Luxury South India Tour

1. Day - Goa/ Mumbai by flight & Mumbai / Onward Destination
   Today we are transferred to airport for our flight to Mumbai where we take our flight to onward destination

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
2. Day 1 - Arrive Mumbai
   Namaste – Welcome to India! Upon arrival, we are greeted the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together and are transferred to our Iconic Hotel in Mumbai – Taj Mahal Palace & Tower.  Late afternoon we leave for a walking tour of the Kolaba Causeway. There after we return to our hotel.
3. Day 2 - Mumbai
   Enjoy a sumptuous breakfast at the Sea Lounge.  After that we start our tour with a visit to the Gateway of India, Mumbai's most famous monument. Here we embark on a ferry for excursion to the Elephanta Caves*, located on an island in the Sea of Oman. The caves contain a stunning collection of rock art linked to the cult of Shiva, with huge reliefs adorning the main cavern. We return to Mumbai by ferry.  There after visit Mumbai’s open-air laundry, followed by Mani Bhawan and drive pass Tower of Silence.  Rest of the day is free for shopping and other personal activities.  Evening Enjoy a Welcome Dinner at Masala Kraft at Taj Mahal Mumbai. (19:30 onwards) Please note, Elephanta caves are closed on Monday.

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Dinner
4. Day 3 - Mumbai
   We have an option to either request for breakfast to be delivered in room or enjoy your breakfast at the Sea Lounge or the all-day dining restaurant. (In Room Breakfast needs to be pre ordered from previous night). Thereafter witness the Mumbai Dabba Wala. The dabbawalas constitute a lunchbox delivery and return system that delivers hot lunches from homes and restaurants to people at work in India, especially in Mumbai. The lunchboxes are picked up in the late morning, delivered predominantly using bicycles and railway trains, and returned empty in the afternoon. We enjoy Lunch at the famous Leopold Restaurant. This iconic café and historic Leopold Cafe in south Mumbai's Colaba area has been one of the city's most iconic restaurants, both for travellers as well as locals. It was also one of the first sites to be targeted during the city-wide terrorist strikes on 26 November, 2008, which predated the recent Paris attacks by seven years. Started in 1871 by Iranis (Zoroastrians who migrated from Iran to India), Leopold Cafe was famous long before 26/11 happened. Crammed with foreign tourists and locals, it even featured in Australian author Gregory David Robert's bestselling novel Shantaram. Today, the cafe remains as popular as ever — an evergreen institution where you can soak in history with a chilled drink Next, gear up for an adventure with a visit to a Bollywood shooting at one of the studios in Mumbai. The remainder of the day is free Please note, Bollywood shooting and Dabba Wala services are daily except on Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays.

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Lunch
5. Day 4 - Mumbai/ Cochin by flight
   Today we are transferred to airport for our flight to Cochin. On arrival we are met and transferred to Brunton Boatyard, an amalgamation of the architectural splendour of Fort Kochi's colonial past.  In the evening we visit Nimmy Paul for a culinary demonstration followed by special banana leaf dinner especially curated for us.

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Dinner
6. Day 5 - Cochin
   In the morning we explore Kochi, formerly known as Cochin, Kerala’s commercial capital with one of the finest natural harbours in the world. We visit St. Francis Church, the oldest European Church in India. Vasco De Gama was buried here before his remains were taken back to Portugal. Next, we visit the Roman Catholic Santa Cruz Cathedral built by the Portuguese in the 16th century; which is famous for beautiful paintings on its ceiling. We continue to the Jewish Quarter with its Old Synagogue and the Dutch Palace, built by the Portuguese. Later we take a boat cruise to visit Bolghatty Palace and observe the fascinating Chinese fishing nets in action. In the evening we enjoy Kathakali Dance Performance. This dramatized presentation of a play usually based on the Hindu epics of Ramayana, Mahabharata and Puranas, is a unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance.  Evening we enjoy Sea food Dinner Please note, Jewish Synagogue remains closed on Friday and Saturday & Dutch Palace remains closed on Friday.

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Dinner
7. Day 6 - Cochin / Alleppey (Drive 80 Km/ 02 Hours)
   After breakfast we drive to Alleppey and board Oberoi Vrinda cruise. Cruise along the main waterways from Vembanad Lake to Alleppey. Meet local fishermen fishing for 'karimeen', also called 'pearl spot'. Evening entertainment: An authentic performance of 'Kathakali' dance which tells stories from the ancient Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabarata. All meals freshly prepared on board by Oberoi chefs.

