Unique Indian Holiday Experience for the Active Independent Traveller

Transcription

1 Unique Indian Holiday Experience for the Active Independent Traveller The Big Route Land in Delhi. Delhi Rajasthan Uttar Pradesh Kolkata Chennai Kanyakumari Kovalam Kochi Coonoor Bangalore Goa Mumbai Aurangabad New Delhi. Depart from Delhi. Note: We can customise to any number of days that suit you. We can create an exclusive itinerary for you based on your interests. Sections of the itinerary below could be done as stand alone itineraries. Speak to us to discuss options. Itinerary Days Program Mode of Transports 01 Arrive Delhi Upon your arrival at Delhi, you will be met by our Delhi team. After a warm welcome, we transfer you to your hotel. Evening free for leisure / Jet Leg and overnight in Hotel Almondz. Meal Plan: -/-/- 02 Immersion into India - Delhi Guided tour of Old Delhi Visit Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid, one of Asia s largest mosques, on a bicycle rickshaw. Drive by The Red Fort, President s house and the Secretariat buildings, India Gate The War Memorial. Take it easy in the afternoon. Overnight in Hotel Almondz. Meal Plan: B/-/- 03 Guided Tour of Delhi It is going to be touristy today. We will take you on a guided tour of Humayun s Tomb, Qutub Minar and Lotus (Bahai) Temple. We will take you to a typical market in the evening. Overnight in Hotel Almondz. Meal Plan: B/-/- 04 Delhi Udaipur Today is your gateway into intrepid India. After breakfast, you will be transferred to the Airport for a flight to Udaipur. The trip is not complete without a vist to the City Palace! It is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan; Jagdish temple, a fine Indo Aryan temple built in 1651; Saheliyon ki bari boat ride at Lake Pichola. The evening is free for you to relax, before the start of your real adventure. Overnight in Hotel Lakend. Meal Plan: B/-/- By Air. Private Transfers by car. 05 Udaipur Kumbalgarh After breakfast, we check out from hotel and drive for approx. 60kms to reach the countryside to avoid the hustle and bustle. We begin cycling towards Kumbhalgarh. It is a picturesque route. We will have our lunch midway (the support team will have all amenities in the pilot vehicle). We (with pilot vehicle)

2 will reach Kumbhalgarh around evening and we will check in at one of the best hotel of Rajasthan. You may visit Kumbhalgarh fort in the evening if time allows or you may visit next day morning. It is a Mewar dynasty fortress. Built during the course of the 15th century by Rana Kumbha, extended through the 19th century. The walls of the fort of Kumbhalgarh sprawl over 38 km and claimed to be the second-longest continuous wall after the Great Wall of China! Appx 44KMS of cycling. The last 5-7kms is uphill. If you prefer, we can our load the s to the pilot vehicle and drive you to the Hotel. Overnight in The Aodhi. Meal Plan: B/-/D 06 Kumbalgarh Ranakpur We begin cycling from Kumbhlagarh Hotel to Ranakpur. Today we pass through some large hills and difficult paths. If you may choose to be driven instead of Cycling. En-route, we will stop at the famous Ranakpur Temple. It is widely known for its marble Jain temple, said to be the most spectacular of the Jain temples. Overnight stay and dinner will be in Ranakpur. Appx 50KMS of cycling. Overnight in Hotel Hill Resort. Meal Plan: B/-/D 07 Ranakpur Jojawar Another day of cycling from Ranakpur to Jojawar through Desuri. This is a very interesting landscape, with the picturesque Aravali Hills in the east, and broken rocky hills interspersed with farms and scrub forests all around. The camel, cattle & sheep herders The Rebaris are an ethnic group only to be found around south Rajasthan and you will cycle to their hamlets, where you feel like a part of the bygone era. Dinner & overnight at The Hotel. Appx 60KMS of cycling. Overnight in Hotel Rowla Jojawar. Meal Plan: B/-/D 08 Jojawar Sardar Samand Lake Our destination today is Sardar Samand Lake. We pass through beautiful landscape, with wildlife like black bucks and deer. The path is very easy so we can also enjoy the beauty of the nature. We reach Sardar Samand Lake Palace, which is surrounded by beautiful and serene Lake. Previously Sardar Samand Lake Palace is a Hunting Lodge of Maharaja. Now it is converted into a hotel. Rest of the time free for leisure at the hotel. Appx 60KMS of cycling. Overnight in Hotel Sardhar Samand Lake Palace. Meal Plan: B/-/D 09 Sardar Samand Lake Jodhpur Final day of our tour. We pedal 50kms towards Jodhpur. On the way we will pass through small villages, schools and the beautiful country side of Rajasthan. Once we reach Jodhpur Highway, we will load our s to the pilot vehicle and drive to Jodhpur hotel. Appx 50KMS of cycling. Overnight in Hotel Ratan Vilas. Meal Plan: B/-/- 10 Jodhpur We will do a guided tour of Jodhpur, visiting the imposing Mehrangarh Fort. With its sprawling courtyards and intricately carved balconies, it is a sight to behold. Close to the fort is the 19th century royal cenotaph, (with pilot vehicle) (with pilot vehicle) (with pilot vehicle) (with pilot vehicle)

