The Jewels of South India

Today you leave Amsterdam for Mumbai, the city of dreams in India. On the day of departure you must register at least 3-4 hours in advance at Amsterdam Airport for your international flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival in Mumbai, our representative and the driver will pick you up and you will be transported by private transfer to your hotel accommodation Mumbai and you will have the rest of the day off to spend. Attention: Bring your passport, ticket and travel and health insurance

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In the morning you arrive in Mumbai and you will be picked up and brought to your hotel accommodation. In the afternoon you will be picked up and visit the Sidhivinayak Hindu temple followed by the famous Juhu Beach and Chowpatty street food Mumbai. Then you will be returned to your hotel accommodation. Background information: Mumbai, formerly called Bombay, is the commercial capital of India. It's also called the "Never Sleeps." Mumbai is a perfect mix of culture, use and lifestyle. Mumbai is India's most cosmopolitan city, the financial power and nerve center of the Indian fashion industry and also the Hollywood of India, lovingly called 'Bollywood'. Mumbai is dotted with numerous architectural monuments from the Victorian era and the days of the Raj.

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In the morning after a well-deserved night's sleep and a delicious breakfast you will be picked up by your guide and driver for a tour of Mumbai. You start the day with a ferry ride to the UNESCO World Heritage Elephanta Caves. Then visit the Prince of Wales Museum, Victoria Terminus, Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Malabar Hill and Mani Bhavan. Background information: Elephanta Caves: A ferry trip across the port, from the Gateway of India, will take you to the Elephanta Caves, which is on the World Heritage List, 9 km from Mumbai. The temple complex, carved from rocks, covers an area of 5,600 m2, consisting of a main room, 2 side rooms, courtyards and secondary shrines. The place of these beautiful caves contains beautiful reliefs, sculptures and a temple for the Hindu Shiva. The caves are carved from solid rock. It is said that the temple complex is the abode of God Shiva. The Prince of Wales Museum: The Prince of Wales Museum is located in the heart of southern Mumbai, adjacent to the Gateway of India. The Prince of Wales Museum is the most important museum in Mumbai. The museum is built in the Indo-Saracen architectural style. The museum building is fenced by a garden with palm trees and formal flower beds. The museum has about 50,000 exhibitions on ancient history and also objects of foreign origin. With its subdivisions Art, Archaeology and Natural History, the Prince of Wales Museum is one of the best museums in the country. Victoria Terminus: The Victoria Terminus or Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus as it is now called is on the World Heritage List and is a historic railway station in Mumbai. The station was built in 1887 in the Bori Bunder area of Mumbai to commemorate Queen Victoria's golden anniversary. The construction was designed by Frederik Willem Steves. The Terminus is one of the largest buildings in the city, with influences from a complicated Italian Gothic design. The first train from this station, abbreviated VT, to Thane, was in 1853. Gateway of India: Gateway of India Gateway of India is a monument built during the British Raj. It is a conventional arch built in 1927 in honor of the visit of King George V and Queen Mary. Gateway of India is located on the southernmost peninsula of the city. It was built in honey-colored basalt and the design and layout of this gate are inspired by the 16th century Gujarati architecture. The changing light of the rising and setting sun gives different accents of gold, reddish brown and pink to the striking arc. The Gateway of India became of historical importance when the last British forces that left independent India by sea marched through the doorways of Gateway of India. Marine Drive: The Marine Drive, one of the most important roads in southern Mumbai, is also known as the Queen's Necklace because of the shimmering lights on this road that are visible from long distances. Florafountain: The Florafountain is an elegantly sculpted architectural heritage monument, located at a five-point intersection in the heart of the commercial Fortress. This attractive fountain was built in memory of Governor Sir Henry Bartle Edward Frere, as honor for his influence on the construction of Mumbai. Malabar Hill: The Malabar Hill, now one of the most chic residential areas of southern Mumbai, is called because it stands on a hill. The area offers beautiful views over the Back Bay. The hanging garden, also called the Pherozeshah Mehta gardens, on top of the hill, Parsi Towers of Silence, Kamala Nehru Park, the temple of Walkeshwar and the Sand Lord, make it a very popular tourist spot in Mumbai.

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In the morning you will be met by our representative and helped with the check-out formalities. Then you will be escorted to the airport in time to board the flight to Goa Departure: Mumbai at 1.05. By flight Arrival: Goa at 2:20. Upon arrival in Goa you will be welcomed by a representative of Tapasya Travel and will be taken to your hotel accommodation. In the evening you will have a Christmas gala dinner included.

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In the morning after breakfast, you will get a city tour of Goa's city, and among other things you will visit the various churches that have an SE Cathedral and Bom de Jesus. Then you continue to Panjim, the capital of Goa with beautiful Portuguese architecture. Then you will be returned to your hotel accommodation.

