DAY ONE
: MUMBAI
Arrive Mumbai. Pick up at airport by tour executive and transfer.
Overnight at hotel.
DAY TWO : MUMBAI
/ GOA
Transfer to the airport to board flight to Goa. Meet and transfer to the
hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY THREE : GOA
The exquisite churches from the Portuguese era with their remarkable
architecture and mysterious history make the city truly exhilarating.
Follow this up by an afternoon and evening on the silvery sands and
serene waters. Goa’s splendid coastline extends over 100 kilometres,
and some of the world’s most charming beaches are located here. If
time permits, Churches of astounding historical importance could squeeze
in.
DAY FOUR : GOA / KOCHI
Fly to Kochi, at the south-west tip of Kerala state. Arrive, meet and
transfer to the hotel. Spend the afternoon in city sightseeing. Kochi
(formerly Cochin) is the most beautiful coastal city and one of the
largest ports of India. It is a cluster of islands and narrow
peninsulas. Here you can see the oldest church in India, congested
Portuguese-built colonies, Chinese fishing nets, an ancient "white
Jewish" community which has survived for 1000 years, a fabulous
16th century synagogue, a palace which contains the most beautiful
murals, and many other attractions. The Fort of Cochin is the oldest
European fort in India. The St Francis Church is the oldest European
church in India The Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568, is the oldest in
the Commonwealth.
DAY FIVE : KOCHI / ALLAPUZHA
Proceed to half-day tour to Gundu Island by boat through the backwaters
and see remarkable coir industries on the way. In the afternoon, drive
to Allapuzha, arrive and check into hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY SIX : ALLAPUZHA / KOTTAYAM /
PERIYAR
Proceed to backwater cruise to Kottayam. Afternoon drive to Periyar
wildlife sanctuary. Overnight stay at the lodge.Kottayam is a pretty
town at the foothills of the Western Ghats. It is a commercial centre
noted for its trade in rubber, spices, tea, etc. It is also the main
centre of the Syrian Christians (75% of the Kerala Christians). You can
thus expect several charming churches here.
DAY SEVEN : PERIYAR
Next morning, a day in the jungle, in Periyar, best approached from
Kottayam (80km). The 800 sq. km wildlife sanctuary skirts the Periyar
Lake at its centre. You can cruise on this lake while taking in the
pleasures of this habitat. You can see tigers, deer, wild dogs,
lion-tailed macaque, Malabar squirrel and sloth bears. The lake attracts
all kinds of water birds. In the vicinity are lofty observation towers,
and a medieval palace, now a hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

DAY EIGHT : PERIYAR / MADURAI
Proceed to Madurai, arrive and check into the hotel. Sightsee madurai in
the afternoon.Overnight stay in the hotel. Island by boat through the
backwaters and see remarkable coir industries on the way. In the
afternoon, drive to Allapuzha, arrive and check into hotel. Overnight
stay at hotel. Situated on the banks of the Vaigai River, Madurai is the
ancient capital of the Pandya Kings. Legend has it, that the divine
nectar falling from the locks of Lord Shiva gave the town its ancient
name, Madhurapuri—the land of nectar. Today, it is an important
business centre. The crowning glory of Madurai is the Meenakshi
Sundareshwara Temple Complex, which is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi,
her consort Lord Sundareshwara, and her celestial brother, Lord Vishnu.
The Meenakshi Temple has a thousand- pillared hall.
DAY NINE : MADURAI / CHENNAI
Proceed to half-day tour of Madurai at leisure. In the afternoon, fly to
Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu, earlier known as Madras. Chennai is
bestowed with a 4.5 kilometre long stretch of shore, called Marina
Beach, the second longest beach in the world. A lighthouse here enables
the visitor to see the entire city—a breathtaking sight. 40km of
Chennai, it is a fascinating beach. Historically important are an old
Catholic Church and a famous Durgah