18 Days Rajasthan with Kerala Tour

Welcome to India. On arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, meet the Tusk Travel representative in the arrivals area after immigration and baggage collection. You will then be transferred by private vehicle to your hotel in Delhi.

The rest of the day is intentionally unhurried, giving international travellers time to check in, recover from the flight and adjust to the local time zone. Standard hotel check-in is usually in the afternoon, so an early-arrival room can be requested at additional cost when required.

Depending on your arrival time, relax at the hotel or take a short walk nearby. Your driver or local representative can also help with practical matters such as currency exchange, a local SIM card and the next morning's meeting time. Overnight in Delhi.

Begin your guided Delhi sightseeing tour in Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, one of the city's most important Mughal-era mosques, and continue through the lanes of Chandni Chowk by cycle rickshaw, subject to local traffic and access conditions. The experience introduces the markets, food stalls and trading neighbourhoods that make historic Delhi so distinctive.

Pause at Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, before exploring New Delhi. The planned route includes a drive past India Gate and the government district, followed by visits to Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar complex. These monuments reveal the architectural development that preceded the Taj Mahal and later Mughal landmarks.

Modest clothing is recommended for Jama Masjid, and shoes must be removed before entering its prayer courtyard. Some monuments may change opening hours during official events, so the guide can adjust the order without reducing the main sightseeing experience. Overnight in Delhi.

After breakfast, travel from Delhi to Agra by private air-conditioned vehicle. The expressway journey generally takes around four hours, although travel time can vary with traffic, rest stops and the location of your hotels.

After check-in, explore Agra Fort with your guide. This UNESCO-listed red sandstone fortress served as an imperial residence and offers an important historical introduction to the reigns of Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Continue to the smaller tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, often called the Baby Taj for its delicate marble inlay work.

If time permits, the evening can be used for a relaxed visit to a local handicraft workshop or a view of the Taj Mahal from the Yamuna river side. Shopping stops are optional, and there is no obligation to purchase. Overnight in Agra.

Rise early for a guided visit to the Taj Mahal, when the marble monument is often at its most atmospheric and the temperature is comfortable. Your guide will explain its Mughal history, symmetry and pietra dura decoration while allowing time for photographs. Return to the hotel for breakfast and check-out.

Drive towards Jaipur, stopping at Fatehpur Sikri, Emperor Akbar's remarkably preserved former capital. Walk through its palaces, courtyards and audience halls before continuing into Rajasthan. The total driving time excludes the sightseeing stop and meal breaks.

The Taj Mahal is closed to general visitors every Friday. If Day 4 falls on a Friday, the Agra programme must be reordered before the tour is confirmed. Sunrise timing also changes by season. Arrive and check in at your Jaipur hotel for an overnight stay.

Start the day at Amber Fort, the hilltop stronghold overlooking Maota Lake. Travel up by jeep where available and explore the gateways, courtyards and mirrored halls with a local guide. A photo stop at Jal Mahal follows on the return to central Jaipur.

In the afternoon, visit the City Palace and Jantar Mantar, the UNESCO-listed astronomical observatory. Stop outside Hawa Mahal to photograph its distinctive honeycomb facade, then walk through a section of the Pink City's bazaars if time and traffic allow.

This is a full sightseeing day with steps, uneven surfaces and open courtyards, so comfortable footwear, sun protection and drinking water are useful. Monument visits may be reordered to suit opening times and local conditions. Overnight in Jaipur.

Leave Jaipur after breakfast and drive to the sacred town of Pushkar. After checking in, visit the Brahma Temple and walk with your guide through the lanes surrounding Pushkar Lake.

At the lakeside ghats, you can observe daily rituals while learning how to visit respectfully. Shoes must be removed near temples and some ghats, modest clothing is expected, and photography should only be taken where permitted. Be cautious of unsolicited ritual offerings and confirm any donation in advance.

The later afternoon is free for the market or a quiet lakeside walk. During the annual Pushkar Camel Fair, access, hotel availability and traffic patterns change considerably, so arrangements need to be confirmed well ahead. Overnight in Pushkar.

After breakfast, begin the longest Rajasthan road journey of the tour, travelling south through changing rural landscapes towards Udaipur. En route, stop at the celebrated Jain temple complex at Ranakpur, known for its intricately carved marble pillars and calm forest setting.

Temple access hours, dress rules and photography policies can change, and leather articles may need to be left outside. The visit is planned around the temple's public entry period; your driver and guide will adjust the day's departure time accordingly.

Continue to Udaipur, arriving in the evening. The quoted driving time is approximate and does not include the Ranakpur visit, lunch or comfort stops. Check in and relax after the journey. Overnight in Udaipur.

Spend the morning exploring Udaipur's City Palace, a vast royal complex of courtyards, balconies and museum galleries overlooking Lake Pichola. Continue to Jagdish Temple and Saheliyon Ki Bari, the historic garden created for royal women.

Later, enjoy time in the old city before taking a shared boat ride on Lake Pichola, subject to lake level, weather and operating conditions. The view towards the City Palace, Jag Mandir and the surrounding Aravalli hills is especially attractive in the softer late-afternoon light.

Several palace areas involve stairways and narrow passages. Travellers with limited mobility can discuss a reduced route with the guide. The evening is free for dinner at a lake-facing restaurant or rest at the hotel. Overnight in Udaipur.

Transfer to Udaipur Airport for your domestic flight to Kochi. The service may be direct or require a connection, commonly through Mumbai or another major Indian airport, depending on the schedule available for your travel date.

