Kerala Beach Tour

Day 1: Arrival in Mumbai
On the first day, as you arrive at Mumbai International Airport, India, our company representative will be there to meet you. He will be in the visitor's hall, with a placard bearing your name. He will transfer you to the hotel and complete all the check-in formalities. Upon arrival at the hotel, the guests are welcomed in traditional Indian style with aarti-tikaa and garlands. That night is spent in the hotel.

Day 2: Tour Mumbai
The next day, you are taken for a one-hour boat ride across Mumbai Harbour to the lush green Elephanta Island. Here, you can visit some of the huge and intricately carved Elephanta Caves that date back to the 8th century. 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.

In the afternoon, you will be taken on a city tour of Bombay - the great port city with its Victorian Gothic buildings from the British Raj era mingling with modern architecture. The tour includes Gateway of India, overlooking the Harbour, the Towers of Silence, Marine Drive, the Colaba Causeway - the commercial heart of Bombay and the Dhobi Ghat, the unique and colourful outdoor laundry. Then you can drive up to Malabar Hill, to the lovely Hanging Gardens and the Kamla Nehru Park from where you will get a wonderful view of Mumbai and the Arabian Sea, spread out before you. Also one can visit Mani Bhawan, a small museum dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi, and the bustling Crawford Market. That night is also spent in the hotel.

Day 3: Fly to Cochin, then drive to Periyar
On the third day, you travel to Kerala, India, when you are transferred to the airport to catch the connecting flight to Cochin. Upon arrival at Cochin, you are transferred to a hotel where you will have lunch. After lunch, we drive you to Periyar (190 kms), where on arrival, you check into a hotel.

Periyar, sprawling across 777 sq. km of Cardamom Hills, is 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 the hills.

Day 4: Tour Periyar
Early in the morning, on the fourth day, you can embark on a boat cruise on the lake of the famous Periyar Sanctuary and explore the rich wild life that the place is so famous for and which you'll see when you travel to Kerala, India. Periyar, an artificial lake or reservoir, created by a dam on the Periyar River, is home to wild elephants, Asiatic Deer, Black Buck and even tigers, who come to the shores of the lake for a drink. Later you will return to the hotel for breakfast. Rest of the day is at your disposal, wherein you can explore various spice and coffee plantations.

Day 5: Travel to Kumarakom
On the fifth day, we drive you through the winding "Ghats" lined with prosperous tea plantations to arrive at the fascinating destination of Kumarakom, surrounded by low-lying paddy fields and palms. This famous tourist spot in Kerala, India, is approximately 190 kms away from Periyar, along a scenic route lined with green tea estates.

Kumarakom is a beautiful backwater village on the shores of the enchanting Vembanad Lake, lined with meandering waterways and ancient cottages. Holidaying at Kumarakom gives you an altogether different experience, when you travel to Kerala, India, especially when you are staying at Coconut Lagoon because each "tarawad" or cottage that you will be staying in is at least a century old, reconstructed piece by piece in accordance with the ancient architecture that you'll see when you travel to Kerala, India. Once you arrive here, you can relax at the waterfront, with only a native rowboat that occasionally glides by for company. The night is spent at the hotel.

Day 6: Laze at Kumarakom on a Houseboat
The morning of the sixth day can be spent at leisure at Coconut Lagoon. Then you can go for boat rides in traditional country canoes called "vanjis" to explore the agricultural activities of the local people, living along the backwaters. You can also visit the beautiful bird sanctuary. In the afternoon, you can board the traditional rice boats, called "Ketuvallam" and begin your journey through the picturesque backwaters and small lakes, simultaneously experiencing the way of life and activity of the local people. Then you can transfer yourself to the one bedroom boathouse with a lounge that has been exclusively arranged for you. Here, meals will be cooked and served to you as per your request. You get to spend the night also on the houseboat.

Day 7: Sail to Alleppey, then travel to Mararikulam
On the seventh day, after having breakfast on board, you sail to Alleppey and disembark at Puthenagady Jetty. After that you proceed directly to Mararikulam, which is 30 kms away. Mararikulam is a private, shallow beach which is fringed with unending lines of coconut palms. Rest of the day is at your disposal wherein you can thoroughly enjoy the facilities of the resort.

Day 8: Spend the day at Marari
The eighth day is also at your disposal, wherein you can indulge in your own activities or enjoy the facilities of the resort. The night is spent at the hotel.

Day 9: Back to Cochin
On the ninth day, you travel back to Cochin. Cochin, popularly known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, is the oldest European settlement in India. Fringed with backwaters and rich with old world charm, this city has lured many a great voyager to its shores.

Once you arrive at Cochin, we help you check into the hotel. Later you are taken on a tour of Cochin, also known as the palm green, commercial capital of Kerala. From time immemorial, Arabs, Chinese, Dutch, British & Portuguese voyagers have followed the sea route to Kochi on their travel to Kerala, India, and 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 Bolghatty Palace & the famous Chinese fishing nets.

Besides this, you can indulge in a harbour cruise as Cochin has one of the finest natural harbours in India. The backwaters extending to the east & south from the harbour are dotted with tiny islands, formed naturally by alluvial deposits from the rivers.

Day 10: Back to Mumbai
On the 10th morning, we transfer you from the hotel to the airport to catch the flight for Bombay. Upon arrival, our representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel, where you can wash and change. Rest of the day is spent at leisure. Later, you will be transferred to the International airport to catch your onward flight at the end of your Kerala Beach Tour.