Day 01 : Arrival
Mumbai
Arrive Mumbai, meet and transfer to hotel. Overnight
at hotel. Day
02 : Mumbai
Morning transfer to Gateway of India to board
the boat for Elephanta cave. Afternoon visit some
of important site of Mumbai. Gateway of India
which overlooks the harbor and landmark of Mumbai
was designed by George Willet to commemorate the
visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.
It was also the point of exit for the last British
regiment to leave India.
Elephanta Caves
: deriving its name from a stone
elephant. The celebrated Hindu cave temple on
the island is excavated from a cliff high above
the water during the Golden age of the Guptas
the worshipers of Lord Shiva. The sculptures are
beautifully executed and most outstanding of these
is the Trimurthy, a 5 m (18 ft) high, three headed
bust hewn from a single rock representing the
trinity viz. The Creator, The Preserver and the
Destroyer.
Afternoon city tour of Mumbai includes a visiting
to Prince of Wales Museum (Monday closed) magnificent
heritage building built in 1909 is an exquisite
example of the Indo-Saracenic architecture. The
Museum is expanded into various sections, including
the Maritime Heritage gallery, the first of its
kind in India. Watch washermen in action at "Dhobighats"-
the unique and colourful out door laundry. Drive
to the Malabar hill to visit lovely Hanging Gardens
and Kamla Nehru Park which commands a wonderful
view of Mumbai and the Arabian Sea spread out
before.
Day 03 : Mumbai
- Cochin
Morning transfer to board airport for flight to
Cochin. Arrive Cochin and transfer to hotel. Afternoon
sight seeing of Fort Cochin visiting oldest European
Church in India-the ST. Francis Church, Dutch
Palace, Chinese fishing nets, walk around spice
market and visit the Jewish Synagogue. Evening
witness to Kathakali dance performance a traditional
dance drama of Kerala and one of the most flamboyant
Indian classical dance form. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 04 : Cochin
- Periyar
Morning leave by surface to Periyar, one of the
most fascinating natural wildlife reserves noted
for its geography, diverse wildlife and scenic
beauty. Evening boat ride on the Lake Periyar
to watch wildlife at closed quarters from the
safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction
of Periyar, however are the herds of Asian elephants.
Periyar is the southern most home of the Asian
elephant. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 : Periyar
Early morning take a boat ride on the Lake Periyar
to observe eco-dynamics of the park and its inhabitants.
Afternoon proceed for a spice plantation visit,
where one can see the cultivation of a whole range
of spices like pepper, cardamom, cloves, turmeric,
vanilla, cinnamon to name some. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 06 : Periyar
- Kumarakom
Morning leave by surface for Kumarakom. Afternoon
at leisure or free for optional activities (one
can avail Ayurvedic rejuvenating massages and
other alternative therapy at an extra cost). Overnight
at hotel.
Day 07 : Kumarakom
- Houseboat
After a leisurely morning board 'Kettuvellam'
traditional houseboat for overnight cruise the
backwaters of Kerala which gives an opportunity
to explore the life of rural Kerala. Cruise through
narrow channels of Vembanad lake, paddy fields,
local villages observing life in rural Kerala.
Overnight onboard.
Day 08 : Alleppey
- Cochin / Mumbai
Morning check-out the houseboat and drive to Cochin.
Later transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai.
Arrive Mumbai, meet and transfer to hotel for
overnight.
Day 09 : Depart
Mumbai
Early morning, transfer to international airport
for onward flight.
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