3 Jaswant Thada, a creation in white marble which displays some rare portraits of Jodhpur s rulers, Evening experience the Bishnoi Village Jeep Safari at Village, before retiring for the evening. Overnight in Hotel Ratan Vilas. Meal Plan: B/-/- 11 Jodhpur Jaipur Morning after breakfast straight drive to Jaipur. In the evening, we will visit the GALTA JI (Monkey Temple). You can even feed the monkeys! Overnight in Hotel Zone by Park. Meal Plan: B/-/- 12 Jaipur Guided tour of Jaipur. We will visit Amber Fort, the ancient Capital of the state until Enjoy an Elephant ride up to the hill on which the Fort is situated. We then visit the Jagmandir or the Hall of Victory, which has some beautiful mirror and intricate inlay works. Later in the day, we will show you around the Maharaja s City Palace and the Observatory. We drive past Hawa Mahal or the Palace of the Winds. If you are into photography, this street provides plenty of intriguing sights and colours. Overnight in Hotel Zone by Park. Meal Plan: B/-/- 13 Jaipur Abhaneri - Fatehpur Sikir Agra We drive this morning to Agra, the home of the Taj Mahal. We stop at the step-wells of Abhaneri and Fatehpur Sikri. Overnight in Hotel Taj Resort. Meal Plan: B/-/- 14 Agra - Delhi Early in the morning, we visit the famous Mausoleum The Taj Mahal, for a fantastic view at the time of sunrise. After exploring the beauty of Taj Mahal, we will take you back to the hotel for freshening up and breakfast. We then visit the Red Fort. We begin our journey back to Delhi. Overnight in Hotel Almondz. Meal Plan: B/-/- 15 Delhi Orchha (Train)- Orchha - Khajuraho A very interesting couple of days await us. We take you to Delhi Railway Station to catch the train to Orchha. It is a small town dominated by a series of magnificent 16th and 17th century palaces and temples. Take a short tour of the palace complex, temples and the fourteen graceful chhatris (cenotaphs) commemorating the Orchha rulers. We will have our lunch at nice heritage restaurant. We can do a leisurely circuit of Orchha Temples. We then head to Khajuraho, a town known for its erotic sculptures! Overnight in Hotel Radisson. Meal Plan: B/-/D 16 Khajuraho Varanasi We visit the extraordinary sculptures in the temples of Khajuraho, that show many aspects of Indian life a thousand years ago gods and goddesses, warriors and musicians, real and mythological animals. However, the overwhelming motif of the temples is sexuality, and it s this fact that makes them so unique. Later we transfer you to the Airport for your flight to Varanasi, the holiest city of all Hindus! Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world. The holy city Varanasi, believed to be founded by Lord Shiva himself about 5000 / Train By Air / Private Transfers

