A Voyage Through India And Nepal

Day 1 / Adelaide - Singapore   
10 March 2010
Depart Adelaide with Singapore Airlines and fly to Singapore.
Overnight in Singapore

Day 2 / Singapore - Kathmandu
11 March 2010
Depart Singapore with Singapore Airlines in the morning, and fly to Kathmandu.
Upon arrival in Kathmandu you will be met and assisted by representative and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation:           Hotel Himalaya
                              
Day 3 / Kathmandu        
12 March 2010                      
Full day sightseeing exploring the shrines, temples and ageless sculptures of Kathmandu and Patan.
Accommodation:           Hotel Himalaya
Meals:            Breakfast

Day 4 / Kathmandu – Nagarkot
13 March 2010
Discover Bhaktapur city, a treasure of medieval arts.  Stay overnight in Nagarkot with its breathtaking mountain scenery
Accommodation:           The Fort Resort, Nagarkot
Meals:            Breakfast

Day 5 / Nagarkot - Kathmandu       
14 March 2010                       
View the sunshine over the Himalayas and enjoy a 3 hour short walking tour from Nagarkot to Changunarayan before returning to Kathmandu.
Accommodation:    Hotel Himalaya

Day 6 / Kathmandu – Delhi
15 March 2010
Transfer to the airport this morning for your flight to Delhi, flying with Indian Airlines.  Upon arrival at Delhi Airport you will be transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation:           The Park, Delhi
                                                                    
Day 7 / Delhi             
16 March 2010                                                          
Full day tour of Old and New Delhi, visiting the Raj Ghat, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chandi Chowk, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar and India Gate.
Accommodation:           The Park, Delhi
Meals:            Breakfast

Day 8 / Delhi – Agra
17 March 2010
Travel by road to Agra, stopping to explore the city of Sikandra and visit the tomb of Akbar, the greatest of the Mughal emperors.  In the afternoon tour Agra’s famed Taj Mahal including the Kalakriti presentation of the most astonishing live show on the eternal love story of the Taj Mahal. "Mohabbat the Taj", the saga of love is the 80 minutes live show at the venue of Kalakriti Cultural and Conventional Centre in Agra near the Taj Mahal. 
Accommodation:           The Gateway, Agra
Meals:            Breakfast

Day 9 / Agra – Jaipur
18 March 2010
Breakfast at your Hotel then journey by road to Jaipur.  On the way, visit Fatehpur Sikri, India’s legendary ghost town.
Accommodation:           Four Points by Sheraton, Jaipur
Meals:            Breakfast

Day 10 / Jaipur     
19 March 2010                                       
Full day tour of Jaipur includes a tour of the Amber Fort, the City Palace Museum, Palace of the Winds and Jai Singhs Observatory.
Accommodation:           Four Points by Sheraton, Jaipur

Day 11/ Jaipur – Cochin
20 March 2010
Transfer this morning to the airport for your flight to Cochin via Mumbai flying with Jet Airways.
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel where you can have free time in the afternoon.
Accommodation:               Old Harbour Hotel, Cochin
Meals:            Breakfast

Day 12 / Cochin
21 March 2010
Breakfast at the hotel, then set off on a morning tour of Cochin visiting the immense Chinese fishing nets, the Dutch Palace and explore the narrow cobbled streets of the Jewish Quarter and St Francis Church, built by the Portuguese in the 16th Century.  We then set off for a Cooking Class followed by Lunch at Nimmy Paul’s Residency.
On a leafy street in the city is the home and personal kitchen of Nimmy Paul. This is also one of the best cooking schools in the world, according to Gourmet magazine.
In the evening enjoy Kathakali, the most well known dance drama from the south Indian state of Kerala.  The word Kathakali literally means "Story-Play".  It is known for its large, elaborate makeup and costumes.  The elaborate costumes of Kathakali have become the most recognised icon for Kerala.
A Kathakali performance is a major social event.  They generally start at dusk and go through out the night.  Kathakali is usually performed only by men.  Female characters are portrayed by men dressed in women's costume.  However, in recent years, women have started to become Kathakali dancers.
Kathakali has a long tradition.  It dates back to the 17th century.  It was given its present form by Mahakavi Vallathol Narayan Menon, who was the founder of the Kerala Kala Mandalam.
The actors rely very heavily on hand gesture to convey the story.  These hand gestures, known as mudra, are common through out much of classical Indian dance.
Accommodation:         Old Harbour Hotel, Cochin
Meals:            Breakfast

Day 13 / Cochin – Kerala
22 March 2010
After breakfast at the hotel you will be transferred to Alleppey, to board your kettuvallam. 
Perhaps the most suitable way to explore the beauty of the breathtaking backwaters is by Kerala boat house which takes you to the totally different world where you will find serene and sheer ambiance for your holiday.  Cruise through palm fringed lakes and canals, stopping along the way to visit the local markets.
Sit back and relax while the boat cruises through the narrow serene backwater canals. Lunch, Evening Tea/Coffee with snacks, dinner and enjoy your evening on the sundeck away from polluted cities and maddening crowd. Only disturbance will be twinkle of a shining star or diving of a fish around you to say hello by waving its tail from the lake.
Accommodation:    Overnight stay in the House Boat.
Meals:            Breakfast

Day 14 / Alleppy – Delhi – Singapore
23 March 2010
Breakfast on the Houseboat, then you will be met and transferred to the airport for your flight to Delhi.
Depart Delhi with Singapore Airlines and fly to Adelaide via Singapore.
Meals:            Breakfast

Day 15 / Adelaide
24 March 2010
Arrive into Adelaide