and South India, will give you an idea of just how varied the two halves of the country are.

If you don’t have 24 days but still want a sample of both, it can be reduced to 10 nights, including the Taj Mahal in the north and the houseboat in the south.

Day 1 Delhi

Delhi is a bustling, bursting city of more than 12 million people. After arrival to a traditional welcome, transfer to hotel and overnight in Delhi.

Day 2 Delhi

With so many museums, galleries, historical monuments, temples and mosques to see, one could spend days covering all that Delhi offers to the visitor. With the help of an expert local guide, you can choose the sights and activities that interest you, so that you get the most out of your time in this amazing city.

Day 3 Agra

Drive 4 hours to Agra; check in to your hotel and then visit the vast Agra Fort, where there are great views of the Taj Mahal.

Day 4 Bharatpur

Dawn visit to the Taj Mahal with a local guide. After breakfast and departure visit the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, then continue on 1 hour to Bharatpur. At dusk take a cycle-rickshaw ride into the famed Keoladeo Ghana National Park, where at last count there were 364 bird species in just 29 square kilometres of park land. Overnight in Bharatpur.

Day 5 Jaipur

Dawn visit to the park; after breakfast drive 4 hours to Jaipur. Afternoon free for a wander through the old city, a spot of bargaining/shopping in the local bazaar, or for relaxing at one of Jaipur’s lovely heritage hotels, some of which have swimming pools.

Day 6 Jaipur

Full day for sightseeing with a local guide. As with Delhi, you can choose the sights and activities that interest you. Most often people visit Amber Fort, the City Palace, and the Maharaja’s astronomy park, complete with oversized and remarkably accurate sun dials.

Day 7 Pushkar

Drive 3 hours to Pushkar; transfer to hotel and afterwards head out with a local guide for a short walking tour of the town. Rest of the evening at leisure or spend the time along the ghats (steps) of Pushkar.

Day 8 Udaipur

After breakfast drive 5 hours to Udaipur; a lovely city, situated on an azure lake and hemmed in by the lush Aravalli hills. Relax in the evening at a lakeside restaurant.

Day 9 Udaipur

After breakfast, start a sightseeing tour of Udaipur with a visit to the City Palace, followed by a visit to the Jagdish Temple and the local folk museum. Later in the day, proceed for boat cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola.

Day 10 Mumbai

Transfer to the airport for flight to Mumbai. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure.

Day 11 Mumbai

A full day to explore Mumbai with a local guide; morning city tour and afternoon excursion to Elephanta Caves. Later in the afternoon hit the streets for some serious shopping, be it for high-end designer wear or in the bazaars for local goods – or just stroll around and soak up the big city buzz. Mumbai has great restaurants and bars which deserve some of your time.

Day 12 Mahabalipuram

Morning flight to Chennai, where you will be met and then driven 2 hours to Mahabalipuram. Later in the afternoon visit the World Heritage listed temples and carvings with a local guide, including Arjuna’s Penance.

Day 13 Tanjore

Give yourself enough time in the morning to have a swim before heading off on a 5 hour drive to Tanjore. Your hotel here has a lovely palm-fringed swimming pool.

Day 14 Chettinad

Morning visit to the World Heritage listed Brihadeeswara temple, before departure and 2 hour drive to the Chettinad region. Formerly a region made wealthy by teak traders and financiers, some of the many mansions in the area have been restored into hotels, including where you will spend the night.

Day 15 Madurai

Drive 3 hours to Madurai. The Madurai cityscape is dominated by the towering gopurams or entrance gates of the Meenakshi temple, the focal point of this busy little city.

Day 16 Madurai

Full day with local guide for a visit to the temple, Gandhi museum, Nayak palace, tailor’s market and fruit and vegetable market.

Day 17 Kovalam

Depart Madurai early for a 6 hour drive to Kanyakumari, the southern-most tip of the Indian subcontinent; enjoy lunch by the ocean and then continue on to Kovalam and the famed beaches of Kerala, where you can enjoy a sunset stroll on the beach by the Arabian Sea.

Day 18 Kovalam

Full day for relaxation on the beach with the opportunity to enjoy an Ayurvedic massage.

Day 19 Thottapally

In the morning visit Krishnapuram Palace before continuing on to Thottapally where you board a private, air-conditioned houseboat for afternoon of cruising and overnight stay on the boat. The three staff will prepare your meals on board with fresh local ingredients.

Day 20 Alleppey

Disembark at Alleppey and short transfer to a backwater guest house. There are some beautiful, small guest houses and homestays tucked away in the small canals in this part of Kerala – something to suit all budgets and interests, and we know the best of them! Afternoon free to enjoy this laid back part of the world.

Day 21 Alleppey

There are many activities to fill your time – a walk to the local village, a cooking class, a visit to small cottage industry factories such as coir (coconut fibre) mat making. Otherwise relax and take it easy.

Day 22 Cochin

Drive 2 hours to Cochin. Your hotel is in the historic area of Fort Kochi, which is a quiet area, perfect for an afternoon stroll or afternoon tea in one of the restored colonial buildings by the water front. In the evening, enjoy a performance of Kathakali, a highly colourful and skilled traditional Keralan dance.

Day 23 Cochin

Day for sightseeing of Cochin with a local guide, including the Chinese fishing nets, India’s oldest church, the Dutch Palace and the synagogue and ‘antique’ shops in Jewtown.

Day 24 Cochin

Transfer to the airport for connecting flights home or to another Indian city for further travels.