Backwaters and Beyond, 2013 Price GuideAll prices are in Australian Dollars Backwaters and Beyond, 2014 Price GuideAll prices are in Australian Dollars Highlights & FactsHIGHLIGHTS
FACTS
Small Group Tours 10 to 18 passengers FULLY INCLUSIVEBackwaters & Beyond - 21 Days From AUD$6180Day 1-2: Australia/Singapore/BangaloreFly with Singapore Airlines to Bangalore via Singapore. On arrival check in to hotel. Overnight at hotel. Day 3: Bangalore/Chikmagalur After breakfast we explore Bangalore, the garden city of India. We visit Tipu Sultan's Palace, Bull Temple and the spectacular Vidhana Soudha. After lunch we continue on to the hill station of Chikmagalur, en route visiting the 800-year old Sri Amrutheshwra Temple. Overnight at hotel.  Day 4: Chikmagalur/Hassan Nestled in the Baba Badan hills, Chikmagalur is a calm, serene town surrounded by hills, valleys, streams and snow-white coffee blossoms. This morning we visit a coffee plantation and some religious monuments and shrines. After lunch, we drive to Belur and Halebid to view some of the best Hoysala architecture built in the 12th Century. From Halebid we continue on to Hassan. On arrival check in to hotel for 1 night. Day 5-6: Hassan//Mysore After breakfast we drive to Mysore, city of silk, sandalwood and palaces. En route we take in a guided tour of Srirangapatnam. We then continue on to Mysore where we have lunch before checking into our hotel. Afternoon visit to the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery and St Philomena's Cathedral. Overnight at hotel for 2 nights. The following day we visit the well-preserved Mysore Palace, one of the largest palaces in India. After lunch we drive to the Chamundi Hill to visit the 2000 year old Sri Chamundeswari Temple, dedicated to the goddess of the Royal Family. On our return to the hotel we visit a Mysore silk factory and a sandalwood oil factory. Day 7-8: Mysore/Wayanad After breakfast we leave for Wayanad, a highland area that is home to several tribal communities. Here we visit the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve which is rich in flora and fauna. Overnight at hotel for 2 nights. The following day after breakfast we prepare for our 1 km trek to reach the Edakkal Caves. These caves showcase archaeological evidence of the prehistoric civilization that once roamed this region. After lunch we visit Raja Pazhassy's Tomb. Overnight at hotel. Day 9: Mysore/Kozhikode (Calicut) This morning we drive to Vaythiri to visit the salt water Pookot Lake. We then continue on to the coastal town of Calicut. After we check in at our hotel, we visit Kappad Beach where we can enjoy a beachside panoramic view of the sunset. Day 10-11: Kozhidode/Thrissur (Trichur) Today we drive along the coastline to Guruvayur. Here we visit the famous Vadakkumnathan Kshetram Temple, which is built in the classic Kerala style of architecture. After lunch with a local family we watch a Kairali show. We then continue on to Thrissur. Overnight at hotel for 2 nights. The next day we visit the school of Kerala Kalamandaloam renowned for its Kathakali Dance Academy. Afternoon at leisure before visiting a traditional pot-making centre. Overnight at hotel. Day 12: Thrissur/Kothamangalam Today we drive to Kothamangalam. En route we stop to visit Kodungallur where India's largest mosque is located. We then continue on to Kothamangalam and the Thatekkad Bird Sanctuary. Thattekkad is situated on the northern bank of the Periyar River and boasts more than 250 bird species. Afternoon visit to the sanctuary with sunset views over the river. Overnight at hotel. Day 13: Kothamangalam/Kochi (Cochin) Early morning visit to the bird sanctuary. We then proceed to Kochi where we visit St Francis Church which was built by the Portuguese. After lunch with a local family, we visit the Dutch Palace (Mattancherry Palace), also built by the Portuguese. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14-15: Kochi/Alleppey (Boat cruise) |
Tour Map
Tour InclusionsTOUR INCLUSIONS Return international flights in Economy class Fuel levy surcharge Australian airport departure taxes All domestic flights & airport taxes All meals & accommodation in India English speaking National Escort & local guides Visa fees for India for Australian passport holders Sightseeing tours to all major attractions & monuments, including entrance fees All transportation in air-conditioned coaches & A/C 2 - tier soft sleepers on rail Puppet show, elephant and camel rides in Rajasthan only All gratuities on tour Tour ExclusionsTOUR EXCLUSIONS Foreign international airport depature taxes |
