01
Day: Arrival Mumbai:
On arrival at Mumbai International airport you will
be meet and welcome by our representative then transfer
to the hotel. Overnight at Mumbai.
02 Day: Mumbai:
After breakfast takes a sight seeing tour of Bombay,
drive to Gateway of India and from here cruise by motorboats
to Elephanta Caves. A flight of 100 steps takes you
to the top of the hill where it is set. The caves houses
large pillars that seem to hold the ceiling which is
made of cross beams. The picturesque presentations of
the 9 marvelous sculptured panels, set on the walls
are awe-inspiring. The most famous of the panels is
the Trimurthi, or triple-headed Shiva, where the God
is depicted as the destroyer, the preserver and the
creator. Later in the afternoon cruise back to Gateway
of India, one can have lunch at the Taj Hotel or other
several good Restaurants like Leopold & Mondegar
serving continental cuisines. Later visit Prince of
Wales Museum, Parliament House, Marine Drive, Jain Temple,
Hanging Gardens, Return back to the hotel for overnight.
Note: Elephanta Caves and Prince of Wales museums
are closed on every Monday.
03 Day: Mumbai – Cochin
(By Air):
Early morning after breakfast check out the hotel and
transfer to the airport to board the flight for Cochin
9W 401 depart at 1035 hours and arrive at 1220 hours.
On arrival check in to the hotel after relaxation take
a sightseeing tour this evening a memorable experience
in any journey in Kerala is a Boat Trip along the Palm
Fringed Lakes & Backwaters of the Area; we enjoy
this extraordinary excursion today. As we sail along
the shady canals we see cantilevered Chinese fishing
nets, Bolghatty palace, From the launch, we enjoy use
of narrow produced - Laden dugouts & the everyday
life of families living on narrow spits of land between
the waters, cruise till the mouth of the sea and enjoy
sun set. Overnight at the hotel.
04 Day: Cochin:
After breakfast take a city tour of Cochin, Oasis state
of Kerala & on to the Malabar Coasts & Kochi
(formerly Cochin), one of the India's most colourful
cities. This inter, connected series of Islands &
shoreline presents a vivacious blend of Cultures &
Religions; visiting FORT COCHIN. A few interesting sites
included Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica,
St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow, Jewish
Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace, etc. Learn the operation
of the interesting Chinese fishing nets erected on teak
wood and bamboo poles which work on the principle of
balance. Records say they were first set up here between
AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade
that parallels the beach, is the best place to watch
the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea. In
the evening enjoy the Kathakali, one of India's most
famous Classical dances. Lavish Costumes & Exotic
makeup & Masks intensify the beauty of the dancers,
intricate moments. Overnight at Cochin.
05 Day: Cochin – Munnar
(200 kms - 4 hours):
After an early breakfast drive to Munnar, on arrival
transfer to the hotel, Munnar is located at the Idukki
district of Kerala State in India. The word "Munnar"
means three rivers. 3 mountain streams (Madurapuzha,
Nallathanni and Kundala) are joining together here.
During the British rule in India, Munnar was the summer
resort of the Government officials. The natural beauty,
calmness and mild cold climate throughout the year make
it the favorite tourist places. There are about 30 tea
plantations in and around Munnar. The tea estates, hills,
lakes and forests inside Munnar range exposes it's beauty.
The Munnar hills are covered by tea plants, which make
Periyar the feeling of seeing a wide green carpet. Later
take visit at Rajmalai Wild Life sanctuary – this
is the only sanctuary in India where Indian Ibex’s
are found, followed by visit at Kannan Devan Hills from
here you can have a panoramic view of Munnar Tea Estates
& the Lake of Munnar. Overnight at the hotel.
06 Day: Munnar:
After breakfast you can opt to visit to Mattupetty is
famous for its highly specialized dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss
live stock project. Over 100 varieties of high yielding
cattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into three
of the eleven cattle sheds at the farm, followed by
visit to Pothamedu which offers an excellent view of
the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar.
The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking
scenery here is ideal for trekking and Long Mountain
walks. Later visit at Devikulam (7 km from Munnar).
This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic
flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare
experience. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters
and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot.
The lake is also ideal for trout fishing. Return to
the hotel for overnight stay at Munnar.
