Grand Imperial Monuments & Backwater of Kerala Tour From Mumbai
Package price On Request
Product Code : AGORA695
Grand Imperial Monuments & Backwater of Kerala private tour will begin in Mumbai the commercial capital of India. Explore the colonial era grand monuments, museums and caves in Mumbai, then fly to Hyderabad a 400-year-old imperial city ruled by wealthy Nizams, teeming with bustling-bazaars & Muslim monuments. Fly to Hampi and visit the ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar an UNESCO World Heritage site. Fly to Cochin and visit the cobblestoned lanes, Dutch, Portuguese & Jewish heritage. Drive to Alleppey, a Venetian-esque town built onto canals and streams known as the Keralan backwaters. At the end unwind in an enchanting beach village where time stands still and allows you to unravel the miraculous beauty of nature in every form.
Day 1: Arrive Mumbai
On arrival at Mumbai airport assistance & transfer to hotel. (Standard hotel check in time 12pm, early check in subject to room availability). Rest time free to relax and personal activities. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Mumbai
Breakfast at hotel, morning excursion to Elephanta Caves (Monday closed). A flight of 100 steps takes you to the top of the hill where caves are located. Afterwards cruise back to Gateway of India.
Later city of Mumbai, drive pass Marine Drive one of the most beautifully laid boulevards in the city, CST & Parliament House. Visit The Gateway of India an arch-monument built to commemorate the landing of King-Emperor George V & Queen-Empress Mary in December 1911 at Apollo Bunder. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay, a grade I Heritage Building of the city counted amongst one of the most prominent museums of India. The complex exhibits a myriad collection of ancient artefacts, artwork and sculptors of the country which give a unique insight into our past. Kala Ghoda Art Precinct area that stretches from the Regal Circle at the Southern end of Mahatma Gandhi Road, up to the Mumbai University at the northern end, flanked by the Oval Maidan to the west and the Lion Gate to the east. Its curious name, meaning Black Horse, can be traced back to a bronze equestrian statue of King Edward VII that existed there during the colonial era. Dhobhi Ghat to see the city famous open-air laundry in action. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Mumbai - Hyderabad (Flight)
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for Hyderabad.
On arrival assistance & transfer to hotel. Rest time free for personal activities relax. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4: Hyderabad
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Hyderabad, explore 400 year old metropolitan city teeming with bustling bazaars & Muslim monuments. Visit Golconda Fort renowned for its diamond mines that have given the world famous Kohinoor and Darya-i-noor diamonds. The ancient fort complex of Golconda will charm you with its history, tinged with legends and anecdotes. Qutub Shahi Tombs a group of small and big mosques and tombs built by the rulers of the Qutub Shah dynasty on a raised platform and have a dome-shaped structure. Charminar built in 1591 by Quli Qutub Shah is an identifying landmark of Hyderabad. It is also famous for the market that sprawls around it called Laad Bazaar. Salar Jung Museum (Friday closed) a treat for tourists famous for being the third largest museum in the country, having the largest antiques collection dating back to the first century. Chowmahalla Palace (Friday closed) the seat of the Asaf Jahi dynasty where the Nizams entertained their official guests and royal visitors. Birla Mandir made of pure white Rajasthani marble the temple beauty leaves you awestruck. Also drive pass Hussain Sagar Lake one of the largest man made lake renowned for its monolith of Lord Buddha placed right at the center of the lake. Overnight at hotel.
Day 5: Hyderabad - Hampi (Flight)
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for Vijayanagar.
On arrival at Vijayanagar airport assistance & transfer to hotel in Hampi. Rest time free & easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6: Hampi
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Hampi an UNESCO world Heritage sites dotted with numerous ruined temple complexes from the Vijayanagara Empire on the bank of the River Tungabhadra. Although the city was destroyed by marauding Moghul invaders in the 16th century, much of it remains today. The vast site of monuments and ruins are a mute witness to an ear of glories, triumphs and tragedies. The ruins of Hampi are so majestic and imposing that they leave the visitor totally dumbfounded, awestruck and humbled. Visit Hazara Rama Temple, Kings Balance, Mahanavami Dibba, Royal enclosures, Statue of Ugra Narasimha Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Vithala Temple Complex, Lotus Mahal & ASI Museum. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Hampi - Hubli (160kms)/ Cochin (Flight)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Hubli airport. Enroute visit Gadag a place of historical importance, famous for its ancient Hindu & Jain temples and medieval architecture. Constructed between the 10th to 12th CE by the Kings of Chalukyan Empire, the Trikuteshewara Temple is famous for its style of architecture and the temple has three Shivalingas carved out of a single rock. And Lakkundi a heaven of ancient temples ruins and step wells. It is a place of antiquarian interest with more than 50 ancient temples scattered all over the village, 101 stepped wells built during the rule of the Chalukyas, Seuna, Kalachuris and Hoysalas. These temples are most famous for their ornate and elaborate furnishing.
