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Day |
Activity |
Recommended Hotels |
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| Day 01 |
Depart London for Cochin |
Overnight Flight |
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| Day 02 |
Upon arrival in Cochin, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. |
Brunton's Boatyard |
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| Day 03 |
You will be met and escorted on a private sightseeing tour of Cochin.
Cochin means harbour and even before the building of Ancient Rome, spices, silks, ivory and sandalwood were traded here. The mixture of influences is particularly striking with Dutch architecture, English cricket pitches, Portuguese churches and a Jewish quarter. The present population is equally balanced between Christian, Hindu and Muslim. A very small number of Jews remain in the Jewish Quarter, which also contains some wonderful antique bazaars, the Spice Exchange and the Synagogue.
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Brunton's Boatyard |
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| Day 04 |
You will be met and transferred by road up into the Western Ghats, to Thekkady. This is a very scenic drive, as the mountains are dramatic, the road winding and the waterfalls spectacular.
In the highlands of the Western Ghats, on the border between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, lies south India"s best National Park. In 1896, the British built Lake Periyar to supply water to Madurai. The trees, semi-submerged by the rising water, remain as ghostly perches for the many birds which have made Periyar their home. A former Maharaja’s hunting lodge, euphemistically called ‘The Lake Palace’ is sited on the lake shore. From there elephant, wild boar, otters, monkeys and spotted deer can be seen coming down to drink.
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Spice Village |
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| Day 05 |
An early morning start as you will be taken into Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. This is a full day programme which includes both trekking in the forest and bamboo rafting on the lake. Lunch will be provided. |
Spice Village |
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| Day 06 |
You will be transferred down to the Backwaters of Kerala.
Stretching along the coast from Cochin to Quilon and as far inland as Kumarakom, the Backwaters of Kerala consist of an intricately woven network of canals, streams and rivers. This lush green area provides a haven for many species of birds and fish. The local population has adapted to a waterborne existence with the Backwaters providing their highway and recreation as well as their livelihood. Fishermen up to their chests in the lake using their toes to seek out the fish, barges heavily laden with coconut coir or brimming with rice, children frolicking in the shallows and women washing clothes on rudimentary steps, are scenes little changed through the ages. |
Houseboat |
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| Day 07 |
The houseboat will drop you off at Kumarakom. |
Coconut Lagoon |
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| Day 08 |
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Coconut Lagoon |
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| Day 09 |
You will be met and transferred to the tiny fishing village of Mararikulam. |
Marari Beach Resort |
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| Day 10 |
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Marari Beach Resort |
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| Day 11 |
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Marari Beach Resort |
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| Day 12 |
Transfer to the airport in time to check in for your flight home. |
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FROM £1347 PER PERSON SHARING
(SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND CHANGE)
(Offer valid from 01 April 09 - 31 October 09)
PRICE INCLUDES:
International flights in Economy class.
Transfers as per itinerary in a private, air-conditioned, chauffeur driven car.
Hotel accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis.
Entrance to selected sights in Cochin and the services of a qualified, English-speaking guide.
PRICE EXCLUDES:
Meals and Services not detailed.
Airport tax upon departure
Items of a personal nature (Laundry, telephone calls, photographic permits, tips, medical bills, visa charges and travel insurance etc.)
Anything not included in the ‘price includes’ section.
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