South India Wonderland
Including 1 Night Stay at Kerala
Houseboat
Tour Ref.# HTI 002 BOOK NOW
Special Feature: Yoga Classes, Ayurvedic Massage, Wildlife, Stay in Kerala
Houseboat, Kathkali Dance, Indian Cuisine etc.
Starting Price: 14 nights from US$
1995 (per person)
Destination: South India (Kerala)
Transportation : Air-conditioned Car with an expert driver
ITINERARY:
Day 01 - Arrive Mumbai
Arriving Mumbai, you will clear customs and immigration. Leaving the airport, you will
be met by our representative, holding a play card with your name on it in the arrival
lounge. We meet and greet you at International Airport to accompany you on your drive to
your hotel. Assistance is provided for the check-in. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 - Mumbai
After breakfast you will be taken for a short trip to Elephanta Caves
- 9kms by sea by Motor Boat. These 7th century rock - cut temples are dedicated to
Lord Shiva. Take a Boat Ride to Elephanta Caves. In the afternoon half
day city sightseeing of Mumbai, as it was formerly known - remains India's city of
dreams. Built largely by the British around one of the best-protected natural
harbors in the world, Mumbai is India's business center and one of the most important
commercial hubs between Singapore and Europe. It generates more than a third of the
country's GNP, and half of India's foreign trade moves through this busy seaport on the
Arabian Sea. Mumbai also is home to the country's prolific Bollywood film industry, which
cranks out more feature films than any place in the world.
Covering The Gateway of India
which is Mumbai's most famous landmark, The Gateway of India, is situated at Apollo
Bunder. It was designed by George Wikket. It was built to commemorate the visit of King
George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911. Through this magnificent monument, numerous
viceroys and governors were welcomed to India as they disembarked from their steamers,
hence the name. After that visit The Prince of Wales Museum - This museum
stands not too far from the Gateway of India. It has a priceless collection of art,
sculpture, china and other antics. Carefully presereved, this mid-Victorian Gothic style
building built in 1904 with beautiful gardens surrounding it, is worth visiting in Mumbai.
In the late afternoon explore the local markets for
shopping which is a memorable experience as you wander through its Bazaars with striking
names like Chor Bazar, Mutton Street and Zaveri Bazar. At Chor Bazar you'll find a
phenomenal collection of antiques, jewellery, wooden articles, leatherware and general
bric-a-brac. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)
Day 03 - Mumbai -
Trivandrum - Kovalam
After breakfast transfer to airport to catch flight to Trivandrum
- the capital city of Kerala. On arrival drive to Kovalam which
is 12 km from the airport and is one of the loveliest beaches in the world.
After arrival you will check in at one of the best deluxe resort hotels on the side of the
beach. The rest of of the day is free for you to explore Kovalam beach on your own. You
can also take a walk along the rustic countryside. Photograph your group with the back
ground of beach and waves. Watch sun set in the Arabian sea.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 - Kovalam
After breakfast you are free to go swimming and the more
adventurous for surfing. Afterwards, you can attend yoga classes which
will be a rejenuating experience for those with a spiritual frame of
mind. The afternoon session is kept aside for an Ayurvedic massage. You
will experience the effect of herbal applications on your body in traditional style which
tends to make you younger. The evening is reserved for a KATHAKALI performance
by artists. This song and dance sequence is very
colourful and is based on ancient epics. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 - Kovalam -
Ponmudi - Pandmanabhapuram - Kanyakumari - Trivandrum
Early morning we take you to full day excursions to nearby
places. First of all drive to Aruvikkara water falls. You will then drive
to PONMUDI a beautiful Hill station decked with stone
cottage. You will be struck with natural scenery and the cool climate. Those who are
intersted in hiking can attempt the high trails. Later on continue drive to PADMANABHAPURAM
to see the beautiful Palace of the erstwhile kings of Travancore. From
here you will reach KANYAKUMARI, India's lands end which is a confluence
of three oceans, well in time to see the sun setting into the sea. Leave Kanyakumari by
dusk and back to Kovalam. Overnight at resort. (Breakfast)
Day 06 - Trivandrum
After a breakfast,
enjoy a panoramic city tour of Trivandrum. You will see the Padmanabhaswamy
temple built in 1733, Napier Museum of Art and the Zoo.
