Gateway of India or HOLLYWOOD – whatever you may call it – welcome to MUMBAI, the Financial and Entertaiment Capital of India. Millions of people from diverse ethnic background, culture, history and speaking dozens of different languages, gel together to add colour and flavor to this Amazing City, which many believe and say that the city never sleeps and rightly called the LAS VEGAS OF INDIA. Adding more spice to this great melting pot with all its diversity, GOA the land of endless Golden Sands with swaying Palms & sparkling waters of Arabian Sea Beaches, and KERALA – God’s own Country, the trip attracts more than 2 million visitors every year to its balmy shores.
Day 01 : Arrive Mumbai
Meet/transfer to Hotel.
Afternoon, city tour of Mumbai visiting Gate of India erected in 1911, Marine Drive, Prince of Wales Museum, The Aquarium, Hanging Gardens, Dhobi Ghat – an unique and amazing sight in the world where you can see thousands of Washermen cleaning the clothes of the entire city.
Back to hotel after sightseeing. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 : Mumbai
Morning, drive to Gateway of India to go across the harbour for an hour long cruise in Motor Launch to visit Elephanta Caves located on Elephanta Island (otherwise known as the Island of Gharapuri), which features two hillocks separated by a narrow valley. The small island is dotted with numerous ancient archaeological remains that are the sole testimonies to its rich cultural past. These archaeological remains reveal evidence of occupation from as early as the 2nd century BC. The rock-cut Elephanta Caves were constructed about the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD. The most important among the caves is the great Cave 1, which measures 39 metres from the front entrance to the back. In plan, this cave in the western hill closely resembles Dumar Lena cave at Ellora, in Aurangabad. The layout of the caves, including the pillar components, the placement and division of the caves into different parts, and the provision of a sanctum plan, are important developments in rock-cut architecture.
Post sightseeing cruise back to Gateway of India and transfer to hotel.
Rest of the day free to relax/independent activities/shopping. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 : Mumbai – Madurai
Morning, transfer to airport to connect flight for Madurai.
Meet/assist and transfer to hotel.
In the afternoon – visit MEENAKSHI TEMPLE – the main attraction of the city to witness the evening prayers, the spectacle worth seeing.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 : Madurai – Periyar
Morning sightseeing of Madurai – the city also known as the Athens of East.. It is narrated in the legend that Madurai was originally a forest known as Kadambavanam. Madurai has a rich historical background in the sense that Lord Shiva himself performed sixty-four wonders called THIRUVILAIYADALS. As early as in the 3rd Century BC, Megasthanes visited Madurai. Later many people from Rome and Greece visited Madurai and established trade with the Pandya Kings – the rulers of Madurai. The state flourished till 10th century AD when it was captured by the CHOLAS, the arch rivals of the PANDYAS. The structures here are excellent example of Dravidian architecture.
After sightseeing, leave Madurai and drive to Periyar, about 235ms / appox. 5 hours drive. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel.
Ovrnight at hotel.
Day 05 : Periyar
Morning, proceed for a boat cruise on Lake Periyar for game viewing. Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats of Kerala, Periyar National Park boasts of Indian Elephants in particular in the act of abulation and playfulness on the banks of the lake Periyar.
Afternoon – Rest of the day orientation drive through the small town on the banks of Periyar Lake to visit the Spice and Rubber Plantations, for which this place is also famous for.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 : Periyar – Kumarakom – Rice Boat
Morning, drive to Kumarakom, about 90kms / couple of hours drive and upon arrival, drop at Boat Jetty to Board the RICE BOAT CRUISE on the backwaters of Kerala towards Alleppey.
At sunset, anchors are dropped at the appointed / suitable place to rest for the night ON BOARD the House Boat (no night sailing allowed).
Overnight on Board.
Day 07 : Arrive Alleppey – Cochin
Enjoy the sunrise on the backwaters and then start sailing again.
Post Breakfast on board, arrive at Alleppey and disembark at the boat jetty.
Your vehicle meets you again to pick you up and drive to Cochin, about 6okms / one hour drive.
Upon arrival, check-in at hotel.
Afternoon – city tour of Cochin, which consists of cluster of Islands & Towns with Fort Cochin is believed to be the oldest European settlement in India, with the Portuguese Flag first hoisted in 1500 A.D.. Visist Jewish Cynagogue, Chinese Fishing Nets, orientation drive though the modern city (Ernakulam) and its shopping nalls/markets famous for its unique brand of Kerala Cotton materials.
Evening witness and enjoy the world famous KATHAKALI DANCE SHOW – one of the renowned Classical Dance form of India. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 : Cochin – Mumbai – Goa
Early morning, transfer to airport to connect flight for Mumbai.
Upon arrival, change over flight to Goa.
Meet/transfer to hotel. Rest of the day free to relax.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 : Goa
Day free to relax / enjoy the Beach.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 : Goa
Day free to relax / enjoy the Beach.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 : Goa
Day free to relax / enjoy the Beach.
Afternoon, City Tour of Goa visiting various churches and then enjoy a Cruise on River Mandovi in the evening.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Departure Goa
Morning, transfer to airport to connect flight for your journey back home / onward destination.
