Citrus Holidays Kerala & Goa · Kerala & Goa: Tea, Tusk ers & Beaches 12 Nights/13 Days The...
Transcript of Citrus Holidays Kerala & Goa · Kerala & Goa: Tea, Tusk ers & Beaches 12 Nights/13 Days The...
Kerala & Goa: Tea, Tuskers & Beaches 12 Nights/13 Days
The following itinerary explains in more detail about this unforgettable holiday to this wonderful part of India.
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Inclusions
Ÿ
houseboat from Alleppey
Ÿ Invaders of the backwaters will
be wined and dined on board
Ÿ Chug across India’s plains on an
overnight train from Kochi to
Goa
Ÿ 4 nights stay at the 4 star All
Inclusive Resort in North Goa
Ÿ Delve into the life and culture of
the villages in North Goa
Ÿ Applicable entrances for each
monument & sightseeing places
Ÿ Round trip transfers by air-con
deluxe car with English speaking
driver
Ÿ Parking, toll, night halt charges
& currently applicable taxes
Overnight on an air-conditioned Ÿ We take care of flights from UK
to Kochi
Ÿ 2 nights accommodation at 4
star in Kochi
Ÿ Benefit from the expertise of
an English-speaking guide in
Kochi
Ÿ Culinary classes led by a TV
Chef & lunch with a Keralan
family
Ÿ 2 nights accommodation at the
4 star Forest Glade Resorts in
Munnar
Ÿ Go jumbo with an
unforgettable elephant safari in
Munnar
Ÿ Learn about the history of tea
with a plantation tour
Ÿ 2 nights accommodation at
Home Stay in Thekkady
Ÿ Watch the dances of the
Kathakali & martial arts,
Thekkady
UK-KOCHI
Day 1
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Day 2
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Welcome to Kochi, the most fascinating
city of Kerala. On arrival at Kochi
International Airport, you will be met and
transferred to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of
the day at leisure or start exploring with
private car and chauffeur at your disposal
until 19:00hrs.
Kochi is the magnificent entry to
Kerala and has been featured in National
Geographic Travellers “50 greatest places
of a lifetime.” Spread over several islands
and historically rich in culture with booming
industries, the city is a fantastic beginning
to exploring the vivacious diversity of
Kerala.
OVERNIGHT IN KOCHI
KOCHI
Unlock Kochi’s history by embarking on a
morning sightseeing tour that will take
you into the heart of this magnificent city.
The Dutch, British, French and Portuguese
have all left their imprint with beautiful
architecture.
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Day 3
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You will visit Fort Cochin, which has been a
sea port for centuries, Vasco Da Gama
Square and Santa Cruz Basilica. Continue
to St. Francis’ Church, considered to be
India’s oldest European church, built by
Portuguese Franciscan Friars. Vasco da
Gama was buried here before being taken
to Lisbon. Proceed to the VOC Gate, Dutch
Palace, Jewish Synagogue and marvel at
Mattancherry Palace’s murals depicting the
Ramayana and Puranic legends.
Intriguingly, the only traces of
China’s influence are the gigantic nets,
‘cheenavalas’ from 1350. According to
Diplomat Ma Haun, “The fishermen are
tourist-friendly and will happily let you join
them.” And his observation still rings true
today. You will learn about their very
unusual fishing method, operated from the
shore. In the afternoon, experience your
very own pièce de résistance with a
cooking class from a local TV personality.
At lunch, enjoy the flavours of Keralite
cooking.
OVERNIGHT IN KOCHI
KOCHI – MUNNAR
Check out after a hearty breakfast and
drive to Munnar over rugged hills, rolling
oceans of tubby green tea bushes, through
luscious grasslands, before passing the
Pallivasal tea estates.
This will be your first glimpse of
Munnar. On arrival, check-in at the hotel.
At a height of 1,500 metre, set
amidst mountains once known as the High
Range of Travancore, Munnar is a bustling
hub of tea plantations.
Prepare to be captivated by its
dense carpet of tea, sprinkled with Acacias
and Red Gum trees, and delighted by its
freshly brewed cuppas.
OVERNIGHT IN MUNNAR
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Continue with a full day sightseeing of
Munnar, to see the mountain goats in the
Rajmalai Wild Life Sanctuary. Then head to
the the Kannan Devan Hills, the perfect
getaway with panoramic views of the
Munnar Tea Estates and the lake.
