South India with Nehru Boat Race program

Duration : (12 Nights - 13 Days Tour)

Destination : MUMBAI (2 Nights) - BANGALORE (1 Night) - HASSAN (1 Night) - BELUR - HALEBID - MYSORE (2 Nights) - KOZIKODE (1 Night) - COCHIN (1 Night) - ALLEPPEY (2 Night) - KOVALAM (2 Night) - MUMBAI

About Nehru Boat race:

The Nehru boat race is the annual water carnival held in Kerala and is considered as the biggest snake boat race in the world. It is held every year on the second Saturday of August at Punnamada Lake near Alleppey. On the day of this fiercely fought boat race, the tranquil lake front is transformed into a sea of humanity with estimated thousands of people, Including locals as well as visitors from all over the world. For the people of each village in this region, a victory at this race for their village boat is something to be celebrated for months to come. The major attraction of the boat race is the competition of snake boats chundanvallams or snake boats. in the year 2010 the Nehru boat race is being held on 14 August.

Day 1 / ARRIVAL MUMBAI

Traditional welcome upon arrival in Mumbai. Transfer to the Hotel in Mumbai . Rest of the time free. Overnight at hotel in Mumbai.

Day 2 / MUMBAI

Today we 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, this runs along the shore of the Arabian Sea. Overnight at Hotel in Mumbai.

Day 3 / MUMBAI - BANGALORE (Flight)

Post Breakfast transfer to the Mumbai domestic airport to board flight for Bangalore.
On arrival transfer to the Hotel for check in. PM Sightseeing of Bangalore. Half day sightseeing tour of the "Garden City". Start by visiting the Lal Bagh Gardens laid out by Tipu Sultan and his father in the 18th century. The Lal Bagh has a variety of old trees, fountains, lotus pools, terraces and an assortment of tropical and sub-tropical herbs. Also visit the Bull Temple and drive past the Government Secretariat, Vidhan Soudha (Legislature building) and Cubbon Park. Overnight at Hotel in Bangalore.

Day 4 / BANGALORE - SRAVANBELGOLA - HASSAN (183 kms / 4 hrs)

Post Breakfast drive to Hassan. En route stop to visit at Sravanabelagola. Here the statue of Lord Gomteshwara is hewn out of a single rock and visible from a distance of 25 Kms. It is said to be the world tallest monolithic statue. Every 12 years it is bathed with milk and honey. The statue is located at the top of the Vindhyagiri hill and to reach here one has to climb up 614 rock - cut steps. Proceed to Hassan. Overnight at Hotel in Hassan or Chikmaglur.

Day 5 / HASSAN - HALEBED - BELUR - MYSORE (190 Kms/ 5 hrs)

Morning breakfast drive to Belur and Halebid to visit the magnificent carved temples.
The Channekeshava temple of Belur built 900 years ago is an exquisite example of Hoysala art. Halebid's 12th century Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara temples are masterpieces of Hindu art with elaborate and ornate carving of deities and scenes from the epics. Later proceed to Mysore. On arrival check in and overnight at Hotel in Mysore.

Day 6 / MYSORE

Post breakfast, Full day sightseeing tour visiting the palace of the Maharaja built in 1911-12. The palace is a harmonious synthesis of the Hindu and Saracenic styles of architecture with archways, domes, turrets, colonnades and sculptures which are magnificent. Visit the Art Gallery. Later drive up to Chamundi hill to see Chamundeshwari Temple and have a panoramic view of Mysore from the top of the hill. On way back, pass through the impressive statue of Nandi Bull. Overnight at Hotel in Mysore.

Day 7 / MYSORE - KOZHIKODE (206 kms/ 5.5 Hrs)

Post breakfast drive to Kozhikode (Calicut). En route you pass through small town, country side of South India. On arrival check in Hotel at Kozhikode. Kozhikode was the place where the famous sailor Vasco Da Gama landed in 1498. Historically these places have also been known for trading of spices. Evening visit the traditional bazaar here. Overnight at Hotel in Kozhikode.

Day 8 / KOZHIKODE - COCHIN (205 kms/ 5.5 Hrs)

Breakfast and drive to Cochin. Presently Cochin is India's largest ports and also a bustling city. . Historically it has been associated with the Portuguese, Chinese, Dutch and Jews. It is also one of the major cultural centers of Kerala.
On arrival in Cochin check in and overnight at Hotel.

Day 9 / COCHIN - ALLEPPEY (60 Kms / 1.5 Hrs)

Breakfast and AM Half day tour of the satellite towns of Kochi (Cochin) and Ernakulam. It comprises visits to the 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. Later drive to Alleppey. Alleppey is a market town surrounded by coconut trees and have lots of canals. This is also the place where most of the backwaters tour takes place. Overnight at Hotel / Heritage Home in Alleppey.

Day 10 / ALLEPPEY (Snake Boat Race)

Post breakfast transfer to the venue of the Nehru boat race to view the race.
The guest can enjoy the colourful boat pageantry which precedes the boat race. Each snake Boat (Chundan Vallams) is crewed by 100 to 120 rowers who plough the waters to the tune of the legendry songs. The celebrations include music and folk dance performances apart from the boat race. Overnight at Hotel in Alleppey.

Day 11 / ALLEPPEY - KOVALAM (160 Kms / 4.5 Hrs)

Post breakfast take the drive to Kovalam through the scenic routes of Kerala.
Afternoon arrive Kovalam and check in Hotel. Kovalam is about 16 km from Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala State, is an internationally renowned beach destination. Kovalam has three crescent beaches formed by rocks projecting into the Arabian Sea. The southernmost of these is known as the Lighthouse Beach.
Overnight in a Hotel/ beach resort at Kovalam.

Day 12 / KOVALAM

Post breakfast free time in Kovalam.
The options include here to take ayurveda massage or treatment (optional) to revitalize. Or just to take walk or relax by the beaches. Overnight at Hotel / Beach Resort in Kovalam.

Day 13/ KOVLAM - TRIVANDRUM - MUMBAI

Morning free at leisure. In time transfer to Airport to board flight to Mumbai. Arrival Mumbai. Proceed to the International Airport for onward destination.