01
Day: Arrival Mumbai
Meeting and assistance on arrival at the International airport, our representative welcome and escort you by a private car and transfer to the hotel, whilst the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative would hand over the documents and brief the tour programme to you. Overnight at the hotel.
Mumbai is a cluster of Seven Islands and derives its name from Mumbadevi, the patron goddess of the koli fisher folk, its oldest inhabitants. Mumbai pulsates with activity. It is a city that is disciplined by no time frame neither day nor night. It is also the country's financial powerhouse, the nation's industrial heartland, and its economic nerve center. Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sport activity, nightclubs & discotheques, theatre & music, gourmet restaurants and interesting sightseeing. It offers visitors a heady mix of all this and more.
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 - Cochin:
(By Air)
Today after breakfast you can go for city tour and
shopping at biggest shopping malls of Mumbai, Cross
Road, West Side, Fashion Street, which is in main
Bombay city. Optionally you can do shopping at Inorbit
in the suburbs. Later transfer to the domestic airport
to board the afternoon flight for Cochin. On arrival
transfer to the hotel. Rest of the evening free for
leisure. Overnight at the hotel in Cochin.
Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as 'God's Own Country'. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. From time immemorial, the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left indelible marks on the history and development of Cochin. Over the years, Cochin has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India (after Mumbai/Bombay). Cochin is proud of its world class port and international airport that link it to many major cities worldwide. This lovely seaside city is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. Its proximity to the equator, the sea and the mountains provide a rich experience of a moderate equatorial climate. Cochin is situated in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala. Kochi is the arguably the ideal starting point for exploring the unfathomable diversity and beauty of Kerala, rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler's '50 greatest places of a lifetime'.
04 Day: Cochin
Today morning after breakfast take a sight seeing
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. 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 the hotel.
05 Day: Cochin - Periyar:
(190 kms 3 ½ hrs)
After breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Periyar,
on arrival check in to the jungle resort. The day
is free for leisure activity at the resort. . 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 the hotel.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India's biggest wildlife sanctuaries covering 777 sq. Km (300 Sq. miles) is a Tiger Reserve. Its centerpiece, 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. The lake is an important source of water for the many wild animals. The Best time to visit Periyar is between OCTOBER and MAY. The best chance of watching animals is during the hot months of march, April and May, when water gets low and the grass dries out, animals especially elephants come down to the Periyar lake to bath & frolic in the water with the young ones.
06 Day: Periyar/ Thekkaddy
After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour of Thekkaddy
visiting 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
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 the hotel.
07 Day: Periyar - Alleppey (114 kms - 2 ½ hrs)
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.
Alleppey situated in south of Cochin, is the center for backwater cruises in Kerala. It has a large network of canals, which passes through the town, provides its lifeline & has a long sandy beach. It is also the center of the famous coir products of Kerala. Nehru Trophy Boat Race - the most colorful snake-boat race in Kerala - is held here on the second Saturday of August every year.
Alleppey A glide in a "Kettuvalam" (Houseboat) through the enchanting backwaters of Alleppey is sure to rob your heart. 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.
08 Day: Kumarakom - Mararikulam
(45 kms: 1 hr)
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. Later drive to Mararikulam (Marari Beach),
on arrival transfer to the beach resort. Mararikulam
is a sleepy fishing village located between the port
city of Cochin and Alleppey. And here, amidst the coconut
groves is the Marari Resort. Overnight at the hotel.
Marari originates from "Mararikulam", one of the local fishing villages, where life still goes on much as it did a hundred years ago, with the men going out to sea each day to earn a living bringing in the daily catch. Completely new to the holiday maker. Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience the local charm/and traditional Keralan Hospitality at it's best. The Marari Beach is built in the style of a traditional fishing village with thatched villas that have been designed to be in keeping with the local village style.
09 Day: Mararikulam
The day is free for leisure and beach activities.
You can enjoy Ayurveda Massage at the beach resort.
You take a cycling tour to the fishing village to
see the local villager’s life. Overnight at
the beach resort.
10 Day: Mararikulam - Cochin (35 kms: 1 hr) –
Delhi (By Air) – Hometown (By Air):
Today morning after breakfast check out the hotel
and drive to Cochin, on arrival transfer to the airport
to board the afternoon flight for Delhi.On arrival
transfer to the hotel for rest and relaxation. Optionally
you can go for shopping. Later transfer to the International
airport to board scheduled flight to hometown. On
departure the tour concludes with happy memories.