After lunch you will proceed to
Mattupetty, where if you're lucky you might
come across a herd of wild elephants on
the way to Mattupetty Dam. Continue to
Kundala and Echo point followed by a visit
to Pothamedu which offers an excellent
view of the tea, coffee and cardamom
plantations in Munnar.
Next up is the Tea Museum’s
photographs and machinery during the
revolution of the industry, which includes
the original tea roller, the ‘Rotovane,’ and
the ‘Pelton Wheel’.
OVERNIGHT IN MUNNAR
Day 4
MUNNAR
Along the way you will also explore
Thekkady. After breakfast, check out from
the hotel and drive to the spice capital and
check into your hotel. The afternoon is at
your leisure. Feel free to walk through the
spice market in the Kumily Village. Leave
room in your case for the finest cinnamon
and mace!
Do not miss the opportunity to
experience Thekkady on elephant back.
Once you have finished your evening ride,
enjoy a captivating line up of culture. First
up is the Kathakali, a mixture of art, music,
dance and drama, with majestic costumes,
elaborate makeup, and mythological
stories. Kalaripayattu is the oldest form of
martial arts, with elaborate movements
and slashing swords.
OVERNIGHT IN THEKKADY
Day 5
MUNNAR-THEKKADY
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After breakfast, spend a morning at
leisure. In the late afternoon, board the
wildlife viewing boat cruise at the scenic
Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Amidst the hazy mountains of the
Silent Valley, lies Thekkady, the opening to
the renowned Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, a
place where congestions are caused only
by elephant crossings.
Catch rare sightings of tigers playing
under smouldering sun sets or watch
kingfishers fluttering along the rivers. The
sanctuary is an open-air collection of
natural bio diversity and endangered
wildlife.
OVERNIGHT IN THEKKADY
Day 6
THEKKADY
After breakfast, you will proceed to
Alleppey, where your personal floating villa
is waiting to take you into the heart of the
backwaters.
Day 7
THEKKADY-ALLEPPEY
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This fascinating overnight cruise is an
added gem, giving you the chance to
discover the lovely waterways…the lifeline
to the numerous towns and villages.
While lounging in these floating
villas, you will feel like invaders of the
backwaters.
Today many of the old work boats –
Kettuvallams – have been converted into
delightful “houseboats”.
The Kettuvallams were originally
used as grain barges, with thatched roof
covers over wooden hulls, some 30 m in
length, gently punted along.
Today engines have been added and
new and old fitted out with modern
facilities including luxurious bedrooms.
As the boat passes into night, feast on
freshly plucked fish grilled in spices and
lemon, as the lanterns gently sway to and
fro in the calm current of the waterway.
OVERNIGHT ON THE HOUSEBOAT
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Day 8
KOCHI - GOA
After breakfast, check out at 10:00 and
check in at the backwater resort in
Alleppey with the rest of the day at leisure
at the beach resort until 20:00. Check out
and board overnight train to Goa at 21:30
from Alleppey railway station.
A beautiful, small state blessed with
100kms of fabled sandy beaches, Goa is a
palm fringed utopia overlooking the
Arabian Sea.
Western whispers prevail within a
tropical paradise - impossibly white 1510
Portuguese churches and monuments
represent the Portuguese colonization at
its peak in the 16th century, along with the
flamboyant carnivals and hypnotic dances.
OVERNIGHT IN GOA
Day 9
GOA
Arrive at Madgaon railway station in Goa at
10:45 where you will be transferred to your
hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to
relax on the beach.
Sinquerim Beach offers a distinct
portrait of untouched beauty: stunning pale
golden sands, crystal clear waters that
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rejuvenate the soul with just one dip and
handsome Portuguese forts pop up from
the silky shore like a huge sandcastle
glimmering in the dazzling sunlight. This is
one sand castle that won’t collapse!
In the evening we head out to the
most eagerly anticipated festival of Goa –
the Carnival! Each year just before the
beginning of the 40 day fasting period of
Lent, King Momo and his merry band of
revellers take over the streets of Panjim
with the Carnival.
Join the hundreds and thousands of
locals and relish the ambience of the
hypnotic dances, with the performers
swirling around in a rainbow of colours as
they jingle and clink to the music. After,
we will sit down to a succulent buffet feast
fit for a king. Floats, games, bands make
one live to the fullest!
OVERNIGHT IN GOA
Spend a full day at leisure either
sunbathing on the beaches or withdrawing
to the nearby villages.
Goa is essentially a village state
with 347 villages as compared to 44
towns.
The villages offer a fascinating
contrast to the modern beaches and trance
parties.