Optionally you can visit Eravikulam National Park (15
km from Munnar) the park is 97 sq. km, situated in the
Devikulam Taluk and is home to the Nilgiri Tahr. Considering
the ecological, faunal, floral, geo-morphological and
zoological significance, it was declared as a National
park in 1978. The park is breathtakingly beautiful and
is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found
anywhere in the world. Later return to the hotel for
overnight at Munnar.
07 Day: Munnar – Periyar
(110 kms – 2 ½ hour):
After breakfast checkout and drive to Thekkaddy / Periyar,
on arrival transfer to the hotel, later visit at Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary - a Tiger Reserve. Discover the park;
animals found here include elephant; sambar, gaur and
wild animals found here and birds like ibis and grey
heron. The visit is done in a boat to view animals with
a bit of extra luck we may be able to see the rare tiger
as well. Later in the evening take a spice plantation
tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee,
tea estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you
could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant
spices. Overnight at Periyar.
08 Day: Periyar –
Alleppey (114 kms – 2 ½ hours) Backwaters
tours through sailing boat to Kumarakom:
After breakfast checkout and drive for Alleppey, on
arrival embark at the houseboat. The day for the journey
of backwaters in the boat, through the tropical countryside
enchanting backwaters of Alleppey by regattas (snake
boats) for which Kerala is very famous, while sailing
enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the
vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets
lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic
sights one can never forget. The Chinese fishing nets,
the reminiscent of our past trade links, are also found
on the way. Flocks of duck swimming around the banks
and tiny birds flying across the sky remains as enduring
pictures reflecting the charm of this tourist land,
you also enjoy fishing from the houseboats, evening
enjoy sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats, moving
towards Kumarakom. The Houseboats have generated electricity;
sitting cum dinning area, separate bedroom with attached
English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with
a Chef, and Srank (Driver). Overnight at the houseboat.
09 Day: Kumarakom:
After breakfast disembark from the houseboat. And drive
to check in the resort at Kumarakom. Kumarakom - for
the nature-lover. Here in this backwater town, you can
laze in a canoe amidst sylvan surroundings where the
only presence is yours and the egrets. Later visit at
Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, located on the banks of the
Vembanad Lake. Make sure you do not miss out on Karimeen
and fresh toddy the favorite fresh water food and the
local wine. Overnight stay at Kumarakom.
10 Day: Kumarakom –
Kovalam (140kms –2 ½ hrs):
The break fast will be served on board, then disembark
from the house boat and drive to Kovalam through green
coastal belt and cashew plantations. Check into the
hotel. Day free to relax with the option of herbal oil
massage. Overnight at Kovalam.
11Day: Kovalam:
After breakfast day free to explore Kovalam on your
own. The coastal village of Kovalam may lie just 10
km south of Thiruvananthapuram but, as Kerala's most
developed beach resort, it’s a world away from
the rest of the state. Overnight in Kovalam.
12 Day: Kovalam-Trivandrum-Kovalam:
Morning after breakfast take an excursion tour to Trivandrum
city (16 kms) visiting the ancient temple of Sri Padmanabhaswamy
is one of the major attractions in the city of Trivandrum,
Museum was built in 1880 and shows a harmonious blending
of Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian architectural
styles. Sri Chitra Art Gallery has a good collection
Tanjore, Mughal, and Rajput schools of art. The Zoo
in Thiruvananthapuram has many shady and delightful
walks. Overnight at Kovalam.
13 Day: Kovalam-Kanyakumari
–Kovalam ( Excursion 80 kms – 1 ½
hrs):
After breakfast check out and drive to Kanyakumari.
On arrival transfer to the hotel. Late visit Kumari
Amman Temple, Gandhi Mandapam, Swami Vivekananda Memorial
and Thiruvalluvar Statue. Watching the sun rise and
sun set from here is the big attraction, especially
on the full moon day in April, when it's possible to
see both the setting sun and rising moon on the same
horizon. Return to the hotel for overnight.
14 Day: Kovalam –
Trivandrum (16 kms – ½ hour) – Mumbai
(By Air):
After breakfast, morning will be free for relax. Later
checkout the hotel and transfer to Trivandrum airport
to board the flight for Mumbai 9W 337 depart at 1335
hrs arrival at 1535 hrs. On arrival transfer to the
international airport to board the scheduled flight
for your hometown. On departure tour concludes with
happy memories.
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