ADHVAN representative will be meeting you upon arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel. Check-in and relax.

Mumbai is a bustling, diverse metropolis with a flare all its own. The entrepreneurial spirit and pulsing pace of life provide a sharp contrast to much of the rest of India. There has been much debate regarding the original name of the city. Some say the current name of the city Mumbai is the original name. This is an eponym derived from “Mumba”, the name of the local Hindu goddess Mumbadevi, and “Aai”, meaning “mother” in Marathi.

Others claim Bombay was an anglicized version of Bom Bahia, a name given by the Portuguese to mean “Beautiful Bay” and later made popular by the British as the name of the Bombay state. Mumbai is the most cosmopolitan city in India. In comparison with the rest of the country, the city is quite liberal.

Mumbai is dubbed as the commercial capital of India. It also serves as the capital city of State of Maharashtra. The city was created from seven islands and they are Mazagaon, Colaba, Wadala, Old Woman’s Island, Parel, Mahim, and Matunga-Sion. Today, Mumbai or erstwhile Bombay ranks as the biggest metropolitan region in the country.

Enjoy walk around Marine Drive in Mumbai: Marine Drive located in the central Mumbai, built in the 1920s and 30s on land reclaimed from the sea, is Mumbai’s most famous thoroughfare. It is also referred to as the Queen’s Necklace because of the dramatic line of street lamps lit up at night. Recently it has come to known as Netaji Subhashchandra Bose Road with Nariman Point on one end to Babulnath, at the foot of Walkeshwar on the other.

Overnight will be in Mumbai.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Start for a guided tour of Mumbai.

Mumbai Fort: The area north of Colaba is known as Mumbai Fort, since the old British fort was once located here.

Gateway of India: Mumbai’s principal landmark, the Gateway of India is a huge archway on the water’s edge at Apollo Bunder.

Flora Fountain/ Hutama Chowk: This fountain situated in the heart of the city was erected in 1869 in honor of a British Governor of Bombay – Sir Bartle Frere. Flora Fountain marks a junction of five streets and known as the ‘Piccadilly Circus ‘of Mumbai.

Victoria Terminus/Western Railway Station: At the site of the Koli’s original temple to Mumba Devi now stands Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus – one of Mumbai’s most prominent buildings and architecturally one of the finest stations in the world.

Mumbai High court: An attractive building in early English Gothic style, situated next to the Oval Ground is well worth a visit for its impressive architecture.

Rajabai Clock tower: Rajabai Clock tower, situated at the gardens of the Bombay University building rises above the portion of the library section. Consisting of five elaborately decorated storeys the tower is 280ft. in height.

Hanging Gardens in Mumbai: The Hanging Gardens were built in 1880 and renovated in 1921. These are also known as Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens. These gardens are popularly known as Hanging Gardens because of their location on the slope of a hill.

Banganga: A sacred tank surrounded by four hundred-year-old temples and modern skyscrapers. Nowhere are Mumbai’s paradoxes more evident than at Banganga.

Enjoy an evening sailing tour along the Queen’s Necklace. Departing from Gateway, we sail pass some of Mumbai’s oldest lighthouses accompanied by sea gulls and the gentle splash of the water.

Overnight will be in Mumbai.

Enjoy the breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer to the airport to board the flight for Cochin.

Reach Cochin and you will be transferred to the hotel. Check-in to the hotel and relax.

Cochin is a diverse and colorful port/city, spreading over 4-5 islands and peninsulas. The main town of Ernakulam is on the mainland. All the islands are connected by a ferryboat network and therein lay the charm of an exploratory two days here.

Around the headland of Fort Cochin, a phalanx of cantilevered Chinese fishing boats dips into the sea at high tide. In its back streets, there is an aroma of ginger, cardamom and other spices, piled high in every nook and cranny.

Enjoy visit to Kumbalanghi Village.

A village visit helps you to explore the hidden corners of a state and encounter a different side of India wherein the local people adopts a unique lifestyle and culture.

Take a tour of this renowned village with a local family residing in Kallancherry Retreat in the village and get a chance to try your hand in every activity a villager does in his/her day to day life.

Start the tour with a boat ride in the country boat followed by a visit to crab farm.

Later enjoy watching coir yarn making and coconut leaves making and also try making one, if interested.

Peep in to the agricultural farms. Also look at the bio-gas plants and water harvesting pond. Chinese Fishing Nets – known to be a major attraction of the city Kochi, not to be missed.

Return to the hotel with a bag full of memories of a village life and spend evening in leisure.

Overnight will be in Cochin.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Embark on a guided tour of Cochin.

Old Cochin Area: This is one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world. The Jewish community traces its history to nearly 2000 years ago. In 1948 the community numbered 2500 and today there are fewer than 30 people. The community is still centered round JEWTOWN where you will visit its crown Jewel, the Paradesi Synagogue.

Chinese Fishing Nets: The Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles work on the principle of balance. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea.

The other important places are the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow, Mattancherry Palace, etc.

Take a boat ride and visit BOLGATTY PALACE and VYPPIN ISLAND.

Folklore Museum: Kerala Folklore Museum is the key place to experience the whole of Kerala, her people, art, culture and heritage. This is the biggest biennale and best life style museum in India. British government selected this museum as the venue to visit and experience the culture and heritage of Kerala for Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall in the last Nov’13.