On the streets, between its vividly
painted traditional old houses and leafy
parasols of palm trees you will find chatter
and as the local band strikes up, watch as
the dancers squeeze between the tables,
hips swaying to the rustic rhythm.
OVERNIGHT IN GOA
Day 10
GOA
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After breakfast, a fascinating tour will give
you a flavour of Old Goa. The architecture
flourished under Portuguese architects and
Goan artisans. As a result they created
more than buildings – they celebrated art,
fusion of iconography and styles.
While the Muslim craftsmen
introduced Islamic motifs, the Hindu
sculptors and engravers were influenced by
temple art.
Enjoy a walk around some World
Heritage monuments, like the great Se
Cathedral (the largest cathedral in Asia),
the relics of St. Francis Xavier, St.
Catherine’s Church and Arch of Vice Roy of
Goa.
The luminous white of the plain
facades contrast with the brilliant blue
skies and the vivid green surroundings,
whilst the opulence of the interiors,
Day 11
GOA
Designed to move even the more stubborn
non-believer, is intensified by these
buildings. Woven with a dozen stories, the
churches here are reflections of a faith that
started from shaky beginnings and
through unsettled times to a sacred and
mature belief.
After a fascinating day in Old Goa,
we arrive at Miramar Beach where you will
get a beautiful view of the river Mandovi
flowing into the sea.
Listen to the wave’s symphony, as
the gentle breeze blows across the water,
herding scattered clouds towards the
towering wooded hills, donning a necklace
of evergreen forests crowned by the
Governor’s palace – the Cabo Raj Bhavan.
From here, we will visit Dona Paula
fishing village, which overlooks the mighty
ships that cruise into the all-weather port.
OVERNIGHT IN GOA
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After breakfast, enjoy a relaxing day at
leisure. Feel free to succumb to the gentle
pace of life and roll from the comfort of
your sun lounger into the hotel's cool
swimming pool, but for those who crave it,
Goa is just waiting to be explored.
From jet skiing and parasailing, to
sensational water sports, to adventure-
filled days in the wilderness and trips to
the spectacular Dudhsagar Falls high up in
the Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary, this
tropical paradise is truly your oyster!
For those of you craving to get onto
Goa’s maze of rivers, creeks and finally
ocean, there’s plenty to do on the water.
Try bird-watching where a variety of
migratory and local birds nest and feed
among the mangroves.
Hop on a boat ride through Goa’s
backwaters for crocodile spotting. When
dry land calls, hop off a yacht onto the
sands of your sandy hideaway to watch the
sun go down.
Day 12
GOA
After breakfast, check out from the hotel.
If there’s time discover the flea
markets which are as much a part of the
Goan experience as a day on the beach.
At the flea markets you will find
sculptures and jewellery courtesy of the
Tibetan and Kashmiri traders; colourful
Gujarati tribal women selling saris from
Rajasthan and spices from Kerala. Spoil
yourself with an enduring reminder of
your special trip to Goa!
It time to head to the international
airport for a flight to your onward
destination.
END OF TRIP
Day 13
GOA-ONWARD
This is paradise found! Goa undoubtedly
offers mouthwatering scenery and picture-
perfect palm-fringed beaches, but its true
charm lies in the warmth of its people,
whose glowing smiles are infectious and
whose chilled out approach to life will
ensure you soon settle into the Goan
dream!
OVERNIGHT IN GOA
Where you’ll stay
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City Hotel Room Type Meal PlanNo.of nights
Cochin/Kochi Fort Abode Deluxe Room Breakfast & Dinner 2
Munnar Forest Glade Valley View Room Breakfast & Dinner 2
Thekaddy Pepper County Homestay Deluxe Room Breakfast & Dinner 2
Alleppey House Boat Air Conditioned Deluxe 1
Alleppey Palm Grove Lake Resort Cottage to Relax Lunch 6 Hours
Goa Whispering Palms Balcony Rooms 4
Full Board
All Inclusive
Backwaters
Ÿ Additional meals not mentioned in the inclusions
Ÿ Room service, telephone calls, laundry charges and tips
Ÿ Advised to buy travel insurance as any costs incurred due to mishaps, strikes, political
unrest etc. are not included and will be the passengers’ responsibility
Ÿ Twin sharing accommodation unless otherwise stated
Ÿ Show and cooking class can either be done in Cochin or Thekkady upon availability
Ÿ Our endeavour is to confirm the listed hotels in the chosen packages, however in the
rarest of cases where we are not able to confirm hotel(s), alternatives will be provided
Exclusions and Terms
Superior Package – As Seen on Travel Zoo