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Kerala`s Houseboats and Wildlife
(Escorted Tour)
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Mumbai
Purchase Deadline: Nov 6, 08 - Thu

 Price This Package

10/11/2008-12/7/2008 from $3259
1/10/2009-3/20/2009 from $3259


Discover the wonder of India as you travel around this beautiful country.
Package Includes
  • Round-trip Economy air to Mumbai on Available Air Carrier
  • Round-trip transportation in all cities
  • 3-night hotel accommodations in Mumbai (2 upon arrival and 1 after the Tour)
  • Continuing flight from Mumbai to Kochi
  • 2-night hotel accommodations in Kochi
  • Private car transportation from Kohci to Alleppey
  • 1-night hotel accommodations in Alleppey
  • Boat transportation from Alleppey to Kumarakom
  • 1-night hotel accommodations in Kumarakom
  • Private car transportation from Kumarakom to Periyar
  • 2-night hotel accommodations in Periyar
  • Private car transportation from Periyar to Kochi
  • Continuing flight to Mumbai
  • Continental breakfast daily
  • Hotel taxes and service charges
  • All sightseeing as listed in the Itinerary Below
  • Mandated Fuel Surcharges

  • Package price excludes airport taxes and fees
    Kerala`s Houseboats and Wildlife
    Vacation Package Itinerary
    Elephant Caves Mumbai Kerala Houseboat Kerala
    Day 1: Depart USA


    Day 2: Arrive Mumbai

  • Upon arrival in Mumbai you are met and transferred to your hotel by our local guide
  • Accommodations in Mumbai


    Day 3: Mumbai

  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • This morning visit the Gateway of India built in 1924 to commemorate the cisit of King George V and Queen Mary to India is was built in the 16th century Gujarati style, the monument stood testament to British supremacy. Ironically, it was from here that the last British troops left the country after independence. Prince of Wales Museum like the Gateway of India commemorates the visit of King George V. The building is built in Indo Sarcenic style and is surrounded by beautiful Gardens.
  • The museum, which opened in 1923 has an impressive collection of artifacts from places such as Elephanta Island, Jogeshwari Caves, and the Indus valley. There is a large collection of terra-cotta figurines, ivory carvings, statues, and miniatures. A unique feature of Mumbai the dhobi is a traditional laundryman, who will collect your dirty linen, wash it, and return it neatly pressed to your doorstep all for a pittance. The most famous of these Dhobi Ghats is at Saat Rasta near Mahalaxmi Station where almost two hundred dhobis and their families work together in what has always been a hereditary occupation. Marine Drive features a bustling waterfront promenade. Marind Drive is built on land reclaimed along the Arabian coast and runs from Nariman point to the foot of Malabar Hill. Sunsets here are particularly beautiful.
  • Accommodations in Mumbai (B)


    Day 4: Mumbai - Cochin

  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Depart for Cochin by morning flight
  • Upon arrival in Cochin check into your hotel
  • Kochi (Cochin) has one of the finest harbors on the Arabian Sea coast and has been a port of call for foreign traders for centuries. Its cosmopolitan character is reflected in the buildings and structures representing various regions of the world. As we explore the streets and backwaters, we will see Chinese, Jewish, Portuguese, Dutch and English architectural styles as a result of the settlement of different nationalities in the city.
  • Accommodations in Cochin (B)


    Day 5: Cochin

  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Enjoy a guided tour in the first half of the day. Visit the Pardesi Synagogue, the Mattancherry Palace - known locally as the Dutch Palace, Fort Cochin reminiscent of European streets and houses, the Chinese Fishing nets on the northern shore of Fort Cochin, and St. Francis Church, near to a typical English village green. Enjoy watching the fishermen work the nets (which operate on a weight system) as the sun is setting.
  • This evening watch a Kathakali dance performance.
  • Accommodations in Cochin (B)


    Day 6: Cochin - Allepey

  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • After breakfast you make a short trip to the ferry point where you board your Houseboat. The boat has a fully equipped kitchen and an experienced cook to prepare authentic Kerala cuisine with seafood specialties and fresh vegetables. The rooms are fully furnished with attached bathrooms. Spend the whole day cruising slowly on the backwaters enjoying some breathtaking views of the lake. The waterways of Kerala play a major role in the economy of the state as they link remote villages and islands with the mainland. It is an incredibly different experience to cruise the backwaters in country boats, absorbing the beauty of Kerala's villages.
  • Accommodations onboard your houseboat (B,L,D)


