Destination:- Mumbai, Kochi, Kumarakom, Houseboat, Thekkady, Madurai, Tanjore, Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram, Chennai, Bangalore, Hampi, Goa, Mumbai
Duration:- 22 Days/ 21 Nights
Major Attractions: Elephanta Caves, Tea Estates, Houseboat tour, Jungle safaris, Palm-fringed backwaters, Spice Plantations, Kathakali dance, Exotic temples, Ruins of Hampi, The Vitthala Temple Complex, Churches of Old Goa, UNESCO world heritage sites
Day 1 : Mumbai
Arrive at the commercial capital of India and check in. Remaining time is at leisure till next morning.
Day 2 : Mumbai
Morning proceed for a sightseeing tour of Mumbai. At first visit, the Elephanta cave island for astonishing ancient sculptures. Later during the day visit notable attractions of the city which includes Dhobi Ghat, Marine drive, Crawford market and old mansions of Colaba area.
Day 3 : Fly to Kochi
Take a morning flight to Kochi. You will be met on arrival at Kochi and will be transferred to your hotel to check in. After brief leisure proceed for a half day sightseeing tour in Fort Kochi. Visit the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Matancherry, St. Francis Church and Chinese Fishing nets.
Day 4 : Kumarakom (Backwaters)
Morning after breakfast you will be transferred straightway to Kumarakom. Kumarakom is located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake and renowned for its natural beauty. It is an ideal base to experience the typical Kerala lifestyle. On arrival, check in at your backwaters resort situated in the heart of emerald backwaters. Remaining day is at your own discretion to enjoy different water sports and Ayurvedic massages at your resort.
Day 5 : Houseboat
At appropriate time houseboat will report at your resort. Later check in at your beautifully decorated houseboat (Kettuvallam) to begin your journey through enchanting backwaters. The houseboat cruise in backwaters is among the most exciting tourism products of Kerala. Since Kerala has large stretches of backwaters with plenty of natural sceneries (but only few interesting monuments for sightseeing), sailing through the houseboat makes it a wonderful experience. Enjoy the day sailing through the narrow emerald backwater canals of Kumarakom/Alleppey. Stay overnight in your luxury houseboat.
Day 6 : Thekkady
Morning after breakfast proceed to Thekkady which offers diverse attractions like Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Hill Station and Spice Plantations. After checking in & brief leisure, proceed for a wildlife cruise over Periyar Lake to view an amazing variety of birds, animals, flora and fauna. If lucky you may get to see Wild Elephants, Nilgiri Langur, Sambar Deer, Wild Bison and Wild Boar etc. Stay overnight at your hotel.
Day 7 : Thekkady (Elephant ride and Spice Plantation tour)
Early morning proceed for an Elephant ride in the periphery of the jungle. Also enjoy a guided tour to spice plantations. You may enjoy optional activities like Bamboo Rafting, Trekking, Jeep safari, tribal tour and hiking inside the jungle during the day. In the late evening you have an option to enjoy a night patrolling inside the jungle.
Day 8 : Madurai
Drive out of Kerala hills and reach Tamilnadu plains- the Dravidian heartland. On arrival at Madurai, check in at your hotel. Later visit the Thirumal Nayaka Palace and the Dravidian masterpiece Meenakshi Temple which makes the city of Madurai so famous.
Day 9 : Tanjore
Drive down to fertile rice growing plains of Cauvery to reach Tiruchirapally. On arrival, visit the tremendous Srirangam Temple and then continue to the Chola citadel of Tanjore. Visit the World heritage Brihadishvara temple- simply one and only of its kind!
Day 10 : Puducherry
Morning drive to reach the former French colony Pondicherry (recently renamed as Puducherry). Palm-fringed beaches, backwaters, fishing villages, luxury beach resorts, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville, a coastline of 32 kms, great sea-food, quality wine and colonial feel are just few reasons to visit Pondicherry. Day free to relax and unwind.
Day 11 : Puducherry
Morning visit the famous Sri Aurobindo Ashram. Later visit the Pondicherry Museum and Auroville- a famous center for meditation and spiritual learning named after Guru Sri Aurobindo Ghosh.
Day 12 : Mahabalipuram
Morning drive to reach Mahabalipuram which is famous for its rock carvings and the beautiful Shore Temple. After brief leisure, you may visit Kanchipuram which is home to the famous silk and cotton weaving industry.
Day 13 : Chennai
Morning walk over the seashore and explore the temples. Later drive towards Chennai visiting Dakshinchitra- an art and craft heritage center, on the way. Day free to move around in Chennai for the wonderful shopping opportunity it offers. Evening you may visit one of the many famous auditoriums for live performance of Indian classical dance.
Day 14 : Chennai
After having a half-day sightseeing tour of Chennai, visit Kalakshetra, the world famous cultural center founded by Rukmini Devi Arundale and Theosophical society with its huge Banyan tree.
Day 15 : Bangalore
Board a morning train to reach Bangalore. After brief leisure, you may visit Cubbon Park, Lal Bag and other interesting buildings of Bangalore.
Day 16 : Bangalore
Morning proceed for an excursion to Nrityagram- a center for learning of Indian classical dances. Rest of day is free to stroll in & around busy M.G. Road. Evening you will be transferred to Bangalore railway station to board an overnight train to Hospet.
Day 17 : Hampi
On your arrival at Hospet railway station, you will be assisted and transferred to your hotel to check in. After brief leisure proceed to explore Hampi. The city has extraordinary remnants of the great Vijayanagara. The sheer size and majestic appearance of this historical city is just amazing!
Day 18 : Hampi
Morning visit the thriving Hampi bazaar and temples. Later visit the Royal Centre with Lotus Mahal and Elephant Stables.
Day 19 : Hampi - Goa
Post breakfast, you will be driven to India’s western coastline to reach Goa- the most popular beach destination of India. Day at your discretion to walk around the beautiful beaches of Goa.
Day 20 : Goa
Morning proceed for a sightseeing tour of Goa which covers your visit to churches of old Goa (Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, etc.). These churches are among the World Heritage Sites of India which is famous through out the Roman Catholic world. Later explore Panjim city, Altinho and Dona Paula view point. Evening enjoy Sunset cruise at mighty River Mandovi.
Day 21 : Goa
Spend the day at leisure, enjoying the beach, neighboring towns and nearby village.
Day 22 : Departure
Fly back to Mumbai. On arrival, take an internal shuttle transfer to Mumbai international airport to catch the flight back home. The tour ends here.