Day 1: Arrival at Mumbai
Welcome to India, You will be received by Premium India Tour representative at international airport and assisted to your hotel. In the Hotel you will have a brief description of your tour and the representative will hand over your documents regarding the tour, Overnight in Hotel.
Day 2: Mumbai
After breakfast takes a sight seeing tour of Bombay, drive to Gateway of India and from here cruise by motorboats to Elephanta Caves. A flight of 100 steps takes you to the top of the hill where it is set. The caves houses large pillars that seem to hold the ceiling which is made of cross beams. The picturesque presentations of the 9 marvelous sculptured panels, set on the walls are awe-inspiring. The most famous of the panels is the Trimurthi, or triple-headed Shiva, where the God is depicted as the destroyer, the preserver and the creator. Later visit Prince of Wales Museum, Parliament House, Marine Drive, Jain Temple, Hanging Gardens, Return back to the hotel for overnight.
Note: Elephanta Caves and Prince of Wales museum are closed on every Monday.
Day 3: Mumbai- Trivandrum- Kovalam
Breakfast at Hotel, later you will be transferred to airport for flight to Trivandrum. On arrival in meet and assistance, drive to Kovalam. Check in your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Kovalam beach is known as the "Paradise of the South". Kovalam is just 16 kms away from Trivandrum, Kerala capital city. Kovalam is an evergreen and pleasant climatic beach resort.. With high rock promontory and a calm bay of blue waters, this beach paradise creates a unique aquarelle on moonlit nights. Kovalam was brought to the public eye by the Maharaja of Travancore. Over the past three decades, the place has been well developed, and now figures prominently on the world tourism map. The warm and clean atmosphere by the coconut trees and the white sandbed are perfect for relaxing holidays, as the seabreeze gently plays with the waves. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 4: Kovalam - Cape Camorin (Kanyakumari) - Kovalam
After breakfast at hotel. Drive to Kanyakumari for excursion tour. It is 86km from Trivandram. The land of ‘Sangam’ (convergence) of the three oceans - Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, Kanyakumari, is the southernmost point of peninsular India and has been enticing tourists due to its geographical positioning. A picturesque sight of sunrise and sunset, long stretches of sand of many hues accentuate the city’s serene and astonishing natural environment. Kanyakumari is also a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus. Enjoy sightseeing tour by visiting Kumariamman Temple, Vivekananda Rock, Gandhi Memorial, Guganathaswamy Temple, Udyagiri Fort, Nagaraja Temple, Padmanabha puram Palace. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5: Kovalam - Varkala
Morning, after breakfast we will proceed towards Varkala - the most unspoilt beach resort of India. Varkala is the only place in southern Kerala where one can find cliffs adjacent to the Arabian sea. These tertiary sedimentary formation cliffs are a unique geological feature in the otherwise flat Kerala coast, and are known among geologists as Varkala Formation and a geological monument as declared by the Geological survey of India. There are numerous water spouts and spas on the sides of these cliffs. JanardhanaKrishna Temple entrance, Varkala A famous beach resort, Varkala is also famous for its 2,000 year old Janardanaswamy temple, which is an important Vaishnavaite shrine in India and is referred to as Dakshin Kashi (Benares of the south). The temple is located close to the Papanasam beach, which is considered to have holy waters which wash away sins, and is also an important Ayurveda treatment centre. You also have the option of trying some traditional body therapy here. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Varkala - Kumarakom
A drive to Kumarakom. Perched sleepily on the eastern banks of the mighty Lake Vembanad in the heartland of Kerala’s famed backwaters, Kumarakom has changed little since the Middle Ages but for it’s string of exotic resorts, making it the perfect point to explore the backwaters. Although right in the thick of a tangle of lush tropical waterways, Kumarakom is technically an island on Lake Vembanad. This is an ideal place to chill-out for a few days. There is also a wonderful bird sanctuary, winter home to many migratory birds which is worth a visit. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 7: Kumarakom
Whole day is at leisure. Best way to enjoy is set aside for taking in the sights and sounds of picturesque Kumarakom. Later visit Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary by boat. Capture the many kinds of indigenous and migratory birds at the sanctuary on camera. Later, you can enjoy water skiing, boating and parasailing near your resort.
Day 8: Kumarakom - Periyar
Breakfast at leisure, later enjoy visiting Periyar Sanctuary. South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary and home to bison, antelopes, sambar, wild boar, birds and even the odd tiger! Kumli, close to the sanctuary and where you’ll stay, is a pretty little town dotted with small spice and handicraft shops. There is plenty to do in and around Periyar, so we leave the choice to you. Enjoy an included boat ride on Lake Periyar to spot herds of wild elephants or visit the lush nearby tea estates. Overnight at Hotel, visit the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
Day 9: Periyar
Breakfast at hotel, rest of the day is free to enjoy as per your own activities. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10 & 11: Periyar - Kottayam - Backwater Tour
In the morning drive to the Kottayam Jetty to board a "Kettuvallam", the traditional Kerala House Boat. Embark on a cruise on the scenic backwaters towards Alleppey. The still lagoon will welcome you with palm trees lining on the shore. Watching the daily activity of the villagers will enrich your curiosity. The Chinese Fishing Nets set in the shore, and fishermen gliding slowly on the water, bunch of ducks swimming nearby the bank, birds chirping in the sky - all together presents a very pleasant picturesque worth to mesmerize you. You will stick to the deck watching the splendid scenery of backwater and taking sun bath. As you take your lunch, you will reach at Punnamada lake. This is the place where every year world famous boat race is organized. Cruising through the Vembanad lake will unfold a very panoramic view of the backwater full of peace and tranquility. In the evening, you will visit the paddy fields. It will give you better insight of the village life of Kerala as you will have opportunity to interact with the local villagers and will know well their daily activities. Overnight at Houseboat.
