Day 1: Arrive Mumbai

Upon arrival in Mumbai, you will be transferred to your hotel. Relax for the day and get ready for the exciting journey ahead.

 

Day 2: Mumbai Sightseeing

After breakfast, proceed for a full-day sightseeing tour of Mumbai. Visit the Gateway of India, the iconic landmark of the city, and take a ferry ride to the Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, visit the Banganga, an ancient water tank believed to have mythological significance. In the afternoon, explore the heritage landmarks of Colaba and Dhobighat, including the famous Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the Victoria Terminus, and the Gothic-inspired St. Thomas Cathedral. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

 

Day 3: Mumbai - Aurangabad (flight) - Ellora Caves

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Aurangabad. Upon arrival, check-in to your hotel and proceed for a full-day excursion to the Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an architectural marvel. Also, visit the Jyotirlinga Temple, a sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the Daulatabad Fort, a 14th-century fortress known for its stunning architecture. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

 

Day 4: Aurangabad - Ajanta - Aurangabad (280kms round)

After breakfast, take a full-day excursion to the Ajanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient Buddhist rock-cut cave temples and monasteries. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Aurangabad.

 

Day 5: Aurangabad - Hyderabad (flight)

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a city tour of Aurangabad, visiting Bibi Ka Maqbara, a tomb built in memory of Aurangzeb's wife, and Panchakki, a water mill that dates back to the 17th century. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Hyderabad. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel for an overnight stay.

 

Day 6: Hyderabad

After breakfast, proceed for a full-day sightseeing tour of Hyderabad. Visit the famous Charminar, a monument and mosque built in 1591, and the nearby Laad Bazaar, a popular shopping district. Next, visit the Salar Jung Museum, one of the largest museums in the world, which houses a vast collection of art, artifacts, and antiquities from around the world. Return to your hotel for an overnight stay.

 

Day 7: Hyderabad – Vidyanagar (FLIGHT)/ Hampi

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for your flight to Vidyanagar. Upon arrival, transfer to Hampi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its ancient ruins and temples. Check in to your hotel for an overnight stay.

 

Day 8: Hampi

After breakfast, explore Hampi, the former capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire. Visit the Hazara Rama Temple, which is known for its intricate carvings depicting scenes from the epic Ramayana. Next, visit the Royal Enclosure, which was the residential area of the royal family. Later, visit the Vittala Temple, which is known for its famous stone chariot and musical pillars. In the evening, enjoy a beautiful sunset from the top of Matanga Hill. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

 

Day 9: Hampi - Hassan (330km)

After breakfast, you'll depart for Hassan, which is around a 6-hour drive from Hampi. Enroute, you'll visit the famous Belur and Halebidu Temples, known for their intricate architecture and sculptures. After exploring these temples, you'll continue your drive to Hassan. Upon arrival, you'll check-in at the hotel and have the rest of the day at leisure.

 

Day 10: Hassan - Mysore (140km)

After breakfast, depart for Mysore. Upon arrival, check-in to the hotel and proceed for sightseeing. Visit the Mysore Palace, which is the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty. Next, visit the Chamundi Hill, a famous hill that offers a panoramic view of the city and has a sacred temple dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari. Later, visit the St. Philomena's Church, a Neo-Gothic style church built-in 1936, which is one of the largest churches in India. In the evening, visit the Brindavan Gardens, a beautiful garden with fountains and colorful lights that are a treat to the eyes. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

 

Day 11: Mysore - Ooty (120km)

After breakfast, drive to Ooty, a picturesque hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. Later, embark on a sightseeing tour of Ooty. Visit the Ooty Lake, a man-made lake that offers boating facilities and scenic views of the surrounding hills. Next, visit the Government Botanical Garden, which houses a wide variety of exotic plants and flowers. Afterwards, visit St. Stephen's Church, one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris, built-in 1829. Then, visit the Stone House, a historic building built-in 1822 and believed to be the first bungalow constructed in Ooty. Later, visit Doddabetta Peak, the highest point in the Nilgiris and a popular spot for panoramic views of the surrounding hills. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

 

Day 12: Ooty - Munnar (240kms)

After breakfast, enjoy a toy train ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that runs between Ooty and Mettupalayam. The train ride offers breathtaking views of the Nilgiri Hills and the surrounding tea plantations. After the train ride, drive to Munnar, a scenic hill station in Kerala. On arrival, check-in at the hotel and relax for the rest of the day.

