Kerala & Karnataka by Rail

Day 01 – Arrive Cochin
Arrive Cochin by International flight. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 – Cochin
Morning after breakfast, visit Fort Kochi which is the oldest European settlement in India (1500), and has a mixture of English, Dutch and Portuguese influence. The Mattancherry Palace was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, but extensive renovations by the Dutch some hundred years later earned it the name the Dutch Palace. It has some of the best murals in India, depicting scenes from the Ramayana and other great legends. Later visit the Jew town synagogue where Kochi’s surviving Jewish community come to worship. Nearby are the interesting cantilevered Chinese Fishing nets.

In the early evening we see a performance of Kathakali, which is thought by some to be the very essence of the culture of Kerala. Its origins may have come from traditional temple rituals and from an art form known as Koodiyattam. It is the face make up which makes this dancing so unique. The dancers can take up to three hours painting their faces – the features are heavily emphasised as it is the facial expressions and coordinated eye movements which are important in the dance. The dances usually portray events from the Ramayana and Mahabharata, great Indian epics. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 – Cochin – Thekkady
Morning drive to Thekkady (Approx. 150Kms / 04 hours), a beautiful area of tea gardens, rubber estates and coffee and pepper plantations, located high in the Cardamom hills. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room.

In the afternoon, visit rubber plantations and varied spice gardens like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee and tea estates. On your way back to hotel, you can shop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Evening is free for individual activities or relaxations. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 – Thekkady – Kumarakom
In the morning after breakfast drive to Kumarakom (Approx. 115Kms / 03 hours), en-route you will visit a working Tea estate, where you will have the opportunity to learn how tea is grown, graded, the various processes involved in the production of tea and an introduction to tea tasting.

Continue drive to Kumarakom and check-in at the hotel.

This is an enchanting backwater destination of Kerala. Spread over a cluster of islands on Vembanad Lake, Kumarakom is pictured as a mesh of lush tropical waterways and low-lying paddy fields. Stay in the backwater resort and enjoy your day in swimming or a massage that would do wonders on your body. The splash of water slapping softly on the banks provides soothing background music. Evening is free for relaxation or individual activities. Overnight at the hotel/resort.

Day 05 – Kumarakom
Have an early wake up and make your day by hearing the chirruping melodies of the sweet birds. Proceed to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary which lies at the edge of the grounds of an old estate where a profusion of all kinds of birds can be observed.

Enjoy sumptuous breakfast, later explore the rest of the day at your own leisure by watching the Vembanad Lake which has its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web.

Late afternoon a Cruise in the backwaters of Kerala. Cruise takes you through the palm-fringed canals and is a unique way to discover Kerala. Overnight at the hotel/resort.

Day 06 – Kumarakom – Cochin – Coimbatore (By Train) – Ooty    
Today after early breakfast, transfer to the Cochin railway station to board train for Coimbatore. Upon arrival directly drive to Ooty (03hours drive). Upon arrival in Ooty, check-in at the hotel and relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room.

The major attractions of Ooty are Botanical Garden, Ooty Lake “The Dodabetta Peak. Evening is free for relaxation or individual activities. Overnight at the hotel/resort.

Day 07 – Ooty    
Today after breakfast, we will go on scenic ride through Nilgiris on a toy train to Coonoor. The trek passes numerous bridge, forest, hill and tunnels.

Arrive at Coonoor station and visit nearby tea plantation and see the process of tea making by visiting factory. On your way back to hotel, you can shop at the local market and pick up some tea packets. Evening is free to explore local market or just relax in hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08 – Ooty – Mysore      
Morning drive to Mysore (Approx. 135Kms / 03 hours), enroute visit Srirangapatanam. Major attractions of Srirangapatnam are Daria Doulata, Summer Palace & Gumbuz – Tippu’s Mausoleum.

Later proceed to Mysore the land with numerous domes, towers and battlements; it is sheer luxury in the form of a palace. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel and relax amidst the comforts of your room. Evening is free to explore local market or just relax in hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09 – Mysore – Hampi (By Train)      
After enjoying the breakfast, proceed to visit the sprawling Maharaja’s Palace with its outstanding treasures and ivory inlaid doors. Also visit St. Philomena’s Church, a beautiful Cathedral reminiscent of Medieval Architecture with stained glass Windows and lofty Towers.

In evening transfer to the railway station to board overnight train for Hampi. Overnight on the board.

Day 10 – Hampi  
Morning arrival in Hampi, the World Heritage Center, is the most beautiful and evocative of all the ruins of Karnataka. Capital of Vijayanagar kingdom is full of delightful surprises where kings were weighed against gold or money which was then distributed to the poor.

Transfer to the hotel for check-in. Post breakfast proceed to experience this World Heritage Site and best way is to take a leisurely walk through the ruins. Most of the important structure and ruins are located in two areas, known as the Royal Centre and Sacred Centre. The Royal Centre have structures of palaces, pavilions, Royal stables and temples. The sacred center is situated on the banks of river Tungabhadra. Here, we can visit Virupaksha temple and Vittthala temple.

Evening is free for individual activities or relaxations. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 – Hampi – Goa (By Train)         
Today after breakfast, go on a leisurely walk to experience this Heritage Site. Try to find an old structure of palaces and other ruins temples. Spend half a day in or around river Tungabhadra.

In evening transfer to the railway station to board overnight train for Goa. Overnight on the board.

Day 12 – Goa  
Early morning arrival in Goa and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free for your leisure activities and also enjoying various Ayurvedic treatments.

You can also practice meditation and yoga in the calm surroundings of this resort/ hotel. Overnight at the resort/ hotel.

Day 13 – Goa  
Day is free for your leisure activities and also enjoying various Ayurvedic treatments. You can also practice meditation and yoga in the calm surroundings of this resort/ hotel. Overnight at the resort/ hotel.

Day 14 – Goa – Mumbai (By Train)  
Day is free for your leisure activities or enjoy whole day on beach.

In evening transfer to the railway station to board overnight train for Mumbai. Overnight on the board.

Day 15 – Depart Mumbai   
Early morning arrival in Mumbai and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Post breakfast proceed for a sightseeing tour of Mumbai city including Prince of Wales Museum, Mani Bhawan, Dhobi Ghat and later panoramic view of The Gateway of India & drive through the Crawford Market and Marine Drive.

In night transfer to the airport for your departure flight for onward destination.