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Duration
: 7days
Destinations : Cochin,
Periyar,
Kumarakom
and Houseboat
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| About
This Tour |
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An ideal tour option for a much relaxed travel in India. Your
journey starts in Cochin, which brings together the old world
charm of erstwhile Portugese colony and the modern day city life.
You then travel to Periyar, home to the endangered tiger and the
scented spice plantations. The tour then offers you the authentic
keralan hospitality and ayurvedic massages in Kumarakom followed
by overnight backwater cruise experience before driving back to
Cochin for the flight.
The hotels used in this programme all modern First Class deluxe
Hotels run by Taj Group of Hotels –an Indian chain of hotels which
has defined quality service and luxury in India. The chain has
been selected with a view of enhancing your total experience of
holidaying in India. Hotels on this trip are equipped with state
of the art facilities -air-conditioning , swimming pool, multi-cuisine
restaurants, Ayurvedic centers and of course en suite facilities.
Click
to book this tour!!
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Day-01 Arrive Cochin |
You
will be met on your arrival at Cochin airport and transferred
to Hotel
Taj Malabar. Your home for the next two nights,
Taj Malabar, Cochin is located on the Willingdon Island, which
has a magnificent view of the Cochin harbour and beautiful backwaters,
the Taj Malabar is a fine blend of old-world charm and contemporary
amenities. All the rooms offer luxury, style and comfort with
contemporary touches. Facilities here include multi-cuisine restaurants,
bar, health club and swimming pool. Overnight at the hotel.
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| Day-02
In Cochin (B) |
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Morning tour Cochin city. The tour includes visit to St. Francis
Church - built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscans, it is India's
oldest European -built church. The original wooden structure was
re-built in stone around the mid-16th century, the earliest Portuguese
inscription in church dates back to 1562. Vasco da Gama who died
in 1524 was buried here for 14 yrs before his remains were taken
to Lisbon.
Muttancherry Palace - the palace was built in 1555 by Portuguese
and was presented to the king of Cochin as a gesture of goodwill.
Dutch renovated it in 1663 and hence it is also called Dutch palace.
The astonishing murals in the palace depicting scenes from age-old
epics are one of the wonders of India. Jewish Synagogue,
originally constructed in 1568, it features hand-painted willow
pattern floor tiles brought from China in mid 18th century. The
area around the synagogue is called Jew Town and is one of the
centres of the Kochi spice trade. Overnight at the hotel.
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to book this tour!!
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| Day-03
Drive Cochin – Periyar (B) |
Early morning depart for Periyar (200 kms--5 hours) and check
in at
Taj Garden Retreat. Taj Garden Retreat hotel
is located beyond the perimeter of Periyar Tiger Reserve, one
of the finest game sanctuaries, which is home to a variety of
wildlife, including tigers, elephants, gaurs and deer. 32 rooms,
a restaurant and a bar. Swimming pool, Ayurvedic center, boat
rides on Lake Periyar for viewing game and visits to spice plantations.
Overnight at the hotel.
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| Day-04
In Periyar (B) |
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Early morning visit Spice Plantations and visit Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary . Visit to the sanctuary includes boat cruise on
lake Periyar. Overnight at the resort.
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Day-05 Drive Periyar/Kumarakom (B) |
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depart for Kumarakom (200 km, 5-6 hrs). On arrival check-in at
hotel Taj
Garden Retreat, often referred to as the little
jewel of Kumarakom, it still maintains the beauty of its rustic
surroundings. The 123-year-old colonial bungalow houses newly
built Luxury Villas, heritage rooms, charming cottages, and quaint
houseboats, anchored in the private lagoon. At this idyllic retreat,
guests can look forward to practicing the Art of doing Nothing
or keeping themselves busy with a variety of experiences, from
nature to adventure, from culture to cuisine, and from rejuvenation
to religion. Overnight at the hotel.
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to book this tour!!
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Day-06 Kumarakom/Houseboat (B,L,D) |
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Morning at leisure at Coconut Lagoon. Afternoon, board houseboat
from the hotel’s jetty for overnight sail on backwaters.
A private boat trip along the beautiful backwater canals of Kerala
is a highlight of any visit to the South. These converted rice
barges or "Kettuvallams" sail along shallow, palm-fringed
lakes and narrow canals where coconut and cashew is loaded onto
dugouts.
You pass villages built on narrow spits of land, stopping to visit
local markets by bullock-cart, or to marvel at craftsmen engaged
in centuries-old boat-making tradition.
Overnight on board the houseboat.
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Day-07 Houseboat/Alleppey and drive Alleppey/Cochin (B) |
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Morning disembark at Alleppey jetty followed by drive to Cochin
airport (85 km, 1.5 hrs) in time for the flight.
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Tour Cost |
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Valid from 16 Apr'07 to 30 Sep'07 : US$
890 per person
Valid from 01 Oct'06 till 15 April'07: US$
1195 per person
Click
to book this tour!! |
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| *
Small supplements may apply for travel between 16th and 30th November'2007
and during the month of February '2008. Chritmas / NYE supplements
will apply for travel between 20th December '2007 and 10th January'2008. |
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