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Let’s Design Your Journey

Every itinerary is personalised. This is where the conversation begins.

    All journeys are privately curated. No obligation to book.

    10 Days / 9 Nights

    Golden Triangle to God’s Own Country – Linking Palaces, Ports & Backwaters

    Experience India that unites monuments, markets and Kerala’s backwaters
    in one seamless private journey over ten days.
    Starting from AUD 3590 per person double share
    Recommended to travel : November to March | Available throughout the year 
    From royal boulevards to quiet backwaters, this journey joins two very different faces of India.

    Over ten days, you trace the classic Golden Triangle—Delhi, Agra and Jaipur—before flying south into Kerala’s softer, coastal world. Designed as one of our most balanced India tour packages, it blends big-sky monuments, bazaars and Mughal legacies with harbour walks, houseboat drifting and lakeside downtime. Travel as an India private tour with your own vehicle, guides and flexible pacing, choosing modest charm, plush comfort or dreamy stays at each stop.

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    Along the way, India Cultural Tours elements stay front and centre: Old Delhi’s spice-laden lanes, sunrise at the Taj Mahal, Jaipur’s palaces and home cooking, Kochi’s historic quarter, an overnight cruise through Alleppey’s canals and a final pause on Vembanad Lake. It’s an ideal introduction for first-time visitors—or a softer, more layered chapter for travellers returning to India with fresh curiosity and looking to savour both iconic highlights and quieter, soul-soothing Kerala moments.

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    25+ years of crafting award-winning journeys to India

    Highlights at glance

    • Delhi – Old & New in One Sweep . Walk Old Delhi’s spice bazaars and New Delhi’s imperial avenues, starting your India Cultural Tours experience with rickshaws, monuments, markets and quiet temple corners revealing the capital’s many layers in a single, vivid day.
    • Agra – Taj Sunrise & Mughal Power. Stay overnight in Agra to pair Agra Fort with sunrise at the Taj Mahal—romance, reflection and storytelling combined into one unforgettable highlight within thoughtfully crafted India tour packages for first-time and repeat visitors alike.
    • Jaipur – Forts, Palaces & Home Cooking .Explore Jaipur’s Amber Fort, City Palace and Jantar Mantar, then cook with a local family—colour, cuisine and royal architecture woven together in immersive India Private Tours style rather than a rushed, surface-level dash.
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    • Kochi – Harbours, Nets & History. Fly south from Rajasthan into Kochi, where harbour sunsets, Chinese fishing nets, churches and Jewish quarter lanes introduce Kerala’s maritime heritage and mark the relaxed, soulful Kerala Travel Package section of your journey.
    • Alleppey – Overnight Houseboat Backwaters. Drift overnight on a traditional Alleppey houseboat, watching village life glide past as your crew serves fresh, coconut-scented dishes—cinematic backwaters that feel made for Luxury India Tours yet remain deeply authentic and unhurried.
    • Kumarakom – Lakeside Calm on Vembanad. Unwind beside vast Vembanad Lake in Kumarakom, choosing modest retreats, plush resorts or dreamy villas—your India tour packages finale framed by bird calls, soft sunsets and time to reflect on everything experienced.
    • Private, Flexible & Story-Led. Travel in comfort with private vehicles, handpicked guides and flexible pacing, keeping this India Private Tours itinerary personal—rich in storytelling, sensory detail and local encounters rather than crowded buses or rigid group schedules.
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    01st & 02nd Nights : Delhi | First Glimpse of India’s Contrasts

    Your first two nights in Delhi ease you into India at a gentle, human pace. Wide imperial avenues, chaotic bazaars and quiet temple courtyards introduce the contrasts that define the best India tour packages. After arrival, you settle into your hotel, adjusting to new sounds, scents and colours. The next day, Old Delhi’s spice-laden lanes and New Delhi’s grand boulevards reveal the capital’s layered story. Evenings are for unwinding with chai, rooftop views or room-service comfort—time to rest before the cultural and culinary adventures still to come on this India Cultural Tour.

    Arrive in Delhi, gateway to many classic India tour packages and the ideal first glimpse of the country’s contrasts. After a warm meet-and-greet at the airport, you’re driven by private car to your chosen hotel—modest, plush or dreamy. The rest of the day is free to recover from your flight, explore nearby streets or simply enjoy room-service comfort. Step out for a gentle stroll if you wish: maybe a local chai stall, a bookstore or a quick tuk-tuk spin. Tonight, you ease into India Private Tours style at your own pace.

