WHAT’S INCLUDED

• Private group arrival/departure transfers
  (transfers based on group air arrival/departure times)
• Private transportation on air-conditioned bus as per itinerary
• 12 nights superior accommodation – 2 nights – Mumbai, 2 nights – Kochi, 2 nights – Munnar, 2 nights – Thekkady, 1 night – Alappuzha, 3 nights – Kumarakom.
• Daily breakfast, 5 lunches, 12 dinners
• Domestic flights – Mumbai – Cochin – Mumbai
• Sightseeing & entrance fees as per itinerary
• Highlights include – Dabbawala (lunch delivery) Tour, Heritage walk, Dhobi Ghat, Mannoakodam village, Kathakali dance show, Shristi visit, TaTa Tea Museum, Kuduamshree women’s empowerment, Spice plantation, Boat ride on Lake Periyar, Kalaripayattu martial arts show, Guided tour of Kumarakom, Cooking demo with lunch at farm, Yoga and Meditation, Sunset cruise and more!
• Services of an English-speaking local guide
• Services of a Broad Escapes Tour Manager
• Includes all applicable taxes and service charges
• 24-hour Ellison Travel & Tours emergency contact number while on tour

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED 

• Insurance has not been included as part of your tour package. Broad Escapes strongly recommends the purchase of  Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, Comprehensive Assistance, Health Coverage, Individual Accident Coverage, and Baggage and Personal Effects Insurance which can be purchased directly from us.
• International airfare
• Passport, visas, government processing fees, vaccinations, COVID tests, if required at time of travel
• Luggage handling
• Beverages
• Meals not mentioned
• Items of personal nature
• Gratuities
• Camera fees (if applicable) at monuments
• Additional taxes, fuel surcharges or service charges levied by the governments or our suppliers
• Charges by airlines for oversize/overweight luggage

OPTIONS

• International Flights – A designated flight from Toronto will be assigned. We would be pleased to book your flights from Toronto or any other departure gateway.
• Arrival and departure transfers – for those not arriving & departing on group flights

Day 1 | Tuesday, January 21
ARRIVAL IN MUMBAI
Independent arrival to Mumbai.
Welcome to Mumbai, India’s financial powerhouse, home to India’s most prolific film industry, the world’s most expensive home, and the largest tropical forest in an urban zone. The heart of the city contains some of the grandest colonial-era architecture on the planet, unique bazaars, hidden temples, and some of India’s best restaurants. Upon arrival in Mumbai, meet our English-speaking local guide who will remain with the group for the duration of the tour, and take a private group transfer to the hotel. As most flights will arrive late in the evening, you’ll be free to relax and unwind at the hotel after check in.

Overnight Trident Nariman – Mumbai (or similar) – 2 nights

Note: This is a land only tour, however, Broad Escapes will suggest a designated flight from. The group transfer will be based on the recommended group flight arrival time. Private transfers (additional cost) can be arranged for those arriving at a different time/date. Flights from all gateways can be arranged through Broad Escapes.

Day 2 | Wednesday, January 22 (B/L/D)
MUMBAI
We begin our adventure with an extra ordinary experience – a day spent with the superheroes of the city, to live the life of a ‘Dabbawala’ (lunch box delivery service) in Mumbai. Kick-starting the morning with an immersive talk with a spokesperson from the Dabbawala Association. Get to know the intricate details of the magnificent tiffin delivery service which has been in existence for almost 130 years! This hands-on group activity will have us sorting, delivering, and experiencing this unique delivery system first-hand. Later enjoy a Tour of Mumbai followed by a visit to the Dhobi Ghat, the world’s largest outdoor laundry mat where thousands of pieces of laundry are hand-washed, dried, folded and delivered back to the owner’s doorstep each day.

Day 3 | Thursday, January 23 (B/D)
MUMBAI – KOCHI
This morning transfer to the airport for a domestic flight from Mumbai to Kochi. Kochi is influenced by medieval Portugal, Holland, and England. The city displays a blend of culture and architecture, and it is one place where one can see a Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, Dutch architecture, Mosques, Hindu temples, and Chinese fishing nets all in one day. Here we have a city tour to see some of the renowned sights. On the waterfront, observe the Chinese fishing nets being used by the local fishermen. Tonight, enjoy an evening performance of traditional Kathakali Dances, a form of classical Indian dance depicting stories through dance, elaborate, colourful make-up, costumes, and face masks.

Overnight CGH Eighth Bastion Hotel – Kochi (or similar) – 2 nights

Day 4 | Friday, January 24 (B/D)
KOCHI
Experience local village life with a visit to Manakkodam Village where residents still follow the traditions and ethics set by their ancestors, offering a clear picture of Kerala’s historical lifestyle. Later interact with women at Kudambashree, a women empowerment program implemented by the Government of Kerala to eradicate poverty and provide women sustainability through micro credit, entrepreneurship, and empowerment.

Day 5 | Saturday, January 25 (B/L/D)
KOCHI – MUNNAR
Today we will travel to the Munnar area (4.5 hrs). Formerly inhabited by the British elites, this beautiful area is home to picturesque rolling hills and well-known for its sprawling tea plantations. Enjoy the beauty of this region and an afternoon visit to Shristi to learn about the techniques of local artisans. An initiative aimed at generating sustainable livelihoods to families in the rural community, this center focuses on building the talents and skills of young adults with disabilities and comprises of a bakery, school, fabric and sewing center and paper product production.