Continue drive to Hubli airport to board flight for Cochin. On arrival assistance and transfer to hotel. Check in & Overnight at hotel.
Day 8: Cochin - Alleppey (60kms)
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Cochin the lovely seaside city flanked by the Western Ghats on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west. You will find here a unique mix and match of traditional as well Western architecture and lifestyle. Visit Fort Cochin a charming seaside area known for its Dutch, Portuguese & British colonial architecture and elaborate bamboo fishing nets at Fort Kochi Beach. St. Francis Church was the original burial site of explorer Vasco da Gama. Upscale eateries and chic cafes serve Keralan specialties, and quaint shops sell cotton clothing and handmade souvenirs. Heritage buildings house contemporary art galleries. Also visit Jewish Synagogue & the Mattancherry Dutch`s Palace. In the evening enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance form of Kerala with lavish costumes, exotic makeup, masks etc.
Later transfer to Alleppey boat jetty to board houseboat and sail through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters. While sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals, the panoramic sights one can never forget. Pass through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level. Alleppey is referred as the Venice of the East, due to canals, backwaters, and lagoons. Boats are the main mode of transportation here, you can see Shikara boats, small motor boats, passenger boats, cargo boat, and houseboats. Evening enjoy sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats. The Houseboats have generated electricity, sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a chef & driver. Lunch, dinner & overnight in houseboat.
Day 9: Alleppey - Mararikulam Beach
After breakfast disembark from houseboat and transfer to Marari Beach, check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax on the beach. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10: Mararikulam Beach
Breakfast at hotel. Day free and easy to relax on the beach. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Mararikulam Beach
Breakfast at hotel. Day free and easy to relax on the beach. Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Mararikulam Beach - Cochin (60kms)/ Mumbai (Flight)
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Cochin airport to board flight for Mumbai.
On arrival assistance & transfer to the hotel. Optional shopping tour in Mumbai with your driver. You can visit famous malls & markets in Dadar, Fort, Colaba Causeway. Overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Mumbai - Departure (Flight)
Breakfast at hotel. As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination. (Standard hotel check out time 11 AM).
Assistance on arrival at airport.
12 Nights' accommodation in selected price category hotels.
Daily breakfast at hotels. Any other meal (lunch/ dinner) if clearly mentioned in the itinerary).
Private air-conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.
English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.
Monument entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.
Bottled drinking water in car.
Government taxes.
Hotels used or similar for 12 nights accommodation
Mumbai x 3 nights
3* - Hotel Suba Palace/ BW Hotel Sahil
4* - Sun-N-Sand Hotel/ Fariyas Hotel
5* - Trident Hotel/ ITC Grand Central
Hyderabad x 2 nights
3* - Aditya Park/ Red Fox Hotel
4* - Lemon Tree Hotel/ Fortune Park Vallabha
5* - ITC Kakatiya, a Luxury Collection/ Trident Hotel
Hampi x 2 night
3* - Malligi Hotel/ Krishna Palace
4* - Heritage Resort / Royal Orchid Central Keerti
5* - Hyatt Place/ Hampi Boulders
Cochin x 1 nights
3* - The Dune Hotel/ Abad Plaza
4* - Casino Hotel/ Le Maritime
5* - Xandari Harbour/ Le Meridien
Alleppey x 1 night
3* - Deluxe Houseboat (ATDC Houseboat/ Dream Boats)
4* - Preminum Houseboat (Abad Premium Houseboats/ Rainbow Premium Houseboats)
5* - Luxury Houseboat (Xandari Riverscapes/ Lakes & Lagoons)
Marari x 3 night
3* - EL Oceano Beach Villas/ La Plage Marari
4* - Abad Turtle Beach Resort/ Marari Sands Beach Resort
5* - Xandari Pearl/ Marari Beach Resort
Mumbai - Hyderabad - Vijayanagar & Hubli - Cochin - Mumbai flight fare approx INR 20,500 per person in economy class.
Camera charges at monuments.
Any Ayurvedic treatments charges (optional)
Meals other than mentioned in day plan.
Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc.
Gratuities & optional activities.
Anything not mentioned in inclusions.