Western Coast of India

Day 1: Mumbai

On arrival at Mumbai airport assistance & transfer to hotel (check-in/out time 12pm). Mumbai is disciplined by no time frame neither day nor night. Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sports activities, nightclubs & discotheques, theatre, music & gourmet restaurants offer visitors a heady mix of all this and more. Rest time free for personal activities. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Hotel Suba Palace/ BW Hotel Sahil or similar. (4-Star and 5-Star hotels are available on request.)

Day 2: Mumbai (B)

City tour of Mumbai. Drive via Marine Drive one of the most beautifully laid boulevards in the city to reach the Gateway of India. Board a ferry from here to reach Elephanta Caves (Monday closed). A flight of 100 steps takes you to the top of the hill where caves are located. Afterward, cruise back to Gateway of India and then a city tour. Drive pass CST & Parliament House. Visit Dhobhi Ghat to see the city’s famous open-air laundry in action. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay, a Grade I Heritage Building of the city counted amongst one of the most prominent museums of India. The complex exhibits a myriad collection of ancient artifacts, artwork, and sculptors of the country which give a unique insight into our past. Overnight at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Hotel Suba Palace/ BW Hotel Sahil or similar.

Day 3: Mumbai – Alibaug (100kms) (B)

Drive to Alibaug check-in at the hotel. Rest time free to relax. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Elysium Spa Resort/ Hotel Sahyadri or similar.

Day 4: Alibaug (B)

Morning optional excursion to visit Kankeshwar Temple located on a 1200 feet high hilltop in the village of Mapgaon around 12km from Alibaug. One has to climb 750 steps to reach the temple. The unique architecture temple was built in 1674 and is one of the finest examples of the Hoysala style of architecture. The main sanctum of the temple houses 4 feet long Shiv lingam. Another feature of Kanakeshwar Temple is Pushkarni a tank that remains filled with water all the time. Kanakeshwar is a place to feel the jungle and silence of the jungle and hills. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Elysium Spa Resort/ Hotel Sahyadri or similar.

Day 5: Alibaug – Ratnagiri (300kms) (B)

Drive to Ratnagiri via visiting Murud-Janjira Fort, the majestic fort palace located on a cliff overlooking the sea. It remained unconquered by the Marathas, the Dutch, and the English. 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. The palace of the Nawabs of Janjira at Murud is still in good shape. The special attraction of this fort is 3 gigantic cannons named Kalalbangdi, Chavira, and Landa Kasam. These cannons were said to be feared for their shooting range. Continue to drive to Ratnagiri, check-in & overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: O’NEST Oceano Pearl -A Beach Home Stay/ The MTDC Resort or similar.

Day 6: Ratnagiri – Goa (295kms) (B)

Visit Thibaw Palace a three-storeyed brick and teakwood palace situated at the hem of the hill, where King Thibaw, the last king of Myanmar, was under house arrest by the British. It provides a picturesque view of the sunset at the Arabian sea.
Drive to Goa en-route visit Sindhudurg Fort, an ancient fortress occupying an islet in the Arabian Sea off the coast. This imposing construction is spread over an area of 48 acres, with its massive walls standing tall against the crashing waves of the sea. The main entrance of the fort is hidden away in such a manner that no one can identify it from the outside. The Sindhudurg Fort is a tangible example of Maratha’s foresight and resourcefulness. Built by Chhatrapati Shivaji, Fort has 42 bastions, which still stand tall and are surrounded by several smaller forts such as the Padmagad, Rajkot, and Sarjekot Fort. A small temple dedicated to the Chhatrapati also finds a place within the bounds of the fort. Arrive Goa check-in & overnight at hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Varca Le Palm/ Lambana Resort or similar.

Day 7: Goa (B)

City tour of Goa. Visit the Old Goa monument the Basilica of Bom Jesus a 16th-century church dedicated to infant Jesus housing the tomb of St. Francis Xavier. The other Churches in the same area are St. Cathedral, Church of Our Lady of Miracles, Church of our Lady of Rosary, and Nunnery of St. Monica. The Aguada Fort built by the Portuguese on the mouth of the Mondovi River and a 4-story Portuguese lighthouse oldest of its kind in Asia. In South Goa visit Mangueshi Temple, Shanta Durga Temple & Margao the headquarters of South Goa. Drive Pass the charming beaches such as Calangute, Dona Paula, Miramar, and Baga Beach. Overnight at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Varca Le Palm/ Lambana Resort or similar.

Day 8: Goa (B)

Day free to relax & explore the site of your interest with your driver. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Varca Le Palm/ Lambana Resort or similar.