    After breakfast, dive into Old Delhi before the lanes grow crowded—a sensory start typical of immersive India Cultural Tours. Glide by cycle-rickshaw through Chandni Chowk’s spice markets, silver shops and jalebi stalls, and pause at Jama Masjid or a Sikh gurdwara for quiet reflection. Later, shift to New Delhi’s stately side: India Gate, Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhawan, plus the Mughal elegance of Humayun’s Tomb. As daylight softens, return to your hotel, feeling how thoughtfully designed India tour packages can reveal multiple eras of history in a single, vivid day.

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    03rd Night : Agra | Mughal Romance on the Yamuna

    One night in Agra centres your journey around the Taj Mahal’s timeless romance. Arriving from Delhi, you settle into your hotel before stepping out to feel the city’s Mughal heartbeat—red-sandstone ramparts, marble workshops, fragrant street-food stalls. As sunset softens the sky, distant views of the Taj glow above the Yamuna, a reminder why this stop anchors so many India tour packages. After dinner, return to your room to recharge, ready for tomorrow’s sunrise encounter with one of the most iconic monuments in the world and to deepen your first taste of India private tours style comfort.

    Leave Delhi after breakfast, driving past farmland toward Agra, another pillar of many India tour packages. On arrival, check into your hotel and refresh before exploring Agra Fort—a red-sandstone labyrinth of palaces, mosques and river views that once housed Mughal emperors. Your guide brings royal intrigues to life as you wander courtyards and marble pavilions. As evening nears, sample street food on a guided walk or enjoy a rooftop glimpse of the Taj glowing across the Yamuna. Tonight’s sunset deepens the cultural thread running through this private India Cultural Tour.

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    04th & 05th Nights — Jaipur: Palaces, Markets & Evening Glow

    Two nights in Jaipur immerse you in Rajasthan’s colour, craft and palace architecture. By day, amber-hued forts, ornate city palaces and astronomical observatories reveal why this region shapes so many India Cultural Tours. Evenings unfold in bazaars strung with bangles, textiles and spice pyramids, or from rooftops where the Pink City glows under a desert sky. Whether you choose modest charm, plush comfort or dreamy heritage hotels, Jaipur showcases the diversity within modern India tour packages while still feeling deeply rooted in royal tradition and everyday life, and invites you to slow down, browse, taste and simply watch city life.

    Begin before dawn with tea or coffee, then walk through still-dark gardens to watch the Taj Mahal blush with sunrise—a moment that defines countless Luxury India Tours. After breakfast at your hotel, drive five hours across rural Rajasthan-bound landscapes to Jaipur, gateway to forts and markets. En route, you might pause for roadside chai or photos of village life. On arrival in the Pink City, check into your chosen hotel and relax. This evening is deliberately light, giving time to absorb the day’s beauty within your wider India tour package journey.

    Start with a photo stop at honeycombed Hawa Mahal before riding by jeep to Amber Fort, where mirrored halls, frescoed pavilions and hilltop views showcase Rajasthan’s royal drama. Later, explore City Palace museums and the precise instruments of Jantar Mantar, classic highlights of curated India Cultural Tours. In the late afternoon, step into a local Jaipur home for a hands-on Rajasthani cooking class followed by dinner—learning family recipes, spice techniques and the cultural rituals behind them. Evening is at leisure, allowing you to browse bazaars or simply relax at your hotel.

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    06th & 07th Nights : Kochi | Coastal Soul of Kerala

    Kochi gives you two nights to absorb Kerala’s coastal soul at an easy pace. Fort Kochi’s lanes of spice godowns, art cafes, colonial churches and Chinese fishing nets feel worlds apart from the north yet complete many India tour packages perfectly. Evenings bring Kathakali performances, harbour sunsets and fresh seafood in intimate eateries. Whether you choose modest boutique stays, plush hotels or dreamy heritage mansions, these nights mark the beginning of the Kerala Travel Package segment of your journey—softer air, slower rhythms and a gentler, more maritime version of India Private Tours.

    After breakfast, transfer to Jaipur airport for your flight south, swapping desert hues for the lush greens of Kerala. Landing in Kochi marks the coastal beginning of your Kerala Travel Package within this broader India tour package journey. Meet your driver and check into a characterful hotel in Fort Kochi or the harbourfront. Depending on arrival time, take a gentle orientation walk past Chinese fishing nets, crumbling spice warehouses and cafe-lined streets. This evening, unwind with seafood, sunset views or simply an early night as the sea breeze cools the air.