    Day 7: Allepey - Kumarakom

  • Breakfast onboard
  • Wake up today to the chirping of birds and occasional ripples in the water. Your breakfast will be cooked before your eyes by your expert boat-crew. Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast while cruising quietly on the unending stretches of these backwaters.
  • Continue your cruise and arrive directly at your backwater resort in Kumarakom. The Vembanad Lake here with its majestic canals streams and distributaries along its banks weaves an intricate and beautiful web. Arrive and check in at your backwater resort.
  • Spend the rest of the day at leisure at the resort or indulge in some traditional Kerala Auyrvedic massages.
  • Accommodation in Kumarakom (B)


    Day 8: Kumarakom - Periyar

  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • This morning you travel approximately 4 hours to Thekkady and stay near the main entrance to Periyar Wildlife sanctuary. The flora and fauna of the Periyar wildlife sanctuary is absolutely thrilling. The wildlife sanctuary here is the natural habitat of a wide variety of animal species. The Periyar Lake is a paradise for the nature lovers. It gives you an opportunity to observe the wild animals roaming in the jungle. The lake is also a birdwatcher's delight. The greatest attraction of Periyar Lake, however is the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.
  • Accommodations in Periyar (B)


    Day 9: Periyar

  • What an idyllic way to start the day, an early morning boat ride on Lake Periyar! Covering an area of 300 square miles Periyar is one of the largest and most frequently visited wildlife reserves in India. It is part of the Project Tiger campaign and animals inhabiting the area include elephant, deer, pig, tiger, leopard, bison, monkeys and malabar squirrel. Whilst actually spotting an illusive tiger or leapord could prove difficult, the mix of wooded hills and valleys make it a wonderful place to enjoy the greenery.
  • Return to your resort for breakfast
  • After breakfast a local guide takes you to view spice plantations of cardamon, pepper and other local specialties.
  • Rest of the day is at leisure at the resort.
  • Accommodations in Periyar (B)


    Day 10: Periyar - Mumbai

  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Depart Periyar to Cochin to board your flight to Mumbai
  • Afternoon flight to Mumbai
  • Upon arrival into Mumbai check into your hotel
  • Accommodations in Mumbai (B)


    Day 11: Depart

  • Breakfast at the hotel
  • Transfer to the airport for your flight home


  • Notes & Restrictions
    Notes:
    Space is limited and your desired travel dates may not be available if you wait, so book early to avoid disappointment. We highly recommend 2nd and 3rd choices for travel dates and/or accommodations.
  • Full payment due within 1 day of booking by 2pm.
  • India Tourist Visa
    Click here for visa information.
  • India (Air India Upsell)
    Air upgrades are available on this package, please note they apply to only the transatlatic portion of your flight between New York, Chicago or Los Angeles to Delhi only.
  • India Departure Tax
    Please note that airport departure tax of INR 500.00 (approximately $11) is required to be paid upon departure, in local currency and at airport check-in. This cannot be prepaid.
  • Nonrefundable and nonchangeable once paid in full.
  • Passport numbers are required for confirmation.
  • Passport & Visa Requirments:
    It is the sole responsibility of each passenger to obtain the necessary documents for travel, including valid passports and visas For U.S. citizens, a valid passport and visa are required. Visa requirements change without notice and vary by nationality. Please check with the consulate office of the destination country for their visa requirements.
  • Health requirements:
    Tour members should check with the consulates and/or the local health boards for the latest health requirements.


  • Restrictions:
    Prices are per person based on double occupancy. Purchases within 21 days will incur additional shipping and handling fees. Air carrier used in the package is based on gateway and availability at time of booking and multiple flights connections may be necessary. Surcharges up to $60 per person each way may apply for travel Thursday through Sunday depending on travel dates. Flight departure times may be at any time on your requested departure day. Air taxes/Government-imposed fees/surcharges are excluded. These fees are in addition to the package prices and will be added to invoice. Travel is valid for these dates only. Certain other restrictions may apply, and offer is subject to change without notice. No request will be processed until full payment is received. Once submitted your request can take at least 24 hours to confirm. 2nd and 3rd choices for travel dates are highly recommended.

     

     
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