4 years ago, is placed picturesquely on the west bank of the Holy Ganges River. It is one of the most revered religious destinations in India. The place is also renowned for performing the last rites for deceased Hindus and ashes are dissolved in the water of River Ganges. In the evening, you will see the very famous spiritual Aarti Ceremony, glorifying River Goddess Ganga. Overnight in Hotel Rivataas. Meal Plan: B/-/D 17 Varanasi Early in the morning we will go again to the Ganges River to observe (from boat) the Hindu believers starting their day bathing in the river. For each Hindu it is an essential act that symbolises greeting of the Sun God. We do a day excursion of Sarnath (9 kms), an important pilgrimage centre for Buddhists. This is where the Buddha preached his first sermon after obtaining his enlightenment. The city is famous for its magnificent stupas, monasteries and temples. Evening, we will transfer you to the Railway station for your overnight train to Kolkata, the City of Joy. Overnight in Train. Meal Plan: B/-/- 18 Kolkata Upon your arrival at Kolkata, we will pick you up from the Station and transfer to your Hotel. You can explore Kolkata on your own. The car will be at your disposal. We will organise a cooking class for you today. You will find the East Indian cuisine is very different to what you have tasted so far. Fish is one of the main staples of this region. Overnight in Hotel Golden Tulip. Meal Plan: B/-/- 19 Kolkata We will do a guided tour of Kolkata today. The attractions include Flower Market, St John's Church St. Paul s Cathedral (Constructed between 1839 and 1847) It has some amazing stained glass works inside. Victoria Memorial, An impressive building that dates back to the days when the British ruled India, it was a commemoration to Queen Victoria. It currently serves as a museum which houses Victoria memorabilia, British Raj paintings and other displays. We then visit Kalighat Temple, Mother Teressa House, Indian Museum and a stroll through local bazaar. Please note: Victoria Memorial & Indian Museum closed on Mondays. Overnight in Hotel Golden Tulip. Meal Plan: B/-/- 20 Kolkata Chennai You will dropped off at Kolkata Airport for your flight to Chennai in South India. You will be transferred to your Hotel. We will take you out for a traditional South Indian dinner in the city. Overnight in Hotel Raintree. Meal Plan: B/L/D 21 Chennai In the morning, you will visit a couple of local businesses one of the leading architects and another trade-related business. Lunch with a local family. Evening at Marina Beach, world s second longest urban beach. Overnight in Hotel Raintree. Meal Plan: B/L/- Private Transfers / Train By Air / Private Transfers

5 22 Chennai We will do a guided tour of Chennai today. We take you to San Thome Basilica, followed by a contrast that is Mylapore Kapaleeswar Temple. Experience the hustle and bustle of Mint Street, one of the oldest streets of Chennai. Overnight in Hotel Raintree. Meal Plan: B/-/- 23 Chennai Mahabalipuram We will head to Mahabalipuram, which is a town with ancient open-air sculptures dating back to 700AD. On the way, we stop at two places of cultural importance. The first is Kalakshetra, an academy for South Indian performing arts. The next is Dhakshina Chithra, a museum showcasing different styles of South Indian homes. Overnight in Mahabalipuram. Overnight in Radisson Blu Temple Bay Resort. Meal Plan: B/-/- 24 Mahabalipuram Pondicherry (Puducherry) Post breakfast, we will show you around the amazing sculptures of Mahabalipuram. We will have a seafood lunch in the town, before continuing to the former French colony Pondicherry. This is a place for chilling out. You can sit in one of the seaside restaurants, sipping beer and feasting. Overnight in Hotel Dune Eco Village. Meal Plan: B/-/- 25 Pondicherry We will begin the day with a breakfast & cycle tour of Pondicherry. You will be amazed at the French influence, especially in the French Quarter. We will visit Aurabindo Ashram, for some meditation. Spend a relaxed evening at your accommodation. You might want to indulge in some authentic French pastries! Overnight in Hotel Dune Eco Village. Meal Plan: B/-/- 26 Pondicherry - Neyveli Begin the day with a Yoga session. After breakfast, check out and head to Neyveli. This town is known for its massive thermal power plant. But that is not the reason you are going there. You are being hosted by a local family today. Meet your host at their home and enjoy your lunch. In the evening, go to the local market along with your host to pick your grocery, vegetables & fruits for your diner & breakfast. Cook your dinner along with your host, a better way to learn. Overnight in Homestay. Meal Plan: B/L/D 27 Neyveli Kumbakonam After bidding adieu to your hosts, you proceed to the traditional South Indian town of Kumbakonam. You will be taken to your accommodation Mantra Veppathur, which is in the middle of nowhere. Enjoy an Ayurvedic massage session at the resort. There is a beautiful swimming pool for you to take a dip in. Overnight in Mantra Heritage Resort Veppathur. Meal Plan: B/-/- 28 Kumbakonam Go for a nature walk in the morning - the resort team will assist you with this. You may opt for a temple visit or visit a nearby silk weaving village, Thirubuvanam. In the afternoon, you will play a game of Uriyadi (smashing the pot), which is a spirited sport connected with some of the festivals of Tamil Nadu. The colourfully decorated pot is hung from a tall pole. Enjoy / Walking Tour / On site (no travel)