    Today you explore Kochi’s layered history, a coastal counterpoint to the north on many India tour packages. Visit the Dutch Palace with its murals, the Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town, and St. Francis Church, where European traders once prayed before sailing. Wander lanes scented with cardamom, pepper and ginger, browsing antiques and textiles. In the late afternoon, watch a Kathakali performance—elaborate makeup, powerful gestures and live percussion turning myth into theatre. Evening at leisure for dinner by the harbour, reflecting on how India Cultural Tours can feel both global and deeply local here.

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    08th Night : Alleppey Houseboat | Floating Through the Backwaters

    Your night on a traditional houseboat is the floating heart of this Kerala Travel Package. Boarding at Alleppey, you drift slowly through palm-fringed canals and mirror-flat lagoons, watching village life unfold at water level—children waving, women washing, fishermen casting nets at dusk. As lanterns are lit and the engine quietens, dinner is served on deck: spiced fish, coconut-rich curries, soft rice and crisp papadum. Under a sky of stars and swaying palms, this feels like the dreamy, cinematic side of Luxury India Tours and a reminder that the best India tour packages always leave space for stillness.

    Leave Kochi after breakfast, driving to Alleppey where your private houseboat awaits—signature experience of any Kerala Travel Package. Board your kettuvallam, welcomed by a small crew and freshly cooked lunch. As the boat glides along canals and wide backwaters, you pass rice paddies, churches, toddy shops and village jetties. Children wave from the banks, egrets stalk the shallows and life moves at paddle pace. By late afternoon, anchor near a quiet hamlet for sunset and dinner on deck. Tonight, you sleep on still water, cocooned within truly dreamy Luxury India Tours style.

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    09th Night : Kumarakom | Vembanad Lake Retreat

    Your final night in India unfolds beside the vast expanse of Vembanad Lake at Kumarakom. Here, backwater canals, coconut groves and bird-filled wetlands create a soothing finale to your Kerala Travel Package. Check into a lakeside resort—modest, plush or dreamy—and savour sunset as fishermen paddle home and silhouettes darken against the water. Dinner might feature pearl-spot fish, appam and fragrant Kerala spices. As you fall asleep to soft waves and night sounds, this gentle ending anchors your wider India tour package experience in pure tranquillity and offers time to reflect on temples, cities, wildlife and waterways explored along the way.

    Wake to soft light over Vembanad Lake and an unhurried breakfast at your resort. Today is intentionally free within your Kerala Travel Package: lounge by the pool, watch kingfishers and egrets hunt along the reeds, or join an optional backwater cruise in a smaller boat for closer village encounters. You may also opt for an Ayurvedic treatment or a gentle walk through coconut groves. As the sun sets, the water turns molten gold and fishing boats slip silently across the horizon—a quiet, reflective pause within your broader India tour packages circuit.

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    Day 10 : Kumarakom → Kochi Airport | Departure

    After a leisurely breakfast, bid farewell to the backwaters and drive to Kochi airport, watching coconut groves and village scenes slip by. Your driver ensures timely arrival for your onward flight, closing this thoughtfully paced blend of India tour packages and Kerala Travel Package experiences. As you check in, memories stack easily—Delhi’s bustle, Agra’s marble, Jaipur’s palaces, Kochi’s harbours, silent canals and wide lake horizons. Whether you head home or continue elsewhere, this India Private Tours journey leaves you with stories stitched from cities, culture and calm water that will keep unfolding long after you land.

    You may see the hotels which we have handpicked for you under each accommodation style. However, there are hundreds of other alternative properties for you to select if you wish to and you may mix and match hotels in different categories as well.

    Modest
    Accommodation

    $ 3,590

    1-2 persons

    $ 3,450

    3-4 persons

    $ 3,315

    5-6 persons

    If you’re looking for a no-frills stay that’s easy on the wallet, and love to spend time with locals and explore the surroundings at your own pace, this is the perfect choice for you. This hotel style is wonderfully cosy, unique, mostly owner-run and provides you with a more personalised service.

    Zone Connect By The Park

    Zone Connect by The Park sits in a lively pocket of New Delhi, placing you close to culture, cuisine, and the city’s iconic heritage.

    Clarks Shiraz

    Clarks Shiraz stands in a peaceful neighbourhood of Agra, offering travellers a welcoming retreat close to the Taj Mahal and key heritage sites.

    Shahpura House

    Shahpura House sits in a quiet residential area of Jaipur, offering travellers an intimate gateway into the romance and elegance of Rajasthan’s royal heritage.

