If
lolling on the beaches, living in houseboats, sailing down endless stretches
of still waterways, and at the same time exploring long lost temples makes
you feel like holidaying then read on. This tour promises all this and more.
Art galleries, museums, waterfalls, gardens and fountains... and with all
this is a taste of the life in Mumbai, the busy bustling commercial of
India. It’s going to be the most exciting of holidays you've had. Have
a great time
Day 01: Arrival Mumbai
Arrive at Mumbai (Bombay), the commercial capital of India. Upon arrival,
transfer and check into the hotel. Proceed for an afternoon city tour of
Mumbai. Visit the Gateway of India, built to commemorate the royal visit of
George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Stop by the Dhobi Ghat, the Flora Fountain
and the Hanging Gardens. Drive by the Marine Drive, the Chowpaty Beach and
the Parsi ''Towers of Silence''. Also visit the Indo-Saracenic Prince of
Wales Museum. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: Mumbai - Calicut
In the morning, board the connecting flight for Calicut, now known as
Kozhikode where Vasco da Gama landed. Upon arrival transfer and check into
the hotel. In the afternoon, city tour of Calicut, visiting the Pazhassiraja
Museum, the Art Gallery, the Krishna Memon Museum and the market. Stay
overnight at the hotel.
Day 03: Calicut - Kappad
In the morning, drive to Kappad. This historic beach is locally known as
Kappakadavu. This is the place where the Portuguese Navigator Vasco da Gama
landed in 1498. Upon arrival check into the hotel. In the afternoon, visit
Beypur, one of the ancient ports of Kerala. The boat-building yard here is
famous for the construction of Uru or Country Craft, which used to sail to
Gulf countries with heavy luggage. The technique of this boat building is
now available with few families. It is also a major fishing harbor. The rest
of the day would be spent at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 04: Kappad - Vythri
In the morning, drive to Vythiri and check into a hotel. The rest of the
day would be spent at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 05: Vythri
The day would be spent at leisure to enjoy the Eco-Friendly nature at its
best. The hotel is situated close to the Pookode Lake, evergreen forests
with perennial steams and stunning waterfalls. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 06: Vythri - Calicut - Cochin
In
the morning, drive to Calicut to board a train for Cochin. The city is now
known as Kochi which with its wealth of historic associations and its
setting of a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas perfectly reflects the
eclecticism of Kerala. Upon arrival transfer and check into the hotel. The
evening would be spent at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 07: Cochin
In the morning, enjoy a city tour. Visit the Mattancheery Dutch Palace
where the superb series of murals painted on the wooden walls are its main
attraction. Also visit the 16th century Jewish Synagogue and the Church of
St. Francis. Vasco da Gama was originally buried in the Church''s cemetery.
Walk around the Fort Cochin area and admire the Chinese Fishing Nets.
Chinese traders are believed to have introduced them in the late 14th
century. The afternoon would be spent at leisure. In the evening, there
would be a Kathakali Dance show. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 08: Cochin - Kumarakom
In the morning, drive to Kumarakom and
check into the hotel. The rest of the day can be spent at leisure or one can
visit the villages, the Bird Sanctuary, the Country Boat Cruise, or go for
an Ayurvedic Massage. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 09: Kumarakom - Houseboat
The morning would be spent at leisure. In the afternoon, check into a
Houseboat and depart for a cruise through the scenic backwater towards
Alleppey. Enjoy the endless stretch of water running miles to nowhere; its
banks lined with swaying palms fanning the lush green rice fields below
dancing in rhythm with the gentle sea breeze carrying a medley of flavors of
fish, coconut and spice. Stay overnight on the Houseboat.
Day 10: Houseboat - Kovalam
In the morning transfer to Alleppey by road. Later, drive to Kovalam. Upon
arrival, check into a hotel. The rest of the day would be spent at leisure
on the beach. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 11: Kovalam - Neyyar
In the morning, drive to Neyyar situated in the base of the forest,
Agastyarkoodam, where the Hindu Saint Agastya spent his life in meditation.
This area has rich in flora and fauna with lots of medicinal plants and
orchids. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. The rest of the day would be
spent at leisure, enjoying nature and trekking. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 12: Neyyar
Early in the morning, attend Yoga and meditation sessions. The rest of the
day would be spent at leisure enjoying nature and mild trekking. Stay
overnight at the hotel.
Day 13: Neyyar - Kovalam
Early in the morning, attend Yoga and meditation sessions. Later, drive to
Kovalam visiting Aruvikkara en route. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. In
the afternoon, enjoy a city tour of Trivandrum, visiting the Padmanabhaswamy
Temple where the corridors are lined with 368 sculpted stone pillars and
adorned with murals and ornamentation, the Museum, the Handicrafts Institute
and the Art Gallery. Return to Kovalam and stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 14: Kovalam - Trivandrum - Departure
In the morning, transfer to the Trivandrum airport for your onward
connection.
