BEWITCHING BEACHES

Duration : 10 Nights / 11 Days
Places covered : Mumbai - Goa - Kochi (Cochin) - Allapuzha (Alleppey) - Periyar - Chennai (Madras)

Day 01 : Arrival Mumbai
Arrive Mumbai, meet assist at the airport. Transfer to hotel and night stay in Mumbai.

Day 02 : Mumbai
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Mumbai covering Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum, Hanging Gardens on the slopes of Malabar Hills offering nice view of Marine Lines & Chowpatty Beach, Kamla Nehru Park, Mani Bhawan (where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay) and then to Dhobi Ghat. Also visit Afgan Church, Flora Fountain (Bombay nerve centre), Colourful Crawford Market and Marine Drive. Night stay in Mumbai.

Day 03 : Mumbai - Goa
Transfer to the airport to board flight to Goa. Meet assist and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Goa.

Day 04 : Goa
The exquisite churches from the Portuguese era with their remarkable architecture and mysterious history make the city truly exhilarating. Goa’s splendid coastline extends over 100 kilometres, and some of the world’s most charming beaches are located here. If time permits, Churches of astounding historical importance could squeeze in. Morning half-day sight-seeing tour from the slopes of Altinho Hill for a breathtaking view of Panjim and river Mandovi. Then to Dona-Paula for a view of India's largest natural harbour-Mormugao. Afterwards visit old Goa and see the Basillica of Bom Jesus which contains the tomb & mortal remains of St. Francis Xavierh housed in a silver ornate casket , Se. Cathedral- the biggest Church in the East, St. Cajetan- built like St. Peter (Rome), Church of Our Lady Rosary and St. Monica. Rest of the day at leisure. Night stay in Goa.

Day 05: Goa - Kochi
Transfer to airport to board the fligt to Kochi. Arrive Kochi and transfer to hotel. Spend the afternoon in city sightseeing. Kochi (formerly Cochin) is the most beautiful coastal city and one of the largest ports of India. It is a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas. Here you can see the oldest church in India, congested Portuguese-built colonies. The Fort of Cochin is the oldest European fort in India. Night stay in Kochi.

Day 06 : Kochi - Allapuzha
Morning proceed to half-day tour to Kochi . In the afternoon, drive to Allapuzha, arrive and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Allapuzha.

Day 07 : Allapuzha - Kottayam - Periyar
Proceed to backwater cruise to Kottayam. Afternoon drive to Periyar wildlife sanctuary. Night stay at the lodge. Kottayam is a pretty town at the foothills of the Western Ghats. It is a commercial centre noted for its trade in rubber, spices, tea, etc. It is also the main centre of the Syrian Christians (75% of the Kerala Christians). Night stay in Periyar.

Day 08 : Periyar - Madurai
Spend the day in the jungle, in Periyar, best approached from Kottayam (80km). The 800 sq. km wildlife sanctuary skirts the Periyar Lake at its centre. Cruise on the lake while taking in the pleasures of this habitat. You can see tigers, deer, wild dogs, lion-tailed macaque, Malabar squirrel and sloth bears. The lake attracts all kinds of water birds. In the vicinity are lofty observation towers, and a medieval palace, now a hotel. Night stay in Periyar.

Day 09 : Periyar - Madurai
Transfer to railway station to the train to Madurai, arrive and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Madurai.

Day 10 : Madurai - Chennai
Proceed to half-day tour of Madurai. Situated on the banks of the Vaigai River, Madurai is the ancient capital of the Pandya Kings. The crowning glory of Madurai is the Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple Complex, which is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, her consort Lord Sundareshwara, and her celestial brother, Lord Vishnu. The Meenakshi Temple has a thousand-pillared hall. Afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour of Madurai. Afternoon, transfer to airport to board the flight to Chennai. Arrive Chennai and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Chennai.

Day 11 : Chennai - Departure
Morning proceed for half - day sightseeing tour of Chennai. The city is the capital of Tamil Nadu, earlier known as Madras. Chennai is bestowed with a 4.5 kilometre long stretch of shore, called Marina Beach, the second longest beach in the world. A lighthouse here enables the visitor to see the entire city—a breathtaking sight. Also spend some time at the 40km long fascinating beach. Historically important are an old Catholic Church and a famous Durgah. Later transfer to airport to board the flight for onward journey.