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After breakfast you will meet your guide to the famous Dudhsagar waterfalls. Enjoy a ride by jeep and admire the picturesque beauty and lush greenery of the surroundings. After a successful day, you will be returned to your hotel, after which you can spend the rest of your time as you see fit.

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In the morning you will be met by our representative and helped with the check-out formalities. Then you will be escorted to the airport in time to board the flight to Cochin. Departure: Goa at 21.20 hours. By flight Arrival: Cochin at 10:45. Upon arrival in Cochin you will be received by a representative of Tapasya Travel and will be taken to your hotel accommodation. The rest of the day you have free to spend.

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In the morning after breakfast you will be picked up for a tour of Cochin. Visit the St. Franciskusker, the Chinese fishing nets and Fort Cochin beach. Then you will be returned to your hotel accommodation and you will spend the rest of the day off. In the evening you will be picked up for a Kathakali performance. Background information attractions Cochin: Saint Francis Church: The church was built by Europeans in 1503. The St. Francis Church is the oldest European church in India. The Portuguese trader Vasco da Gama died in Kochi, during his third visit to Kerala. At first his body was buried in this church, but after a few years his remains were moved to Portugal. Despite all this, the place where he was buried is marked within the church. Fort Kochi Beach: The beach of Fort Kochi is an ideal location to relax in a quiet and relaxed way. This beach happens to be one of the favourite tourist spots in Kerala. The view of the sunset with the Chinese fishing net and the sailing ships in the background is a nice experience. Along the coastline there are many bungalows in European style. You can visit the Dutch palace and the Jewish synagogue from outside, because it is closed on Saturday. Chinese fishing nets: The very popular tourist attraction in the port of Cochin are the Chinese fishing nets. These nets are unique in their species and are only found in India. The fishing nets were popularized in the port of Cochin by the traders of the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan.

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In the morning after breakfast you will travel to Munnar in the state of Kerala. Upon arrival you will be taken to your hotel accommodation and after a short stop you will visit a tea plantation for a tour and tea tasting and the local market in Munnar. Then you will be taken to your hotel accommodation and you will spend the rest of the day off. Background information Munnar The hill town of Munnar, named as one of the most beautiful places in Kerala and India, is worth a visit. The hill town, nestled in the lush lap of the West Ghats, is surrounded by rolling hills covered with tea plantations. The city was inhabited in the British Raj era and there are many remains from that period in the mansions, churches and the charming city.

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In the morning after breakfast you continue to Periyar. Upon arrival in Periyar you have the rest of the day free to spend. Background information Periyar: Periyar is one of the most popular national parks in South India, but nowadays it is more known for its serene atmosphere than for the sightings of wild animals. The unique character of the sanctuary extends around the shores of an immensely artificial lake created a century ago by the damming of the Periyar River. The sanctuary is known for the Tigers. It has a wide range of animals including elephants, bison, lemurs leopards, jungle cats, wild dogs, mouse deer, gur, sambar deer and barking deer. The sanctuary houses a wide variety of rich flora and rare fauna.

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In the morning after a relaxing night's sleep and a delicious breakfast, take a boat ride through Lake Periyar. The best way to experience the lush flora and fauna of Periyar is in the early morning for a boat ride across Lake Periyar. Most activities take place around the lake. There are about 700 elephants running around the forest, and are usually seen on the shores of Lake Periyar. Later in the day, the guide will pick you up at the hotel for a tour to the nearby herb plantation. Cinnamon and ginger, pepper and cardamom and various other herbs grown on the Periyar Hill made it the taste factory of nature in the 14th century. Then you will be returned to your hotel accommodation for your overnight stay. In the evening you are invited to the New Year's gala.

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Houseboat Allepey Backwaters Experience Afterwards you continue to Allepey and board a deluxe houseboat, one of the highlights of Kerala, namely a night on board traditional houseboat of Kerala. These rice ships or "Kettuvallams" sail along the shallow lakes with palm trees and narrow canals. The houseboat takes you through the villages built on narrow stretches of land, where there is mooring for a visit to the local markets, or to see the unique works of the craftsmen engaged in the centuries-old tradition of making boats. These houseboats offer one or two small cabins with a small seating area and a crew of 2 staff and a chef. The Houseboats serves authentic Keralan cuisine. The overnight stay on the Houseboat is a special experience.

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In the morning after breakfast you will travel back to Cochin and you will spend the rest of the day off.

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In the morning you will be met by our representative and helped with the check-out formalities. Then you will be escorted to the airport in time to board your flight to Mumbai Departure: Cochin at 3:40. By flight Arrival: Mumbai at 5:50. Upon arrival you will be received by a representative of Tapasya Travel and will be taken to your hotel accommodation.

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Full of new, unique experiences and memories, you will be taken about four hours before your flight to Mumbai International Airport, for your flight to Amsterdam The services of Tapasya Travel end with dropping off at Mumbai airport and wish you a safe trip home.

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