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06 nights / 07 days
Cochin / Periyar / Kumarakom / Houseboat / Cochin
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About This Tour :
An ideal tour
option for a relaxed trip to "God's own country--
Kerala" . 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 at
the Taj Garden Restreats in Kumarakom and Periyar .
Followed by an overnight backwater cruise experience
before driving back to Cochin for your flight
home.
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 (except at the Spice Village resort,
Periyar), swimming pool, multi-cuisine restaurants,
Ayurvedic centers and of course en suite facilities.
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Duration :
7 days
Destinations : Cochin, Periyar
, Kumarakom and Houseboat
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Day-01 Arrive Cochin: |
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 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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Day-03 Drive
Cochin – Periyar (B) : |
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 Early morning depart for Periyar
(200 kms--4 hours) and check in at
Taj Garden Retreat .
Taj Garden Retreat is a part of the Taj Group of
Hotels, offering excellent facilities
including a swimming pool, Ayurvedic centre
and a multi-cuisine restaurant. Overnight at
the resort.
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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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 Morning
depart for Kumarakom (200 km, 5-6 hrs). On arrival
check-in at
Taj Garden Retreat
Azure
backwaters, swaying palms, and floating houseboats.
These are a few of the things that inspired English
Missionary Henry Baker, in the late 19th century, to
acquire land on the banks of Vembanad Lake. Today, it is
known as the Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom.
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.
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Day-06
Kumarakom/Houseboat (B,L,D) : |
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 Morning
at leisure at Taj Garden Retreat
. 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. |
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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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Standard |
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Valid from 01st Oct'08 to 15th April'09 |
us$ 1093 |
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Valid from 16th Apr'08 to 30th Sep'08 |
us$ 667 |
Small supplements may apply for travel between 01st Nov to 15th Nov 2008, 20th Dec 2008 to 05th Jan 2009 and during the month of February 2009. |
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Inclusions: |
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Accommodation on twin sharing basis at the Hotels mentioned above.
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Full
English breakfast daily (except while on board
the houseboat where all
meals are included).
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Land transportation exactly as per itinerary using an air-conditioned car.
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Sightseeing tours exactly as per itinerary along with an English Speaking Guide and including entrance fees to all monuments and places of interest.
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Exclusions: |
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International airfare to/from India
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Visas
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Meals other
than Breakfast
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Expenses of
personal nature like beverages/laundry/phone
calls etc.
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Gratuities
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Camera fees
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Any items
not specifically mentioned in inclusions
above.
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BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS
CLICK HERE TO BOOK THIS TRIP |
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