Trade Routes Voyage with India's Golden Triangle

Sri Lanka's capital and largest city, Colombo offers fine restaurants, a buzzing nightlife scene, and good museums, parks, and beautiful Buddhist temples that are all worth visiting. The beach resort of Mt. Lavinia is only a short taxi ride from the downtown area and offers a golden, sandy beach and sunset views to die for. As an exciting blur of colors and cultures, Colombo presents a neatly packaged microcosm of this island nation.

Sri Lanka's capital and largest city, Colombo offers fine restaurants, a buzzing nightlife scene, and good museums, parks, and beautiful Buddhist temples that are all worth visiting. The beach resort of Mt. Lavinia is only a short taxi ride from the downtown area and offers a golden, sandy beach and sunset views to die for. As an exciting blur of colors and cultures, Colombo presents a neatly packaged microcosm of this island nation.

Kochi, formerly and still commonly known as Cochin, is one of the west coast's largest and oldest ports. The streets behind the docks of the historic Fort Cochin and Mattancherry districts are lined with old merchant houses, godowns (warehouses), and open courtyards heaped with betel nuts, ginger, peppercorns, and tea. Throughout the second millennium this ancient city exported spices, coffee, and coir (the fiber made from coconut husks), and imported culture and religion from Europe, China, and the Middle East. Today Kochi has a synagogue, several mosques, Portuguese Catholic churches, Hindu temples, and the United Church of South India (an amalgamation of several Protestant denominations). The city is spread out over mainland, peninsula, and islands. Ernakulam, on the mainland 2 km (3 miles) from the harbor, is the commercial center and the one-time capital of the former state of Cochin. Willingdon Island, which was created by dredging the harbor, holds several luxury hotels as well as a navy base. The beautiful Bolghatty Island, north of Ernakulam, is a favorite picnic spot for locals. On it there's a government-run hotel in a colonial structure that was once used by the Dutch governor and later by the British Resident. Another local favorite is Cherai beach on Vypin Island, which is a 10-minute ferry ride from Fort Cochin. The Fort Cochin district, Kochi's historic center, is at the northern tip of the Mattancherry peninsula. Houses here often recall Tudor manors; some have been converted to hotels, others remain in the hands of the venerable tea and trading companies. South of Fort Cochin, in the Mattancherry district, is where you'll find the city's dwindling Jewish community. Their small neighborhood, called Jew Town, which is now dotted with cafés and shops selling curios and antiques, is centered on the synagogue.

Kochi, formerly and still commonly known as Cochin, is one of the west coast's largest and oldest ports. The streets behind the docks of the historic Fort Cochin and Mattancherry districts are lined with old merchant houses, godowns (warehouses), and open courtyards heaped with betel nuts, ginger, peppercorns, and tea. Throughout the second millennium this ancient city exported spices, coffee, and coir (the fiber made from coconut husks), and imported culture and religion from Europe, China, and the Middle East. Today Kochi has a synagogue, several mosques, Portuguese Catholic churches, Hindu temples, and the United Church of South India (an amalgamation of several Protestant denominations). The city is spread out over mainland, peninsula, and islands. Ernakulam, on the mainland 2 km (3 miles) from the harbor, is the commercial center and the one-time capital of the former state of Cochin. Willingdon Island, which was created by dredging the harbor, holds several luxury hotels as well as a navy base. The beautiful Bolghatty Island, north of Ernakulam, is a favorite picnic spot for locals. On it there's a government-run hotel in a colonial structure that was once used by the Dutch governor and later by the British Resident. Another local favorite is Cherai beach on Vypin Island, which is a 10-minute ferry ride from Fort Cochin. The Fort Cochin district, Kochi's historic center, is at the northern tip of the Mattancherry peninsula. Houses here often recall Tudor manors; some have been converted to hotels, others remain in the hands of the venerable tea and trading companies. South of Fort Cochin, in the Mattancherry district, is where you'll find the city's dwindling Jewish community. Their small neighborhood, called Jew Town, which is now dotted with cafés and shops selling curios and antiques, is centered on the synagogue.

Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) is a densely populated city on India’s west coast. A financial center, it's India's largest city. On the Mumbai Harbour waterfront stands the iconic Gateway of India stone arch, built by the British Raj in 1924. Offshore, nearby Elephanta Island holds ancient cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The city's also famous as the heart of the Bollywood film industry.

Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in. Evening visit to Birla Temple and enjoy evening Aarti ceremony. The Birla Temple is sited under the foot of Moti Dungri Fort in Jaipur. The original name of temple is Lakshmi Narayan temple. This temple is finely connected to Hindu religion. It is completely devoted to Lord Vishnu and goddess Lakshmi. The main centre of attraction of Jaipur is the Birla Temple. This temple is dipped into the white marble.

Breakfast at the hotel. Post breakfast start your full day Jaipur sightseeing. Visit Amber, ancient capital of the Rajput Empire, with its magnificent palaces and temples dominated by the stronghold of Amber Fort. Make the final part of the climb by jeep to marvel at the Royal Halls and the stupendous views from the ramparts. Afternoon view of the Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal) from outside, the City Palace and the amazing astronomical observatory built by the city's founder Jai Singh II. Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal): It was constructed in 1799 by the poet-king Sawai Pratap Singh. The five-storied structure is made of pink sandstone and has 356 intricately carved jharokhas (windows). It was designed for the women of the royal family to sit in privacy while observing life on the street). City Palace: Located deep within the walled city, the City Palace Complex was conceived and built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur. A beautiful fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture, the palace is still home to the last ruling royal family which lives in a private section of the palace. Jantar Mantar: The Jantar Mantar in Jaipur is considered to be the largest of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. It contains fourteen geometric devices, designed to measure time, track celestial bodies and observe the orbits of the planets around the sun.

After breakfast drive to Agra en-route visiting the Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri: This magnificent fortified ancient city, 40km west of Agra, was the short-lived capital of the Mughal empire between 1571 and 1585, during the reign of Emperor Akbar. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the hotel for check-in. Agra a city in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state is home to the iconic Taj Mahal, a mausoleum built for the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth in 1631. Set behind a reflecting pool inside a courtyard defined by 4 minarets, the imposing main building features a massive dome and intricately carved white marble inlaid with precious stones. Afternoon visit to majestic Agra Fort. Agra Fort built by Akbar in Red Sandstone when he was through with the consolidation of his power after accession to power in 1654, Agra Fort worked both as a military strategic point as well as the royal residence.

Early morning proceed to Sunrise visit of Taj Mahal. Taj Mahal built as a monument to love by Shah Jahan after the death of his third wife, and seen at sunset. The Taj Mahal is the epitome of Mughal art and one of the most famous buildings in the world and its Mughal garden is of importance. In the afternoon take the train from Agra to Delhi by Gatiman Express.

Enjoy full day guided tour of the Old Delhi and New Delhi, visit will include the following; Jama Masjid Mosque - The mosque of Friday was built from 1644 to 1658 during the reign of Shahjahan. Raj Ghat - where Mahatma Gandhi – The Father Of Nation was cremated. Continue your Delhi sightseeing with a drive by the Red Fort - The palace for Shahjahan new capital, Shahjahanabad, the seventh Muslim city in the Delhi site and rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk. Conclude your Old Delhi sightseeing with drive past Kotla Firoze Shah Ruins, and visit to Agrasen ki Baoli. Kotla Feroz Shah: Kotla Feroz Shah was once a fort but now a ruin and best known for 2000 year old Ashoka Pillar and more than 650 years old Mosque. Agrasen Ki Baoli: This historical monument is situated in the central part of the capital. It is a mosaic of different assortment of stones and rocks and is an ancient water reservoir which rises from the depths of the earth to stand atop 103 stone steps. Following sightseeing tour, transfer to local restaurant for Lunch. Post lunch proceed for sightseeing of New Delhi visiting to Humayun’s Tomb - built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar – This is a 73 meter high tower built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak in 1193, drive past India Gate, president house and parliament house.