Kerala Backwaters with Deccan Odyssey
13 Nights / 14 Days |
Day 1 : (Mon ) - Mumbai - Arrival
Arrive Mumbai late evening. Meet / greet & assistance on arrival followed by transfer to hotel.
Overnight at Taj Mahal Palace or Similar.
Day 2 : (Tue ) - Mumbai
Breakfast at hotelIn the morning proceed for the visit of the city.
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Malabar Hill
This is essentially an up-market residential area with some spectacular views of the city surroundings. On the road climbing up, is a Jain temple dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain tirthankara. At one end, on the top are the Hanging Gardens (Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens) and the Kamala Nehru Park. Both provide relaxing atmospheres of greenery. Towards the other end is the Banganga temple complex at Walkeshwar, considered to be one of Mumbai's holiest sites. Local legend has it that the Hindu god Rama rested here on his way to rescue Sita (his wife) from Lanka. The Banganga Tank is supposedly the spot where Rama shot his bow or bana.
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Marine Drive
Popularly known as the Queen's Necklace is the most popular tourist spot giving an enchanting view of the sun set over the Arabian Sea. It glitters in the night with its beautifully lighted promenade along the shore. Marine Drive was built on reclaimed land in 1920, and is one of the most famous promenades of the city. From Malabar Hill, past Chowpatty, onto the elite business centre of Nariman Point, the road glitters with streetlights at night. |
Gateway of India
Mumbai's most striking monument, this too was designed by George Wittet. It has an imposing gateway arch in the Indo-Saracenic style with Gujarati and Islamic elements such as wooden carvings. It was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911.
Mani Bhawan
This simple and charming museum was where Mahatma Gandhi lived on his visits to Mumbai between 1917 and 1934. Gandhi's room and belongings including his books are on display. Mani Bhavan is situated on Laburnam Road, near the August Kranti Maidan, where the 'Quit India' movement was launched in 1942.
Lunch at Gaylord Restaurant.
Dinner & Overnight at Taj Mahal Palace or Similar.
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Prince of Wales Museum
This is one of Mumbai's finest example of Victorian architecture. Built to commemorate King George V's visit to Mumbai (while still Prince of Wales). It is undoubtedly one of India's finest museums and houses treasures, artifacts, paintings and sculpture from the many periods covering India's history, including the Indus Valley Civilization. |
Day 3 : (Wed ) - Depart Mumbai / Deccan Odyssey
Breakfast at hotel.
In the morning proceed for an excursion of Elephanta Caves.
Across the Mumbai Harbour, lie the seventh-century rock-cut temples of Elephanta. Once known as Gharapuri, or the Fortress City, the Caves are now designated as a World Heritage Site and visited by hundreds of tourists both for their art historical and scenic value. The Portuguese renamed this island Elephanta after a large stone elephant found near the shore (the elephant sculpture collapsed in 1814, when the British relocated it to the Victoria Gardens now Mumbai's zoo, where it still stands).
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Lunch at Hotel.
Return back to Mumbai in the afternoon and report at “Resham Bhawan“ for check in for “Deccan Odyssey” at 1430hrs followed by transfer to transfer to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus to board Deccan Odyssey.
Board the train late afternoon by 1600hrs. Dinner is served as Deccan Odyssey set out on its journey.
Night stay at Deccan Odyssey.
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Day 4 : (Thurs) Jaigad / Ganapatipule /Ratnagiri
Morning – Arrival at Bhoke Railway Station.Reach Rai Jetty by AC bus for boat cruise up to historical fort Jaigad. Watch cultural programme on boat performed by the local artists, followed by journey to explore one of the finest beach along the Konkan coast, Ganapatipule.
Free time & lunch at Ganapatipule beach resort.Noon board the bus for Ratnagiri railway station. On way visit to Lord Ganesha Temple.
Board the train at Ratnagiri Railway station. Dinner onboard.
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Day 5 : (Fri) Sindhudurg,Tarkarli And Sawantwadi
Morning – Alight at the Sindhudurg Nagari Railway station.
