01
Day; Arrival Mumbai:
On arrival at International airport you will be welcomed
by our representative, then transfer to the hotel,
where we have hold the room on ready occupancy basis.
Overnight stay in the hotel.
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
museum are closed on every Monday.
03 Day: Mumbai - Trivandrum
(By Air) – Kovalam:
Today after breakfast checkout from the hotel and
transfer to the domestic airport to board morning
flight for Trivandrum, assistance on arrival in Trivandrum
and drive to Kovalam (16 kms for half hour), on arrival
transfers to the beach resort. Day free to relax and
leisure activities in the beach resort.
04 Day: Kovalam - Trivandrum
- Cape Camorin - Kovalam (excursion 85 kms):
After breakfast take sightseeing tour of Trivandrum
city, (16 kms) the capital of the state of Kerala
is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills.
The famous Sri Padmanabhaswamy Swami Temple is dedicated
to Vishnu and is a landmark in the city. Later drive
to Cape Camorin also known as Kanya Kumari 85 kms,
this place is at the tail tip end of India, one can
see the 3 seas meet over here (Arabian Sea, Indian
Ocean & bay of Bengal) on arrival visit Kumari
Amman Devi Temple, Vivekananda Rock & Ashram,
enjoy sunset over here & drive back to Kovalam
for overnight.
05 Day: Kovalam:
The day is free for leisure and you can enjoy Ayurveda
massage at the resort. Rest of the day is free for
beach activities. Overnight at beach resort at Kovalam.
06 Day: Kovalam - Varkala
(60 kms - 1 hour):
After breakfast checkout & drive to Varkala, on
arrival transfer to beach resort in Varkala. Day free
to relax at the beach resort or optionally you can
go for Ayurvedic Massages available at the resort.
Overnight in Varkala.
07 Day Varkala - Alleppey
(140 kms - 3 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.
08 Day Kumarakom:
After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat and
drive to 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, to see
bird viewing where numerous species of birds, including
Darters, Bitterns, Brahminy kites, Marsh Harries,
Teals and several varieties of Herons roost are found.
For an inquisitive bird watcher, it is always advisable
to carry their binoculars at all times. Return to
hotel, Make sure you do not miss out on Karimeen and
fresh toddy the favourite fresh water food and the
local wine. Overnight stay at Kumarakom.
09 Day Kumarakom - Thekkaddy
/ Periyar (140 kms - 3 ½ hours):
After breakfast checkout and drive to Thekkaddy, on
arrival transfer to the hotel. After rest and relaxation
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.
10 DayThekkaddy (Periyar):
After breakfast checkout and drive to Thekkaddy, on
arrival transfer to the hotel, later visit at Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary one of India's biggest wildlife
sanctuaries covering 777 sq. Km (300 Sq. miles) is
a Tiger Reserve. Its centrepiece, the man-made Periyar
Lake at the height of 2000 ft. covers 26 sq. km, running
through the forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala,
discover the park, animals found here include elephant,
sambar, gaur and wild animals found here include elephant,
sambar, gaur and wild boars 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. Overnight at Periyar.
11 Day Periyar - Munnar
(105 kms - 2 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 favourite tourist place. 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 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.
12 Day: Munnar:
After breakfast you can opt to visit to Mattupetty
famous for its highly specialised dairy farm, the
Indo-swiss live stock project. Over 100 varietes 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.
13 Day; Munnar - Cochin
(134 kms - 3 hours):
After breakfast checkout and drive to Cochin. On arrival
transfer to the hotel. After some rest and relaxation
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.
14 Day: Cochin:
After breakfast take a sightseeing 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; Visit to Fort Cochin
& St. Frances Church to see the town of Vasco
da Gama. We also see the Jewish Synagogue & the
Mattancherry "Dutch" Palace. 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. From our launch, we enjoy use
of narrow produced - Laden dugouts & the everyday
life of families living on narrow spits of land between
the waters. Later return to the hotel for overnight
stay.
15 Day Cochin - Ooty
(300 Kms 5- 6 hrs):
After breakfast checkout and drive to Ooty, en route
optionally you can visit Bandipur & Mudumalai
Sanctuaries, on arrival transfer to the hotel. After
relaxation, enjoy the beauty of this hill station.
Ooty is fondly known as the 'Queen of Hill Stations',
Ooty is snugly ensconced in the heart of the Nilgiris.
