Arrive Mumbai

Arrive Mumbai. Upon arrival, you would be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Mumbai

Early 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.

Thereafter, city tour of Mumbai - 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 and the Dhobi Ghat, the unique and colourful outdoor 'laundry'. Also visit Mani Bhawan, a small museum dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi.

Overnight at hotel.

Mumbai – Cochin – Periyar

Morning transfer to the airport for flight to Cochin.

Depart: Mumbai at: 1040 hrs by: IC 165
Arrive: Cochin at: 1225 hrs

On arrival in Cochin, you would be met and proceed straight to Periyar (195 kms). Check-in at 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.

Overnight at hotel

Periyar – Munnar

Early morning game viewing cruise on Periyar Lake in the cool surroundings and the panorama spreads around - tropical jungles, wild elephants, Indian gaur, monkeys, wild boar and birds of myriad varieties. With an area of 777 sq km the wildlife sanctuary lies at an elevation of 914 metres to 1828 meters above sea level on the Periyar Lake in the hills of Western Ghats.

Afternoon drive to the beautiful hill station of Munnar (106 kms). Upon arrival, check-in at hotel. Munnar - is the beautiful hillstation housing world’s highest tea-growing estates. Beyond these estates are rich tropical forests that houses an assortment of wildlife such as Nilgiri Langur, Sambhar, Gaur, Elephant and Lion-tailed Macaques.

Overnight at hotel

Munnar

Full day at leisure for own activities.
Overnight at hotel.

Munnar – Cochin

Morning drive to Cochin (130 kms). Upon arrival, check-in at hotel.

Afternoon sightseeing tour of Cochin or "Kochi" the palm green, commercial capital of Kerala is known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea". From time immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British & Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Kochi & left their impression on the town. Modern Kochi is thus a splendid mosaic of these myriad influences. Visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, the Church of St. Francis & the famous Chinese fishing nets.

Overnight at hotel.

Cochin – Ooty

Morning drive to Ooty (281 kms). Upon arrival check-in at hotel.

Ootacamund (Ooty) - the summer capital of the Madras Presidency (now Tamil Nadu), it is known as the Queen of Hill stations. It nestles in the Nilgiri Hills at an altitude of 2300 m. Ooty still maintains its definite air of elegance and there are British Raj reminders everywhere-notably in the stone cottages with flower gardens, the beautiful Botanical gardens (1840), the Churches, tea gardens and eucalyptus plantations.

Overnight at hotel

Ooty - Mysore

Late morning drive to Mysore (160 kms). Upon arrival, check-in at hotel Overnight at hotel

Mysore

Morning visit the beautiful city of Mysore, that is known for its fine craftsmenship in wood, ivory, sandal-wood and for its silk.

Visit the Mysore Palace - Built in Indo-Saracenic style with domes, turrets, arches and colonnades, it is a treasure house of exquisite carvings and works of art from all over the world. Intricately carved doors open onto luxuriously furnished rooms. The majestic Durbar Hall has an ornate ceiling and many sculpted pillars. The Marriage Pavilion is adorned with glazed tiled flooring, stained glass and domed ceilings. The walled palace complex houses the Residential Museum, temples and shrines, including the Shwetha Varahswamy Temple. The magnificently jewel-studded golden throne, the pride of the ruling Wodeyar family, is displayed here during the Dussehra festival. (Once a week on every Sunday the palace is lit up in the evening) presenting a spectacle of breathtaking beauty.

Then proceed to the Chamundi Temple on a hill above the city.

Overnight at the hotel

Mysore – Hassan

Morning, drive to Hassan (115 kms) enroute visiting Srirangapatnam and Sravanbelgola.

Visit Sriringapatnam from this small Island fortress - town straddling the river Cauvery came the two brilliant Muslim leaders Hyder Ali and his son Tipu Sultan, who rulled a powerful empire comprising much of Southern India for 40 years. Tipu Sultan “The Tiger of Mysore” became the most dreaded foe of the British in the south, and inflicted two punishing defeats on the forces of East India Company before at last being overcome in 1799. Tipu was killed and his town razed, but his elegant Summer Palace, or Daria Daulat Bagh remains intact; the British kept it for their own use. Later Duke of Wellington, lived here for a spell while serving as governor of Mysore.

Sravanbelgola famous for its colossal statue of the Jain Saint Gomateshwara. 614 steps lead to his monolithic statue 18 meters tall and standing atop the hill of Indragiri. Every 12 years Jains from all over India gather here for the spectacular bathing festival of the statue Upon arrival at Hassan - check into hotel.
Overnight at hotel

Hassan – Halebid – Belur – Bangalore

Sightseeing tour of Halebid and Belur.

Drive through lush tropical landscapes to Halebid and Belur - Built in the 12th and 13th century in the superb baroque style, these temples are carved of stone and are truly magnificent. As one architect and critic said "These friezes carved with a minute elaboration of detail are one of the most marvelous exhibitions of human labor to be found even in the patient East". The temple at Belur is famed for its profusely ornamented exterior, and the one at Halebid for its sculptured figures and open-air museum. Also visit the colossal monolithic Jain statue, 57-ft high, which stands on top of a steep bare hill.

Thereafter drive to Bangalore (180 kms) and upon arrival check in at hotel.

Overnight at hotel

Bangalore – Goa

Late morning transfer to the airport for flight to Goa.

Depart: Bangalore at: 1300 hrs by: 9W 3525
Arrive: Goa at: 1430 hrs

On arrival in Goa, you would be met and transferred to the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure for own activities.
Overnight at hotel

Goa

Full day at leisure for own activities.

Goa's 450 years under Portuguese domination produced a unique, syncretic blend of East and West. The stretches of silver sand wetted by a rush of blue waters, the sky mirroring the sea below, the strumming of guitars from distant taverns, white churches resting against green paddy fields and coconut groves, long nights spent over brewed feni, longer days of sun, sand and sea.

Overnight at hotel.

Goa – Mumbai

Late morning transfer to the airport for flight to Mumbai.

Depart: Goa at: 1345 hrs by: 9W 459
Arrive: Mumbai at: 1445 hrs

On arrival in Goa, you would be met and transferred to the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure for own activities.
Overnight at hotel

Mumbai – Onward journey

Morning transfer to the international airport for your onward journey.

Depart: Mumbai