Incredible India Tour

Day 1: Arrive in 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: Sun-N-Sand Hotel/ Fariyas Hotel or similar. (5-Star hotel is 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 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.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Sun-N-Sand Hotel/ Fariyas Hotel or similar.

Day 3: Mumbai – Aurangabad (B)

Transfer to airport to board the flight for Aurangabad. Arrival transfer to hotel. Later Excursion to visit the Ellora Caves (Tuesday closed), a UNESCO World Heritage Site from about 200 BC. to 650 AD. There are 34 monasteries and temples at Ellora, belonging to the three different religions Buddhism, Hinduism & Jainism. Grishneshwar Temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana. On way back visit Daulatabad Fort one of the most powerful forts of the medieval Deccan.
Later visit Bibi ka Maqbara built-in 1678 is a son loving tribute to his mother, Panchakki which discharged water on the wheel to power the flour mill and grind grain for the pilgrims & Aurangabad Caves artificial caves that were dug out of soft rock during the 6th & 7th century. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Ambassador Ajanta / VITS Hotel or similar.

Day 4: Aurangabad (B)

Excursion to Ajanta (Monday closed). The Buddhist Caves of Ajanta were discovered by the British officers in 1819 while hunting the tiger. Ajanta Caves were first mentioned in the writings of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who visited India between AD 629 and 645. The Caves at Ajanta are older than those at Ellora which date from about 200 BC to 650 AD. Thirty beautiful Buddhist Caves with mesmerizing sculptures and paintings depicting Buddha`s life as well the lives of the Buddha in his previous births. Five of these Caves are Chaityas (Place of worship) while the other twenty-five are Viharas (monasteries). Ajanta Caves are divided into two categories based on two schools of Buddhist thought – Hinayana Caves and Mahayana Caves. Drive back to Aurangabad for an overnight stay. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Ambassador Ajanta / VITS Hotel or similar.

Day 5: Aurangabad – Goa (B)

Transfer to airport to board flight for Goa. On arrival assistance & transfer to resort. Rest time free to relax on the beach. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Lemon Tree Hotel Candolim/ The Chances Resort & Casino or similar.

Day 6: 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 was built by the Portuguese on the mouth of the Mondovi River and is 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.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Lemon Tree Hotel Candolim/ The Chances Resort & Casino or similar.

Day 7: Goa (B)

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

🏚️ Hotel Option: Lemon Tree Hotel Candolim/ The Chances Resort & Casino or similar.

Day 8: Goa – Badami (184km) (B)

Drive to Badami check-in at the hotel. Rest time free to relax. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Krishna Heritage or similar.

Day 9: Badami (B)

Excursion to visit Aihole a historical site & home to over 125 beautiful Chalukyan temples and monuments from the 6th to 12th century. Few important monuments in Aihole include the Durga Temple, Lad Khan Temple, Ravanaphadi Cave Temples, Huchimalli Temple, Meganagudi Group Temple, Gowda Temple, and the Huchappayyagudi Temple amongst numerous others. And Pattadakal a treasure trove of Hindu and Jain temples complex built in the 7th and 8th century CE. The various temples that one must visit are Virupaksha Temple, Jain temple, Papanatha temple, Galaganath temple, and Sangameshwara temple. Also visit Badami Cave consist of four separate temples, each holding intricate carvings & depictions. Badami Fort is perched on the top of a cliff accompanied by two Shivalaya complexes dating back to the 5th century & a watchtower atop the hill. And Agastya Lake is surrounded by red sandstone temples. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Krishna Heritage or similar.

Day 10: Badami – Hampi (180km) (B)

Drive to Hampi via visiting Gadag a place of historical importance, famous for its ancient Hindu & Jain temples and medieval architecture. Constructed between the 10th to 12th CE by the Kings of the Chalukyan Empire, the Trikuteshewara Temple is famous for its style of architecture and the temple has three Shivalingas carved out of a single rock. And Lakkundi heaven of ancient temples ruins and step wells. It is a place of antiquarian interest with more than 50 ancient temples scattered all over the village, 101 stepped wells built during the rule of the Chalukyas, Seuna, Kalachuris, and Hoysalas. These temples are most famous for their ornate and elaborate furnishing. Arrive Hampi check-in & overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Heritage Resort / Royal Orchid Central Keerti or similar.

Day 11: Hampi (B)

City tour of Hampi a UNESCO World Heritage site dotted with numerous ruined temple complexes from the Vijayanagara Empire on the bank of the River Tungabhadra. Although the city was destroyed by marauding Moghul invaders in the 16th century, much of it remains today. The vast site of monuments and ruins is a mute witness to an ear of glories, triumphs, and tragedies. The ruins of Hampi are so majestic and imposing that they leave the visitor totally dumbfounded, awestruck, and humbled. Visit Hazara Rama Temple, Kings Balance, Mahanavami Dibba, Royal enclosures, Statue of Ugra Narasimha Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Vithala Temple Complex, Lotus Mahal & ASI Museum. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Heritage Resort / Royal Orchid Central Keerti or similar.

Day 12: Hampi – Hubli (170km)/ Cochin (B)

Transfer to Hubli airport to board flight for Cochin. On arrival, transfer hotel check-in. 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. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Casino Hotel/ The Avenue Regent or similar.

Day 13: Cochin – Munnar (130km) (B)

Drive to Munnar, check-in at the hotel. Later tea estate visit & tea testing. Overnight at the hotel.

 Hotel Option: Nature Zone Jungle Resort/ Fragrant Nature Munnar or similar.

Day 14: Munnar (B)

Visit Pothamedu which offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee, and cardamom plantations in Munnar. Mattupetty dam and its reservoir, a concrete gravity dam built between the hill ranges for water storage for hydroelectric projects. Rajamala is a hill station in Eravikulam National Park a natural habitat of the Niligiri tahr 2695 Mts above sea level. Half the world’s population of the rare mountain goat or tahr which is fast becoming extinct is now found here. Mattupetty Dairy Farm, famous for the Indo-Swiss Farm, is a highly specialized dairy farm that comes under Indo-Swiss Livestock Project. Echo Point, go there and scream as loud as you can and wait for a minute to hear your echo back! Also, visit the Tea Museum to know more about the century-old culture a lively glimpse of how the tea culture flourished across South India. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Nature Zone Jungle Resort/ Fragrant Nature Munnar or similar.

Day 15: Munnar – Thekkady (110km) (B)

Drive to Thekkady via Ramakkalmedu one of the windiest places in Asia and being so, one can find here a wind farm generating electricity. Visit Frog Rock, Turtle Rock, and the highest twin statue in Kerala called Kuravan & Kurathi. Evening watch Martial Arts & Kathakali Dance show. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: The Elephant Court/ Cardamom County or similar.

Day 16: Thekkady (B)

Explore Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary on a boat. The tropical evergreen and deciduous forests teeming with elephants, bison, sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tiger, and wild boar along with various species of snake including cobras, vipers, kraits, and many non-poisonous snakes is a wildlife lover`s dream. A variety of birds such as grey jungle fowl, Malabar grey hornbill, woodpeckers, and bulbuls also have found a home in this sanctuary. Afterward take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates, etc. You could stop at the local market and pick some fragrant spices. Drive to Kumarakom check-in & overnight at hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: The Elephant Court/ Cardamom County or similar.

Day 17: Thekkady – Alleppey (130km) (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: Abad Premium Houseboats/ Rainbow Premium Houseboats or similar.

Day 18: Alleppey – Cochin (60km) (B)

Departure transfer to Cochin airport to board flight for onward destination.