15-Day Cultural Tour of Alappuzha, Alibaug, and Bekal

Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Excursion to Elephanta Island located 10kms away from the Gateway of India. Motorboats take passengers from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century BC.

Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel drive to Alibaug check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.

Overnight at beach resort.

Breakfast at resort. Excursion to trek Kanakeshwar temple - the old temple of Lord Shiva is about 12 km away from Alibag and falls on the way to Mandawa. The temple of Kanakeshwar is very beautiful, it is a 'Hoysal' style structure built in 1764. A water tank - popular known as 'Pushkarni' has water almost through out the year. Kanakeshwar is a place to feel the jungle and silence of the jungle and hills.

Alibag Beach - The main beach of the town Alibag beach is totally pollution free. Walking on the sandy beach is quite pheasant, the waves bring the water close to your feet and because of this one can't resist himself from entering the water. Fresh air, Sandy beach, sight of the Colaba fort are the major attractions. In addition to that you may enjoy Bhel-puri, Coconut water, Ice-cream, Sea Food, Alu Bonda etc. Alibagh other beaches are Akshi Beach, Nagaon beach, Kihim Beach, Mandwa Beach & Kashid Beach.
Rest time free and easy to relax on the beach.

Overnight at beach resort.

Breakfast at resort drive to Ratnagiri via visiting Murud-Janjira Fort
Murud-Janjira Fort - that remained unconquered by the Marathas, the Dutch and the English, is a majestic fort palace, on a cliff overlooking the sea. Janjira is considered one of the strongest marine forts in India and can be approached by sailboats from Rajapuri jetty. The main gate of the fort faces Rajapuri on the shore and can be seen only when one is about 40 feet (12 m) away from it. It has a small postern gate towards the open sea for escape. The fort has 26 rounded bastions, still intact. There are many cannons of native and European make rusting on the bastions. Now in ruins, the fort in its heyday was a full-fledged living fort with all the necessary facilities, e.g., palaces, quarters for officers, mosque, two small 60-foot-deep (18 m) natural fresh water lakes, etc. The palace of the Nawabs of Janjira at Murud is still in good shape. Special attraction of this fort are 3 gigantic cannons named Kalalbangdi, Chavri and Landa Kasam. These cannons were said to be feared for their shooting range.Continue drive to Ratnagiri check in at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel visit the Thibaw Palace - this three-storeyed brick and teakwood palace was where King Thibaw, the last king of Myanmar, was under house arrest when he was exiled to India by the British. His story is one of a king who never saw his kingdom again, destined to die in a sleepy coastal town. Even today, the beautiful structure seems to exude his sadness.

After sightseeing drive to Goa enroute visit Sindhudurg Fort. The Great Shivaji Maharaj brought 200 Vaddera people for building this fort. Over 4,000 pounds of lead were used in the casting and foundation stones were firmly laid down. Construction started on 25 November 1664. Built over a period of three years ([ ]), the sea fort is spread over 48 acres, with a two-mile (3 km) long rampart, and walls that are 30 feet (9.1 m) high and 12 feet (3.7 m) thick. The massive walls were designed to serve as a deterrent to approaching enemies and to the waves and tides of the Arabian Sea. The main entrance is concealed in such a way that no one can pinpoint it from outside.

Continue drive to Goa a popular tropical beach destination in India on the Arabian sea coast. The whole of the Konkan coast has almost the same weather and climate. The monsoons are torrential in Goa and the shores are filled with coconut groves and sandy beaches. Until 1961, Goa was a colony of Portugal and an Indo-Portuguese cultural element is very much evident here.

On one side you see a lot of crowded beaches, bars, discotheque, pubs and restaurants, which is the most happening part of Goa. But on the other side, South Goa is pristine, calms, rustic, agrarian, and nature oriented. Food is awesome in Goa, the Vindaloos, Cafreals, are some of the lipsmacking masalas in which meat and vegetables are cooked. Goan pork sausages are like hanging beads, you can see them if you get a chance to visit the markets. Goan fish curry rice, Rava fried fish, Kaju Feni & Limca, Kokum & Bibinca are all authentic to Goa. There is much more in Goa than sun, sand and sea.

Overnight at hotel.

Church of St. Francis of Assisi: A stunning & charming building, architecture has a combination of Hindu and Christian elements. The Church was built during [ ] AD now converted into a museum. Church of St Augustine Ruins: 46 meter high tower church was built in 1602 with the combined efforts of 12 Augustinians. They also built a convent besides the church. However, the Portuguese government in India put a ban on them and they abandoned the church and the convent.

