KERALA THEKKADY MUNNAR SRI LANKA

Transcription

1 2 FOR 1 SOUTH INDIA $ 2999 FOR TWO PEOPLE THAT S % 50 OFF TYPICALLY $5999 KERALA THEKKADY MUNNAR SRI LANKA THE OFFER Prepare to experience another side of India; a haven of tranquil backwaters, rolling tea plantations, exotic wildlife, vibrant communities and mouth-watering cuisine. Far removed from the hustle and bustle of the north, the southern state of Kerala is a relaxed, inviting and wholly inspiring destination where every twist and turn of the road can reveal a new surprise. This amazing 10 day two-for-one package will showcase the magic of South India like never before. Experience the vibrant island lifestyle of Sri Lanka on a two night stopover in the coastal city of Negombo, then journey on to the serene backwaters and tea plantations of South India. Discover the colourful city of Cochin, the meeting point of three rivers, keeping an eye out for the famous Chinese fishing nets that line the shores. Enjoy panoramic views of rolling tea plantations in Munnar, visit the impressive Cheeyappara Waterfalls, board a houseboat for a relaxing cruise among the famous Kerala backwaters, and much more! This once-in-a-lifetime package includes return flights, eight nights accommodation, 10 meals, English-speaking local guides, and more. 10 DAY 2 FOR 1 SOUTH INDIA $2999 *Please note: all information provided in this brochure is subject to both change and availability. Prior to purchase please check the current live deal at or contact our customer service team on TRIP (8747) for the most up-to-date information. If you have already purchased this deal, the terms and conditions on your Purchase Confirmation apply and take precedence over the information in this brochure.

2 THE ITINERARY Day 1 Australia - Negombo, Sri Lanka Today depart from either Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or Adelaide for Negombo, Sri Lanka! Fly with Sri Lankan Airlines. Please note: Customers from Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide will fly via Melbourne. Upon arrival, a tour representative will meet you at the airport and then escort you to check-in to the hotel. Overnight: Negombo, Sri Lanka Meals included: In-Flight Day 2 Negombo Today wake up by the sea and enjoy breakfast at leisure. This vibrant coastal city is renowned for its wonderfully fresh seafood, as well as fantastic diving opportunities. Why not soak up some sun and local seafood on the beach, or take the opportunity to join an optional Sri Lankan cooking class (not included) at the hotel, including lunch. Enjoy the evening at leisure, perhaps grab a spot on the beach and watch the sunset! Overnight: Negombo, Sri Lanka Day 3 Negombo, Sri Lanka Cochin, India After breakfast you will be escorted to Colombo Airport for the short 1-hour flight to Cochin, India. Upon arrival, meet the tour representative and receive a welcome garland at the airport. You will then be escorted by a private chauffeur driven transport to the hotel. Whilst the room keys and check-in is organised, the representative will hand over the Welcome Folder documents and brief you on the tour programme. Cochin is popularly known as the Queen on the Arabian Sea and is the oldest European settlement in India. Surrounded by backwaters, this city has always managed to attract voyagers to travel to Kerala, India. Enjoy the evening at leisure. Overnight: Cochin, India (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) Day 4 Cochin City Tour Munnar (approx. 130km day) After breakfast enjoy a city tour visiting St. Francis Church: built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan Friars, this is India s oldest European church. You will also see Chinese fishing nets lined along the sea front, these fishing nets exhibit a mechanical method of catching fish, introduced by Chinese traders. Next see the Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, this is the oldest synagogue in the Commonwealth. Destroyed by a shelling, during a Portuguese raid in 1662, it was rebuilt two years later by the Dutch. This afternoon depart for Munnar, en route you will visit Cheeyappara Waterfalls, one of the best waterfalls in Kerala, it s spread across two acres of evergreen forest. Munnar translates as three rivers and is located where the Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala Rivers meet. Overnight: Munnar, India (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) Day 5 Munnar Thekkady (approx. 97km day) After breakfast enjoy Munnar s hills with panoramic views and tea plantations. Today you will visit Mattupetty Dam and the lake which are situated at an altitude of 1700m. This afternoon depart for Thekkady. On arrival check-in to the hotel. Thekkady in the Idukki district of central Kerala is the pride of Kerala and a testimony to nature s splendour and human innovation. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated on the banks of the man-made, Periyar Lake. Here the high ranges of the Western Ghats are covered in dense evergreen, deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. Overnight: Thekkady, India (Standard Or Premium Hotel Option) Day 6 Thekkady After breakfast enjoy some leisure time in Thekkady, often known as the spice city of India. Today you will visit a spice garden and cardamom, pepper, tea and coffee plantations. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure or take the opportunity to join an optional visit to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (not included).

