Day - 1 - Arrival
in Delhi
Transfer to Hotel.
Day - 2 - Delhi - Goa
Relax in the morning; afterneoon fly to Goa 9W 707 (dep 1250, Ar
1520)-the picturesque land full of scenic charm and many attractions
such as historic forts, elaborately ornate churches and temples,
evergreen hills and mountains, winding rivers, creeks and fields and
particularly, the palm-fringed pearly white beaches. Rest of the day
relax on the beach. Taj Holiday Village.
Day - 3 - Goa
Morning visit to Old Goa driving by the seashore. Here the ensemble
of monasteries, convents and chapels will take you back to the days
when the Apostle of the Indies, St. Francis Xavier, preached the
Gospel of Christ. Visit the Basilica of Bombay where mortal remains
of the Saint lie preserved in a silver ornate casket. Also visit St.
Thomas Cathedral and the Church of St. Cajetan-- modeled on the
original.
Day - 4 - Goa
Explore the activities at Goa's colorful Christmas festival.
Day - 5 - Goa - Bombay
Morning visit the St. Francis Church where Vasco-da-Gama was
originally buried. Fouteen years later his mortal remains were taken
to Portugal. This Protestant church was built originally by
Portuguese in 1510 AD and is believed to be the first church built
by the Europeans in India. Visit Santa Cruz Cathedral - Roman
Catholic church, situated close to St. Francis Church, built by the
Portuguese in 16th century. Afternoon fly back to Bombay, IC 164 dep
1415, arr 1515.
Day - 6 - Bombay
Morning city tour will take you to all of BombayŐs best known
landmarks: impressive Gateway of India built in 1911; the Prince of
Wales Museum, famous for it's collection of miniature paintings;
Marine Drive, Bombay's sweeping shoreline; the unique Hanging
Gardens and Main Bhawan, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
Day - 7 - Bombay - Cocin
Fly to Cochin, IC 165 Dep 1040, Arr1225. Cochin is a natural harbor
created by the famed underwater Malabar mudbanks whose unique
quality ensures that the rougher the seas are outside, the calmer
the waters are within the harbor. Here at dusk, the dim silhouettes
of the huge merchant ships can be seen patiently awaiting their turn
for a berth in the docks. Centuries ago, tales of this exotic
coastal strip crossed the vast ocean & attracted famed sailor
Vasco da Gama of Portugal, who arrived in Cochin & placed it on
the World Map. Stroll around the lanes of old Portuguese, Dutch
& British merchant houses. Take a peek at Vasco da GamaŐs
church. Glimpse the Chinese fishing nets silhouetted against an
amber sunset. Evening Kathakali dance performance. Hotel Malabar.
Day - 8 - Cochin
Early morning boat cruise on the enchanting backwaters through the
coconut groves and quiet lagoons. Watching the sunrise in a symphony
of colours is an unforgettable experience. A few minutes after you
move out of the old fashioned dock, you will find yourself
surrounded by lush palmgroves and lovely stretches of paddy fields.
The swaying coconut palms almost dip into the waters, and on chunks
of land that nudge backwaters are little children playing in the
sun. You might see housewives cleaning rice for the dayŐs meal, or
pounding coconut husk for coir fibre or sweeping the Muttom (front
yard), completely oblivious of the regular ferry & cargo boat
traffic that ply to & fro across these waters from dawn to dusk.
Independent day to attend Cochin Festival activities.
Day - 9 - Cochin - Agatti -
Lakshadweep
Fly to Agatti. IC 502 dep 0800; arr 0955. On arrival you will embark
on a magical two hour journey by boat to Lakshadweep or Laccadive
Islands, as they were formerly called, are a string of little known
islands Lying approx. 200 miles off the south West coast of India.
The Islands present a breathtaking spectacle of sparkling coral
reefs, turquoise blue lagoons, silvery beaches and lush green
coconut palms. Transfer to Bangaram Island Resort.
Day - 10-11- Lakshadweep
Spend the day at the beach or go scuba diving and explore the Marine
life; dive to the remains of a 200 years old galleon; go
snorkeling,; deep-sea sports fishing on a country canoe; boat trips
within the lagoon.