Dotted with undulating hills, sparkling waterfalls,
gurgling brooks and lush green tea gardens, this tranquil
haven is sure to capture the hearts of every visitor.
Later take a sightseeing tour of Ooty enjoy the scenic
surroundings, the Botanical Garden a wealth of variety
of plants that include different types of roses, imported
shrubs, rare flowering plants, eucalyptus trees, several
old trees and even a fossilized tree trunk that is
20 million years old, followed by boat rides and fishing,
a visit to the Ooty Lake is a must. Besides these,
there are various view points like Lamb’s Rock,
Kodanadu and Dodabetta Peak is the highest point in
the district at a height of 2623 meters. Provided
the day is clear, one can see as far as the plains
of Coimbatore and the Mysore plateau. Overnight at
Ooty.
16 Day: Ooty - Connor
- Ooty (1 hour drive):
After breakfast take an excursion to Coonoor, visiting
Sim's Park, there are also a number of individual
tree specimens planted all over the place, give a
special charm to the park, Dolphin's Nose, the Nose
is a unique rock of tremendous proportions which looks
like a Dolphin, Lamb's Rock commands a grand view
of the Coimbatore Plains, Laws Falls a paradise for
Nature lovers. If you love trekking visit to The Droog,
used by as an outpost by Tipu Sultan, stands 6,000
feet height overlooking the plains, it is around 3
kms trekking, later drive back to Ooty for overnight
stay.
17 Day: Ooty - Mysore
(155 kms - 3 hours):
Morning after breakfast drive to Mysore is the Sandalwood
and Incense Capital of the World & some of India's
finest Crafts, such as Printed Silk, Inlaid, Furniture
and Ivory Carvings are also found here. Also known
as the city of Palaces, Mysore retains a quaint charm
that never fails to enchant. Afternoon Sight seeing
trip to visit the Palace of the Maharaja (Emperor)
built in 1911 - 1912. The palace is of harmonious
syntheses of the Hindu and saracenic styles of architecture
with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures
which are magnificent followed by visit at St. Philomenas
cathedral - folklore museum - Brindavan gardens &
spectacular musical fountains. Visit the Art Gallery;
drive up to Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple
and a panoramic view of Mysore. On the way back, see
the Nandi Bull. Overnight at the hotel.
18 Day; Mysore - Hassan
(115 kms 3 hours):
After breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Hassan,
en route visit the picturesque hilly landscape afterwards
continue to drive to Hassan. En route toy can take
a stopover in Halebid, which is the ancient capital
of Hoysala Empire. In Halebid we visit the Hoysalesvara
Temple of 12th century where we see half-life size
statues of Hindu deities, with minute details of each,
all around the temple. After the visit in Halebid
we proceed to Belur. In Belur we visit the group of
Chennakesava Temples, which are famous for its architecture
and sculptures. After visit drive to Hassan for overnight
stay.
19 Day: Hassan - Bangalore
(140 Kms - 3 hrs):
After breakfast check out and drive to Bangalore.
En route visit Sravanbelagola, At Sravanbelagola,
hewn out of a single rock and visible from a distance
of 25 kms is the statue of Lord Gomteshwara, which
is bathed with milk, sandalwood, saffron once every
12 years. Continue to proceed to Bangalore. On arrival
transfer to the hotel relax. Later take a sightseeing
tour of the city visiting Lal Baugh - One of the many
gardens in the city; it derives its name from the
profusion of Red roses which are in bloom here, Cubbon
Park - a garden laid down by Lord Cubbon in 1864.
The ambience of the city life is broken with presence
of such a large park in the center of the city. The
Bull Temple - The 4.57 m high and 6.10 meters long
image is carved out of single granite rock, Bangalore
Palace - Built in the Tudor style and inspired by
the Windsor palace, Vidhan Soudha - the Vidhan Soudha
houses the state legislative assembly of state government,
Tipu’s Palace - The summer palace of Tipu Sultan
later followed by visit to Sri Gavi Gangadhareshwara
Temple - The temple is natural monolith carved cave
temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. In the evening you
can visit Ulsoor Lake. Overnight at the hotel.
20 Day: Bangalore - Mumbai
(By Air) – Hometown (By Air):
Morning after breakfast transfer to the airport to
board the schedule morning flight to Mumbai. On arrival
transfer to the international airport to board the
schedule flight back home. On departure the tour concludes
with happy memories.
