Historic Caves & Backwater Of Kerala

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Mumbai

Pass By: Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
On arrival at Mumbai airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel. (hotel check in / out time 1200hr afternoon early check in subject to rooms availability). Rest time free and easy to relax.

Mumbai is a city that is disciplined by no time frame neither day nor night. Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sport activity, nightclubs & discotheques, theatre, music & gourmet restaurants offers visitors a heady mix of all this and more.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel

Day 2: Mumbai

Stop At: Elephanta Caves, Mumbai India
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Gateway on India. From here cruise by motorboats to Elephanta Caves (Monday closed). A flight of 100 steps takes you to the top of the hill. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century BC.
Duration: 5 hours

Pass By: Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Afterwards in the afternoon cruise back to Gateway of India and then city tour drive thrught Marine Drive one of the most beautifully laid boulevards in the city. Parliament House the Maharashtra State Assembly (view from outside), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly Victoria Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (view from outside).

Stop At: Dhobi Ghat, Army Area, Nofra, Navy Nagar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400005, India
Visit Dhobhi Ghat the city's famous open-air laundry in action, Prince of Wales Museum (Monday closed) a heritage museum comprises of a number of ancient artifacts. Mani Bhawan a Museum, Gandhi laid the foundation for many independence movements from here. Mount Mary Church, an ancient church, built in 1640 and then rebuilt in 1761, The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount an important religious place in Mumbai.
Duration: 3 hours

Pass By: Juhu Beach, Mumbai 400049 India
In the evening, visit Iskcon Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, The architectural splendor of the ISKCON Temple is adorned with murals and sculptures. If time permits visit to Bandra and Juhu area where Bollywood celebrity houses are located like Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan etc. (can be seen from outside).

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Mumbai – Aurangabad (flight)

Pass By: Mumbai, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for Aurangabad.

Pass By: Aurangabad, Aurangabad, Aurangabad District, Maharashtra
On arrival at Aurangabad airport assistance and transfer to hotel.

Stop At: Ellora, Ellora, Aurangabad District, Maharashtra
Later excursion to visit Ellora, a UNESCO World heritage sites (Tuesday closed). It houses 34 monasteries and temples with some exclusive uninterrupted sequence of monuments that date back from 600 to 1000 AD. The temples of Ellora are dedicated to Brahmanism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It also has some of the excellent stonework depicting the legends related to Lord Shiva.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Grishneshwar, Ellora Nr. Ellora Caves, Aurangabad India
Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The temple is an important pilgrimage site in Shaivism tradition of Hinduism, which considers it as the last or twelfth Jyotirlinga (linga of light).
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Daulatabad Fort, Daulatabad, Daulatabad India
On way back visit Daulatabad Fort one of the most powerful forts of the medieval Deccan. The defence system that made Daulatabad virtually impregnable comprises fortifications with double and even triple rows of massive walls.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel

Day 4: Aurangabad – Ajanta (105kms/ 2 hrs approx one way)

Stop At: Ajanta Caves Road, Ajanta 431001 India
Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to Ajanta Caves (Monday closed). The Buddhist Caves of Ajanta were discovered by the British officers in 1819 while tiger hunting. Ajanta Caves were first mentioned in the writings of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who visited India between A.D 629 and 645. The Caves at Ajanta are older than those at Ellora, which date from about 200 B.C to 650 A.D. Thirty beautiful Buddhist Caves with mesmerizing sculptures and paintings depicting Buddha's life as well the lives of the Buddha in his previous births. Five of these Caves are Chaityas (Place of worship) while the other twenty-five are Viharas (monasteries). Ajanta Caves are divided in two categories based on two schools of Buddhist thought - Hinayana Caves and Mahayana Caves.
Duration: 6 hours

Stop At: Aurand Road, Aurand Rd, Danville, PA 17821, USA
After sightseeing drive back to Aurangabad. Visit Bibi ka Maqbara Built by Azam Shah in 1678, the Bibi ka Maqbara is a son's loving tribute to his mother. Due to its similar design standing spectacularly on the lawns of the landscaped garden with ponds, fountains and water channels, the white marbled monument is popularly known as the mini Taj of the Deccan. Panchakki which literally means 'Water Mill'. It receives water from an underground channel, with its source being 6 km away in the mountains. An artificial waterfall has been created near the mill, through which this water is discharged on to the wheel to power the flourmill and grind grain for the pilgrims.
Duration: 3 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 5: Aurangabad – Cochin (via Mumbai flight)

Pass By: Aurangabad, Aurangabad, Aurangabad District, Maharashtra
Breakfast at hotel transfer to airport to board flight for Cochin.

Pass By: Kochi (Cochin), Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
On arrival at Cochin airport assistance and transfer to hotel.