6 the pleasure of breaking it with a stick as the crowd pulls it up and down. These are some of the most widely hosted activities in rural Tamil Nadu. In the evening, you will enjoy the traditional pottery demo and a bullock cart ride. Overnight in Mantra Heritage Resort Veppathur. Meal Plan: B/-/- 29 Kumbakonam Thanjavur You are in for a treat today. The Thanjavur Big Temple is a 1000-year old work of Engineering excellence. The architecture is mindboggling. We will organise a guided tour of the temple. We will also take you to see a demo of age-old tradition of Chola dynasty bronze sculpture making. These are genuine artefacts and you can buy some small sculptures for your friends and family back home. Enjoy your dinner at the Hotel veranda in the first floor, overlooking the busy street. Overnight in Tanjore Hi. Meal Plan: B/-/- 30 Thanjavur Kadiapatti You are visiting and staying at a Chettiar mansion in the Karaikudi region. The Chettiars form an ancient trader community, with their own traditions. Their cuisine, homes and cloths are very different to rest of the State. On arrival, you will be welcomed with a traditional lunch, served on banana leaves. You can laze away your afternoon at the swimming pool. Later in the evening, you can see a demo of the Chettiar cooking and enjoy the meal. Overnight in Chidambara Vilas. Meal Plan: B/L/D 31 Kadiapatti You can spend a relaxed day at the lap of luxury. You will see a demo of garland making with flowers and Kolam. Adorn your hands with Marudharni (temporary tattoo using a paste of natural herbs). Stroll through the village, taking in the once-grand but now dilapidated mansions. Overnight in Chidambara Vilas. Meal Plan: B/L/D 32 Kadiapatti Madurai After a relaxed South Indian breakfast, proceed to the temple city of Madurai. This city, which we fondly call as the Big Village, is sure to sweep you off your feet with its colours, smells and sounds! If you are adventurous, we will take you through a maze of narrow streets to a 3 rd generation eat-out called Mohan Bhojanalay for your dinner. Overnight in Heritage Madurai. Meal Plan: B/-/- 33 Madurai Madurai has so much to explore. We will start with a guided tour of the famous Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple. If it is an auspicious day, you might be able to see Hindu marriages happening at the temple. In the nearby massive ancient building called Manadapam, you will find hundreds of tailors and their foot-pedal machines hard a t work in a neat line! You might want to take a break from constant assault of your taste buds, and enjoy an American-Italian dinner at Phil s Bistro. Overnight in Heritage Madurai. Meal Plan: B/-/- 34 Madurai Kanyakumari Your destination today is Kanyakumari, the southern tip of India! You can see the sunset, as well as sunrise. You can see the massive statue of On site / Walking

7 ancient Tamil poet Thiruvalluvar standing majestically in the sea. There is a boat service to the statue if you wish to explore it more closely. Overnight in Hotel Sparsa. Meal Plan: B/-/- 35 Kanyakumari - Kovalam Wake up early in the morning and head to the sunrise point. You will find a sea of locals waiting patiently for the sunrise. Have your breakfast and head to Kovalam in the West Coast. On the way, you can see the old fort of Vatta Kottai. And don t miss Padmanabapuram Palace, which is a great example of unique architecture of Kerala state. Relax at your resort in the evening. Overnight in Poovar Island Resort. Meal Plan: B/-/- 36 Kovalam Chill out in the gorgeous beach. Hire an umbrella and reclining chair. Have your lunch at one of the many seafood restaurants lining up the beach. IN the afternoon, explore Thiruvanadapuram (Trivandrum). You can also explore Poovar island. The boat ride takes you through the mangrove bushes and backwaters. You will see a variety of birds. Have a snack or lunch in the floating restaurant. Head back to your resort for the famous Ayurvedic therapy and a relaxed evening. Overnight in Poovar Island Resort. Meal Plan: B/-/- 37 Kovalam Kochi Fort Kochi is a part of Kochi, and is known for its cultural and historical charm. Discovering Fort Kochi is a delightful prospect, as it is lined with cobbled streets and brightly coloured houses. Its importance as a port for trade is visible in the multitude of churches, colonial bungalows, Chinese fishing nets, a synagogue and a Portuguese Palace. There are plenty of museums that trace the rich history of Fort Kochi that you will get to visit. In the evening, you will be treated to performances in traditional dance forms of Kerala such as Kathakali and Mohiniyattam, signalling the end of the first day of your tour. Overnight in Spice Fort. Meal Plan: B/-/- 38 Kochi Thattekad After breakfast you will start off on your cycles making the most of the pleasant temperature early in the morning, heading towards the foothills of the Western Ghats towards the lowland forests of Thattekkad. You will start a little off the city limits to avoid the morning city traffic and reach a quiet countryside where the roads are mostly level. You will pass through a scenic countryside of temples, spice gardens, paddy fields and rubber plantations. After a leisurely lunch en-route, you will reach the spectacular eco-lodge on the banks of the River Periyar. Overnight in Heritage Hotels, Villas, ecolodges & camps organised by Tour Operator. Meal Plan: B/L/D 39 Thattekkad Munnar Muthuvaankudi Today, after breakfast, you will set off again, along the Periyar riverbank, through the dense low altitude forests of Neriyamanagalam. These are the forests where reed is extracted for manufacture of traditional household items like baskets and mats. The view is filled with forests, redwood trees and mountain peaks, making it an ideal holiday destination. Towards the end, it s the time to challenge yourself as the roads get much more steeper. through different Tribal settlement to reach your stay at Muthuvaankudi, in a well appointed Eco boutique resort, and it will bring. / Boat