In the evening proceed for KATHAKALI DANCE PRESENTATION – showcases the various dance forms that have been an integral part of the life of people living in Kerala. Also, enjoy the make-up session that goes into before the dance is presented to our guests.

Overnight will be in Cochin.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Embark on a day excursion to visit the Kodanad Elephant Centre and Athirapally Falls.

It is recommended to depart Cochin early between 0600hrs – 0630hrs so as to be at Kodanad by around 0700hrs – 0730hrs in time to see the elephants bathe and feed.

After an hour at Kodanad, enjoy breakfast at a scenic resort on the banks of the Periyar River.

Later drive 2hrs to Athirapally.

The Athirappilly Falls are situated on the Chalakudy River which originates in the upper reaches of the Western Ghats. The Athirapilly-Vazhachal area is a virgin rainforest with many endangered and endemic species of flora and fauna.

Spend some time at the beautiful waterfalls and enjoy the forest.

After the sightseeing proceed back to Cochin.

The evening will be free for you to enjoy the time at leisure.

Overnight will be in Cochin.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Drive to Munnar. Reach and check-in to the hotel.

Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. 1600 meter above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling Tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town.

Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neel Kurinji. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India – Anamudi which towers over 2695 m.

Later proceed for the city sightseeing.

Munnar is a destination of tea and cardamom plantations. There is nothing more invigorating than the spectacular beauty of acres and acres of tea gardens rolling over mountains and hills.

The half an hour drive to Chinnakanal from Munnar town, takes you through the heart of these sprawling Tea Estates, giving them the true experience of a tea plantation hill station.

Lockhart Tea Factory: One of the older running Tea factories where you will be given a Guided Tour of the art of Tea processing by the traditional method. Set in a scenic background, this building lends an old world charm with its wooden interiors and aroma of tea.

Anayirangal Dam & the Hanging Bridge: Anayirangal is an old watering hole for elephants. The area around the Anayirangal Dam has been developed and the boating started here is a new venture of the department of Hydel Tourism.

Kolukkumalai Hills: The Kolukkumalai Hills are home to the highest Tea Plantations in the world. A Jeep Safari to the Tea Factory would guarantee spectacular views of mist shrouded mountains and the far off plains of Tamil Nadu.

Overnight will be in Munnar.

Drive through the plantations and small Kerala villages.

The whole of Kerala including the towns are like villages and the simplicity of the state can be felt while driving. All around would be scenic beauty.

Reach Thekkady (This place is also referred as Periyar because of the Lake Periyar) and check in at the hotel.

The river Periyar is the longest river in Kerala. This is the only perennial river in South India with clean water. The river occupies an important place in the history of Kerala. In the Sangam age Tamil epics such as Chilapathikaram, ‘Akananuru’, ‘Purananuru’ etc., much has been said about this mighty river – formerly known as the ‘Choorni Nadi’ or ‘Thamraparni Nadi’.

The capital of the old Chera Empire presumably existed on the banks of the river Periyar. It is believed that there was a flood in the 4th century AD that severely damaged the areas along the Periyar. As a result of the same, the people living there had to escape to safer locations, abandoning their homes and livelihoods.

The huge landslide that began in the high ranges as a result of the heavy downpours, sent massive flows of mud and sand which created an Island at the ‘Azhimugham’ of the Periyar which is now known as the Vyppin Islands.

Periyar wildlife sanctuary is home to nomadic tribes of wild elephant, boar, deer, the great Indian tiger and more.

In the afternoon, spend time with elephants and enjoy activities like bathing the elephant in a small pool, feeding, ride, timber dragging, photo options etc.

Overnight will be in Thekkady.

Wake up early and proceed for jungle walk/nature trek at Periyar National Park.

Explore the rare species of plants and animals. The overall duration of the “experience” will be customized to suit your preference. Return to the hotel and have breakfast.

In the afternoon; visit spice plantations like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. Also visit Kumily spice market (Asia’s largest spice market) and pick up the best spices and fragrant spices available.

Overnight will be in Thekkady.

Have breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to Kumarakom passing through rolling tea gardens and rubber plantations.

Stop at a tea factory and watch the tea making process. Stop at a beautiful solitary church en-route for photography.

Reach Kumarakom and proceed to the boat jetty in Vembanand Lake.

The backwaters of Kerala are a unique product of Kerala and are found nowhere else in the world. Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea.

Check-in to a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat. The houseboat with all modern comforts lets you discover the countryside at your own pace.

You will have lunch, dinner and breakfast in the Houseboat. A ride on the houseboat is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.

Cruise through the backwaters towards Alleppey.

Lunch will be served on the boat. The menu is simple and traditional. The cook (chef) of the boat prepares the lunch from fresh materials and even you can have a peek at the recipe.

Tea and snacks would be served on the boat. In the evening the boat will anchor in the backwaters by the lush paddy fields and enjoy the tranquillity of the water around on the houseboat.

You can also go for a stroll into the village to witness local life and culture.

Dinner will be served on the boat.

Overnight will be on the houseboat.

Have breakfast on the houseboat.

The houseboat will sail to Alleppey. Cruise through the backwaters watching the children going to school and the village markets opening.

Disembark the boat at boat jetty where your driver will be waiting for you to arrive. Drive to Cochin.

Reach and as per your flight timings, you will be transferred to Cochin airport to take flight for Mumbai.

Arrive at Mumbai and proceed to take a connecting flight back home / onward destination with pleasant memories of your tour.

END OF THE JOURNEY