Pre and Post Tour Sample Itineraries - Descriptive South India Itinerary
Post Jaipur Party Itinerary for South India
Synopsis
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Sunday |
11 Jan 09 |
Elephant Polo Lunch Party |
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Agra Extension (optional) |
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Monday |
12 Jan 09 |
Jaipur / Agra |
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Tuesday |
13 Jan 09 |
Agra/Delhi overnight |
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South India Tour |
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Day 1 |
Wednesday |
14 Jan 09 |
Delhi/Bangalore/Mysore |
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Day 2 |
Thursday |
15 Jan 09 |
Mysore |
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Day 3 |
Friday |
16 Jan 09 |
Mysore/Wayanad/Tranquil |
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Day 4 |
Saturday |
17 Jan 09 |
Tranquil |
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Day 5 |
Sunday |
18 Jan 09 |
Wayanad/Calicut/Cochin |
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Day 6 |
Monday |
19 Jan 09 |
Cochin |
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Day 7 |
Tuesday |
20 Jan 09 |
Cochin/Backwaters Houseboat |
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Day 8 |
Wednesday |
21 Jan 09 |
Houseboat/Kumarakom |
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Day 9 |
Thursday |
22 Jan 09 |
Kumarakom |
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Day 10 |
Friday |
23 Jan 09 |
Kumarakom / Cochin / Departure (SQ airlines leave in the evening) Or extend to:
a private house, the Dominic Family Estate with 5/6 rooms in the direction of Periyar National Park |
Itinerary Outline
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Day 1 Wednesday 14 January 2009 Jaipur/ Delhi / Bangalore / Mysore
After breakfast transfer to airport for flight Jaipur/Delhi (or Mumbai )to Bangalore
Jet Airways 9W 373 Jaipur/Delhi 9.00/9.45 then 9W 815 Delhi/Bangalore (Bengalura) – 1030 / 1305 hrs
or
Kingfisher Airlines IT 203 – 0950 / 1230 hrs from Delhi
Meeting and assistance on arrival and drive 3.5 hrs to Mysore en route visiting Srirangapatna – of great religious, cultural and historic importance with its complex of Tipu Sultans’ Fort and Palaces and Mausoleum, richly decorated with carvings and frescoes.
On arrival check into Hotel Metropole for overnight.
Day 2, Thursday 15 January 2009 Regal MYSORE
– the Sandalwood City where thanks to royal patronage, artists, writers and craftsmen have flourished, making it the cultural epicentre of Karnataka.
It is a major centre for the manufacture of incense, and its flowers-spice-vegetable market amongst the finest in India. Also Mysore silk is well known for its quality and everlasting luster.
Morning city sightseeing of Mysore, the wonderful markets and the City Palace. Afternoon at leisure.
This Evening visit the Nandi Hills followed by dinner at Kodava Family home with classical Indian music performance.
Overnight Hotel Metropole.
Dinner will be at Gitanjali Farm – Owned by a lovely family who give the group a genuine welcome and make them comfortable. Yamuna looks after guests while her parents, Dalu and Muthu, are on hand for lively conversation...
They will serve authentic Kodava cuisine and talk informally about their culture. The Kodavas are a martial race with a tradition of ancestor worship. They have a unique culture of their own very different from other Indians.
Day 3, Friday 16 January 2009 Mysore / Wayanad
After breakfast drive 4 hrs to Wayanad. On arrival check into Tranquil Resort. Spend the evening at leisure. Overnight Tranquil Resort.
Victor Dey and his family have been plantationers for decades are great hosts and raconteurs and run this hideaway in the style of the plantation estates of old: friendly, hospitable, drinks at 6, a large communcal dining table....
A choice of deluxe rooms or fun tree houses that are perched high above a brook, midst birdcall.
This is a 400 acre working coffee estate with lovely gardens and a swimming pool, massage etc.
Day 4, Saturday 17 January 2009 Wayanad
Morning visit to Plantation, view the inner workings of coffee production, explore scenic treks or trek up to the pre historic Edakal caves where the rock carvings speak of a highly civilized people of a pre-historic age and are of considerable archaeological and anthropological interest.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight Tranquil Resort.