8 you some well deserved rest after the day s grueling cycling. Explore more; this village has many stories to unfold. Take a stroll along with our expert guide to know about the culture, tradition and the spices they are cultivating. You can spot many varieties of birds and fruit trees. Use your opportunity to learn tips from the local people while they prepare food in their traditional methods. Overnight in Heritage Hotels, Villas, eco-lodges & camps organised by Tour Operator. Meal Plan: B/L/D 40 Munnar Pothamedu Pedal towards your next destination after breakfast. Start your journey through the small village roads, then the scenery slowly changes to small farms of spices like pepper and cardamom, tea estates and finally towards the main road heading towards Munnar. Welcome to the land of Neelakurinji the flower which showers the hills once in twelve years and the Endangered Neelaghiri Thar, where you will be welcomed by hills carpeted in lush green tea plantations. Pedal all the way up to an altitude of Mts above sea level. Visit Tea museum afternoon, to learn some interesting facts about tea plantations and tea production in Munnar. Return back to hotel to retire to your bed on the lap of nature. Overnight in Heritage Hotels, Villas, eco-lodges & camps organised by Tour Operator. Meal Plan: B/L/D 41 Pothamedu Suryanelli Today, you will cycle through the Grahams land Tea Estate and the daunting mountain pass at the Lockhart Gap, a testimony to the perseverance of the early planters. We will arrive at the Anaerangal Camp, Suryanelli, where we will stay in cottage tents. Overnight in Heritage Hotels, Villas, eco-lodges & camps organised by Tour Operator. Meal Plan: B/L/D 42 Suryanelli - Vandanmedu Start your mountain Cycling expedition after early breakfast. You will circle around the picturesque Anaerangal Lake, through the tea estates, to Vandanmedu. On this route, you will be able to set your sights on the cardamom estates that gave these hills their name. The thick aroma of the spice gardens and the beautiful forests will be the highlight of today's ride through the Cardamom Hills. You will spend your night in a magnificent resort at Vandanmedu, set amidst cardamom and tea estates. Overnight in Heritage Hotels, Villas, eco-lodges & camps organised by Tour Operator. Meal Plan: B/L/D 43 Vandanmedu Periyar Tiger Reserve Your next destination is the Periyar Tiger Reserve. It is a famed protected area that is home to large herds of Asiatic Elephants, the Indian Bison, and the Tigers that India is renowned for. Periyar cycling involves roads surrounded by spice gardens and tea plantations. The ride is quite comfortably short and you will reach the reserve in time for lunch. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, you can take a walk with the local guides into the rain forest. The reserve is a treat for wildlife enthusiasts and ornithologists, with its rich fauna, which apart from the elephants, tigers and bison s, also includes has over 300 species of birds like the Malabar Grey Hornbill, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Blue-winged Parakeet, and the Crimson-backed Sunbird. Overnight in Heritage Hotels, Villas, eco-lodges & camps organised by Tour Operator. Meal Plan: B/L/D Trekking

