Day 01 : Abroad / Mumbai
Reach the international airport in Mumbai. Our representative will greet the guest upon arrival and arrange for a hotel transportation. The visitors will receive a traditional Indian welcome upon arrival at the hotel. Indian garlands and Aarti-Tikka are used to greet guests.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 : Mumbai
You can reach the verdant Elephanta Island in the morning by taking an hour-long boat ride across Mumbai Harbour. Take a look at some of the enormous, finely carved, eighth-century Elephanta Caves here. Three grand avenues, each with rows of enormous columns carved out of solid rock, lead to the spectacular three-headed sculpture that stands for Brahma the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver, and Shiva the Destroyer. Devoted to Shiva, these incredible sculptures portraying his many incarnations are overwhelming in their beauty and grandeur. Tour the city of Mumbai in the afternoon. Mumbai is a major port city with a mix of Victorian and Gothic architecture from the British Raj era. The “Gateway of India,” which overlooks the harbour, the “Towers of Silence,” “Marine Drive,” the “Colaba Causeway,” which runs through the centre of Mumbai’s commerce, and the Dhobi Ghat, an unusual and vibrant outdoor “laundry,” are all included in the tour. Travel towards Malabar Hill to reach the charming “Hanging Gardens” and Kamla Nehru Park. From there, you may enjoy an amazing vista over Mumbai and the Arabian Sea. Visit the bustling Crawford Market and Mani Bhawan, a modest museum honouring Mahatma Gandhi’s life and contributions.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 : Mumbai – Cochin – Periyar
Transfer in the morning to the airport for the Cochin flight. Meet and transfer to the hotel for lunch upon arrival. After that, take a car to Periyar.
When you get to Periyar, check into the hotel. One of India’s largest wildlife reserves is located in Thekkady, which is spread across 777 square kilometres in the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats. Nestled among hills, this idyllic retreat is brimming with lively wildlife and unusual plants. Situated just outside the well-known Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is Spice Village Resort. Set in a spice garden, this distinctive and opulent village resort features 37 thatched-roof villas that perfectly complement the surrounding foliage.
Day 04 : Periyar – Kumarakom
Take a boat ride in the early morning to observe wildlife on the lake of the well-known Periyar wildlife sanctuary. In the center of the Wildlife Sanctuary is Periyar, an artificial lake or reservoir made by a dam on the Periyar River. Asian deer, black bucks, tigers, and wild elephants visit the lake’s banks for refreshments. Head back to the hotel to have breakfast. A guided tour of the Spice Village to view the different spices growing in the resort garden is offered after breakfast. After that, go through the narrow “Ghats,” which are dotted with affluent tea plantations. Next, arrive in Kumarakom, which is a beautiful region with low-lying palms and paddy fields; on the way, you can see the tea estates. Kumarakom is a picturesque backwater village with old houses and winding waterways scattered across it, located on the shores of the captivating Vembanad Lake. A vacation in Coconut Lagoon is sure to be unlike any other. Each “tarawad” or cottage you stay in has been restored piece by piece using age-old carpentry techniques, and is at least a century old. Unwind at the waterfront, where you can feel the calmness of the sky with your fingertips and occasionally see a native row boat glide past softly.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 : Kumarakom – Houseboat
Spend the morning at Coconut Lagoon relaxing or enjoying a typical country canoe ride on the backwaters in “vanjis” to observe the locals’ agricultural pursuits. Take a look at the lovely bird sanctuary as well. At the hotel, lunch. In the afternoon, set out on the traditional rice boats, or Kettuvallam, and embark on a leisurely voyage across the scenic backwaters and small lakes of Kerala. Savor the peace and quiet of this breathtaking landscape. Discover the customs and lifestyle of the locals in this one-bedroom house with a lounge that is all yours. Meals will be prepared on board using freshly purchased produce from the nearby markets.
Day 06 : Houseboat – Marari
On board, breakfast. Go to Alleppey via boat, and get off at Puthenangady Jetty. After arriving, head straight to Mararikulam. One of the charming fishing villages along Kerala’s beautiful coast is Mararikulam. This is a private, shallow beach with endless rows of coconut palms bordering it. Enjoy the resort’s amenities and the remainder of the day at leisure for your own interests.
Day 07 : Marari
Full day at leisure for own activities and enjoy the facilities of the Resort.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 : Marari – Cochin
COCHIN: The earliest European settlement in India, Cochin is also referred to as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea.” This city has enticed numerous intrepid travelers to visit its shores, with its charming old world charm and abundance of backwaters. Get to Cochin and register at the hotel Explore Cochin, also referred to as “Kochi,” the palm-green economic hub of Kerala and dubbed the “Queen of the Arabian Sea.” Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British, and Portuguese sailors have traveled to Kochi by water for ages, leaving their mark on the city. Kochi now is a beautiful tapestry of these diverse influences. See the renowned Chinese fishing nets, the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, the Church of St. Francis, and the Bolghatty Palace.
Cruise the harbor in the afternoon – Cochin boasts one of the best natural harbors. Tiny islands are sprinkled throughout the backwaters that stretch east and south from the harbor; these are naturally generated by alluvial deposits from the rivers. See the evening Kathakali dance performance and makeup demonstration. Kathakali is a unique dance with a 2000-year history that features over 100 different “mudras,” or gestures, representing gods, demons, heroes, heroines, and kings. Each of these gestures is based on a scene from the two epic Indian myths, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 09 : Cochin – Mumbai
Transfer in the morning from the hotel to the Mumbai airport for the flight. As you arrive, you’ll be greeted and taken to the hotel, where you can change into clean rooms. The remainder of the day is free for personal activities and taking advantage of the hotel’s amenities. Proceed to the international airport for your subsequent journey.
Day 10 : Abroad – Mumbai
Leave Mumbai. Tour ends.