Cochin – Taj Mahal – Mumbai Shore Excursion

Day 01: Arrival / Cochin / Delhi
Delhi / Agra (205 Kms) (04 Hrs Drive)

Cochin, India – This three day excursion visits the most important site in India, the magnificent Taj Mahal. In addition to this crowning palace you also visit the Agra Fort and the “baby Taj”. During the tour you overnight in Delhi in a 5 star hotel. Your tour begins in Cochin and ends on the third day in Goa/Mumbai where you rejoin your ship. All flights and transfers within India are included.

Day 1: You will be met at the pier in Cochin and transferred to the Cochin airport (Cok) for your flight to Delhi (SG 112 – 1120 / 1620 Hrs). Upon arrival in Delhi you are met again by a Muziris Heritage Day Tours representative who will welcome you and transfer you to your hotel in Delhi. You may have dinner at your hotel. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 2 – DELHI-AGRA-DELHI: 
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before setting off on an early morning train ride through the scenic Indian countryside to discover the jewels of India: the iconic Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.

Upon arrival in Agra you visit the Taj Mahal, considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The construction of this marble masterpiece is attributed to the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan who built the mausoleum to honor his beloved deceased wife. The construction project began in 1632 AD, and it took 20,000 men 17 years to complete. Surely it is the most extravagant expression of love ever created. Due to the large workforce needed to complete the task, a whole town was built nearby just for the workers.

The name Taj Mahal means “crowning palace”, and you can only understand the true meaning as you visit this beautiful site. The marble mausoleum stands on a square raised platform sized 186 feet by 186 feet located beside the Jamuna River. It is really a large complex consisting of a main gateway, an elaborate garden, four large reflecting pools, a mosque, several other palatial buildings, and the mausoleum itself.

No visit to Agra is complete without a Tonga Ride. Tonga’s are horse carriages typical of the area that are decorated in vivid colors. Tonga drivers delight in making their passengers smile, and you will smile too since it is included in your tour.

After visiting the Taj Mahal you will have free time for lunch.

Next you visit the Agra fort which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The fort is referred to as Fort Rouge, the Red Fort of Agra or Lal Qila. It is a walled palatial city made from majestic red sandstone, and also sits on the Jamuna River. Construction of the fort was started by Emperor Akbar in 1566. Highlights include the Diwan-I-Am (hall of public audience) where the Emperor heard public petitions while seated in his inlaid marble throne alcove surrounded by towering red sandstone columns. In the Diwan-I-Khas (hall of private audience) you’ll see where the Emperor sat on a gem-studded Peacock Throne and met foreign ambassadors and rulers. The amazing floral inlays in the marble pavilion lend an ethereal ambiance to the royal space.

But that’s not all. Having visited the two most important sites in Agra there is still time to visit one more: the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah or “Baby Taj” as it is sometimes called. This highly ornate mausoleum is considered to be the imminent precursor of the Taj Mahal, especially in terms of its elaborate carvings and inlay work. It marks a point of clear departure from the earlier Mughal tombs.

Following the day in Agra, you drive back to your hotel in Delhi. You can enjoy dinner at your hotel or the driver is available to take you to a local restaurant.

Day 3:After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport where you board a flight to Goa. Upon arrival in Goa you are met at the airport and transferred back to your ship.

Hotel Accommodations: This excursion includes accommodations in a 5 star hotel, Both flights , Train ticket, and all transfers, . Hotels used include; The Metropolitan, the Hilton, Suryaa and the Crowne Plaza.

Shore Trip Timing – The shore excursion times are approximate based on your interests and traffic conditions.
Day 1 – Transfer from pier to Airport – Flight to Delhi – transfer to hotel – 4-5 Hours
Day 2 – Full day tour to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and the “baby Taj- Full Day
Day 3 – Transfer from airport to pier – Flight to Goa – transfer to ship- 3 Hours