9 44 Periyar Tiger Reserve The Mannans are among the oldest indigenous group of people to inhabit the Periyar Tiger Reserve. As late as the 1940s, they lived in the remotest areas of the Tiger Reserve. Their lifestyles were simple, and they made their living by fishing and cultivating a few crops. Today, they are the main conservators of the forest. You will get to walk and talk with them, as they will help you discover the tropical rain forests and wildlife. You will also gain some insight into their interesting way of life. Overnight in Heritage Hotels, Villas, eco-lodges & camps organised by Tour Operator. Meal Plan: B/L/D 45 Periyar Tiger Reserve Vagamon On this day of the biking tour, you will take the winding roads down to edge of the Western Ghats at Vagamon. The route is consists of a perfect mountain biking country with a great scenic view that consists of small spice growing hamlets dotting the landscape and undulating roads through tea estates and forests. Your destination is a resort set amidst the tea estates and a quiet retreat after a hard day of cycling. Overnight in Heritage Hotels, Villas, eco-lodges & camps organised by Tour Operator. Meal Plan: B/L/D 46 Vagamon Kumarakom Today, you will be taking a downhill ride through the mountain passes to the plains and from there through the rubber country of Palai to Kumarakom, the gateway to the backwaters of Kerala. Here, you will settle into a beautiful resort on the banks of the Kumarakom lagoon. Overnight in Heritage Hotels, Villas, eco-lodges & camps organised by Tour Operator. Meal Plan: B/L/D 47 Kumarakom - Allappey (Houseboat) You will cycle through the roads towards the small villages set against the water world that makes up the backwaters. Here, you will clamber on to one of Kerala s most luxurious forms of accommodation and transport, the houseboat. Reclining on cushions and drifting through quiet canals, you will pass through paddy fields grazed by ducks, floating markets, local toddy shops, temples and churches. Overnight in Heritage Hotels, Villas, ecolodges & camps organised by Tour Operator. Meal Plan: B/L/D 48 Allappey At Alleppey, you will disembark and make your way to a heritage villa along the backwaters. Cycling through this route gives you a close look at the life of the people living along the backwaters. Upon arrival, you would know that this is the perfect spot to unwind. Whether it is reading in a hammock, dangling your toes in the water, getting an ayurvedic massage or trying out the local tea shop, you can shake off the exhaustion of your journey with great options presented to you in this villa. You can also visit the fruit and vegetable market, the ancient temple or the local pottery factory. A more adventurous choice would be to go cycling through the necklace of the villages of Kuttanadu, walking through the countryside or learning to cook in the family kitchens. Overnight in Heritage Hotels, Villas, eco-lodges & camps organised by Tour Operator. Meal Plan: B/L/D 49 Allappey - Marari Pedal towards our next destination after breakfast. The route passes through country roads and small villages where we will see coconut husk Trek / Overnight Houseboat

10 being processed and made into coir ropes and mats. We will hit the beach road that will take us to our destination for the day, a beautiful beach villa. Today's ride will take us along the fishing villages and coconut plantations on one side and the sea on the other. We will reach in time for lunch at the villa. Wind down by spending the afternoon on the beach. Overnight in Heritage Hotels, Villas, eco-lodges & camps organised by Tour Operator. Meal Plan: B/-/- 50 Marari Kochi This day marks the end of the Bike, Hike and Kayak in Kerala tour and you will be transported to the airport, with fond memories of your exciting activity holiday in India. Overnight in Spice Fort. Meal Plan: B/-/- 51 Kochi Lakshadweep You will be dropped off for your flight to Lakshadweep. Fly there & jet boat transfer to Kadmat (this is possible only on Monday, Wednesday & Friday). Enjoy the activities such as Kayak/Canoe, Snorkeling, Wind Surf, Water Ski, Parasail, Traditional Fishing, Night Time Lagoon Fishing, Glass Bottomed Boat Joyride, Banana Boat Joyride, Yatch/Sailboat Joyride, etc. Overnight in Kadmat Island Beach Resort. Meal Plan: B/-/D 52 Lakshadweep Enjoy the activities such as Kayak/Canoe, Snorkeling, Wind Surf, Water Ski, Parasail, Traditional Fishing, Night Time Lagoon Fishing, Glass Bottomed Boat Joyride, Banana Boat Joyride, Yatch/Sailboat Joyride, etc. Overnight in Kadmat Island Beach Resort. Meal Plan: B/L/D 53 Lakshadweep Jet boat to Bangaram (this is possible only on Monday, Wednesday & Friday). Choice of activities such as Kayak/Canoe, Snorkeling, Wind Surf, Water Ski, Parasail, Traditional Fishing, Night Time Lagoon Fishing, Glass Bottomed Boat Joyride, Banana Boat Joyride, Yatch/Sailboat Joyride, etc. are available to you to choose from. Overnight in Bangaram Island Beach Resort. Meal Plan: B/L/D 54 Lakshadweep Day trip to Thinnakara. Choice of many on-site activities. Overnight in Bangaram Island Beach Resort. Meal Plan: B/L/D 55 Lakshadweep Kochi Fly back to Kochi. You will be transferred to your accommodation. Your own activities in Kochi. Overnight in Spice Fort. Meal Plan: B/-/- 56 Kochi Coonoor After an early breakfast, you are driven through scenic mountain routes to Coonoor atop Nilgiri mountains. Your accommodation is right inside the Kurumba tribal themed nature resort. Enjoy your evening. Overnight in Kurumba Village. Meal Plan: B/-/- 57 Coonoor Get up close and personal with nature on this guided trek through tea plantations and forested hills. There is every chance that you might see Nilgiri s legendary toy train at hill grove station. Duration - 2 hours 30 minutes.in the evening, your will attend a unique cooking lesson. The focus of this special cooking class is on tribal cuisine; recipes you have never tried before. Our chefs will give you a basket to collect a few ingredients from our plantation before you embark on a fantastic culinary journey. Overnight in Kurumba Village. Meal Plan: B/-/- By Air / Boat Water transport Water transport Water transport By Air / Private Transfer