Day 5, Sunday 18 January 2009 Waynad / Calicut / Cochin
Early morning drive 2.5 hrs to Calicut airport to board flight to Cochin
Indian Airlines IC 998 – 0855 / 0925 hrs
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to Brunton Boatyard set right in bustling waters edge. All its rooms overlook the harbor and nearby delta and are tastefully designed and furnished with four-poster beds, spacious bathrooms and all the amenities of a first-class hotel. It has its own private jetty, which doubles as a "cafe", overlooking the pool and private garden.
This evening visit a nearby theatre for Kathakali dance show. Overnight Brunton Boatyard
Alternatively, Art of Living suggests the roof garden Suites at Malabar House Or their sister suites at Trinity. This is a charming, funky, hip hotel centred around the courtyard of a lovely old colonial mansion. The restaurant here serves outsatnding cuisine.
OR
Stay at Old Harbour Inn a delightful new hotel in a lovely old colonial building that has been recreated with style and taste.
Day 6, Monday 19 January 2009 Cochin
Morning city sightseeing of Cochin where the Dutch, the Portuguese, the French, the Jews and early Chinese traders have all left their mark.
Evening cooking lesson and private dinner at Nimmy Paul’s House. Nimmy is custodian over a rich family legacy of superb Syrian Christian dishes and a charming host. This is also a wonderful opportunity to be in a home and engage in discussions about the Kerala way of life.
Overnight Cochin
Day 7, Tuesday 20 January 2009 Cochin / Houseboat
After breakfast check out of Hotel and drive 1 hr to a point from where you will board your houseboat for overnight.
Lunch & dinner will be served on the houseboats- Kerala’s magical answer to the caravans of the West.
Boats are one or 2 cabins air-conditioned with en-suites with large open sitting/dining areas that can access the smaller canals where the vibrant daily life of the backwaters can be observed.
This is a spellbinding experience drifting in the canals and lagoons and absorbing an ancient way of life.
Day 8, Wednesday 21 January 2009 Houseboat / Kumarakom
After breakfast check out of the houseboat and check into Hotel Coconut Lagoon. That can only be reached by boat for its setting on Lake Vembanad.
Spend the evening at leisure
Overnight Coconut Lagoon – Private Pool Villa
or
Upgrade to the newly established and luxurious Radisson Plaza Resort and Spa which has the most spectacular spa centre in all of India specializing in Ayurvedic and Western treatments.
Alternatively stay at Philikuyty’s Farm, 5 delightful and comfortable villas on an island farm in the backwaters, run by a caring family with wonderful food.
Day 9, Thursday 22 January 2009 Kumarakom
Spend the day at leisure. Overnight Coconut Lagoon or Radisson or Philikutty’s
Day 10, Friday 23 January 2009 Kumarakom / Cochin / Departure
After breakfast transfer to airport for flight to onward destination.
POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS INCLUDE:
Continuing to a private house Estate with 5/6 rooms in the direction of Periyar national Park Dominic Family Estate
Or
Kolam Estate – Malabar Serenity – Deluxe Cottage minimum 2-night stay.
Indicative Tour cost – based on 8 to 12 Pax pax travelling together in a Mini Coach-
Commencing from Delhi 14 January 2009. The Agra destination cost is included in Di’s pre Tour.
Approx $4,800 per person plus airfares depending on INR currency conversions in 2008
Cost would increase with less passengers
Additional cost for single supplement
Upgrades can be quoted for:
Tranquil Resort, Waynad to Suite or Tree House - Suite
Radisson Plaza Resort & Spa, Kumarakom Superior Lagoon Sea View Cottage + Lake View Pool Villa
Brunton Boatyard, Cochin Standard Sea Facing - Suite or Old Harbour Inn Suite
Airfare to be added to tour price (economy class & presently applicable)
Approximately $650
Above tour cost is based on
Mysore – Hotel Metropole – Heritage Room
Wayanad – Tranquil Resort – Deluxe Room
Kumarakom – Coconut Lagoon – Private Pool Villa
Houseboat – Spice Coast Cruise
Cochin – Malabar House – Rooftop Site
Breakfast at all the hotels mentioned above.
All Meals at Tranquil Resort and Houseboat.
Accommodation in Double Room as per the itinerary.
Arrival / departure transfers as per the itinerary.
Transport by AC Mini Coach as per the itinerary.
English speaking guide for sight seeing tour as per the itinerary.
Entrances fee at all to monuments.
One Cooking lesson & dinner at Nimmi Paul’s House at Cochin (based on at least 8 participants)
Kathakali dance show in a theatre at Cochin
All presently applicable taxes.