Church of Marry Immaculate Conception: one of the most famous landmarks of Goa. This church is supposed to be one of the earliest churches to be constructed in Goa. The church looks magnificent and stunningly beautiful. The decoration inside the church is relatively simple, still exudes charm and beauty. The church that is present here today was supposed to have been rebuilt in 1619 from an earlier church.

Panjim City: the capital of Goa popularly known as the seat of the Government. Panjim is located on the south bank of the wide Mandovi River and is one of India's smallest and pleasantest state capitals. The Panjim town has preserved its Portuguese heritage remarkably well and parts of it still consist of narrow winding streets, old houses with over hanging balconies, red-tiled roofs and numerous small bars and cafe's. Signs in Portuguese can still be seen over shops, cafe's and administrative buildings. Fontainhas, transfers you back into the Portuguese days since it has retained its old charm and character. Within the commercial heart of the city rises majestically, the white-washed 'Church of the Immaculate Conception' founded in 1540.Rest time free and easy to relax.

Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Day free and easy to relax. and explore the site of your interest by your own.

Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel drive to Gokarna enroute visit Karwar a port city in the South Indian state of Karnataka. It’s known for beaches like Rabindranath Tagore Beach, with dive spots, and black-sand Tilmati Beach to the north. The INS Chapal (K94) Warship Museum, in a former missile boat, has artifacts and videos on the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. The hilltop Sadashivgad Fort has a temple dedicated to the goddess Durga, plus views of the Kali River and Arabian Sea.Arrive Gokarna check in at hotel. Rest time to relax on the hippy paradise beach.

Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel visit The Mahabaleshwar temple a pilgrim center considered holy for Hindus. Later drive to Mangalore enroute visit Udupi known for its Hindu temples, including the huge, 13th-century Sri Krishna Temple, which houses a statue of Lord Krishna and attracts many pilgrims. Nearby, the ancient Anantheshwara Temple is dedicated to the god Shiva. The Corporation Bank Heritage Museum features coins dating from 400 BC, plus stamps and displays about India’s banking industry.

Continue drive to Mangalore check in at hotel. Evening visit the Marvel of Mangalore St. Aloysius Chapel located at the St. Aloysius College. The interior of the chapel is completely hand painted by Italian Jesuit Antonio Moscheni in 1899. The doors and windows of the chapel are closed as part of preserving the paintings, and photography is prohibited.

Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel, drive to Kozhikode via visiting Bekal, Kannur & Thalassery The Historic Bekal fort appears to emerge from the sea. Almost three quarters of its exterior is in contact with water. Bekal fort was not an administrative centre and doesn't include any palace or mansion. An important feature is the water-tank, magazine and the flight of steps leading to an observation tower built by Tipu Sultan. Its solid construction resembles the Thalassery Fort and the St. Angelo Fort at Kannur built by the Dutch.

Further drive to Kannur and visit 16th-century St. Angelo Fort, once occupied by European colonial forces, show the city’s significant role in the spice trade. Thalassery one of the strategic centers of the British India, there have been several Anglo-Indian wars fought at Thalassery. The Thalassery Fort that overlooks the sea stands as a mute witness to all these wars fought.Continue drive to Kozhikode check in at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel, explore Cochin enroute visit Guruvayoor a pilgrimage town. It’s known for centuries-old, red-roofed Guruvayur Temple, where Hindu devotees make offerings of fruit, spices or coins, often equivalent to their own weight. Nearby, Mammiyur Mahadeva Temple contains shrines to the deities Vishnu and Shiva. South of town, St. Thomas Church is believed to have been established by the apostle St. Thomas in 52 AD.
Continue drive to Cochin check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax.

Overnight at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel, drive to Alleppey a backwater town. The backwaters here are serene and beautiful. Alleppey is referred to as the Venice of the East, due to canals, backwaters, and lagoons. Boats are the main mode of transportation here. You can see a lot of boats around, Shikara boats, small motor boats, passenger boats, cargo boat, and houseboats. Alleppey leads in coconut fiber production and makes different products out of coconut fiber like that of floor mats, coir ropes, handicrafts and a lot more.

Board a houseboat from here and enjoy the cruise through the enchanting backwaters. Houseboat comprises double/ twin bed room, with attached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in which to relax and enjoy the sights on the shore. Start sail through scenic backwaters, passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level. Lunch and dinner on board.

Overnight in cruise.

After breakfast disembark houseboat and drive to Cochin. Direct transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.