11 58 Coonoor Ooty Mettupalayam - Coonoor Nilgiri Mountain Train experience. This heritage train winds through beautiful Nilgiri mountains to Ooty. Same day return. On the return journey, you will ride to the last stop Mettupalayam. You will be picked up by your car and taken back to Coonoor. Overnight in Kurumba Village. Meal Plan: B/-/D 59 Coonoor Kabini Jungle Reserve After an early breakfast, we leave to Kabini Jungle Reserve, through Mudumalai Forests. ON the way, we will see plenty of wildlife. Upon reaching Kabini, you will have relaxed tea with snacks. There is an evening wildlife safari, followed by dinner. If you are too tired, you may skip the safari and do it next day. Overnight in Kabini Jungle Resort. Meal Plan: B/L/D 60 Kabini There is an early morning safari. Have your breakfast and enjoy the sounds of the jungle. Lunch is in the Lodge. You can now join the evening safari. Have your dinner and retire for the night. Overnight in Kabini Jungle Resort. Meal Plan: B/L/D 61 Kabini Mysore Check out and head to Mysore. If you are not too tired, we can organise a Heritage Walk Tour of Mysore. Overnight in Kabini Jungle Resort. Meal Plan: B/-/- 62 Mysore Bangalore Road trip from Mysore to Bangalore. This road, despite being National Highway, has many speed bumps. The journey could be tiring. After reaching your Hotel, just relax. Overnight in Le Meridian. Meal Plan: B/-/- 63 Bangalore After breakfast, we will take you on an enticing Walk tour of Bangalore. Post lunch, you can experience the pub culture of Bangalore (we will make recommendations. There are some quaint pubs with unique themes). Overnight in Le Meridian. Meal Plan: B/-/- 64 Bangalore Panjim (Goa) You have the choice of flying to Goa, or travel by train. If you decide to go by train, it is an overnight journey. So, please add an extra day to the itinerary. You will be met by our team and are transferred to your accommodation. Overnight in La Maison. Meal Plan: B/-/- 65 Panjim (Goa) Pint-sized Goa is more than beaches and trance parties. A kaleidoscopic blend of Indian and Portuguese cultures, sweetened with sun, sea, sand, seafood and spirituality, there's nowhere in India quite like it. / Train / Safari / Safari / Walk By Air or Train / Private transfers Walk / Private Car By Air or Train / Private transfers An early start for a Cycling Tour to the Picturesque Islands of Divar & Chorao. Pedal through the unspoilt riverine islands of Divar and Chorao with their traditional Goan houses. Start from the Divja Circle, close to the bus stand in Goa s capital, Panaji. Pedal to Ribandar, over the 380-year old Ponte de Linhares causeway. Take the traditional Goan Ferry across the Mandovi River to the riverine island of Divar. Drive through this village still relatively untouched by urbanization. Have breakfast at a traditional bakery or eatery. At the other end of the island, take a ferry to Narvem, then to a backwater where birds of all kinds gather. Then pedal through the riverine