The zoo is India's second oldest and you can come face to face with Giraffes,
Zebras and many other animals and birds living together. Also visit the Akkulam
lake and go for boating in the cool lake. Later on drive to Veli
lagoon. You can make full use of the aqua sports facilities here. Evening is free
for you to explore Trivandrum on you own. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)
Day 07 - Trivandrum -
Alleppey
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Alleppey
which is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and lakes. Alappuzha
remains prominent on the tourist attractions of Kerela as one of the major centers for
backwater cruises. An enchanting backwater destination, Alleppey offers visitors many
other leisure options like - boating and fishing, very popular with the tourists. A
picturesque world of backwaters, thatched houseboats, Cormorants, Chinese fishing nets and
swaying palms - Alleppey is an ideal getaway.
On arrival check-in into Punnamada
Backwater Resort which is a true copy of Kerala's ancient architecture and
ambience brewed with an array of international amenities. Only few yards from the starting
point of Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race, awaiting you here is a wonderful luxurious resort,
the abode of total relaxation for the mind, body and the soul. Overnight at resort. (Breakfast)
Day 08 - KERALA HOUSBOAT
After breakfast enjoy the facilities at the Backwater resort. You can also relax
your mind and body at the Ayurveda Centre. In the afternoon check-out from the hotel and
board a houseboat for a cruise through the backwaters of Kerala. On the boat ride, enjoy
magnificent scenery of these palm-shaded backwaters. Spend the
evening on board the house boat enjoying the exciting night life in
the lake, the outstanding food and royal service. Enjoy a good night sleep under
star and moon light in the house boat. Overnight on the houseboat. (Breakfast/Lunch/dinner)
Day 09 - Alleppey -
Thekkady (Periyar)
After having an early breakfast, drive to one of the
best game sancturaies in India - Periyar wild life
sanctuary. Your journey to Thekkady is through breathtaking,
winding, dense rubber, tea and spices plantations. Do not forget your cameras.
Afternoon, you will go for boating in the Periyar lake. From your motor
boat, you can watch wild elephants, wild boars, bisons and dears. Enjoy
their company till dusk. Overnight at htoel.
Day 10 - Thekkady -
Vandanmedu
After breafast, you will move in our air-conditioned coach
to experience a spine chilling adventure of your tour. You will be proceeding to Vandanmedu
and will spend the rest of the day and night at Carmila Resorts. A
delicious buffet lunch awaits you on your arrival at the Resort. Afternoon, you are free
to roam around in the jungle and come face to face with tamed animals.
You can understand jungle life and its strange laws. Choose from tree
houses, jungle cottages or rope beds to spend the night. The
less adventurous can always opt for the main building in the reosrt. Have a good night
sleep amidst jungle life.
Day 11 - Vandanmedu -
Munnar
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and depart to Munnar
popularly known as the queen of the hills. Remember to carry a pair of
warm clothing as weather is very chill in Munnar. The journey time of 5 hours from Cochin
to Munnar take you through a number of cardamam, rubber and tea
plantations. Munnar is at a height of 4420 feet above sea level and is situated
at the confluence of three mountain streams. The place abounds in green forests
and tea estates. You will check-in into hotel. Afternoon, you can go for
local sight seeing and enjoy the solubrious climate among the misty mountains
and green valleys. The weather will be very chill in the evening.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 - Munnar
After breakfast rest of the day free to explore Munnar. Car and driver will be at
your disposal. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)j
Day 13 - Munnar - Cochin
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to the commercial capital of
Kerala - Cochin. You will check-in into hotel. The rest of the day is free
for you to explore Cochin on your own and go shopping for spices, handicrafts and
antiques. There is lot to see and do in Cochin. Among Kochi's best buy are metalware,
camel-bone carvings, wood carvings, articles made of coconut shels, baboo cane,
embroidered screwpine mats, grass mats and several other types of handicrafts.
Kochi also has several antique dealers. Jewellery, readymade garments, and ethnic
hand-woven textiles follow closely. This evening enjoy the Kathakali
Dance Show.
Day 14 - Cochin
After breakfast full day city 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. Afternoon, Harbour
cruise - Cochin has one of the finest natural harbours. The backwaters extending
to the east & south from the harbour are dotted with tiny islands, formed naturally by
alluvial deposits from the rivers. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)
Day 15 - Cochin - Mumbai
(Departure)
After breakfast,
saying good-bye to the new friends you have made. You can take back memories of the Kerala
tour. Later on transter to airport to catch flight to Mumbai. On arrival rest of the day
is free for you to explore Delhi/Mumbai on your own. In the evening transfer to
International Airport for you flight back home. |
Vacation
Pakcages 