Stop At: Kerala Kathakali Centre, near Santa Cruz Basilica K.B. Jacob Road, Fort Kochi, Kochi (Cochin) 682001 India
In the evening, enjoy the Kathakali Dance, one of India's most famous Classical dances with lavish costumes, exotic makeup & Masks intensifying the beauty of the dancer’s intricate moments.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Cochin - Munnar (140kms/ 4hrs)

Stop At: Kochi (Cochin), Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of the Cochin. Visit Fort Cochin famous for Chinese fishing nets, scenic beaches and architectural style of ancient buildings. At St. Frances Church see the town of Vasco da Gama. The Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568 in the old part of Mattancherry Town, one of the oldest lively synagogues. Mattancherry "Dutch" Palace which has an incomparable collection of huge Kerala Temple murals, exhibits & portraits. You may also visit the famous Hill Palace Museum, the largest archaeological and heritage museum in Kerala. Bolgatty Palace the oldest living Dutch palaces outside Holland, now converted into a heritage hotel. Willingdon Island a man-made island created in 1933 with wonderful walkways and jetty’s.
Duration: 5 hours

Pass By: Munnar, Munnar, Idukki District, Kerala
Afternoon drive to Munnar, check in at hotel. During the British rule in India, Munnar was the summer resort of the Government officials. The natural beauty, calmness and mild cold climate throughout the year make it the favorite tourist places. The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar range expose its beauty.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: Munnar

Stop At: Munnar, Munnar, Idukki District, Kerala
After breakfast, visit to Pothamedu which offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks. Mattupetty dam and its reservoir, this concrete gravity dam is built between the hill ranges and it is used mainly for water storage for hydroelectric projects. Eravikulam National Park, The Nilgiri Tahr can be observed at close quarters here. This park established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiri Ibex) is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world. Mattupedi Dairy Farm, famous for the Indo-Swiss Farm, this is a highly specialized dairy farm which comes under Indo-Swiss Livestock Project. Echo Point, go there and scream as loud as you can and wait for a minute. You can hear your echo back!
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Munnar - Thekkady (110kms/ 3hrs)

Pass By: Thekkady, Thekkady, Idukki District, Kerala
Breakfast at hotel drive to Thekkady enroute stop at Ramakkalmedu. The place gets its name from the impressions of the feet found on the rock surface here, which is believed to be of Rama, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, as told in the Indian epic Ramayana.

Ramakkalmedu is noted for its hills and also for the panoramic and picturesque views of villages in the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu, which is towards the eastern side of the Western Ghats. A noticeably tall, pillar-like rocky structure, about 300 m high and facing east is another attraction here.

It is one of the windiest places in Asia and being so, one can also find here a wind farm generating electricity. Other attractions in-and-around Ramakkalmedu include places like Frog Rock, Turtle Rock and the highest twin-statue in Kerala; called Kuravan and Kurathi.

Pass By: Thekkady, Thekkady, Idukki District, Kerala
Continue drive to Thekkady check in at hotel. Afterwards take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. You could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Rest time free and easy to relax.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel

Day 9: Periyar - Kumarakom (140kms/ 4hrs)

Stop At: Periyar Lake, Thekkady India
Breakfast at hotel. Visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a boat. Nestled between the Cheruthoni and Periyar rivers Wildlife Sanctuary is blessed with the most diverse flora and fauna. The sanctuary has a gorgeous lake that is perfect for romantic boat rides. The tropical evergreen and deciduous forests teeming with elephants, bison, sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tiger and wild boar along with various species of snake including cobras, vipers, kraits and many non-poisonous snakes is a wildlife lover’s dream. A variety of birds such as grey jungle fowl, Malabar grey hornbill, woodpeckers and bulbuls also have found a home in this sanctuary.
Duration: 5 hours

Pass By: Kumarakom, Kumarakom, Kottayam District, Kerala
Afternoon drive to Kumarakom check in a backwater resort.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Hotel

Day 10: Kumarakom – Alleppey (Backwaters sailing boat to Alleppey)

Stop At: Alleppey Backwaters, Alappuzha India
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board houseboat and sail through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters. While sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals, the panoramic sights one can never forget. The Chinese fishing nets the reminiscent of our past trade links are also found on the way. Flocks of duck swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures reflecting the charm of this tourist land, you also enjoy fishing from the houseboats, evening enjoy sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats. The Houseboats have generated electricity, sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a Chef, and Driver. Lunch, Dinner and
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: overnight in houseboat.

Day 11: Alleppey – Cochin (60kms/ 1.30hrs)

Pass By: Alleppey Backwaters, Alappuzha India
After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat and drive to Cochin airport to board flight for onward destination.



Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.