KERALA - GOD’S OWN COUNTRY

Arranged by Namaste Tours Dehli.

Day 01 - ARRIVE MUMBAI
Late evening: On arrival by your international flight, meet and greet at the airport and later transfer to hotel for immediate occupancy. Overnight in Mumbai

Day 02 - IN MUMBAI
Morning: Free to get over the jet lag. Afternoon: Guided city tour of Mumbai. Mumbai (Bombay) is the vibrant and pulsating capital of Maharashtra. For over a century, Mumbai has been a commercial and industrial centre of India with a magnificent harbour, imposing multi-storeyed buildings, crowded thoroughfares, busy markets, shopping centres and beautiful tourist spots. The British acquired Mumbai from the Portuguese in 1665 and handed it over to the East India company in 1671 for a handsome annual rent of Sterling Pounds 10 in Gold! Later, these seven islands were joined together by causeways and bridges in 1862.

City tour of Mumbai visiting the 19th century Jain Temple with its silver doors, the Kamala Nehru Park and the Ferozshah Mehta Gardens known as the Hanging Gardens of Bombay and the Towers of Silence where the Parsis dispose their dead. Visit Mani Bhavan where Mahatma Gandhi spent 17 years of his life working for the freedom of India. Also visit the Prince of Wales Museum, which has an excellent collection of miniatures (closed on Mondays). Overnight in Mumbai

Day 03 - MUMBAI/COCHIN
Morning: Assistance and transfer to airport in time to connect flight to Cochin. On arrival in Cochin, assistance at airport and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free for independent activities. Overnight in Cochin

Day 04 - IN COCHIN
Morning: Guided city tour of Cochin. Afternoon: Free for independent activities. Evening: Attend the Kathakali dance performance. Cochin - the palmgreen commercial town of Kerala has one of the finest natural harbours in the world. A town with a hoary past, Cochin is the gateway to Kerala.

The Jewish Synagogue - built in 1568 AD contains Grand Scrolls of the Old Testament and the copper plates containing the privileges granted to the Jews by the Cochin rulers. The floor of the synagogue is paved with exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles.

The Dutch Palace was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja in 1555 AD. 17th century murals depicting scenes from the Indian epic, the Ramayana can be seen here. St Francis Church, built originally by the Portuguese in 1510 AD is believed to be the first church built by Europeans in India. Vasco da Gama was originally buried here. The Chinese fishing nets can be seen at the entrance of the harbour. The Chinese through trade contact taught this technique of catching fish. Overnight in Cochin

Day 05 - COCHIN/MUNNAR
Morning: Drive to Munnar (135 kms/04½ hrs) enroute visit tea plantations. On arrival in Munnar, check in at hotel. Afternoon: Boat ride in the lake. Munnar (1,524 M), is the highest town of Kerala, with a cool, bracing climate exuding an old-world charm. The atmosphere is fragrant with extensive tea and cardamom plantations. There are enchanting high ranges, lakes and streams and beautiful view of low-lying clouds and the mist filled valleys. Overnight in Munnar

Day 06 - IN MUNNAR
Full day free to visit the bazaars, plantations etc. Overnight in Munnar.

Day 07 - MUNNAR/PERIYAR
Morning: Drive to Periyar (100 kms/03 hrs) and on arrival check in at forest resort. Afternoon: Boat ride in Lake Periyar to watch wildlife. Periyar Tiger Reserve, 777 sq km in area is set in a rich, mixed deciduous forest, interspersed with open areas of tall grass. Periyar has a splendid artificial lake dotted with snags of dead wood, which provide a perch for waterbirds; darter, grey heron, egret and kingfisher. It is one of the finest habitats for the Asiatic elephant. These enormous mammals swim in the waters and streams and usually they can be observed during the boat ride. Periyar also holds, apart from Tiger leopard, sambar, wild dog, barking deer, the lion tailed macaque, the Nilgiri langur . The forest harbours a variety of woodland birds.  Boat travel is the only means of transport in the Sanctuary. Overnight in Periyar.

Day 08 - IN PERIYAR
Early Morning: Boat ride in Lake Periyar, followed by guided hiking in the forest. Afternoon: Visit to Kumily market to see and buy spices. Overnight in Periyar.