    Xandari Houseboats

    Our Modest Kerala Houseboat Experience is designed for travellers who want to feel the rhythm of the backwaters without unnecessary frills.

    Backwater Ripples

    Backwater Ripples sits along the peaceful shores of Vembanad Lake, offering travellers a tranquil retreat surrounded by coconut groves, gardens, and shimmering backwaters.

    Taj Malabar Resort & Spa

    Taj Malabar Resort & Spa sits gracefully along Willingdon Island, offering sweeping views of Cochin Harbour and the serene backwaters that define Kerala’s coastal identity.

    Plush
    Accommodation

    $ 4,265

    1-2 persons

    $ 4,130

    3-4 persons

    $ 3,995

    5-6 persons

    Indulgence without breaking the bank? Well, this is the category for you. Personalised and high-quality service, attention to detail, comfort and all modern amenities are hallmarks of this category, whilst being situated in some amazing locations.

    Eighth Bastion – Kochi

    Eighth Bastion is a four-star luxury boutique hotel located in the heart of Fort Kochi, Kerala, just 200 meters away from the iconic Chinese Fishing…

    Spice Coast Houseboats

    Our Plush Kerala Alleppey Houseboat Experience is crafted for travellers who enjoy a little more refinement on the water while still staying close to the…

    The Lalit

    The Lalit New Delhi stands in the heart of the capital, surrounded by boulevards, monuments, and the city’s ever-present rhythm.

    ITC Mughal

    The only hotel in India to receive the coveted Aga Khan Award for outstanding architecture, the ITC Mughal is certified with a LEED (Leadership in…

    ITC Rajputana

    ITC Rajputana rises elegantly in the heart of Jaipur, reflecting the city’s royal legacy through its red sandstone façade, broad corridors, and traditional Rajasthani design.

    CGH Coconut Lagoon – Kumarakom

    Coconut Lagoon is a captivating retreat located in the serene backwaters of Kerala, accessible by a picturesque boat ride through Vembanad Lake.

    Brunton Boatyard – Kochi

    Nestled in the historic heart of Fort Kochi, the Brunton Boatyard is a unique CGH Earth property that offers an immersive experience in the rich…

    Kumarakom Lake Resort

    Nestled along the serene banks of Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom Lake Resort is an exceptional luxury retreat that epitomizes the beauty and culture of Kerala. Surrounded…

    Dreamy
    Accommodation

    $ 7,435

    1-2 persons

    $ 7,295

    3-4 persons

    $ 7,155

    5-6 persons

    The absolute best in comfort and experience, these high-end properties will make your jaw drop! Unique designs, private plunge pools, personal butlers… the list goes on at these boutique properties. Luxury here is not about star ratings and amenities, it’s about being away from crowds and having authentic, personalised experiences.

    Kumarakom Lake Resort Houseboats

    Our Dreamy Kerala Houseboat Experience is designed for travellers who imagine the backwaters as a place of quiet elite

    The Leela Palace

    The Leela is an Indian luxury hotel chain of palaces, hotels and resorts. This spectacular, contemporary “palace” is a perfect expression of the city's rich…

    Oberoi Amarvilas-Agra

    Agra, which was the capital of the Mughal Empire in the 16th and 17th centuries, boasts three UNESCO world heritage sites: the Taj Mahal, Agra…

    Everything you need to know about the tour

    We’ve taken every possible measure to ensure your safety and comfort during this tour.

    The hotels, tours, add-ons, guides and chauffeurs who are part of this programme are carefully vetted, so that you enjoy the highest quality standards and enjoy your tour with peace of mind. At any given point of the tour you will always be within reach of your guide or chauffeur, either physically or via phone (e.g: when you are out exploring on your own), for any assistance.

    The important stuff:

    • If domestic airfare is included in your quote, it reflects the best available average fare at the time of costing. Airfares fluctuate, so the final amount may increase or decrease at the time of booking. We will confirm the exact fare before issuing tickets.
    • Standard check in time is 1400 hrs and check-out time is 1200 noon at most of the hotels.
    • Taj Mahal remains closed on every Friday.