Day 12: Alleppey - Cochin
In the morning hours disembark at Alleppey, from where you will be driven to Cochin, On arrival check in your hotel and later in the day enjoy sightseeing tour of Cohin. Cochin was originally settled by the Portuguese and boasts a natural harbor with lagoons, canals, and fishing hamlets. One of the three biggest ports on India’s west coast, it is also an industrially developed area, with the coir industry of special importance (coir is a coarse fiber made from the husk of coconuts). Today you’ll visit the Cochin Harbor Terminus; the Dutch Palace in Mattancherry, originally built by the Portuguese; Jewish Synagogue and Jew Town (the synagogue houses scrolls of the Old Testament); Fort Cochin area; St. Francis Church, the oldest European-built church in India (and where the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was first interred); and see a stretch of the coastline dotted with massive Chinese fishing nets (cheenavala), believed to have been introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan (this is the only place they are found outside of China). In the evening you’ll attend a performance of the Kathakali, an elaborate Indian dance-drama. Overnight at hotel
Day 13: Cochin - Calicut
In the morning, you will leave for Calicut. On arrival, you will be booked into a hotel. Later, take a tour of the many museums and galleries of this culturally important city.
Day 14: Calicut - Vythiri
After breakfast, you will be driven to Vythiri, a picturesque hill station in the Western Ghat ranges. At Vythiri, you will be put up at the unique Treehouse Lodge, situated 86 feet high above the ground. At the Tree house, spend your time taking in the panoramic view of the Wayanad region.
Day 15: Exploring the Treehouse
Spend this day at the Treehouse, relaxing in its novel ambiance. Explore the green hills in and around Vythiri, or go trekking on its many nature trails.
Day 16: Vythri - Ooty
In the morning, you will be driven to Ooty Called the Queen of Hill Stations picturesque, green Udhagamandalam better known, as Ooty is the most popular hill station in the South. Located in the Western ghats at a height of 2240m, Udhagamandalam is the headquarters of the Nilgiris district where the two ghats ranges meet. Nature has been generous with this region, which is by far the most beautiful in the state. Apart from coffee and tea plantations, trees like conifers, eucalptus, pine and wattle dot the hillside in Udhagamandalam and its encirons. This lovely hill station, is a paradise for nature lovers and trekkers. On arrival at Ooty, check into Hotel. Rest of the day is free, Overnight at Hotel.
Day 17: Explore Ooty
Spend your day at this picturesque hill station. Go to the many tea plantations here, or visit the extensive spice estates. Visit the British style bungalows and mansions, a legacy from the days of the British colonial era, when many British government servants and officers made Ooty their home owing to its moderate temperatures. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 18: Ooty - Mysore
After breakfast, you will be driven to Mysore, the capital city of the Wodeyars has always enchanted its admirers with its quaint charm, rich heritage, magnificent palaces, beautifully laid-out gardens, imposing buildings, broad shady avenues and sacred temples. There's an old world charm about the city that reaches out and leaves no one untouched. On arrival check in your hotel later enjoy city sightseeing tour including visit at Mysore Palace, The Jagmohan Palace, Chamundi Hill, St. Philomena’s Chruch, The Mysore Zoo, Brindavanas Garden, Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Srirangapatna, Nanjangud, Mysore is also famous for its silks, brocades and sandalwood, apart from handloom textiles. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 19: Mysore - Bangalore
After breakfast drive to Bangalore. It is called the Garden City for its delicate blossoms and greenery that impart a unique beauty to this lovely city. The weather is the city's best feature, with pleasant summers and bearable winters. Bangalore is a cosmopolitan city, where different cultures and customs exist. Kempe Gowda founded the city in 1537 - today it is a bustling and diverse city, with ancient arts that flourish alongside the Silicon Plateau of India! Once in Bangalore, you will proceed to check into a hotel, where you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure or enjoy sight seeing tour including visit at Lal Bagh Garden, Tipu Summer, Palace Vidhan Soudha, Nandi, Chamundi Hill, Janapada Arts Museum. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 20: Bengaluru (Bangalore) - Mumbai
From Bangalore, you will leave for Mumbai by plane. Once in Mumbai, you will be transferred to a hotel booked in advance. Here, you can wash up and relax for a few hours before being driven to the International Airport for flight back to home.