Day 09 - PERIYAR/KUMARAKOM
Morning: Drive to Kumarakom (125 kms/04 hrs) and on arrival check in at hotel. Enjoy a three hour boat cruise in the enchanting backwaters, passing through paddy fields, villages, market etc. Kumarakom is an idyllic floating island situated on Vembanad Lake.  The adjoining bird sanctuary with a spectacular collection of resident and migratory brids can be viewed from here. Nature walks, backwater boat cruises, Ayurvedic massages in traditional form (practiced since ancient times in Kerala) and swimming are all-possible. For those interested in fishing, special arrangements can also be made. Overnight in Kumarakom

Day 10 KUMARAKOM/ALLEPPEY
Morning: Drive to the boat jetty and switch over to the House Boat and cruise towards Alleppey. Enroute see paddy fields, markets and the village life surrounding the backwater.  Alleppey, 64 kms from Cochin, is a town with extensive canal network interspersed with bridges and hence is called the Venice of East.  The town is known for its water carnivals, the most popular event being the Snake Boat Race, which is organised on the second Saturday of August every year.

Hundred & twenty oarsmen who move their oars in unison row these Snake Boats and this competitive sport attracts thousands of people every year. Alleppey is also a coconut town and is known for the manufacture of coir yarn, coir mats and allied goods.  Mullackal Bhagavathy temple is an ancient mother Goddess temple of this place. Overnight on board House Boat

Day 11 ARRIVE ALLEPPEY/KOVALAM
Morning: On arrival at Alleppey boat jetty, switch over to car and drive to Kovalam (175 kms/04 hrs) and on arrival in Kovalam, check in at a beach resort. Rest of the day to relax at the beach or indulge in Ayurvedic massages.

Kovalam is a sheltered bay endowed with unusual beauty, located on the magnificent Arabian Sea coast.  This natural bay is a safe sea-pool, free from high waves and surges. The 30 kms drive from the Tiruvanantapuram airport to the beach through groves of palms is refreshing.  It is an ideal place to swim, sunbathe and perhaps enjoy the ancient rites of an Ayurvedic massage and oil bath. Overnight in Kovalam.

Day 12 - IN KOVALAM.
Full day free at the beach. Overnight in Kovalam

Day 13 - KOVALAM/TRIVANDRUM/MUMBAI/DEPART
Morning: Assistance and transfer to Trivandrum airport (16 kms) in time to connect flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai, assistance at airport and transfer to city hotel for wash and change. Evening: After farewell dinner, assistance and transfer to International airport in time to connect your onward flight home….

HOTELS ENVISAGED

• City   Moderate   First Class
• Mumbai  Garden   Westend
• Cochin  Grand    Oberoi Trident
• Munnar  Sienna Village  Fort Munnar
• Periyar  Cardamom County  Taj Garden Retreat
• Kumarakom  Golden Water  Taj Garden Retreat
• Alleppey   House Boat   House Boat
• Kovalam  Palmshore   Somatheeram Beach Resort

TOUR PRICE (IN US DOLLARS):

• Number of Pax    02 paying pax 
• Moderate 1030 per person 
• First Class 1175 per person
  

PRICE INCLUDES

• Accommodation for 12 nights at the above mentioned hotels or similar on Twin Share basis
• Daily breakfast at all hotels, except on House Boat which is on Full Board basis.
• Arrival / Departure assistance at all places by Namaste representatives.
• Transportation by Air-conditioned car (02 pax), Sumo (04 pax), Tempo Traveler (05-10 pax) and Mini Coach (11-16 pax), for the entire program, including driver allowance, permits, interstate taxes, toll tax, parking, entrances etc.
• Services of Excellent English speaking guide as per the program covering entrances to places of visit
• Kathakali dance performance at Cochin
• Boat rides in Munnar & Periyar
• Three hour boat ride in the backwaters
• All prevailing taxes.

PRICES EXCLUDES

• Expenses like meals (other than specified), table drinks, telephone calls, laundry,  tips or other expenses of personal nature.
• Any international air ticket, insurance, medical, airport tax, visa fee etc.
• Camera/Video fee at monuments
• Any other expenses not mentioned above.