Departure by AC Bus to Malvan Jetty to witness Sindhudurg the Ocean Fort & one time naval base of Maratha empire. From jetty proceed to Tarkarli beach resort.
Tarkarli a virgin beach at the confluence to river Karli and Arabian Sea.
Lunch & free time at Tarkarli beach.
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Next, romantic Back Water Cruise through the Tarkarli creek up to Walaval Jetty. Visit to ancient village temple of Laxmi Narayana, followed by visit to Sawantwadi town by A.C bus to witness fabulous lacquer handicrafts, paintings and furniture at the “Shilpagrama” the art & craft centre in the town. Watch cultural programme performed by local artist.
Late in the evening board the train at Sawantwadi railway station. Dinner onboard.
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Day 6 : (Sat) Goa
Morning arrival at Karmali – Goa. The most frequented tourist spots in India.
Board the bus to reach Old Goa to witness; the ruins of St. Augustine Church once largest cathedral in Goa. Basilica of Bom Jesus, this is 16th Century Church, the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier is enshrined here. Se Cathedral and the Church of St. Francis of Assissi that began, as a mosque but now is an archaeological museum for Goan antiques. Visit to Fontanhas the Latin quarters at Panjim.
Departure to Hotel. Lunch & Free time on the beach. Evening board the train from Madgaon railway station. Dinner onboard.
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Day 07 : (Sunday) - Kolhapur, Pune
Morning – Arrival at Kolhapur City, known as Karveer or Dakshin Kashi of Maharashtra. Situated on the banks of river Panchaganga.
Board the bus to visit New Palace, a royal palace partly converted into museum, Bhawani Mandap (The Town Hall) witness traditional Martial Art locally known as “Mardani Khel”, An exquisitely carved Mahalaxmi Temple a temple of goddess Ambabai visited by millions pilgrims, Shalini Palace built of intricately carved black stone & Italian Marble stands on the west side of lake Rankala, watch cultural programme and visit to handicraft stalls for perfect memorabilia.
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At noon board the train at Kolhapur station to depart for Pune. Lunch onboard. Leisure time till evening.
Evening arrive at Pune. Board the bus to visit Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum, houses variety of artifacts of the 17th, 18th & 19th Centuries. Board the train from Pune railway station. Dinner onboard.
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Day 8 : (Mon) Aurangabad
Morning Arrival at Daulatabad station.
Proceed by road to visit; Majestic fort Daulatabad.
Next stop is Ellora caves, a World Heritage site, having 34 cave temples dedicated to three different religion- Hinduism, Buddhism & Jainism.
Lunch & free time.
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After lunch move on to see Bibi-ka-Maqbara, a replica of Taj Mahal is a grand piece of Moghul architecture. Optional: Back to train. Free time for shopping Paithani, Himroo, Bidriwork from showrooms for a perfect memorabilia. Evening board the train from Aurangabad railway station. Dinner onboard.
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Day 9 : (Tue) Ajanta & Nasik
Morning – Arrival at Jalgaon railway station. Board the bus to reach Ajanta Caves.
Renowned Buddhist caves of Ajanta a World Heritage Site to witness some of the finest paintings and sculptures of the second century AD. ‘Bodhisattva Padmapani’, ‘Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara’, The Birth of the Buddha’ & ‘Thousand Buddhas’ are a few amongst the many fine murals & sculptures. At noon board train at Jalgaon railway station. Proceed to Nashik. Lunch on-board. Leisure Time onboard till evening.
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Alight at Nashik Road railway station to board the bus for departure to Panchawati Ghat a holy place known for Kumbh Mela. Next, visit to Kala Ram Temple built in 1794.
Evening board the train at Nashik railway station.Farewell dinner on-board.
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Day 10 : (Wed ) Mumbai / Cochin
Enjoy the breakfast on board as the sun arises over the commercial captial of India. Alight at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in the morning enriched with the rich legacy of this land. The royal journey is over, but the memory of which will live on forever.
