EXPLORE SOUTH INDIA TRAVEL
Mumbai - Calicut - Kappad - Vythri - Calicut - Cochin - Kumarakom - Kovalam - Neyyar - Kovalam - Trivandrum (13 Nights / 14 Days)
Welcome to India! Arrive at Mumbai (Bombay), the commercial capital of India. Upon arrival, meet assist at the airport and then transfer and check into the hotel. Proceed for an afternoon city tour of Mumbai. Visit the Gateway of India, built to commemorate the royal visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Stop by the Dhobi Ghat, the Flora Fountain and the Hanging Gardens. Drive by the Marine Drive, the Chowpaty Beach and the Parsi ''Towers of Silence''. Also visit the Indo-Saracenic Prince of Wales Museum. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 2/Mumbai - Calicut
In the morning, board the connecting flight for Calicut, now known as Kozhikode where Vasco da Gama landed. Upon arrival transfer and check into the hotel. In the afternoon, city tour of Calicut, visiting the Pazhassiraja Museum, the Art Gallery, the Krishna Memon Museum and the market. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 3/Calicut - Kappad
In the morning, drive to Kappad. This historic beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. This is the place where the Portuguese Navigator Vasco da Gama landed in 1498. Upon arrival check into the hotel. In the afternoon, visit Beypur, one of the ancient ports of Kerala. The boat-building yard here is famous for the construction of Uru or Country Craft, which used to sail to Gulf countries with heavy luggage. The technique of this boat building is now available with few families. It is also a major fishing harbor. The rest of the day would be spent at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 4/Kappad - Vythri
In the morning, drive to Vythiri and check into a hotel. The rest of the day would be spent at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 5/Vythri
The day would be spent at leisure to enjoy the Eco-Friendly nature at its best. The hotel is situated close to the Pookode Lake, evergreen forests with perennial steams and stunning waterfalls. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 6/Vythri - Calicut - Cochin
In the morning, drive to Calicut to board a train for Cochin. The city is now known as Kochi which with its wealth of historic associations and its setting of a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas perfectly reflects the eclecticism of Kerala. Upon arrival transfer and check into the hotel. The evening would be spent at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 7/Cochin
In the morning, enjoy a city tour. Visit the Mattancheery Dutch Palace where the superb series of murals painted on the wooden walls are its main attraction. Also visit the 16th century Jewish Synagogue and the Church of St. Francis. Vasco da Gama was originally buried in the Church''s cemetery. Walk around the Fort Cochin area and admire the Chinese Fishing Nets. Chinese traders are believed to have introduced them in the late 14th century. The afternoon would be spent at leisure. In the evening, there would be a Kathakali Dance show. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 8/Cochin - Kumarakom
In the morning, drive to Kumarakom and check into the hotel. The rest of the day can be spent at leisure or one can visit the villages, the Bird Sanctuary, the Country Boat Cruise, or go for an Ayurvedic Massage. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 9/Kumarakom - Houseboat
The morning would be spent at leisure. In the afternoon, check into a Houseboat and depart for a cruise through the scenic backwater towards Alleppey. Enjoy the endless stretch of water running miles to nowhere; its banks lined with swaying palms fanning the lush green rice fields below dancing in rhythm with the gentle sea breeze carrying a medley of flavors of fish, coconut and spice. Stay overnight on the Houseboat.
Day 10/Houseboat - Kovalam
In the morning transfer to Alleppey by road. Later, drive to Kovalam. Upon arrival, check into a hotel. The rest of the day would be spent at leisure on the beach. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 11/Kovalam - Neyyar
In the morning, drive to Neyyar situated in the base of the forest, Agastyarkoodam, where the Hindu Saint Agastya spent his life in meditation. This area has rich in flora and fauna with lots of medicinal plants and orchids. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. The rest of the day would be spent at leisure, enjoying nature and trekking. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 12/Neyyar
Early in the morning, attend Yoga and meditation sessions. The rest of the day would be spent at leisure enjoying nature and mild trekking. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 13/Neyyar - Kovalam
Early in the morning, attend Yoga and meditation sessions. Later, drive to Kovalam visiting Aruvikkara en route. Upon arrival, check into the hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a city tour of Trivandrum, visiting the Padmanabhaswamy Temple where the corridors are lined with 368 sculpted stone pillars and adorned with murals and ornamentation, the Museum, the Handicrafts Institute and the Art Gallery. Return to Kovalam and stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 14/Kovalam - Trivandrum - Departure
In the morning, transfer to the Trivandrum airport for your onward connection.