3 THE ITINERARY The sanctuary is spread across 777 sq. km, of which 360 sq. km is thick evergreen forest. The lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. The sanctuary is famous for its fauna with Asian elephants, tigers, gaurs, sambars, lion-tailed macaques, nilgiri langurs, wild boars, spotted deer, barking deer, stripe-necked mongoose, wild dogs, sloth bears, malabar giant squirrel, civet, nilgiri tahr and more. If you re lucky you may also get to see a group of wild elephants that come to play in the lake, which is one of the main attractions of the sanctuary. Overnight: Thekkady, India (Standard Or Premium Hotel) Day 7 Thekkady - Allepey - Houseboat experience (approx. 128km day) After breakfast check-out from the hotel and proceed to Allepey, en route visit a coco and rubber plantation. On arrival in Allepey you will board your A/C houseboat and enjoy lunch while cruising the backwaters. With the Arabian Sea in the west and a vast network of lakes, lagoons and fresh water rivers crisscrossing it, Alappuzha is a district of immense natural beauty. Referred to as the Venice of the East by travellers from across the world, this backwater country is also home to diverse animal and bird life. By virtue of its proximity to the sea, the town has always enjoyed a unique place in the maritime history of Kerala. Today, Alappuzha has grown in importance as a backwater tourist centre, attracting several thousands of foreign tourists each year. Alappuzha is also famous for its boat races, houseboat holidays, beaches, marine products and coir industry. A singular characteristic of this land is the region called Kuttanad. Sailing in the boathouses out here is a once in a lifetime experience. Poled by local oarsmen, the houseboats are generally furnished with a living room, a bedroom and a private sit-out. Overnight: Houseboat, India ;Lunch;Dinner Day 8 Kettuvalayam Kumarakom (approx. 35km day) After breakfast you will disembark and depart to Kumarakom to check in at the hotel. Kumarakom is known for its Vembanad Lake and also famous for its old churches and the exceptionally popular Ayurveda massage treatments. Overnight: Kumarakom, India (Standard Or Premium Hotel) Day 9 Kumarakom Cochin, India - Australia (approx. 55km day) After breakfast depart for Cochin Airport to board your return flight back to Australia (via Colombo, Sri Lanka and Melbourne). Please note: depending on flight scheduling some customers may experience up to a 5 hour transit in Colombo. ;In-Flight Day 10 Arrive in Australia

4 TOUR INCLUSIONS HIGHLIGHTS Enjoy a 2 night stop over in vibrant Sri Lanka Relax on the beautiful beaches of Negombo Discover the highlights of Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady and Kumarakom in India Tour Cochin, the oldest European settlement in India Visit St Francis Church and the Jewish Synagogue See the picturesque Cheeyappara Waterfalls, Kerala Enjoy a morning in the Munnar Hills with panoramic views and tea plantations Visit Mattupetty Dam in Munnar Stay in Thekkady, home to an abundance of wildlife Visit a spice and coffee plantation in Thekkady Stop at a tea, coffee and cocoa plantation Enjoy an overnight houseboat experience on the Kerala Backwaters Experience the Alappuzha district known as the Venice of the East Stay in Kumarakom, home of Ayurveda massage FLIGHTS Return international flights (economy class) departing SYD/ MEL/BNE/ADL Fly with award-winning Sri Lankan Airlines ACCOMMODATION 2 nights hotel accommodation in Sri Lanka 5 nights hotel accommodation in India (Standard Or Premium Option) 1 night aboard a houseboat in the Kerala Backwaters, India DINING Enjoy 10 meals (Standard Option) Enjoy 14 meals (Premium Option) TOUR ESSENTIALS English-speaking local guides Welcome garland on arrival in India Sightseeing and monument entry fees in India Airlines taxes and surcharges TRANSPORT Transportation by A/C vehicles TRANSFERS Return airport transfers with meet and assist