Check out latest by 0815hrs and transfer domestic airport to board Jet Airways flight 9w 401 at 1035hrs to Cochin. Arrive Cochin at 1220hrs. On arrival transfer to hotel.
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In the evening witness Kathakali Dance Performance at local theater in Ernakulam.
Dinner & Overnight at Brunton Boatyard or Similar.
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Day 11 : (Thurs) Cochin
Breakfast at hotel.
In the morning visit Fort Cochin area.
Fort Cochin - Ancient capital of the Dutch, Portuguese and finally the British. The old Spice Market at Mattancherry, the antique shop on Jews Street, the Synagogue, Dutch Palace and, of course, the Church of St. Francis where the mortal remains of Vasco Da Gama was buried before it was shifted to Portugal
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Dutch Palace Situated at Mattancherry. Although called Dutch, it was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Maharaja of Cochin in 1555. It acquired the present name after 1663 when the Dutch added some extension to the building and carried out some repairs. In the centre of the building is the coronation hall. 17th century murals depicting scenes from the Indian Epic, Ramayana can be seen here.
Jewish Synagogue The Jewish Synagogue at Mattanchery was built in 1568. The great Scrolls of the Old Testament, The copper plates containing the privileges granted by the Cochin Ruler to the Jewish community and the exquisite Chinese hand-painted tiles at the Synagogue are of great interest. |
Chinese fishing nets - The Chinese Fishing nets that line the sea-front and exhibit a mechanical method of catching fish by local fishermen in Fort Kochi. Said to have been brought from China by traders of Kubala Khan's Court, they are used at high tide.
St. Francis church This Protestant church was originally built by the Portuguese in 1510 AD and is believed to be the oldest church built by the Europeans in India. lt is here the remains of the inveterate traveler, Vasco da Gama were initially buried and 14 years later, his mortal remains were taken to Portugal.
Lunch at hotel.
In the evening enjoy sunset harbor cruise.
Dinner at Fort Cochin (Sea Food Restaurant).
Overnight at Brunton Boatyard or Similar.
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Day 12 : (Fri ) Cochin / Alleppey / Backwater
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning drive to Alleppey boat Jetty to board the Spice Coast (at 1200/1300hrss) and sail through the narrow canals.
Lunch / Dinner & Overnight on House Boat or Similar.
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Day 13 : (Sat ) Backwater / Alleppy / Cochin / Mumbai
Breakfast on board and start sailing through the canals and witness and cruise back to Alleppey Boat Jetty.
De-board at 1000hrs and drive to Cochin airport to connect flight to Mumbai.
Depart by Jet Airways flight 9W 402 to Mumbai (1300 – 1450 hrs).Arrive & check in at hotel.
Dinner & Overnight at Intercontinental the Grand or Similar. |
Day 14 : (Sun ) - Mumbai Out
Depart for back home.
Please note, the check-in time is three hours prior to the departure of the flight.
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Tour cost includes
1. Accommodation on twin / double sharing basis
2. 01 Night on Houseboat (one bedroom)
3. Full board during stay in Mumbai & Kerala
4. Transportation in Mumbai & Kerala by air-conditioned VEHICLE for all transfers / sightseeing.
5. Services of an English speaking local guide for the visit of Mumbai & Cochin city
6. Entrance fee to the monuments
7. 1 bottle of mineral water per person during meals
8. Portage at airports / railway stations during transfers
Deccan Odyssey Tour Cost Includes
Tariff is inclusive of travel/catering/conducted sight-seeing/ entrance fee at Monuments/Parks/Palaces/Cultural Programs/ Boat Ride.
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Tour costs do not include
1. Items of personal nature like, tips at hotel / restaurants, laundry, telephone calls.
2. Any drinks & beverage during tour
3. Any airfare
4. Any other items not mentioned in “tour cost includes” section.
Deccan Odyssey Tour Cost does not Includes
The guest has to pay for video cameras, liquor, laundry and other items of personal nature.
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