India’s Golden Triangle and Kerala Tour

Our  Tour features the following locations

DELHI: The largest mosque, the biggest temple, honky auto-rickshaws; it’s easy to distinguish Delhi. The city has been at the centre of the Indian civilisation for centuries and a major seat of power ever since the Mughals built their capital here. Modern Delhi presents a mix of colonial-era architecture, Mughal forts, and mausoleums, ancient bazaars, glitzy malls and world class restaurants. It often feels overwhelming, but given a chance, it always grows onto you. Be sure to visit Humayun’s Tomb, a 16th-century Mughal wonder inspired by the iconic Taj Mahal and Lodi Gardens, the best spot for sunsets in Delhi. There’s also the Hauz Khas Village, a throbbing hub that gained popularity with its Open Nights when those narrow alleys are transformed into cultural wonders, adorned with lights and decorated with streamers. There really is no better place to discover Delhi’s rich culture and mingle with its locals.

AGRA: Known for its stunning architecture, exotic history and magical views, the Taj Mahal attracts as many as 7 million visitors each year, and for a good reason. It is, after all, the monument of love! This iconic landmark is why people from all over the world visit Agra, but the city is also brimming with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Mughal mausoleums, tombs, a beautiful fort and ancient bazaars. You’d expect to feel underwhelmed due to all that hype, but this magical city is everything you expect it to be. 

FATEHPUR SIKRI: Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire for just 10 years, but it still presents a massive complex of temples, monuments, and mosques, which make it a historical delight, one of the greatest feats of Indian architecture. Built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is located at a distance of just 40 kms. from Agra. Popular attractions include the Diwan-I-Am (Hall of Public Audience), Diwan-Khana-I-Khaas (Hall of Private Audience), Turkish Sultana’s House and the Treasury. Fatehpur also hosts Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.

ABANERI: Abaneri, a small ancient village in Rajasthan, is mostly known for a stunning step well, a novel 10th-century idea that transformed this village into an incredibly popular tourist landmark in the modern day. Popularly called Chand Baori, this huge step well has been fortified on all sides and was designed to act as a water reservoir for rainwater harvesting, used for ritual cleansing before visiting the adjoining temple and also for leisure purposes. With depths of 20 meters, 13 different levels and 3500 steps arranged in perfect symmetry, this is a fascinating work of art, the deepest and largest step well of India. The presence intricate and beautiful carvings all over the step well add to its stunning beauty, offering great insights into an ancient culture and their traditions. You’re probably wondering where you’ve seen that iconic image, so all you need to do is take a second look at scenes from the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

JAIPUR: The Pink City, the largest city of Rajasthan, is an epitome of magnificence and vibrancy. This city was established in 1727 by Jai Singh II and is India’s first planned city. It is known as the Pink City because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city.
The Pink City stands out as one of the most spectacular and vibrant destinations on the planet, its rich lineage, striking culture and beautiful architecture painting a vivid picture of Indian society. Missing out on The City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Jaigarh or the Amber Fort is a big no-no, but make sure you reserve time for those chaotic bazaars and delicious cuisines. Jaipur is also known for its traditional handicrafts and unique souvenirs such as camel-leather slippers. The John Madden 2012 hit The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (You can link this to your Best Marigold tour) stole our heart presenting India in an entirely new light, one that suddenly catapulted some of its more exotic destinations like Udaipur and Jaipur to instant stardom.

VARAPUZHA: Varapuzha is a small residential area located north of Cochin City. Home to one of our favourite homestays Teak House. The nearest town is North Paravur 8 km away. Its speciality is that considerably large-scale paddy cultivating area is situating western part of Varapuzha which is called Devaswompadam, specialised with Pokkali paddy cultivation and interim crop as fish cultivation locally called ‘Kettu’. The common work of the villagers is Fishing and Agriculture.

MUNNAR: Welcome to Munnar. As the largest tea-growing region in South India, this beautiful hill station brings you closer to the fascinating world of Indian tea, but the presence of vast rolling hills, magnificent mountain scenery, gorgeous views and a pleasant culture make sure you’re never far away from the best of nature. Once a summer resort for the British Empire, Munnar now greets travellers with pollution-free air, romantic vistas, adventure activities, rich wildlife and an easy-going atmosphere. One of the key attractions of Munnar is the Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr. This is a fantastic place for trekking as the slopes are covered in a stunning shade of blue, thanks to an endemic plant found in this part of the world which blooms once every decade. Other things to see in Munnar include Mattupetty, Power House Waterfalls, Top Station, and Tea Museum.

KODIKULAM: Kodikulam is the home of Dewalokam Farm Homestay, one for the best homestays in the south India and highly recommended by Mystic India. Dewalokam is about 12 kilometres east of Kodikulam, the nearest town. It is part of the agrarian countryside of Kerala. Rubber plantations are the main industry in this panchayat. 

BACKWATERS:  Standing in your very own houseboat, watching the sun’s shimmering rays engulf a sea of green with their dying breath, waking up to the sound of chirping birds, serenading your loved one under a moon-lit sky and exploring idyllic old-world villages, the backwaters of Kerala are a true treat for the weariest of travellers. This maze of canals and lagoons stretches over 900 kms. That link five large lakes to each other. The waterways have traditionally been used to ferry spice and rice across the country, but are now becoming famous as one of the most romantic attractions that India has to offer.

These extraordinary boats have, for hundreds of years, plied the backwaters weighed down with their cargoes of rice, fruit, coir and other crops.  They have been the primary source of transport between the villages of this area that are not accessed by road. From your vantage point onboard, cruising the backwaters at your own pace, you will see loin-clothed fishermen delicately balancing on their narrow canoes, women weaving or gossiping on the shore and you will be constantly accompanied by the happy sounds of children either playing in the canals or at the water’s edge.

MARARIKULAM:  Located at a distance of 40 kms. from Kochi, Mararikulam is a hidden gem that attracts travellers with its stunning natural beauty, laid-back lifestyle and ancient traditions. The city is truly a hidden oasis, its beaches the best-kept secrets of modern India. It is also considered to offer the perfect backdrop for an exotic vacation that’s full of historical sights, coir factories, adventure activities, an old-world charm, swaying palms and plenty of sun and sand.

COCHIN: Those Chinese fishing nets sitting along the harbour are a sight you simply cannot forget. Popularly called the gateway to God’s own country, Kochi manages to hold out on its own with its picturesque locals, leisurely activities, luxe accommodation and incredible homestays. The city is primarily divided into three major areas, modern-day Ernakulam and the historic districts of Fort Cochin, where all our client stay, then there is Mattancherry. Each area boasts fascinating architecture, spice markets, amazing food and interesting attractions. A beautiful Portuguese Palace, 17th-century Dutch homes, a synagogue and India’s first European Church ensure there is much to see and do in Kochi. The resulting mix presents a fascinating blend of a medieval English village full of Portuguese and Dutch architecture, a testimony to the sentiments that have drawn travellers and traders for more than 600 years to this beautiful port town. The best time to visit Kochi is between the months of October to April.

MUMBAI: Mumbai the city of dreams. One of the best and most cosmopolitan cities of Asia. The commercial lifeline of India. Home to Bollywood, the second largest film industry in the world. A place where some of the biggest slums share the area with sprawling metropolises. The epicentre for fashion and Indian wine. A trip to Mumbai is everything you’d expect from a major metropolis, yet so much more. It’s a humbling experience, to say the least. But it’s also fascinating, edgy and exciting. Those colonial-era relics, incredible bazaars, hidden wine cafes and enclaves of peace and serenity really do have a way of putting you at ease.