DAY 01

Victoria Terminus

Arrive Mumbai by International flight.

Reception on arrival and transfer to the hotel.

In the afternoon proceed for a sightseeing tour of Mumbai. Afternoon. The tour begins at the "Prince of Wales Museum ", built to commemorate King George V first visit to India in 1905. Designed in the Indo-Saracenic style, the museum has sections of art, paintings, archeology and natural history dating back from 18th to 19^th century. "The Gateway of India", Mumbai’s foremost landmark overlooking the harbor, was conceived following the visit of King George V in 1911 and officially opened in 1924. A drive up to the Malabar Hill, to the hanging gardens, gives a panoramic view of the city and the Queens Necklace – the Marine Drive. The tour concludes with a drive through the Flora Fountain and Fort area where you can view Gothic and Victorian style buildings. Visit the Victoria Terminus (now known as Chartapati Shivaji Terminus) India’s finest Gothic building and a bustling Railway Station.

DAY 02

Kathakali dancer Face

Breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport to board flight for Cochin.

Departure Mumbai 0855 hrs Arrival Cochin 1040 hrs

Kochi (formerly known as Cochin): Kochi is one of the principal cities of Kerala State and an ancient trading post for Indo-Arab trade. It is a city with several historical associations with British, Portuguese and Dutch colonizers having established trading posts and fortifications from time to time. Kerala State is known for the practice of Ayurveda, a 5000 year old traditional Indian form of holistic treatment combining the use of medicated oils, herbal extracts, massages and yoga exercises.

On arrival check-in at hotel.

Evening, witness a Kathakali dance performance at a local theatre, performed by various artists. Kathakali is a traditional dance form, depicting Indian epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata). The dancers are dressed in very colorful and elaborate costumes. Their faces are painted to depict various characters of these epics. This dance has a lot of facial expressions and brisk, yet articulate body movements.

DAY 03

Chinese Fishing Nets

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Cochin. The tour begins from "The Dutch Palace (closed on Fridays)" also known as Mattancheery Palace, built by The Portuguese in 1555, which is famous for its murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the puranic legends. Adjacent to the palace is the Jewish Synagogue (closed on Saturdays) built in 1568. Also visit the St. Francis Church (closed on Sundays), established by the Portuguese Franciscan friars in 1503. Vasco Da Gama, was buried in the courtyard of this European church built in India. Other attractions include the Bolghatty Palace, built in 1744 by the Dutch, located on the tiny Bolghatty Island where you can view the traditional fishing hamlets and their residents in their colorful costumes. The tour also includes a visit to the seaside where Cantilevered Chinese fishing nets are still in use.

Afternoon at leisure

DAY 04

After breakfast, transfer to Alleppy-Boat Jetty to board house boat for day cruising and overnight stay.

Enjoy a day long cruise on the backwaters. This boat cruise will take one deep into the maze of canals passing hamlets where it is sometimes possible to mingle with local villagers and farmers.

Overnight on board the house boat while it is moored at the Vembanad lake.

DAY 05

After breakfast, drive to Periyar (185 kms/3.5 hours).

On arrival check-in at hotel.

Afternoon game viewing by boat.

Cruise on the Periyar Lake to view wildlife which converges on its banks. The wildlife includes wild Elephants, Indian Gaur, Monkeys, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar and birds of myriad varieties. Encompassing an area of 777 sq kms, the wildlife sanctuary lies at an elevation of between 914 meters and 1828 meters above sea level on the Periyar Lake in the hills of Western Ghats.

DAY 6

Breakfast at the hotel.

Drive from Periyar to Madurai (137 kms/4 hours).

Madurai – is an animated city packed with pilgrims, vendors, business people, & bullock carts. It is one of Southern India’s oldest cities and has been a center of learning and pilgrimage for centuries.

On arrival check-in at hotel.

In the afternoon, proceed for a sightseeing tour of Madurai – The primary interest is the Meenakshi Temple, where Dravidian temple architecture may be considered to be at its best. Its Hall of a thousand Pillars is an architect’s delight and is filled with worshippers at all hours of the day. The tour also includes a visit to the – Thirumalai Nayak Palace & Thiruparangundram temple.

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning is at leisure

Later transfer from hotel to airport to board flight for Mumbai:

Departure Madurai at 1320 hrs Arrive Mumbai at 1640 hrs

Reception on arrival, and transfer from airport to hotel.