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Day 1 London/Cochin
Depart London-Heathrow by overnight flight.

Day 2 Cochin
On arrival at Cochin you will be met and transferred and transfer to the Taj Malabar Hotel for a 2-night stay (Room & Breakfast). Optional evening sunset cruise.

Day 3 Cochin
Half-day sightseeing of Cochin, exploring the area around the Jewish synagogue known as Jew Town (once the centre of the spice trade), with several curio shops. Visit St. Francis Church, Fort Cochin constructed by the Portuguese in 1510 and believed to be the first European-built church in India. Vasco da Gama was initially buried here, though 14 years later his remains were taken to Portugal. See Bolgatty island, site of the Bolgatty Palace built by the Dutch in 1744 (and now a hotel), and, of course, Cochin's famous Chinese fishing nets. There's time later for an Ayurvedic body massage (optional).

Day 4 Cochin/Munnar
Today you enjoy a scenic drive to Munnar a fascinating old hill-station on the lush slopes of the Western Ghats and once the summer resort of the British Government in South India - set at the confluence of three mountain streams, over 5,000 ft above sea level with lakes, forests and tea estates. Stay two nights at The Windamere Estate a small guest-house of great charm offering cottages and guest rooms within the grounds of a coffee and cardamon plantation (Half Board).

Day 5 Munnar
Time for leisurely exploration of Munnar, with visits to Mattupetty lake and dam and to Rajamala the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr (a rare mountain goat - fast becoming extinct). A tea factory visit can also be arranged.

Day 6 Munnar/Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekkady)
After breakfast you are driven to Periyar through the Cardamon Hills of the Western Ghats to the Lake Palace, set majestically on a peninsula on Lake Periyar amid the superb setting of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Stay for two nights at this delightful 6-room heritage hotel (Full Board).

Day 7 Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
A day to relax in this lovely setting. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve in 1978 and is also the home of large herds of wild elephants that come down to cool off in the lake waters. The Lake Palace provides the excitement of spotting wildlife from your garden chair! A boat trip on the lake is included during your stay.

Day 8 Periyar/Kumarakom
After breakfast leave for Kumarakom on the backwaters of Kerala to spend three relaxing nights in the tranquil surroundings of the comfortable Taj Garden Retreat on the banks of the tranquil Vembanad lake. It began life in 1877 as Baker's House - a country retreat originally built by Essex missionary George Alfred Baker (Room & Breakfast).

Days 9/10 Kumarakom
Two relaxing days by the backwaters. Optional Ayurvedic body massage.

Day 11 Kumarakom/Allepey
Late in the morning you board your kettuvallam (houseboat) for an overnight journey through Kerala's serene backwaters, cruising along an intricate palm-fringed network of innumerable lagoons, lakes and canals. Overnight on board, with evening candlelit dinner.

Day 12 Alleppey/Cochin
After breakfast disembark at Alleppey and travel by road to Cochin for a final two nights at Bruntons Boatyard (Room & Breakfast).

Day 13 Cochin
A day at leisure in this fascinating setting.

Day 14 Cochin/London
Transfer to Cochin airport for your overnight flight to London.

Day 15 London
Arrive London-Heathrow this morning.

INCLUSIVE PRICES (valid until 31 March 2012) from £1998 per person in twin
Supplements apply for July/August/December departures - details on request

Price Includes: Economy class round-trip flights from London to Cochin • Current Airport Departure Tax, Airline Insurance and Fuel Surcharges (all subject to change - please check with us for details) • 13 nights in shared twin/double accommodation • Meals as detailed • Private air-conditioned car transfers • English-speaking driver-guide • Sightseeing and entrance fees • Parking, toll charges and driver allowance • Assistance of our local representatives when required.

Price Excludes: Personal insurance and any special insurance for activity sports • Government taxes • Tips, porterage and expenses of a personal nature A valid passport (minimum validity 6 months from return date) is required. All clients must be fully insured from the time of booking.

For Bookings & Enquiries please call us on: 020 8893 1781 or email: tours@goldendays.co.uk

All our tours can be tailor made to meet your exact requirements.

Back to: Tailormade India Tours

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXTENDING YOUR STAY

KERALA EXTENSIONS
We can tailor your holiday to include longer stays at any point visited en route.

SRI LANKA EXTENSION (6 days) - PRICES ON REQUEST

Day 1 Cochin/Colombo/Anuradhapura
Transfer from Cochin to Colombo and on to Anuradhapura. Overnight at the Palm Garden Village Hotel (Room & Breakfast).

Day 2 Anuradhapura/Sigiriya
Visit Anuradhapura's dagobas and the ancient Bo tree in the morning. In the afternoon drive to Sigiriya, visiting Mihintale en route. Stay 2 nights at the Deer Park Hotel (Room & Breakfast).

Day 3 Sigiriya & Pollonaruwa
Visit the Sigiriya Rock Fort and Pollonaruwa.

Day 4 Anuradhapura/Kandy
Drive to Kandy visiting the Dambulla Cave Temple and the Matale Spice Garden en route. Stay at the Suisse or Thilanka Hotel for 2 nights (Room & Breakfast).

Day 5 Kandy
Local sightseeing, with visits to the Peradiniya Botanical Gardens and the Pinnawella Elephant Orphanage. In the late- afternoon visit the famous Temple of the Tooth Relic. Later enjoy an evening Kandyan cultural programme.

Day 6 Kandy/Colombo
Drive to Colombo and the Trans Asia or Taj Samudra Hotel for an overnight &Breakfast). Remainder of the day free.

Day 7 Colombo/London
Transfer to the Airport for your flight to London.

Day 8 London
Arrive London-Heathrow this morning.

For Bookings & Enquiries please call us on: 020 8893 1781
or email: tours@goldendays.co.uk

All our tours can be tailor made to meet your exact requirements.

Back to: Tailormade India Tours

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