Day 9: Goa – Gokarna (235km) (B)

Drive to Gokarna en-route stop at Karwar to visit INS Chapel (K94) Warship Museum, situated in Rabindranath Tagore beach. INS Chapel is a missile warship and was used in the 1971 Indo – Pak war. In 2006, the ship was converted into a museum to display sea artifacts, a video of the ship being converted into this museum among other collectibles. And Sadashivgad Fort, built atop a hill on the north bank of the Kali river. It is mostly in ruins, having been pulled apart by the British, after multiple changes of hands. A Durga temple is situated in this fort, the Shantadurga deity being installed by Shivaji for the locals to worship.
Arrive at Gokarna check-in at the hotel. City tour of Gokarna a town on the Arabian Sea, and a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindus, known for sacred sites Mahabaleshwar Temple, which has a shrine dedicated to the deity Shiva. A 6 feet tall Shiva Linga here built using white granite is a classic example of the beauty of Dravidian architecture. A 1500 years old carved stone Lord Shiva idol in the standing position represents the main deity. The temple has been mentioned in the Hindu Mythics of Mahabharata and Ramayana and it is said to be as significant as Kashi. Nearby, Koti Teertha is a temple tank where devotees wash in the holy waters. The town is also home to beaches such as palm-lined Gokarna, Kudle, and Om beach, a hippy paradise. Rest time-free and easy to relax on the beach. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Red Earth Gokarna/Arthigamya Resort & Spa or similar.

Day 10: Gokarna – Mangalore (235km) (B)

Drive to Mangalore en-route visit 13th-century Sri Krishna Temple, adorned with jewels and a golden chariot. What makes the temple unique, is its worshipping pattern. The prayers and process of the whole worship take place only through a silver-plated window with nine holes called the Navagraha Kitiki. A temple known as Udupi Anantheshwara Temple surrounds the Shree Krishna Matha. This temple traces back 1,000 years. The temple bears a resemblance to a living ashram, fostering daily life and devotion.
Continue to drive to Mangalore, check in at the hotel. Later city tour of Mangalore visit Kadri Manjunath Temple, built in 1068 AD, this temple has the typical Hindu architectural style on the basic Vijaynagri style. The temple has many caves around it as it is located on hillocks. These caves have depictions that go back to prehistoric times. Mangaladevi Temple dedicated to Goddess Shakti, it is the oldest temple in Mangalore built in 900 AD. The grand temple’s spacious complex allows devotees to sit and meditate or chant after offering their prayers to feel rejuvenated and at peace.
Also visit St Aloysius Chapel, a Catholic Church and a famous attraction set atop the Lighthouse Hill and has a regal look which is breathtaking right from the entrance. The unique wall paintings of St. Aloysius Chapel are stunning. The view of the Arabian Sea from the campus is worth the trip if one wishes to capture a part of the history and the natural landscape of this part of the city. Rosario Cathedral, a 16th-century Roman Catholic church, a magnificent structure with a beautiful interior. The cross and the dome on the Cathedral are easily visible to the ships approaching the Mangalore Harbour. The Cross is lit every evening and serves as a guiding light for fishermen and seamen. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Resort River Roost Resorts/ Treebo Trend Pappilon Palace or similar.

Day 11: Mangalore – Kozhikode (250kms) (B)

Drive to Kozhikode via visiting Bekal Fort, Kannur St. Angelo Fort & Thalassery Thalassery Fort. On arrival check-in & overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Keys Hotel Malabar Gate/ Paramount Tower Hotel or similar.

Day 12: Kozhikode – Cochin (190kms) (B)

Visit Kappad Beach. Drive to Cochin en-route visit Guruvayoor Temple & Mammiyur Mahadeva Temple. Arrive at Cochin check-in & overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: The Dune Hotel/ Abad Plaza or similar.

Day 13: Cochin (B)

City tour of Cochin the lovely seaside city flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. You will find here a unique mix and match of traditional as well Western architecture and lifestyle. Visit Fort Cochin a charming seaside area known for its Dutch, Portuguese & British colonial architecture and elaborate bamboo fishing nets at Fort Kochi Beach. St. Francis Church was the original burial site of explorer Vasco da Gama. Upscale eateries and chic cafes serve Keralan specialties, and quaint shops sell cotton clothing and handmade souvenirs. Heritage buildings house contemporary art galleries. Also, visit Jewish Synagogue & the Mattancherry Dutch`s Palace. In the evening enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance form of Kerala with lavish costumes, exotic makeup, masks, etc. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: The Dune Hotel/ Abad Plaza or similar.

Day 14: Cochin – Alleppey (60kms) (B)

Transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board the houseboat and sail through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters. While sailing enjoys palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals, the panoramic sights one can never forget. Pass through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level. 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 Shikara boats, small motorboats, passenger boats, cargo boats, and houseboats. Evening enjoys the sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats. The Houseboats have generated electricity, sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a chef & driver. Overnight in a houseboat.
🏚️ Hotel Option: ATDC Houseboat/ Dream Boats or similar.

Day 15: Alleppey/ Cochin – Departure (B)

Drive to Cochin & drop off at the airport.