MUMBAI-PERIYAR-KUMARAKOM-HOUSEBOAT-MARARI-COCHIN-MUMBAI
Day
01 : Abroad / Bombay
Arrive
Mumbai International airport.
On
arrival, the guest will be met by our representative
and transferred to hotel.
Upon
arrival at hotel the guests will be provided with
the traditional Indian welcome consisting of aarti-tikka
and garlands.
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'. Drive upto the
Malabar Hill to the lovely 'Hanging Gardens'
and the Kamla Nehru Park from where
you will get a wonderful view of Mumbai and the
Arabian Sea, spread out before you. 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 Bombay/Cochin.
Upon arrival,
at Cochin - meet & transfer to the hotel for
lunch.After lunch drive to Periyar.
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.
Day
04 : Periyar - Kumarakom
Early
morning boat cruise on the lake of the famous
Periyar Sanctuary to view 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. After breakfast a guided walk
around the Spice Village to see the various spices
grown in the resort garden.
Thereafter
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.
A
holiday in Coconut Lagoon promises to be different
from any other. Every "tarawad" or cottage
you stay in is at least a century old, reconstructed
piece by piece in accordance with ancient rites
of carpentry. Relax at the waterfront, with the
occasional native row boat gliding silently by,
and the air so calm, you can reach out and touch
the sky with your finger tips.
Overnight
at hotel.
Day
05 : Kumarakom - Houseboat
Morning
at leisure at Coconut Lagoon, take a cruise on the
backwaters in traditional country canoes called
"vanjis" to see the agricultural activities
of the local people living on the back waters. Visit
also the beautiful bird sanctuary.
Lunch at the hotel.
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, experiencing 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
06 : Houseboat - Marari
Breakfast
on board.
Thereafter
sail to Alleppey & disembark at Puthenagady
Jetty.
On arrival
proceed directly to Mararikulam.
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.
Rest
of the day at leisure for own activities and enjoy
the facilities of the Resort.
Overnight
at hotel.
Day
07 : Marari
Full
day at leisure for own activities and enjoy the
facilities of the Resort.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
08 : Marari - Cochin
After
breakfast, drive to Cochin.
Cochin
- Popularly known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea,
Cochin is the oldest European settlement in India.
Frilled with backwaters and rich with old world
charm, this city has lured many a great voyager
to its shores. Arrive Cochin & check into hotel.
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.
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.
Evening
witness the Kathakali dance performance
and 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.
Dinner
and overnight at hotel.
Day
09 : Cochin - Bombay
Morning
transfer from hotel to the airport for flight Cochin/Bombay.
Upon arrival - met & transferred to the hotel
where rooms will be provided for wash and change.
Rest
of the day at leisure for own activities and to
enjoy the facilities of the hotel.
Later
transfer to the International airport for onward
flight.
Day
10 : Abroad - Bombay
Leave
Bombay