 

Day 13: Munnar

After breakfast, visit the Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, and Mattupetty Dam, a popular picnic spot known for its scenic beauty and boating facilities. In the afternoon, visit the Tea Museum, which showcases the history and production process of tea in the region. Spend the evening at leisure.

 

Day 14: Munnar - Thekkady (110km)

After breakfast, drive to Thekkady, a scenic town known for its spice plantations and Periyar National Park. On the way, visit the Lockhart Gap Viewpoint and the Anayirangal Dam, known for its scenic beauty. Check-in to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

 

Day 15: Thekkady

After breakfast, visit the Periyar National Park, a wildlife sanctuary known for its diverse flora and fauna, and take a boat ride on the Periyar Lake, where you can spot animals like elephants, tigers, and wild boars. In the afternoon, visit a spice plantation and learn about the cultivation and processing of spices like cardamom, pepper, and cloves. Spend the evening at leisure.

 

Day 16: Thekkady - Alleppey (135km)

After breakfast, drive to Alleppey, known for its backwaters, canals, and houseboats. On arrival, board a houseboat and enjoy a scenic cruise through the backwaters, passing through small villages, coconut groves, and paddy fields. Enjoy lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay on the houseboat.

 

Day 17: Alleppey - Cochin (60km)

After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat and drive to Cochin, also known as Kochi, a port city in Kerala. On arrival, visit the Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace, which showcases traditional Kerala architecture and murals. Next, visit the Jewish Synagogue, one of the oldest active synagogues in the world.

After sightseeing drop off to Cochin airport.

- Assistance on arrival at airport.

- 16 Nights' accommodation in selected price category hotels.

- Daily breakfast at hotels.

- Private AC car/van for airport transfers, sightseeing, and excursions as per the 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 16 nights accommodation

Mumbai x 2 nights
3* - Hotel Suba Palace/ BW Hotel Sahil
4* - Sun-N-Sand Hotel/ Fariyas Hotel
5* - Trident Hotel/ ITC Grand Central

Aurangabad x 2 nights
3* - Keys Hotel The Aures/ Aurangabad Gymkhana Club
4* - Ambassador Ajanta / VITS Hotel
5* - WelcomHotel Rama International / Lemon Tree Hotel

Hyderabad x 2 nights
3* - Aditya Park/ Lemon Tree Hotel
4* - Lemon Tree Hotel/ Fortune Park Vallabha
5* - ITC Kakatiya, a Luxury Collection/ Trident Hotel

Hampi x 2 nights
3* - Krishna Palace/ Kishkinda Heritage Resort
4* - Heritage Resort / Royal Orchid Central Keerti
5* - Hyatt Place/ Hampi Boulders

Hassan x 1 night
3* - Candy Southern Star/ Pavanputra Resort & Spa
4* & 5* - Hosyala Village Resort/ The Ashok

Mysore x 1 night
3* - Southern Star/Sandesh The Prince
4* - Fortune Park JP Palace/ Grand Mercure
5* - Royal Orchid Brindavan Garden/The Windflower Resort & Spa

Ooty x 1 nights
3* - Monarch Hotel/ Hotel Darshan
4* - Fortune Resort Sullivan Court/ Sinclairs Retreat
5* - Savoy - IHCL SeleQtions

Munnar x 2 nights
3* - Fort Munnar/ Abad Copper Castle
4* - Nature Zone Jungle Resort/ Fragrant Nature Munnar
5* - Chandys Windy Woods/ Tea County

Pariyar (Thekkady) x 2 night
3* - Abad Green Forest/ Hotel Treetop
4* - The Elephant Court/ Cardamom County
5* - Spice village/ Cardamom County

Alleppey x 1 night
3* - ATDC Houseboat/ Dream Boats
4* - ATDC Houseboat/ Dream Boats
5* - Xandari Riverscapes/ Lakes & Lagoons/ Spice Route Premium

- Mumbai - Aurangabad - Hyderabad - Vidyanagar flight fare approx INR 15,500 per person in economy class.

- Camera charges at monuments if any.

- Meals other than mentioned in the inclusions.

- Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc. 

- Gratuities and optional activities.

- Anything not mentioned in inclusions.