Kerala with Thrissur Pooram Festival
Duration: 06 Nights/07 Days
Duration : (06 Nights - 07 Days)
Destination : MUMBAI (1 Night) - THRISSUR (2 Night) - BACKWATERS (1 Night) - COCHIN (1 Night) - MUMBAI (1 Night)
About Thrissur Pooram Festival:
This festival is celebrated every year, on the pooram day, in the month of Medam (mid-April to mid-may) as per the Malayalam calendar. Thrissur town plays host for 36 hours - from the wee hours of the pooram day. It presents the largest gathering of people and elephants in Kerala. The richly decorated elephant, as seen during the Thrissur pooram, is now globally recognized. On the pooram day, fifty or more elephants will pass through the very center of Thrissur town. The main features of the pooram festival are these decorated elephants with their decorative headdress, decorative bells and ornaments. The rhythmic beating of the drums during the processions turns the festival into an organized and spontaneous symphony. The fireworks display in the early hours of the second day is also very impressive without even using many of the modern and newer pyrotechnics.
29 April 2012: Day 1 / ARRIVAL MUMBAI
Traditional welcome upon arrival in Mumbai. Transfer to the Hotel in Mumbai
. Rest of the time free. This Metropolis has a long history. In 1661 it was
given to Charles II of England as dowry for Catherine de Braganza. Mumbai
today is India's economic center, and the city of Bollywood films. Overnight
at hotel in Mumbai.
30 April 2012: Day 2 / MUMBAI - COCHIN - THRISSUR ( Flight + 80 Kms /2 Hrs)
Post breakfast transfer to the domestic Airport to board flight for Cochin.
On arrival Cochin, transfer to Thrissur. Thrissur has many art schools and
institutions; which makes the town as one of the cultural capitals of
Kerala. On arrival at Thrissur, check in and overnight at Hotel.
 01 May 2012: Day 3 / THRISSUR (TRICHUR)
Morning after breakfast visit the venue of Thrissur Pooram to witness the
annual temple festival. This colourful festival which started from the 18th
Century attracts large masses of devotees and spectators. There is no other
festival in Kerala that draws such a large number of people to a single
event. Thrissur Pooram is celebrated at the premises of the Vadakkunnathan
Temple, situated on a hillock (Thekkinkadu maidan) right in the centre of
the city). The procession creates a magical effect with a combination of
five percussion and wind instruments. Among the varieties of festivals
celebrated in Kerala, Thrissur Pooram is the most thunderous, spectacular
and dazzling. Overnight at Hotel in Thrissur.
 02 May 2012: Day 4 / THRISSUR - ALLEPPEY (126 Kms /3.5 Hrs)
Morning breakfast and drive to Alleppey. Board the houseboat for an
overnight cruise in the popular backwaters of Kerala. The floating houseboat
has bedrooms and attached rest rooms for comfort. The boat cruises through
the backwaters which is an interesting way to explore the daily life of
Kerala in the country sides. The cruise also is quite relaxing amidst the
greenery and water. The guests can savor the Kerala delicacies which are
freshly prepared by the kitchen crew. Dinner & Overnight on board the
Houseboat in the backwaters.
 03 May 2012: Day 5 / ALLEPPEY - COCHIN (60 Kms/1.5 Hrs)
Breakfast in the houseboat and later check out. Transfer to Cochin. On arrival in Cochin check in Hotel. PM Half day tour of the satellite towns of Kochi (Cochin) and Ernakulam comprises visits to the Jewish Synagogue - (which remains closed on Friday & Saturdays) St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. While driving along the coastline, at the Harbour's mouth, one can also view the unique and still-in-use "Chinese Fishing Nets" which were introduced by the Chinese traders in the 14th Century. The tour ends in the Fort Kochi area where you can walk through the historical Dutch and Portuguese buildings. Some parts of this nearly 500-year-old Fort are still amazingly well preserved.
Evening enjoy a traditional Kathkali dance presentation (optional) in Cochin. Overnight at Hotel in Cochin.
 04 May 2012: Day 6 / COCHIN - MUMBAI ( Flight)
Morning breakfast and proceed to the Airport to board flight 9W 406 (Dep 0830/Arr 1020 Hrs) to Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai and transfer to Hotel in Mumbai. PM take a half day City tour of Mumbai. We visit the Prince of Wales Museum. This museum has a rare collection of ancient Indus Valley artifacts dating back to 2000 BC. Later we take the boat cruise from Gateway of India to visit Elephanta Caves (Monday Closed) .This caves dates back to 5th Century rock cut temples. Evening drive through the Marine Drive, which runs along the shore of the Arabian Sea. Overnight at Hotel in Mumbai.
05 May 2012: Day 7 / DEPARTURE MUMBAI.
Morning post breakfast free time at hotel.
Later transafer to the International Airport to board flight for onward destination.
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