Highlights : Most exciting of our festival tours: Christmas in the land of St. Francis Xavier plus a tour through God’s Own Country – Kerala.
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[These Festival Tour Programs are best run with minimum 6 travelers to a group & more]

Day 1 - ARRIVE MUMBAI (BOMBAY)
The romance and colour of India greet you as you disembark from your jet in BOMBAY - a metropolis of energy and vitality. Our representative escorts you to the hotel
On arrival at the hotel, ladies in authentic local costumes greet you with garlands and anoint your forehead with the traditional red “tikka”. Afterwards relax with a welcome drink. Overnight at hotel.

Day 2 - MUMBAI (BOMBAY) / GOA
This morning take a short flight to Goa-the picturesque land full of scenic charm and many attractions such as historic forts, elaborately ornate churches and temples, evergreen hills and mountains, winding rivers, creeks and fields and particularly, the palm-fringed pearly white beaches which leave any visitor spellbound.
Our representative escorts you to the hotel. Rest of the day relax on the beach.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 - GOA
This morning visit to Old Goa driving by the seashore. Here the ensemble of monasteries, convents and chapels will take you back to the days when the Apostle of the Indies, St. Francis Xavier, preached the Gospel of Christ. Visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus where the mortal remains of the Saint lie preserved in a silver ornate casket. Also visit Se Cathedral - biggest church in the East. Visit the Church of St. Cajetan modeled on the original design of St. Peter’s in Rome.

Day 4 - GOA
This morning the colour of Christmas will greet you. Christmas spirit pervades all markets that spruce themselves up and offer attractive bargains. Explore the colourful activities at the Christmas festival. Overnight at hotel.

Day 5 – GOA / MUMBAI (BOMBAY)
This morning you visit the St. Francis Church where Vasco-da-Gama was originally buried. 14 years later his mortal remains were taken to Portugal. This Protestant church was built originally by Portuguese in 1510 AD and is believed to be the first church built by the Europeans in India. Visit Santa Cruz Cathedral - Roman Catholic church situated close to St. Francis Church built by the Portuguese in 16th century. Afternoon board a short flight for Bombay. On arrival our representative escorts you to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6 - MUMBAI (BOMBAY)
This morning's city tour will take you to all of Bombay’s best known landmarks: impressive Gateway of India built in 1911, the handsome Prince of Wales Museum famous for it’s collection of miniature paintings, Marine Drive, Bombay’s sweeping shoreline, unique Hanging Gardens and Mani Bhawan, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Afternoon free. Overnight at hotel.

Day 7 - MUMBAI (BOMBAY) / COCHIN
This morning take a two-hour flight for Cochin - one of Kerala’s most interesting experiences. This is a natural harbour created by the famed underwater Malabar mud-banks, whose unique quality ensures that the rougher the seas are outside, the calmer the waters are within the harbour.

Here at dusk, the dim silhouettes of the huge merchant ships can be seen, patiently awaiting their turn for a berth in the docks. Centuries ago, tales of this exotic coastal strip had crossed the vast ocean & attracted an answering gleam in a Portuguese eye. Vasco da Gama arrived, to place Cochin on the world map.

Cochin has delightfully cosmopolitan look. A Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, mosques & Hindu temples co-exist amicably in a typical example of Indian secularism. Our representative escorts you to the hotel. Afternoon proceed to spectator Indira Gandhi Boat Race on the Kochi backwaters. The race is organized as part of Celebration Kochi. Festival highlight: over sixteen snake boats participate in this scintillating event. Rest of the day, relax amidst the picturesque surroundings. Overnight at hotel.

Day 8 - COCHIN
Early morning Boat Cruise on the enchanting backwaters through the coconut groves and quiet lagoons. Watching the sunrise in a symphony of colours is an unforgettable experience. A few minutes after you move out of the old fashioned dock, you will find yourself surrounded by lush palm-groves and lovely stretches of paddy fields.

The swaying coconut palms almost dip into the waters, and on chunks of land that nudge backwaters are little children playing in the sun.
You might see housewives cleaning rice for the day’s meal, or pounding coconut husk for coir fibre or sweeping the Muttom (front yard), completely oblivious of the regular ferry & cargo boat traffic that ply to & fro across these waters from dawn to dusk.
Independent day to enjoy Cochin Festival – Kerala Tourism organizes Celebrate Kochi (Cochin) between Dec.26-Jan.02 every year. The entire city is illuminated with colourful lights through the week. Festival highlights are: food festival, procession of theme floats, Gajamela (elephant pageants), music concerts, Jalamela (water fiestas), cultural programs etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9 – COCHIN / AGATTI LAKSHADWEEP
This morning board a short flight for Agatti.

On arrival you will be received by our representative and from there a magical two hour journey by boat to Lakshadweep or Laccadive Islands, as they were formerly called. Lakshadweep are a string of little known islands lying approx. 200 miles off the south-west coast of India. The Islands present a breathtaking spectacle of sparkling coral reefs, turquoise blue lagoons, silvery beaches and lush green coconut palms. All preserved in the state the first discoverers would have found them. You will experience a magical world to lose yourself in. Arrive and check in at Bangaram Island Resort. Laze on the silvery beaches. Soak in the sun. Listen to the sound of the waves and the swaying of palms, watch the dance of the hermit crab or the antics of the seabirds. Overnight at resort.