5 IMPORTANT INFORMATION *Please note: all information provided in this brochure is subject to both change and availability. Prior to purchase please check the current live deal at au or contact our customer service team on TRIP (8747) for the most up-to-date information. If you have already purchased this deal, the terms and conditions on your Purchase Confirmation apply and take precedence over the information in this brochure. BOOKING INFORMATION After purchase, you will receive a receipt and a Purchase Confirmation, directing you to an online Passenger Information Form. The Passenger Information Form must be completed within 72 hours of purchase. Any special requests, preferences and optional extras MUST be clearly stated in your Passenger Information Form. Any change requested after submitting your Passenger Information Form cannot be guaranteed, is strictly subject to availability and will incur surcharges as outlined in the Schedule of Fees below. On purchasing this Travel Offer you are bound by the General Terms and Conditions, in addition to the specific terms and conditions outlined in this Important Information. Please Note: all additional charges are payable direct to your Travel Consultant (unless otherwise stated). OFFER ESSENTIALS Travel offer is valid for travel on selected dates until the 7th November Travel offer is valid for 2 people based on twin share. Please be advised: 1 voucher is valid for 2 people. When processing your order, please double check the number of vouchers you are purchasing is what you require. Single Traveller Supplement For solo travellers a full priced voucher must be purchased. Departure Dates (2018) Please see TripADeal website for current departure dates. Departure Cities *Sydney, Melbourne, *Brisbane or *Adelaide Interstate Surcharges *Sydney, *Brisbane, *Adelaide: $450 for 2 people India Premium Package Upgrade $500 for 2 people. - Includes upgraded accommodation in India and 4 additional meals. - Please note: This upgrade is available for purchase in the checkout cart. FLIGHTS Full Service Airline(s) Used Sri Lankan Airlines plus any codeshare partners (subject to availability). Arrive early Stay behind Stopover Packages Flight Class Upgrades ACCOMMODATION Accommodation Used Sri Lanka 3 Star (self-rated) - Negombo: Goldi Sands Hotel India Standard Package 3-4 Star (self-rated) Cochin: The Dunes Continental Munnar: Elysium Garden Hill Resorts Thekkady/Periyar: Silver Crest Kerala Backwaters: Deluxe A/C houseboat Kumarakom: Cocobay Resort Premium Package (Upgrade package only) 4-5 Star (self-rated) Cochin: Raddison Blu Munnar: Parakkat Nature Thekkady/Periyar: Forest Canopy Kerala Backwaters: Deluxe A/C houseboat Kumarakom: Abad Whispering Palms Lake Resort Please note: rooms offered are based on a lead-in room type, and are subject to availability based on seasonality. Properties will be confirmed, no later than two weeks prior to travel. Extra Nights Maximum Room Capacity 10 people. Child Policy No child discounts. Full price applies for all children travelling with their parents. Valid for Children/infants 8 years old and over. Please note: Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult 18 years old and over to travel. No unaccompanied minors allowed. Triple Share Bedding Configuration Double or twin bedding (subject to availability). Adjoining / Interconnecting Rooms GENERAL TOUR INFORMATION Minimum group size 2, maximum group size 20 per vehicle. Optional Tours / Activities Sri Lanka Sri Lankan Cooking Class and lunch $100 for 2 people (payable at check out) India Periyar Wildlife Park Excursion including boat ride - $80 for 2 people Please Note: Prices are for 2 people, are subject to availability, time permitting and weather conditions, and are payable direct to the tour operator in the currency specified. Some tours require minimum numbers to operate. EXCLUSIONS