Overnight Windermere Estate – Munnar (or similar) – 2 nights

Day 6 | Sunday, January 26 (B/D)
MUNNAR
This morning we will visit the nearby Atukkad Waterfalls, a majestic waterfall nestled amidst beautiful hills and lush green jungles. Later enjoy Chithirapuram, a quaint colonial hill town, renowned for its picturesque tea plantations, outside of Munnar. Visit the Tata Tea Museum for a demonstration and Tea Tasting of some of them most exotic varieties of teas.

Day 7 | Monday, January 27 (B/D)
MUNNAR – THEKKADY
Today we will travel to Periyar (3.5 hrs), an area known for nature and wildlife. Enjoy the breathtaking flora and fauna and a famous spice plantation farm, an integral part of Kerala’s culture. Savour the local spices at a farm visit. Later witness an amazing Tribal Heritage Program, including tribal dances performed by two tribes in Thekkady, the Mannan and Paliyan.

Overnight Spice Village – Thekkady (or similar) – 2 nights

Day 8 | Tuesday, January 28 (B/D)
THEKKADY
Choose to start the day with a Yoga and Meditation session. Later transfer to the jetty for morning boat ride in Periyar National Park. Spreading across 777 sq. km. this sanctuary has been the humble abode of exotic animals including tigers and elephants. Keep an eye out for possible sightings of these animals and other wildlife in the sanctuary. For your afternoon at leisure choose to relax in the beautiful hotel surroundings or to participate in one of the hotel activities. The afternoon is yours to enjoy. Don’t miss this evening’s Kalaripayattu Show, depicting the oldest and most scientific martial arts show in the world.

Day 9 | Wednesday, January 29 (B/L/D)
PERIYAR – ALLEPPEY
No visit to Southern India would be complete without visiting the backwaters of Kerala. Today we transfer to Alleppey (4.5 hrs) to embark on a luxury houseboat journey through the network of large lakes, canals, and rivers. There is nothing quite like the charm of staying overnight on a houseboat. The houseboats are huge, slow moving, exotic barges now used for leisure trips. They are the reworked kettuvallams of olden times. The original kettuvallams were used to carry tons of rice and spices (up to 30 tons) from Kuttanad to the Kochi port. The kettuvallam or ‘boat with knots’ was called because the entire boat was held together with coir knots only. Not even a single nail is used during the construction. The boat is made of planks of jack-wood joined together with coir. This is then coated with a caustic black resin made from boiled cashew kernels. With careful maintenance, a kettuvallam can last for generations. Sit back, relax, and embrace the experience!

Overnight Xandari Riverscapes – Alappuzha (or similar) – 1 night

Day 10 | Thursday, January 30 (B/L/D)
KUMARAKOM
Say farewell as we disembark the houseboats and drive to Kumarakom (1.5hrs), a cluster of small, picturesque islands around the Vembanad Lake. The village is well acclaimed for its backwaters, delicious cuisines, and greenery. Here we’ll have a guided tour of the picturesque landscapes and lush green surroundings which includes a traditional Kerala lunch. After we check in to our hotel, join a private lecture on the healing art of Ayurveda. Evening mediation will be offered at the hotel for those who would like to unwind before retiring.

Overnight CGH Earth Coconut Lagoon – Kumarakom (or similar) – 3 nights

Day 11 | Friday, January 31 (B/L/D)
KUMARAKOM
Choose to start your day with a Yoga session at the hotel. After breakfast, take a short boat ride along the multiple canals of Kumarakom and visit a local farm to experience life on the backwaters. Here we’ll participate in a cooking demonstration followed by lunch with the family. Complete the visit with a tour of the farm to learn about the challenges of farming below lake level. Later, continue to Mararikulam to enjoy free time on Marari Beach before returning to the hotel for dinner.

Day 12 | Saturday, February 1 (B/D)
KUMARAKOM
Kerala is the place to relax, unwind and soothe the body, mind, and soul with India’s ancient healing art of Ayurveda. Today will be a day at leisure to do just that! Choose to start with a Yoga session, or one of the many other activities offered by the hotel. Book a treatment in the Ayurveda Centre (extra charge), enjoy the butterfly garden, go bird watching, take a canoe ride or simply relax as you wish. The day is yours to enjoy. This evening, gather for an extraordinary cruise as we sail to the middle of Lake Vembanadu to watch the sunset. Reminisce with fellow travellers about the memories, experiences, and people who we’ve met along the journey during our farewell dinner this evening.

Day 13 | Sunday, February 2 (B/D)
KUMARAKOM – KOCHI – MUMBAI
Bid farewell to Kerela as we transfer to Kochi airport (2 hrs.) for a flight to Mumbai. Since most international flights leave late in the evening, day rooms will be provided at an airport hotel prior to an evening private group transfer to Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport

B – Breakfast / L – Lunch / D – Dinner
Note: Travel times are based on averages and include the scheduled stops planned in the day’s itinerary.

**While it is our intention to adhere to the itinerary described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the tour. Due to traffic or other circumstances beyond our control, it may be necessary or desirable to make alterations. Broad Escapes reserves the right to change the itinerary when deemed necessary.**

$7,385CAD
twin occupancy

Maximum 16 passengers
Upgrade to your own room $2,675CAD
Deposit $1,000 & insurance due: at time of booking
Balance due: October 23, 2024