Trip Overview & Itinerary

Avila Student Group March 2017 Delhi Agra Delhi Chennai Madurai Chennai
This journey travels through the classic sights of India's most populist circuit Delhi & Agra. Start by exploring the Mughal and Imperial monuments of Delhi from here travel to Agra, home of the impressive Taj Mahal. Explore the contemporary India’s financial and cultural hub. Bursting with over 20 million people, there is no better immersion into the colorful chaos that defines so much of Indian life. There's always something fascinating to see in South India! Incredible temples with centuries-old rituals, colourful festivals, lively bazaars, World Heritage monuments.
Trip Highlights:
  •   Visit to Old Delhi
  •   Ride like a local on a rickshaw in Delhi
  •   Watch the mesmerizing Taj Mahal
  •   Visits to selected World Heritage sites
DETAILED ITINERARY
09 MARCH2017 (THU) DELHI BY: UA 82 at 2120hrs
  •   Arrive Delhi International airport T3
  •   Overnight in Delhi
    Arrive Delhi at 21:20hrs. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, a SITA representative will meet you as you exit the arrival terminal building and transfer to the hotel (Rooms will be held from 09 March for immediate check-in).
    Upon arrival, check-in to your hotel.
    10 MARCH’ 2017 (FRI) DELHI
  •   Breakfast at the hotel
  •   Morning explore Old Delhi
  •   Lunch at local restaurant
  •   Afternoon explore New Delhi
  •   Overnight in Delhi
    After breakfast, meet your SITA guide in the lobby at 0900hrs. You learn key words and phrases that will help you communicate with the locals during the tour.
    Begin the tour with a visit to unique yet fascinating experience of Old Delhi. Old Delhi was an ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Shah Jehan possessing an exquisite talent, especially in architecture, created the seventh city and in the process brought about Delhi's glorious renaissance. Start the day with a Cycle rickshaw ride through Old Delhi. Here you will see Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colourful market of the old city. It was the commercial centre of Delhi in the old time and you will see it come alive in the morning as the trading day starts.
    As a complete contrast to Old Delhi, New Delhi was designed and built by the British in the 1920's-it's a city of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens. Lutyens designed an "Imperial City" having palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. It took 20 years to complete this immense undertaking only to have the British pack up and relinquish the subcontinent in 1947. You will visit Qutub Minar & Humayun’s Tomb. Your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House and the Presidential residence.
11 MARCH’17 (SAT) DELHI AGRA AGRA DELHI
  •   Carry packed breakfast from hotel
  •   Transfer to railway station
  •   Visit Taj Mahal - a world heritage site
  •   Visit Agra Fort - a world heritage site
  •   Lunch at local restaurant
  •   Drive to Delhi
  •   Overnight in Delhi
BY: SHATABADI 0600/0806HRS BY: SURFACE
Today early in the morning at 0500hrs, the group will be transferred to New Delhi railway station to board the Shatabdi express train for Agra [Shatabdi express train at 0600 / 0806 hrs]. A packed breakfast from the hotel can be arranged on request.
On arrival the group will meet the guide at railway station and proceed to visit of Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays), horse carriage will drop you to the gates. The area around the Taj Mahal is a protected area and the parking is approximately one kilometer away from the monument. On return, the group will board the battery buses from the Taj.
The Taj Mahal, was built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. What makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam, is visualized as a lush garden where running streams flow.
Continue your sightseeing and visit the impressive Agra Fort, the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire for successive generations. The buildings within this sprawling fort complex represent the assimilation of different cultures, which was the mark of the Mughal period. Most of the structures within the Agra fort are a mixture of different architectural styles.
Lunch will be arranged at Trident Agra.
Later the group will be driven back to Delhi (approx.203 kms / 04-05 hours) enjoying the view of countryside.
12 MARCH’17 (SUN) DELHI CHENNAI BY: AI 429 0945/1240hrs
  •   Breakfast at the hotel
  •   Transfer to the airport
  •   Afternoon vehicle at disposal
  •   Overnight in Chennai
    Early breakfast at the hotel
    Today the group will be transferred to airport to board the flight for Chennai (AI Air India 429 at 0945/1240hrs)
    Chennai was formerly known as Madras. The East India Company established its presence in southern India on the Bay of Bengal in 1639 with the establishment of Fort St. George. The city of Chennai, formerly known as Madras, grew up around the fort area. The city grew up around the English settlement of Fort Saint George and gradually absorbed the surrounding towns and villages. However, despite the strong British influence, Chennai has retained its traditional Tamil Hindu culture and effectively blended it with the foreign influence.
    Upon arrival in Chennai a SITA representative will meet the group at exit terminal building and transfer to the hotel.
    Afternoon remains at leisure. (Coach at disposal for 04 hrs or 40 kms running with in city limit).
    13 MARCH’ 17 (MON) CHENNAI
    Breakfast at the hotel
    The vehicle will be available for local with-in city limits of 8 hours / 80 kms

    14 MARCH ’17 (TUE) CHENNAI
    Breakfast at the hotel
    The vehicle will be available for local run with-in city limits of 8 hours / 80 kms

15 MARCH’17 (WED) CHENNAI MADURAI BY: PANDIAN EXPRESS 2120/0615HRS (OVERNIGHT TRAIN)
Breakfast at the hotel
1200 noon: Check-out from the hotel and the vehicle will be available for local with-in city limits of 8 hours / 80 kms [late check-out is subject to availability of rooms / additional charges]
Later the group will be transferred to railway station to board the overnight train for Madurai (Pandian Express at 2120/0615 + 1 hrs).
Overnight onboard the train
16 MARCH’17 (THU) ARRIVE MADURAI
Arrive Madurai at 0615 hrs.
On arrival a SITA representative will meet the group at railway station and transfer to the hotel (Rooms will be available from 1200hrs).
Breakfast at the hotel.
The day remains at leisure. (Coach at disposal for 08 hrs or 80 kms running with in city limit)

17 MARCH’17 (FRI) MADURAI
Breakfast at the hotel
The vehicle will be available for local with-in city limits of 8 hours / 80 kms

18 MARCH’17 (SAT) MADURAI CHENNAI BY: SG 612 1935/2040hrs
Breakfast at the hotel (Hotel checkout time is 1200hrs).
Rest of the day is at leisure; however vehicle will be at disposal for 04 hrs or 40 kms running with in city limit)
In time the group will be transferred to airport to board the flight for Chennai (SG 612 1935/2040hrs). Upon arrival in Chennai, board the connecting flight to onward destination.
19 MARCH’17 (SUN) CHENNAI DEPARTURE BY: LH 759 at 0150hrs
Fly to onward destination. Overnight Aloft
END OF TOUR 

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