6 IMPORTANT INFORMATION Visa fees and requirements (A tourist visa for India & Sri Lanka is a strict requirement if travelling on an Australian passport) Meals/beverages not stated in the itinerary Recommended gratuities/tipping: (India) 300 rupees (approx. $6 AUD) per person/day, (Sri Lanka) 1000 rupees (approx. $9 AUD) per person/ day. Optional activities/tours Personal expenses Travel insurance (Mandatory) Please Note: A comprehensive travel Insurance policy must be organised BEFORE all details can be finalised. OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION CLIMATE & AVERAGE TEMPERATURE India: May is the hottest month with an average temperature of 33 C and the coldest is January at 15 C with the most daily sunshine hours in November. The wettest month is August with an average of 227mm of rain. Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka is a year round destination with two monsoon seasons so there is a lot of confusion around when is the best time to visit. The weather doesn t run like clockwork here! However, there will rarely be weather so dramatic that it will stand in the way of a brilliant holiday with plenty of warm weather and sunshine. The temperature is constant at around 27 C on the coast, both the air and the water! TOUR GUIDE VS. TOUR LEADER Tour Guide: Often locals with intimate knowledge of an area, its culture, and history. Their role entails providing commentary, routing the tour, and seeing that people have a good time. They are a licensed, qualified expert who supplies specific information on history, art, architecture and culture of the city/village/attraction in which he or she is guiding the tour. The guide meets the group at the required place and leaves the group at the end of the tour, they do not travel with the group. Tour Leader: An experienced person tasked with ensuring the smooth operation of tours, as well as providing practical support to passengers throughout the whole trip. Their role primarily includes assisting with accommodation, transportation between locations, and communication with tour guides in each stop. A tour leader may provide general guidance around a city or village, and offer information on the place visited on the bus, however they are not required to have specific knowledge on art, architecture, or history. They are not allowed to provide a guided tour or commentary of a city/village/attraction once there and if caught doing so, can be fined. Please note: Tour leaders/guides are not a standard inclusion in all travel offers. Tour leaders/guides will only be made available when particularly required to enhance the experience of the destination featured. COACH TOUR Meals: Daily breakfast is included in the tour, for all other meals; lunches and dinners the tour leader (when available) will offer assistance with reservations, suggestions and directions to local restaurants. You can also enquire about any allergies and food and if necessary advise meals to be to be prepared with any medication you require. Please note: The meals on the premium package upgrade in India consists of breakfast and dinner daily starting with breakfast on day 4 and finishing with breakfast on day 9. Luggage: You will be responsible for all your personal belongings whilst on the tour. With regards to luggage, you must carry your own luggage from the coach to the hotel room and back to the coach. The driver will assist with the uploading and off-loading of the luggage from the coach. Gratuities: Gratuities (tips) are not included in the tour price for services of the tour leader (when available) and driver throughout the tour. The recommended tip for the tour leader and driver in India is 300 rupees ($6 AUD) per person/ day and in Sri Lanka it is 1000 rupees (approx. $9 AUD) per person/ day, which will be collected whilst on tour. Fitness Level Required / Mobility: Our vehicles are not equipped with wheelchair access, so unfortunately our tours are currently not suitable for wheelchair users and those less mobile. Please note: a general level of fitness will be required. If you have any concerns please consult your healthcare provider prior to purchase/travel. VISAS India A Tourist Visa for India is a strict requirement if travelling on an Australian Passport. You will be able to start your Visa application process once you receive your final travel documentation approximately 6 weeks prior to departure. TripADeal offers a fast, secure and easy service to obtain a Visa for this country - This visa can take approximately 5 business days to complete. Sri Lanka A Tourist Visa for Sri Lanka is a strict requirement if travelling on an Australian Passport. You will be able to start your Visa application process once you receive your final travel documentation approximately 6 weeks prior to departure. TripADeal offers a fast, secure and easy service to obtain a Visa for this country - This Evisa can take approximately 4 business days to complete. Please start arranging your visa as soon as you receive your documentation to account for any delays due to consulate operating hours. Please Note: Passengers who are not Australian citizens must check with the respective consulate or a visa agency to determine what their visa requirements

7 IMPORTANT INFORMATION are and what personal identification is required. INSURANCE We are proud to offer a range of travel insurance products - please ask your Travel Consultant for more information. SCHEDULE OF FEES Please note: Due to limited availability, passenger name and date changes are strictly prohibited for this offer. This overrides the Schedule of Fees in our standard Terms & Conditions. No refunds will be issued once offer has been purchased.