On arrival, collect your baggage and meet the local representative for the private transfer to your hotel in Kochi. This flight marks a striking transition from Rajasthan's dry landscapes and royal cities to tropical Kerala on the Arabian Sea.

Flight timings, baggage allowance and fare conditions will be confirmed before ticketing. Meals and sightseeing are kept flexible today because arrival time can change with the selected connection. Overnight in Kochi.

Explore the layered trading history of Fort Kochi and Mattancherry with a local guide. See the Chinese fishing nets along the waterfront and visit St. Francis Church, associated with the early Portuguese period in India. Continue through streets shaped by Portuguese, Dutch, British, Jewish and Kerala influences.

Visit the Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, and walk through the old Jewish quarter. The Paradesi Synagogue visit is subject to its opening days, prayer times and local holidays, so the sightseeing order may be adjusted.

In the evening, an optional Kathakali performance can be arranged. Arriving before the show allows visitors to watch the elaborate make-up process and better understand this classical Kerala dance-drama. Overnight in Kochi.

After breakfast, leave the coast and drive into Kerala's Western Ghats towards Munnar. The road gradually climbs through small towns, spice-growing areas, waterfalls and forested hills before reaching the tea country.

Photo stops can be made where it is safe to pull over, but travel time depends on mountain traffic and road conditions. The final section is winding, so travellers who are sensitive to motion may wish to take suitable medication before departure after consulting their doctor.

Check in at the hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. If arrival is early, take a short walk near the property and enjoy the cooler climate. Overnight in Munnar.

Discover Munnar's tea-growing landscape on a full-day local tour. Subject to weekly closures and operating hours, visit a tea museum or tea-processing facility to learn how leaves are cultivated, graded and prepared. Continue to viewpoints overlooking the plantations and surrounding valleys.

The planned circuit may include Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and Kundala Lake, with the final selection based on weather, traffic and current access. Optional boating is payable locally and operates only when conditions permit.

Munnar's weather can change quickly, particularly during the monsoon and cooler months. Carry a light waterproof layer and shoes with good grip. Wildlife encounters and uninterrupted mountain views cannot be guaranteed. Overnight in Munnar.

Travel through the Cardamom Hills from Munnar to Thekkady, the gateway to Periyar Tiger Reserve. Although the distance is moderate, the mountain road is winding and journey times can vary.

After hotel check-in, visit a local spice garden with a guide to see plants such as cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, cloves and vanilla. The visit offers useful context for Kerala's long spice-trading history. Any spice or herbal product purchase is entirely optional.

The evening can be kept free or used for an optional Kalaripayattu martial arts performance, subject to the local schedule. Confirm the next day's forest activity and reporting time before retiring. Overnight in Thekkady.

Spend the day experiencing the forests and lake environment of Periyar Tiger Reserve. Depending on availability and the package selected, choose a shared boat ride on Periyar Lake or a guided nature programme operated under forest department rules.

Periyar is known for elephants, deer, gaur, monkeys and rich birdlife, but all sightings are a matter of chance. Tigers are rarely seen by visitors and should not be expected. Early reporting, government-issued identification and advance booking may be required for reserve activities.

Wear muted clothing and sturdy footwear, remain with the authorised guide, and follow all instructions inside the protected area. Programme operation is subject to weather, forest conditions, minimum group requirements and official restrictions. Overnight in Thekkady.

Descend from the Western Ghats to Alappuzha, also widely known as Alleppey. Board a traditional-style houseboat around midday, subject to the operator's check-in time, and begin a gentle cruise through Kerala's backwater canals and lakes.

Watch village life, coconut groves, paddy fields and local boats from the deck while the onboard crew prepares Kerala-style meals. The usual plan includes lunch, evening refreshments, dinner and breakfast, but exact inclusions should be checked in the confirmed quotation.

Houseboats normally anchor by evening and do not cruise throughout the night. Routes depend on water levels, local regulations and weather. Cabin size and facilities are more compact than a conventional hotel, which is part of the character of the experience. Overnight aboard the houseboat.

After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat and make the short private transfer to Mararikulam, often referred to as Marari. Check in at your beach resort and enjoy a slower final stage of this Rajasthan and Kerala tour.

The rest of the day is free for the beach, resort facilities or an independent walk through the nearby village. Marari is valued for its relaxed coastline rather than busy nightlife, making it a comfortable place to rest after the tour's flights, road journeys and sightseeing days.

Sea conditions can change by season, and lifeguard coverage may be limited. Swim only in designated safe areas, follow local advice and avoid the water when warning flags or strong currents are present. Overnight in Mararikulam.

Enjoy a full day at leisure beside the Arabian Sea. There is no fixed sightseeing schedule, allowing you to relax at the resort, walk on the beach or choose an optional activity offered locally.

Travellers wanting a more active day can ask about a village walk, cycling, an Ayurvedic treatment or a cooking experience. Availability and charges vary by resort, and spa treatments should be reserved early during busy travel periods.

Use the evening to repack and confirm the departure time for Kochi Airport. If your international flight leaves early the next morning, a final night closer to the airport may be more practical and can be arranged when customising the itinerary. Overnight in Mararikulam.

After breakfast, check out and travel by private vehicle from Mararikulam to Cochin International Airport for your onward flight. The drive commonly takes about two to three hours, but additional time should be allowed for city traffic and road conditions.

For an international departure, plan to reach the airport around three hours before the scheduled flight, subject to the airline's current guidance. The hotel departure time will therefore be calculated from your confirmed flight rather than set in advance.

Your 18-day Rajasthan and Kerala tour ends with assistance at the airport drop-off. Extra nights in Kochi, Mumbai, Delhi or another Indian destination can be added for travellers continuing their journey.