    Included:

    • Accommodation in double/twin-sharing rooms with breakfast at carefully selected hotels in their base category (unless otherwise mentioned), or in comparable properties. Meals follow the plan indicated in the itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner).
    • All transportation by air-conditioned Toyota Innova Crysta for airport transfers, sightseeing, and intercity travel throughout your Golden Triangle India journey and onward extensions into Kerala.
    • Expert local guides for monument visits, heritage walks, cultural encounters and immersive experiences curated for this India cultural tour.
    • Entrance fees to all monuments, heritage complexes, museums and programmed sites as per the itinerary.
    • Old Delhi rickshaw ride, offering an atmospheric introduction to the rhythms and colours of India tours.
    • Street food walking tour in Agra, safely curated with a culinary specialist for authentic tasting experiences.
    • Battery van transfers at the Taj Mahal from the designated parking area to the main entry gate.
    • Private tour of Jaipur’s City Palace led by a specialist in Rajasthani history and royal traditions.
    • Rajasthani cooking lesson followed by a traditional home-cooked dinner with a Jaipur family, a signature element of our India private tours.
    • Evening Kathakali classical dance performance in Cochin.
    • Meet & Assist services on arrival and departure at airports/railway stations, and priority assistance during hotel check-in/check-out at major cities.
    • All applicable Government Service Tax.

    Not Included:

    • Domestic airfare: USD 255 per person for Jaipur → Mumbai → Cochin sectors in economy class.
    • Any items or services not specifically mentioned under “Inclusions.”
    • India visa fees (a valid visa is required for most travellers; check eligibility for e-Visa or visa-on-arrival at indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/).
    • Optional excursions, privately arranged activities, or add-on experiences not listed in the main itinerary.
    • Personal expenses such as tipping, beverages, laundry, telephone calls, and still/video camera charges at monuments or cultural sites (where applicable).
    • Room service orders, including bottled water beyond complimentary hotel supplies.
    • Any unforeseen increases in government taxes, fuel surcharges, airline fees, or hotel charges; or additional costs arising from natural events, political disturbances, or operational/safety-related itinerary modifications.


    India Seasonality & Rate Variations:

    India operates on distinct peak and off-peak travel windows, largely influenced by the monsoon cycle. The main season runs from October to March, when the weather is cooler, drier and ideal for sightseeing and wildlife safaris — which is why most national parks are fully open and hotel rates are generally higher.

    The off-season (April to September) brings heat and monsoon rains that move across the country in phases. Travelling during these months is still very possible — especially if your itinerary does not focus on safari parks — but one must expect rain, humidity and occasional scheduling adjustments. The benefit, however, is access to more flexible pricing and lower crowd presence at monuments and cities.

    To keep things simple, Experiential Journeys lists the lowest seasonal ball-park rate online, then provides the exact cost once travel dates are confirmed. Nothing is charged until the final price is agreed upon.

    Experiential Journeys is Australian-based and prices in AUD, serving travellers from New Zealand, U.K., U.S.A., Canada & U.A.E.

    Book Now or Request a Quote

    Book this tour 'as is' now or, change the details by selecting 'Accommodation type', 'Number of persons travelling' and then click on 'Personalise this tour' to get a free personalised itinerary and we'll get to work on your experience immediately!
    Experience

    Possible experience in this tour

    Some of these experiences are already included in the tour you are looking at, either as a full length or time limited activity. You have the freedom to pick out the ones you want during your tour and the extent to how you want to experience it.
    1-2 hours

    Old Delhi Rickshaw Ride

    Take a journey back in time with a rickshaw ride through the bustling streets of Old Delhi,

    Delhi
    3-5 hours

    Jaipur Bazaars, Crafts & Culinary Trail

    Step into the heart of Jaipur with an immersive walking tour that celebrates its vibrant bazaars, skilled artisans,

    Jaipur
    2 hours

    Air Balloon Safari Over Jaipur

    Take to the skies and discover Jaipur like never before. A hot air balloon safari offers a once-in-a-lifetime perspective

    Jaipur
    1 hour

    Kathakali Dance Performance

    Witness the mesmerizing art of Kathakali, Kerala’s most iconic classical dance-drama, in an intimate live theatre setting.

    Kochi
    4-5 hours

    Kettuvallam Cruise – Kerala’s Timeless Backwater Voyage

    Step aboard a Kettuvallam, Kerala’s iconic houseboat, and journey through the tranquil backwaters that stretch like

    Kochi
    5 hours

    Muziris Heritage Tour

    Muziris, once a bustling ancient port city on Kerala’s Malabar Coast, lies just an hour north of Cochin.

    Kochi
    3 hours

    Coconut Lagoon Retreat

    Experience Colombo through its colourful, aromatic, multicultural cuisines on this 3-hour evening walking tour.

    Kumarakom
    Private Touring

    Exclusive, private and customised just for you

    Every journey with Experiential Journeys is a privately guided tour and there’s room for spontaneity too!