| THE
MALABAR COAST & BACK WATERS |
(17nights
/ 18 days)
Best Season : October - March |
| Places
to visit : Mumbai - Goa - Bangalore - Hassan - Mysore
- Chennai - Mahabalipuram - Madurai - Periyar - Kumarakom
- Alleppey - Cochin - Mumbai |
|
|
The
Malabar Coast on the Arabian Sea, and the forested Western
ghats that run paralleled to the shore some distance inland,
have all the ingredients that combine leisure in the warm,
balmy weather with the cultural and natural heritage of the
exotic part of south India. From the sun-drenched beaches
of Goa backwaters of Cochin and the profile wildlife of Periyar,
this is the ultimate experience for those who wish to get
away from the madding crowd.
|
|
ITINERARY
|
| Day
1. Arrive Mumbai |
Arrive
Mumbai. Transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
|
| Day
2. Mumbai / Goa |
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport to board flight for
Goa. On arrival transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
|
|
|
| Day
3. Goa |
Morning
tour of Old Goa and Panjim. Afternoon free.
|
| Day
4 & 5. Goa |
At
leisure in Goa. Overnight hotel.
|
| Day
6. Goa / Bangalore |
Transfer
to the airport for your flight to Bangalore. On arrival transfer
to your hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Cubbon Park. Lalbagh
Botanial Gardens and the Bull temple.
|
| Day
7. Bangalore / Hassan, ( drive 210 kms.) |
 Morning
proceed by road to Hassan via Sravanabelagola, site of the
seventeen metre monolithe statue of Lord Bahubali. Later sightseeing
of Belur & Helbid. Belur is famous for the Chennakesware
Temple, one of the finest specimens of Hoysala Temple architecture.
The elaborately carved temples of Hoysalesware and Kedaresware
are to be found
at Halebid. Overnight at hotel in Hassan.
|
|
Day 8. Hassan / Mysore ( drive 120 kms.) |
 The
morning is spent sightseeing at Belur and Halebid. After lunch,
proceedto Mysore via Sringapaatnam. Visit the summer palace
of Tipu Sultan and the fortress and tomb of this famous warrior
king.
|
| Day
9. Mysore / Chennai, by train |
Morning
sightseeing of Maysore. Evening transfer to railway station
to board the train Shatabadi Express for Chennai. Arrive Chennai
and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
|
| Day
10. Chennai / Mahabalipuram - Chennai |
Full
day excursion of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram
is the center of silk weaving and is famous for its silk sarees
and materials.
|
| Day
11. Chennai / Madurai, flight |
Transfer
to airport to board flight for Madurai. On arrival transfer
to hotel for lunch. Afternoon sight-seeing of Meenakshi Temple
and museum within. The tour also includes the Palace of king
Tirumalai at a distance of about 1 km from Meenakshi Temple.
It has blend of Hindu and Saracen architecture. Proceed to
the Mariamman Tank.
|
|
Day 12. Madurai / Periyar, (drive 160 kms.) |
 Breakfast
at hotel. Later proceed by road to Periyar, 160 kms. away.
Arrive Periyar and check into hotel for lunch. After lunch
game viewing at lake periyar. Overnight at hotel.
|
| Day
13. Periyar |
Morning game viewing at Periyar. Afternoon free. Overnight
at hotel.
|
| Day
14. Periyar / Kumarakom, |
 Early
morning cruise on the lake after which proceed by road to
Kumrakom. Drive pass through plantation countryside. Overnight
at Coconut Lagoon.
|
| Day
15. Kumarakom / Alleppey |
 Embark
for the hightlight of the tour, a backwater cruise to Alleppey.
The cruise is very picturesque. The cruise is very small canals,
tourists can glimpse the lifestyle of the people of this water
logged area. A stop on the way to the town ships or village
can be made. Arrive at Alleppey and transfer to hotel overnight
stay. |
| Day16.
Alleppey / Cochin |
Breakfast
at hotel. Morning free. Afternoon drive to Cochin at a distance
of 80 kms. Check into hotel for overnight stay.
|
| Day
17. Cochin |
Breakfast
at hotel. Sightseeing of Cochin. Afternoon free. Overnight
at hotel.
|
| Day
18. Cochin / Mumbai |
| Morning
transfer to airport to board flight for Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai
and transfer to international airport to board flight for
onward journey. |