Day - 12 - Lakshadweep - Agatti -
Cochin - Kumarakom
Morning depart for Agatti to board flight for Cochin IC 501 (dep
1005, ar 1140) and drive to Kumarakom. Arrive and check in at HOTEL
COCONUT LAGOON. Located on the banks of the Vemband Lake adjacent to
the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. The resort is built on a 10 acre
coconut garden. The rooms are the old wooden houses of Kerala dating
back 100 - 150 years which have been transplanted from various
locations. The public areas of the resort such as the reception and
restaurants are almost 400 years old. The menu is international and
ethnic with special emphasis on seafood and tropical fruit and
vegetables. The large free form swimming pool with the sunken bar
has been designed in traditional Kerala temple style. Evening sunset
cruise on a traditional Rice Boat.
Day
- 13 - Kumarakom - Periyar
This morning depart for Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary - Cradled in mist
shrouded mountains, Periyar nestles close to the dense rain forests
of the High Ranges. The luxuriant vegetation, sudden gushing
waterfalls & an exhilarating view of the velvet valleys below
form a scenic background to the journey up the Ghats. This tranquil
hill retreat is accessible only by road and the journey up is half
the pleasure. Winding mountain roads bordered by undulating tea
plantations; flocks of tea-pickers calmly fill their bags in the
clear mountain air. The road winds on to Kumily, a tiny village near
the Periyar Sanctuary. Arrive and check in at hotel. Afternoon boat
safari.
Day - 14 - Periyar
Morning and evening wildlife viewing.
Day - 15 - Periyar - Munnar
Morning visit the nearby plantations and share a cup of morning tea
with the workers, or select your pick from the freshest of spices,
straight from the spice gardens. Periyar is the Garden of India. The
crisp climate, the gentle slopes of fertile grassland and bright
sunlight combine to make Periyar on ideal home for spice gardens,
from pepper & cardamon to cinnamon and cloves. Pepper plants
grow wild on the hillsides, while the surrounding tea plantations
give off fragrances of fresh tea in the calm crystalline air.
Afternoon depart for Munnar - A hill station on the western ghats
& a nature loverŐs paradise. The drive takes us through
picturesque villages and up winding lanes filled with heady
fragrances of fresh tea. 1800 meters above sea level, Munnar has the
highest peak in South India - Anaimudi which towers over 2695
meters. An assortment of wildlife such as the Nilgiri Thar, Nilgiri
Langur, Sambar, Gaur and the Lion-tailed Macaque are found in the
rich tropical forests. Neelakurinji, the unique plant that blooms
only once in 12 years, paints the entire Munnar hillside blue.
Day - 16 - Munnar
Morning visit the serene hill township Devikulam-1500 m above sea
level, 16 kms southwest of Munnar. Activities here include trout
fishing on the Devikulam lake and hiking in the Eravikulam national
park- the best place to see Nilgiri Tahrs (Hemitragus hylocrious),
the mountain goat of the South India. With a total population of
less than 2000 in the world, more than 60% of Nilgiri Tahrs are
found here. The Nilgiri Languar, the Lion - tailed Macaque, Leopards
and Tigers are other attractions.
Day - 17 - Munnar - Cochin
Morning depart for Cochin (3hr drive). On arrival check in at hotel.
Afternoon city tour. Cochin has a delightfully cosmopolitan look: a
400 year-old Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, mosques &
hindu temples co-exist amicably in a typical example of Indian
secularism.
Day - 18 - Cochin - Bombay - Home
Fly to Bombay, IC 166 dep 1430, arr 1614. Transfer to hotel for
wash/change & dinner. Transfer to the International airport for
flight home.
- All accommodations (dble occupancy)
- Daily breakfasts
- All meals at wildlife sanctuary
- Special Christmas dinner & entertainment
- All land transportation by ac van
- Professional Escort
- Professional Guides
- Transfers in Lakshwadweep by boat
- 3 wildlife viewings by boat in Periyar
- 1 backwater cruise
- 1 back water cruise on RICE boat