12 island of Chorao, before taking yet another ferry back to Ribandar, and then back to Panaji. Overnight in La Maison. Meal Plan: B/-/- 66 Panjim (Goa)After breakfast at the hotel, proceed to North Goa for a Goan cooking session. Begin with a trip to the fish & Vegetable market to choose the freshest ingredients, then back to the house where participants learn to prepare popular Goan dishes, At the end of the class, participants enjoy their culinary masterpiece that they have prepared. Post lunch drive to Nerul where you will embark on a cycling tour to the Aguada Plateau, where you can visit the Light House & the Portuguese Fort - The Fort is well-preserved, built in the seventeenthcentury Portuguese fort Sinquerim Beach, overlooking the Arabian Sea. Overnight in La Maison. Meal Plan: B/-/- 67 Panjim (Goa) After breakfast at the hotel, we will drive you to some of the quieter nontouristy beaches of North Goa. Overnight in La Maison. Meal Plan: B/-/- 68 Mollem (Goa) After breakfast at the hotel, Check out and proceed for a city tour of Goa. Visit Old Goa, Mangueshi Temple, a spice plantation tour followed by authentic Goan lunch, also visit a Cashew nut processing factory. Continue your journey into the hinterland of Goa and arrive at a Nature Resort & Spa. Overnight in Dudhsagar Nature Resort. Meal Plan: B/-/D 69 Mollem (Goa) A trip to the Dudhsagar waterfalls is an experience like no other. Located at Goa-Karnataka border, it is the 4th tallest waterfall in India Literally meaning "Sea of milk", this is a popular destination for trekkers and hikers. Here is a thrilling off-road experience through the jungle, in a 4 wheel drive - Jeep. Head towards the east splashing through the rugged terrain, under tropical trees and small rivulets finally arriving at the base of the falls. You can swim in the holding pool, swim, or sit on the rocks soaking up the sun or feed the monkeys. The Day starts with a pick up from your hotel, and drive to Mollem. Here you will be escorted to a four wheel drive (jeep), and enter a wild life sanctuary. A 45 minute drive through the rugged terrain and a short walk over the rocks gets you to the falls. Overnight in Dudhsagar Nature Resort. Meal Plan: B/-/D 70 Mollem (Goa) A day of leisure to enjoy the facilities of the resort. Enjoy the facilities of the Lifestyle Spa. Overnight in Dudhsagar Nature Resort. Meal Plan: B/-/D 71 Goa Mumbai We will transfer you to the Airport for your flight to Mumbai. You will be met and transferred to your accommodation. In the evening, we will take you to the Gateway of India area for a night out. Overnight in Hotel Bawa International. Meal Plan: B/-/- 72 Mumbai Aurangabad Ajanta We will transfer you to the Airport for your flight to Aurangabad. On arrival, we will directly take you to Ajanta. AJANTA is one of the world's greatest historical monuments recognized by UNESCO located in India. There are 30 caves that were discovered in The first Buddhist cave monuments at Ajanta date from the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. All paintings show heavy religious influence and centre around Buddha, Bodhisattvas, incidents from / Off-road Jeep On Site By Air / Private Transfer By Air / Private Transfers

13 the life of Buddha and the Jatakas. The Ajanta caves preserve some of the best masterpieces of Buddhist art in India. After the tour, we will take you to Aurangabad for your overnight stay. Overnight in Hotel Key The Ayure. Meal Plan: B/-/D 73 Aurangabad Ellora New Delhi After an early breakfast, we drive you to Ellora Caves. Ellora is one of the most wonderful and breathtaking places in India with its incredible cave temples. These 34 monasteries and temples, extending over more than 2 km, were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff. Ellora, with its uninterrupted sequence of monuments dating from A.D. 600 to 1000, brings the civilization of ancient India to life. Not only is the Ellora complex a unique artistic creation and a technological exploit but, with its sanctuaries devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism, it also illustrates the spirit of tolerance that was characteristic of ancient India. In the evening, we will transfer you to the Airport for your flight to Delhi. Overnight in Hotel Red Fox. Meal Plan: B/-/D 74 New Delhi Departure back home After breakfast, we will transfer you to New Delhi International Airport for your flight back home. Meal Plan: B/-/- By Air / Private Transfers Inclusions Accommodation as outlined in the itinerary Meal Plan Breakfasts on all days Several Lunches & Dinners as outlined Activities / Attractions / Guided Tours as outlined in the itinerary, including entry fees Transport A/C Sedan Private car as per itinerary Train tickets Delhi Ochchra Varanasi Kolkatta Coonoor Ooty Heritage Train (Return) Multi-gear Bicycles as per itinerary India Domestic Flights (costs are given separately) English speaking and knowledgeable guides at all places of significance. All applicable taxes Exclusions Meals not mentioned in Inclusions International & New Zealand domestic flights Visa & travel insurance Water sport activities in Lakshadweep (you can directly pay at the resorts) All other optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary Camera usage fee wherever applicable (Some attractions may charge a camera fee) Laundry, mini bar, tipping services & telephone calls & similar expenses of personal nature Terms & Conditions

14 For our full terms & conditions, please check