Kerala
Backwater Tours
Duration : 10 Days/09 Nights
Places Covered : Bombay - Cochin - Periyar - Kumarakom - Houseboat - Marari - Cochin - Bombay
Day
01 : Abroad Bombay
Arrive Delhi International airport. On arrival, the guest
will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel.
Upon arrival at hotel the guests will b
e provided with the
traditional Indian welcome. Indian welcome consists of
Aarti-Tikka and garlands. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 : Bombay
Bombay Morning, one hour boat ride across Mumbai Harbour
brings you to the lush green Elephanta Island. Here, visit
some of the huge and intricately carved Elephanta Caves that
date back to the 8th century. For rows of massive columns
cut into solid rock from three magnificent avenues, lead to
the outstanding three-headed sculpture representing Brahma
the Creator, Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer.
Dedicated to Shiva, the beauty and power of these phenomenal
sculptures depicting the various manifestations of Shiva is
overpowering. Afternoon, City tour of Bombay - the great
port city with its Victorian Gothic buildings from the
British Raj Era mingling with the modern. The tour includes
'Gateway of India' overlooking the Harbour, the 'Towers of
Silence', 'Marine Drive', the 'Colaba Causeway' - the
commercial heart of Bombay and the Dhobi Ghat, the unique
and colourful outdoor 'laundry'. Drive upto the Malabar Hill
to the lovely 'Hanging Gardens' and the Kamla Nehru Park
from where you will get a wonderful view of Mumbai and the
Arabian Sea, spread out before you. Also visit Mani Bhawan,
a small museum dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma
Gandhi, and the bustling Crawford Market. Overnight at hotel
Day 03 : Bombay - Cochin - Periyar
Morning transfer to the airport to connect flight to
Cochin(0840 hrs / 1025 hrs) Upon arrival, meet &
transfer to the hotel for lunch. Thereafter drive to Periyar
(190 kms) Upon arrival at Periyar - check into hotel Periyar
- Sprawling across 777 sq. kms. of the Cardamom Hills of the
Western Ghats, Thekkady is the home to one of the largest
wildlife reserves in India. Alive with exotic flora and
vibrant wildlife, it is the perfect getaway tucked away
among hills. Spice Village Resort is situated just outside
the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This unique and
deluxe village resort is set in a spice garden - with 37
cottages of thatched roofs which blend well with the
surrounding greenery. Overnight at hotel
Day 04 : Periyar - Kumarakom
Early morning boatcruise on the Lake of the famous Periyar
wildlife sanctuary to see wild life. Periyar - an artificial
lake or reservoir created by a dam on Periyar River is the
heart of the Wildlife Sanctuary wild elephants, Asiatic
Deer, Black Buck and even Tigers come to shores of the lake
for a drink. Return to hotel for breakfast After breakfast a
guided walk around the Spice Village to see the various
spices grown in the r
esort garden. Thereafter drive through
the winding "Ghats" lined with prosperous tea
plantations & then arrive the fascinating countryside of
low-lying palms and paddy fields to Kumarakom (190 kms)
enroute visit the tea estates. Kumarakom - is a beautiful
backwater village on the shores of the enchanting Vembanad
Lake, criss crossed with meandering waterways and ancient
cottages. A holiday in Coconut Lagoon promises to be
different from any other. Every "tarawad" or
cottage you stay in is at least a century old, reconstructed
piece by piece in accordance with ancient rites of
carpentry. Relax at the waterfront, with the occasional
native row boat gliding silently by, and the air so calm,
you can reach out and touch the sky with your finger tips.
Overnight at hotel