2017 INDIAN CRICKET TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

TOUR 1 PUNE & BANGALORE
 

• Sunday 19 February, 2017
  Depart your capital city for your group Singapore Airlines flight to Mumbai via Singapore. On arrival we will be transferred to our hotel the iconic and spectacular Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai. Those booking their own flights will need to make their own way to the hotel.
   

• Monday 20 February, 2017
  This morning after breakfast we’ll leave for a half day city tour to familiarise ourselves with this vibrant city. Attractions include the Gateway to India, Gandhi’s House, Crawford Market and the awe-inspiring Dhobi Gnat. Tonight we’ll have our welcome dinner at the Cricket Club of India at Brabourne Stadium.
   

• Tuesday 21 February, 2017
  This morning we’ll board our boat from the Gateway of India for our cruise and tour to the Ancient Caves at Elephanta Island. The remainder of the day and evening are at your leisure.
   

• Wednesday 22 February, 2017
  After breakfast, we’ll board our coach for the 150km drive to Pune. We’ll stop for lunch, then continue with a brief city tour of Pune, a relatively small city. Then onto our accommodation the beautiful Sheraton Grand Pune.
   

• Thursday 23 - Monday 27 February, 2017 - First Test
  Today (and the following 4 days) we’ll transfer to the MCA Stadium for the 1st Test Match – India v Australia with reserved seating and corporate hospitality.
   

• Tuesday 28 February, 2017
  With a couple of days between Tests, this morning after breakfast we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight to the harbour city of Cochin (Kochi), the spice capital on the Malabar coast. Our accommodation is the Crowne Plaza Kochi.
   

• Wednesday 1 March, 2017
  Today we’ll undertake a morning tour of the city, including Dutch Palace, Fort Cochin and the famous Chinese fishing nets. This evening we’ll attend the world renowned Kathakali Dance Show.
   

• Thursday 2 March, 2017
  Today we’ll make our way to Kumarakom where we’ll board our air-conditioned deluxe houseboat for a cruise of the Kerela backwaters of Lake Vembanad. Tonight will be spent on one of these magnificient craft for a truly unique experience, and a memory that will last with you.
   

• Friday 3 March, 2017
  We’ll dis-embark after breakfast al Alleppey, and transfer to Cochin airport for our flight to Bangalore (Bengaluru) the garden city and the Indian IT hub. Onto our hotel, the luxurious Le Meridien.
   

• Saturday 4 - Wednesday 8 March, 2017 - Second Test
  Today (and the following 4 days) we’ll transfer to the Chinnaswamy Stadium for the 2nd Test Match – India v Australia with reserved seating and corporate hospitality.
   

• Wednesday 8 March, 2017
  For those finishing the tour here, we have a late check-out then a transfer to the airport for our group flights back to Australia.

 

TOUR 2 GOLDEN TRIANGLE

 

• Wednesday 8 March, 2017
  The last day of the Test for those who have done Tour 1, or for those joining the tour here, a night at the Le Meridien.
   

• Thursday 9 March, 2017
  Today we’ll do a bit of a tour and drive around Bangalore before taking a drive up to Mysore (Mysuru) the major tourist town in the area, situated at the base of the Chamundi Hills. We’ll spend the night here for a bit of R & R at the Radisson.
   

• Friday 10 March, 2017
  After breakfast we’ll have a tour of Mysore including the famous Palace and a bit of cultural and retail therapy. A leisurely drive back to Bangalore for our flight to the Pink City, Jaipur and transfer to our hotel The Lalit.
   

• Saturday 11 March, 2017
  This morning we’ll go to the Amber Fort for the elephant ride up to the top and a walk around the Fort. After lunch a city tour including the City Palace, Jantar Mantar Observatory and Hawa Mahal.
   

• Sunday 12 March, 2017
  This morning we’ll have a longish drive to Agra, and if time permits an evening visit to the Red Fort. Our accommodation in Agra is Courtyard Marriott Hotel.
   

• Monday 13 March, 2017
  We want to get up early to see sunrise at the Taj Mahal. Not only is it spectacular in the morning light, but we’ll also beat the crowds, and most of the touts selling their overpriced picture books and Taj Mahal models. One of the seven wonders of the world, this is bucket list material, and truly one of the world’s greatest structures. We’ll then visit the Red Fort (if we haven’t already), then commence our drive to India’s capital Delhi and our hotel The Park Hotel.
   

• Tuesday 14 March, 2017
  Today we’ve got a full day tour of the city, firstly the hustle and bustle of Old Delhi, then the broad boulevards and avenues of New Delhi. A late hotel check out and then an airport transfer for those leaving the tour this evening.

 

TOUR 3 RANCHI

 

• Tuesday 14 March, 2017
  The last day in Delhi, or for those joining the tour here, a night at the Park Hotel.
   

• Wednesday 15 March, 2017
  This morning we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight to Ranchi, with a transfer to our hotel, the Park Prime for the next 6 nights.
   

• Thursday 16 - Monday 20 March, 2017 - Third Test
  Today (and the following 4 days) we’ll transfer to the JSCA International Cricket Stadium for the 3rd Test Match – India v Australia with reserved seating and corporate hospitality. Ranchi is the home ground of Indian captain M S Dhoni, so the home town support for their captain will be overwhelming.
   

• Tuesday 21 March, 2017
  This morning we’ll return to the airport for our return flight to Delhi.

 

TOUR 4 DHARAMSALA

 

• Tuesday 21 March, 2017
  Join the flight to Amritsar here, or for those coming through from Ranchi, a connecting flight and transfer to our hotel The Hyatt for the next two nights.
   

• Wednesday 22 March, 2017
  This morning we’ll do a tour of the city, and after lunch we’ll drive to the India - Pakistan border and watch the world renown lowering of the flags ceremony at Wagah Border gates.
   

• Thursday 23 March, 2017
  Today a longish drive up to Dharamsala and onto our hotel, the Indraprastha situated in the spectacular McLeodganj region, at the base of the Himalaya’s, and commonly known as “Little Lhasa”, the home of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
   

• Friday 24 March, 2017
  Half day tour of Dharamsala and McLeodganj. The rest of the day is free at your leisure.
   

• Saturday 25 - Wednesday 29 March, 2017 - Fourth Test
  Today (and the following 4 days) we’ll transfer to the HPCA Cricket Stadium for the 4th Test Match – India v Australia with reserved seating and corporate hospitality. This is one of the most striking and spectacular settings of any cricket ground in the world, and the ground most spectators to India want to visit.
   

• Thursday 30 March, 2017
  Today we’ll transfer back to Amritsar for our flight back to Delhi, and connecting flights back to Australia. We are taking this option as the flights from Dharamsala are extremely limited in capacity and numbers, and the risk of weather interference is extremely high.