Tours - Kerala & Karnataka: In Nature's Lap
Best time to visit: Jan-Mar, Nov-Dec.
Weather : Night 23-26°C, Day 29-31°C
Covering an area of 38,864 sq. kms with a literacy rate of 91%, Kerala is on the south-west coast of India. It’s contact with the outside world dates back to over 2000 years, when others sailed to this coast in search of sandalwood, ivory & spices. In its present day parlance, Kerala is remembered for its uninterrupted coastline, backwater rides & ancient dance form, as well as the tried & tested Ayurvedic form of treatment that involves herbal massages & medicines prepared from natural herbs. Moving south-east, at an altitude of 770 metres, in the state of Karnataka, is the ‘land of palaces & blooms’. Mysore has the makings of a place that has peferred to dwell & live in it’s past. Have your fill of the sea, sand, palaces & temples.
DAY 1. Arrive Mumbai
Transfer to Hotel Fariyas or similar. Breakfast. Full day sightseeing tour visiting Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Banganga Tank, Hanging Gardens, Jain Temple & Mumbai University. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 2. COCHIN
Breakfast. Depart Mumbai for Cochin. Arrive Cochin. Transfer to Taj Residency or similar. Afternoon 4 hour backwater ride through inland waterways. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 3. COCHIN
A.M. Breakfast. Full day s/s tour of Cochin visiting Jew Town, Jewish Synagogue, Spice Market, Matancherry Palace & Museum. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 4. PERIYAR
A.M. Breakfast. Leave Cochin for Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (187 kms). Transfer to Cardamom County or similar. The wildlife sanctuary is home to elephants, otters, the lion-tailed Macaque & the Malabar squirrel. P.M. Visit the wildlife sanctuary by boat. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 5. PERIYAR
Breakfast. Day free at Periyar for morning walk through the forest & evening boat ride. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 6. KUMARAKOM
A.M. Breakfast. Depart Periyar for Kumarakom (76 kms). Transfer to Waterscapes or similar. Kumarakom also has a bird sanctuary & is known fro its dense greenery, tranquil waters & excellent landscapes. P.M. Free for relaxation. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 7. KUMARAKOM
A.M. Breakfast. Visit the bird sanctuary on Vembanad Lake. P.M. Have an Ayurvedic massage (optional). Overnight at hotel.
DAY 8. ALLAPUZHA
A.M. Breakfast. Depart Kumarakom for Allapuzha often referred to as ‘Venice of the East’. Transfer to Alleppey Prince Hotel. With its picturesque beaches & famed backwater rides, Allapuzha marks a delightful entry into the world of demi-paradise. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 9. VARKALA
A.M. Breakfast. Take an exciting 7- hour back water ride to Quilon, known for its cashew & sea food. P.M. Transfer by coach to Varkala. Check-in at Taj Garden Retreat. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 10. VARKALA. Breakfast. Day free at Varkala to enjoy beach experience. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 11. KOVALAM
A.M. Breakfast. Drive to Kovalam. Check-in at Uday Samudra Beach Resort or similar. Visit Thiruvanathapuram the capital of Kerala, Napier Museum, Padmanabhaswamy Temple & a few rock-cut museums in Vizhinham. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 12. KOVALAM
A.M. Visit Padmanabhapuram Palace built in the 18th century & proceed to Kanyakumari the southern most tip of India & the meeting point of the three oceans : Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea & the Bay of Bengal. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 13. BANGALORE
Breakfast. Morning free. Depart for Bangalore. Transfer to St. Marks Hotel or similar. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 14. MYSORE
A.M. Breakfast. Depart for Mysore by coach. Transfer to Quality Inn or similar. Visit the City Palace consisting of priceless antiques, paintings on walls & silver doors, Chamudeshwari Temple, the ruins of Srirangapatana & Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 15. MYSORE
A.M. Breakfast. Full day excursion of Belur & Halebid group of Temples. Return to Mysore late evening. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 16. BANGALORE
Breakfast. Depart for Bangalore. Transfer to domestic airport for flight to Mumbai. Depart Mumbai for international flight.
Tour cost includes:
* Airfare Mumbai-cochin, Trivandrum-Bangalor and Bangalore-Mumbai
* Transporation by air conditioned car
* Accommodation based on double occupancy with breakfast at hotels mentioned above or similar
* Entrance fees to monuments with guide
Tour cost does not include:
* Lunch and dinner
* Expenses of personal nature
* Any item not specifically mentioned as being "included in the itinerary
* Any increase in domestic fare
* Airfare to and from India
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