Day 10 - LAKSHADWEEP
Spend the day at the beach or go scuba diving and explore the marine life, dive to the remains of a 200 year-old galleon. Rest of the day relax on the beach side. Overnight at resort.

Day 11 - LAKSHADWEEP
Go snorkeling, or deep-sea-big-game-sports-fishing on a country canoe, enjoy boat trips within the lagoon. Overnight at resort.

Day 12 – LAKSHADWEEP / AGATTI / COCHIN / VARKALA
Morning depart for Agatti to board flight for Cochin. Arrive Cochin and drive to Varkala enroute visiting The Ashtamudi Arts & Crafts Festival at Ashram Maidan in Ashtamudi (approx.105 kms or 66 miles). This festival is held every year from Dec.26-Jan.05. Festival highlights are: exhibition of the traditional arts, crafts and architectural themes of Kerala, international craft film festival, seminars, talks etc.

Varkala-a quiet, secluded stretch of sand, the Papanasam beach in Varakala is known for its mineral springs and rocky cliffs. The 2000-year old Sree Janardhana Swamy temple and the Naturel Care Centre are the two main attractions here.
Upon arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight at Taj Varkala Resort.

Day 13 – VARKALA
Full day relax on the beach. Overnight at Resort.

Day 14 – VARKALA / KUMARAKOM
This morning drive to Kumarakom. Arrive and check in at HOTEL COCONUT LAGOON. Located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, adjacent to the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, the resort is built on a 10-acre coconut garden. The rooms are the old wooden houses of Kerala dating back to 100 - 150 years which have been transplanted from various locations; the public areas like the Reception and restaurants are almost 400 years old.

A unique feature in bath types are the court-yard toilets. Large, open to the sky, yet with all modern fittings and absolute privacy. The menu is international and ethnic with special emphasis on seafood and tropical fruit and vegetables. The large free form swimming pool with the sunken bar has been designed in traditional Kerala temple style.
Relax in the quiet atmosphere of the resort amidst picturesque surroundings.
Evening sunset cruise on a traditional Rice Boat. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15 – KUMARAKOM / PERIYAR
This morning depart for Periyar - nature’s "Silent Retreat". Cradled in mist shrouded mountains, Periyar nestles close to the dense rain forests of the high ranges of Sahyadri mountains. The luxuriant vegetation, sudden gushing waterfalls & an exhilarating view of the velvet valleys below form a scenic background to the journey up the Ghats. This tranquil hill retreat is accessible only by road. And the journey up is half the pleasure. Winding mountain roads bordered by undulating tea plantations. Flocks of tea-pickers calmly fill their bags in the clear mountain air. And the road winds on to Kumily, a tiny village near the Periyar Sanctuary.

Arrive and check in at hotel. Afternoon revel in the swirling whirlpools of silence. Or take a slow stroll down to the Periyar Lake. Go on a Boat Safari where you can watch wild animals from the safety of your boat, the wild elephants moving slowly, while the young ones feed on the tender shoots of elephant grass from the edge of the lake. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 16 – PERIYAR
Morning & Evening game viewing. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 17 – PERIYAR / MUNNAR
Morning visit the nearby plantations and share a cup of morning tea with the workers, or select your pick from the freshest of spices, straight from the spice gardens. Spice Village: where the past is preserved for the present. And time flows by on a seamless stream.

Periyar is the Garden of India. The crisp climate, the gentle slopes of fertile grassland and bright sunlight combine to make Periyar an ideal home for spice gardens. From pepper & cardamom to cinnamon and cloves. Pepper plants grow wild on the hillsides. While the surrounding tea plantations give off fragrances to fresh tea in the calm crystalline air.

Afternoon depart for Munnar - a nature lover’s paradise, sprawling tea plantations. Picturesque book towns, winding lanes filled with heady fragrances of fresh tea. All 1800 meters or 5904 feet above sea level. In fact Munnar has the highest peak in South India – Anaimudi which towers over 2695 meters or 8840 feet.

An assortment of wildlife such as the Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur, Sambar, Gaur and the Lion-tailed Macaque are found in the rich tropical forests around. Neelakurinji, the unique plant that blooms only once in 12 years, paints the entire Munnar hillside blue.
Arrive and check in at hotel. Rest of the day relax amidst the picturesque surroundings of Munnar. Overnight at hotel.

Day 18 – MUNNAR
This morning visit the serene hill township Devikulam-1500 meter or 4920 feet above sea level, 16 kms or 10 miles South-West of Munnar, Devikulam is a nature lover’s retreat. Trout fishing on the Devikulam lake.

Go hiking to The Eravikulam National Park- the best place to see Nilgiri Tahrs (Hemitragus hylocrious), the mountain goat of South India. With a total population of less than 2000 in the world, more than 60% of Nilgiri Tahrs are found here. The Nilgiri Langur, the Lion - tailed Macaque, Leopards and Tigers are other attractions. Overnight at hotel.

Day 19 – MUNNAR / COCHIN / MUMBAI
Morning depart for Cochin and connect flight for Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai and check in at the hotel. Rest of the day free. Overnight at hotel.

Day 20 – DEPART MUMBAI
Your India experience comes to an end as you are transferred to the International airport to board your homeward bound flight.