Duration
: 14 Nights / 15 Days
Destinations Covered : Bombay - Cochin - Periyar - Varkala - Poovar
- Munar - Kumarakom - Marari - Cochin - Bombay
Day 01 / Bombay
Arrive Mumbai International airport.On arrival, the guest will be met by
our representative and transferred to hotel and check-in. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 02 Bombay
Morning, one hour boat ride across Mumbai Harbour brings you to the lush
green Elephanta Island. Here, visit some of the huge and intricately carved
Elephanta Caves that date back to the 8th century. For rows of massive
columns cut into solid rock from three magnificent avenues, lead to the
outstanding three-headed sculpture representing Brahma the Creator, Vishnu
the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer. Dedicated to Shiva, the beauty and
power of these phenomenal sculptures depicting the various manifestations of
Shiva is overpowering Afternoon, City tour of Bombay - the great port city
with its Victorian Gothic buildings from the British Raj Era mingling with
the modern. The tour includes ‘Gateway of India’ overlooking the
Harbour, the ‘Towers of Silence’, ‘Marine Drive’, the ‘Colaba
Causeway’ - the commercial heart of Bombay and the Dhobi Ghat, the
unique and colourful outdoor 'laundry'. Also visit Mani Bhawan, a small
museum dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi, and the bustling
Crawford Market.Overnight at hotel
Day 03 Bombay – Cochin – Periyar
Morning transfer to the airport to connect flight to Cochin Leave: Bombay
at: 0900 hrs by: 9W 401 Arrive: Cochin at: 1045 hrs Upon arrival, meet &
transfer to the hotel for lunch. Thereafter drive to Periyar (180 kms/ 4
hrs) Upon arrival at Periyar - check into hotel Periyar- Sprawling across
777 sq. kms. of the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats, Thekkady is the
home to one of the largest wildlife reserves in India. Alive with exotic
flora and vibrant wildlife, it is the perfect getaway tucked away among
hills. Overnight at hotel
Day 04 Periyar – Varkala
Early morning boatcruise on the Lake of the famous Periyar wildlife
sanctuary to see wild life. Periyar an artificial lake or reservoir
created by a dam on Periyar River is the heart of the Wildlife Sanctuary
wild elephants, Asiatic Deer, Black Buck and even Tigers come to shores of
the lake for a drink.Return to hotel for breakfast.Thereafter drive through
the winding "Ghats" lined with prosperous tea plantations &
then arrive the fascinating seaside resort of Varkala. Varkala is a small
seaside town in Kerala, has been a Hindu pilgrimage site since the 12th
Century. To this day, the eight-hundred year old Janardhana Temple remains a
popular pilgrimage spot. Varkala is also blessed with an unspoilt, golden
beach, lapped by the waters of the Indian Ocean. Visit the Portugese church
of Anjengo dated to the time of occupation, which maybe the Elanchoros of
the geography of Ptomempee (2nd century A.D.). Also visit the English Fort
constructed in 1695 A.D. by the English 'East India Company', which play an
important role in the war of Mysore in 18th century.
Day 05 Varkala-Poovar
Late morning drive to the island resort of Poovar. (140 kms/ 4 hrs) Poovar
Island is an unspoilt resort enveloped by the most serene backwaters, and
opening out to the sea and a dream golden sand beach. Poovar is truly a
window into paradise. The tranquility is punctuated by the sound of waves
and the birds. The acreage is abundant in well preserved local flora, with
hundreds of species of spices, exotic flowers, complete with banana and
coconut groves.
Day 06 Poovar
Day at leisure.
Day 07 Poovar-Munnar
After breakfast drive to the beautiful hill station of Munnar (110 kms/ 4
hrs) Munnarr was the world’s highest tea-growing estates. Beyond these
estates are rich tropical forests that houses an assortment of wildlife such
as Nilgiri Langur, Sambhar, Gaur, Elephant and Lion-tailed Macaques. Upon
arrival, Check-in at hotel.Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 Munnar
Full day at leisure.Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 Munnar-Kumarakom
After breakfast drive to Kumarakom (120 kms/ 4 hrs) Morning drive through
the winding "Ghats" lined with prosperous tea plantations &
then arrive the fascinating countryside of low-lying palms and paddy fields
to Kumarakom enroute visit the tea estates.
Kumarakom-is a beautiful backwater village on the shores of the enchanting
Vembanad Lake, criss crossed with meandering waterways and ancient cottages.
Upon arrival, check-in at hotel.Overnight at hotel
Day
10 Kumarakom-Houseboat
Morning at leisure. Afternoon board the traditional rice boats - “Ketuvallam”
and begin your journey through the picturesque backwaters and small lakes
relaxing in the tranquillity of Kerala's beautiful scenery. Experience the
way of life and activity of the local people, the one bedroom house with a
lounge is exclusively for you, meals will be served with freshly bought
produce from the local markets and cooked on board.Overnight on board
Day 11 Houseboat - Marari
Breakfast on board. Sail to Alleppey & disembark at Puthenagady Jetty.
On arrival proceed directly to Mararikulam (30 kms/ 30 mins) Mararikulam- is
one of the picturesque fishing villages that dot the lovely coast line of
Kerala. This private, shallow beach is fringed with unending lines of
coconut palms. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure
for own activities and enjoy the facilities of the Resort.Overnight at hotel
Day 12 Marari
Full day at leisure for own activities and enjoy the facilities of the
Resort.Overnight at hotel
Day 13 Marari – Cochin
Early morning, drive to Cochin (60 kms / 11/2 hrs) Arrive Cochin &
check into hotel. Late morning tour of Cochin or "Kochi" the palm
green, commercial captial of Kerala is known as the "Queen of the
Arabian Sea". From time immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British &
Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Kochi & left their
impression on the town. Modern Kochi is thus a splendid mosaic of these
myriad influences. Visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, the Church
of St. Francis, the Bolghatty Palace & the famous Chinese fishing nets.
Evening witness the Kathakali dance performance + make up demonstration -
Kathkali is a unique dance which has a 2000 year old history with more than
100 different ‘mudras’ or gesture depicting deities, demons,
heroes, heroines and kings - each based on episodes from the Mahabharata and
Ramayana, the two epic Indian myths. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 Cochin-Bombay
Morning transfer to the airport to connect flight to Cochin Leave: Cochin
at: 1120 hrs by: 9W 402 Arrive: Bombay at: 1305 hrs Upon arrival, our
representative would meet you. Transfer to hotel for wash and change.
Day 15 Depart-Bombay
Transfer to airport for your flight back home.
