To Kerala on the Konkan Railway

We depart from London Heathrow on our flight to Mumbai,
travelling via Abu Dhabi. On arrival on Day 2, we
transfer to the ITC Grand Central Hotel for a 2-night stay. This
afternoon we begin our explorations with a sightseeing tour, taking
in Gandhi's house, Dhobi Ghat, and the UNESCO-listed Victoria
Railway Station.

We visit the Prince of Wales Museum today, where we enjoy
viewing a range of art and artefacts housed in a magnificent
20th-century colonial-style building. This afternoon we take an
excursion to the Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site
located on Elephanta Island, where 2 cave systems dating back to
the 5th century display delicate sculptures of Shiva and
Buddha.

Early this morning, we leave Mumbai for the first stage of our
journey along the renowned Konkan Railway, a 463-mile route that
connects Mumbai to Mangaluru via Goa and the Western Ghats. This
coastal line takes us through some of the most scenic backdrops in
the country as we travel southwards, sandwiched between landscapes
of majestic mountains and plunging waterfalls and the deep blue
waters of the Arabian Sea. We arrive in Goa this afternoon where we
check into our hotel.

On Day 5, we enjoy a guided tour of Old Goa. As
a former Portuguese colony, its architecture has pronounced
European influences and it enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status. We
visit the striking Basilica of Bom Jesus and the Church of St
Francis of Assisi. Following lunch at a Goan Portuguese house, we
visit Panjim and enjoy a heritage walking tour exploring the local
market.

Following a morning at leisure in Goa, we rejoin the Konkan
Railway for the last stretch of our scenic journey to Mangaluru,
situated on the Malabar Coast. Here, we spend 2 nights at the
Gateway Hotel.

On Day 7, we enjoy a guided tour of Mangaluru,
seeing the imposing Sultan Battery Watchtower and Kadri Temple,
whose exteriors are adorned by golden statues of Hindu deities. We
also visit the St Aloysius Chapel, known for its remarkably
intricate interior paintings.

We head to the railway station this morning, making our way
southwards by train to beautiful Kerala. Our destination is Kochi,
a serene coastal city that has been attracting merchants and
visitors for over 600 years. We stop en route at Kozhikode
(formerly Calicut) for lunch. Our base for 2 nights is the Trident
Hotel in Kochi.

We take a guided tour on Day 9, that includes
the 16th-century Jewish Synagogue, the Dutch Palace, and the church
of St Francis, the oldest European church in India. After lunch we
visit the famous Chinese fishing nets, a type of fixed
installations used only in Kochi. This evening we are treated to a
to a Kathakali dance show, the traditional dance-drama of
Kerala.

Leaving Kochi today, we travel by coach inland to Periyar,
making a visit to a local tea plantation along the way. The drive
takes us through some of India's most lush scenery before we check
into our hotel, the Poetree Sarovar Portico. After settling in,
tonight we are treated to a tribal dance performance nearby.

On Day 11, we enjoy a walking tour through an
aromatic spice plantation. Later we head into Periyar National Park
where we embark on a cruise along Lake Periyar, a watering hole for
the exotic local wildlife. Although tiger-spotting opportunities
are incredibly rare, various species of birds as well as monkeys,
indigenous hogs, and deer can often be seen on the lake shore.

Today, we enjoy an unforgettable highlight of any trip to
Southern India. After driving to Alleppey, we set out on a cruise
across Kerala's peaceful lakes and backwaters aboard our very own
private houseboat. As we glide serenely into the bewildering maze
of canals and channels, we may see kingfishers perched attentively
above the riverbank and egrets swooping, just above the water.
Following lunch on board, we visit a traditional village before
returning to Alleppey, where we spend the night in Punnamada
Resort.

This morning we enjoy an insightful walking tour with the
'Preserve Alleppey Society'. This group is dedicated to the
preservation of Kerala's idyllic backwaters, as well as the history
and architecture of Alleppey town. We then enjoy a traditional
Keralan meal for lunch. Later, we travel by coach to Kovalam, a
coastal village whose sandy beaches are lined with coconut palm
trees. Here we stay for 2 nights at the Travancore Heritage hotel.
Day 14 is at leisure in Kovalam and you can spend
the day relaxing on the beach.

Today, we transfer to Trivandrum airport for our flight back to
London Heathrow via Abu Dhabi.

Please note that while every departure of this tour features the
same excursions, they may not necessarily be in the order listed
above.