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Lunch
   • Dinner
8. Day 7 - Allepey
   We take rice boat excursion along narrow rural waterways and witness farming below sea level. We also visit the half-statue of Lord Buddha at Karumadi and a traditional Kerala 'tharavad' (family residence). Evening entertainment: A traditional performance of 'Vrindavadyam', a musical fusion of classical instruments. All meals freshly prepared on board by Oberoi chefs.

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
   • Lunch
   • Dinner
9. Day 8 - Alleppey/ Cochin (Drive: 80 Km/ 02 Hours) & Cochin/ Bangalore by flight
   Breakfast on board cruise. After that we are transferred to Cochin airport for our flight to Bangalore. On arrival we are transferred to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free.

   Meals Included

   • Breakfast
10. Day 9 - Bangalore
    Today we take an excursion to Mysore. We visit Mysore Palace – Once the capital, seat of power of the ruling Wodeyars, is one of the largest of its kind in India and one of the most splendid.  This Indo-Saracenic building has among other things stained glass chamber ceilings, a carved silver door, a solid gold throne and a gallery of exquisite.  Next, we visit Shri Chamundeswari Temple and the Nadi Shiva's Mount. After that we visit Srirangapatnam, the island fortress that was once the capital of the warrior –kings Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, the Tiger of Mysore.  After the tour, we return to Bangalore.

    Meals Included

    • Breakfast
11. Day 10 - Bangalore/ Vidyanagar by flight # 2T 621, Dep: 15:45 Hrs, Arr: 16:45 Hrs & Drive to Hampi (45 Km)
    After early breakfast we explore Bangalore, visiting the Vidhana Soudha, an imposing edifice built almost entirely of dressed Bangalore granite, that houses the Legislative Chambers of the state government; the 3000 acres of verdant tranquility of Cubbon Park; Tipu Sultan's Palace, now a museum, and one of the most remarkable Islamic buildings in the city; Lal Bagh Garden, India's most beautiful botanical gardens with rare trees brought from far off Persia, Afghanistan and France.  In the afternoon we are transferred to airport for our flight to Vidyanagar. On arrival we drive to Hampi and check in at Evolve Back Kamalapura Palace.

    Meals Included

    • Breakfast
12. Day 11 - Hampi
    Today we explore Hampi - the magnificent city of ruins. A World Heritage Centre, Hampi is the most beautiful and evocative of all the ruins in Karnataka. This erstwhile capital of the Vijaynagar Empire boasts some exquisite examples of temple architecture of that period. The Vittala Temple, here is noted for its sculpted stone chariot and carved pillars that produce musical notes when struck. The Virupaksha Temple rises majestically and is the only temple at Hampi that is still used for worship. The Hazararama Temple, ornate with intricate carvings depicts scenes from the Ramayana. The other places of interest are Lotus Mahal: shaped like a lotus flower from above. Elephant Stables is a huge stable and a beautiful example of Hindu-Muslim style of architecture, housing 11 elephants in separate compartments. Pushkarini Tank, Mahanavami Dibba, and Mustard Ganesh: This is a 9 feet tall single stone statue, which is also known as Sasivikalu Ganesh. Noblemen's Palace: This place was recently discovered, and they suspect this was for aristocrats and high-ranking officials. Rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy spa facilities at the hotel on direct payment or write a journal.

    Meals Included

    • Breakfast
    • Dinner
13. Day 12 - Hampi / Vidyanagar (Drive: 45 km) & Vidyanagar / Hyderabad by flight #2T 264, Dep: 17:10 Hrs, Arr: 18:00 Hrs
    Today we are transferred to Vidyanagar airport for our flight to Hyderabad. On arrival we are transferred our luxurious Palace hotel Taj Falaknuma Palace.  Taj Falaknuma Palace Retrace the steps of Nizams, European royalty, enchanting Begums, distinguished Heads of State and walk the walk of Kings through this Palace in the sky. 2000 feet above Hyderabad, Taj Falaknuma Palace's 60 beautifully refurbished and lovingly restored rooms allow you to journey into the clouds and into the glided ages, where grandeur and excess is celebrated and savoured in equal measure.  On arrival at the Palace gates we are welcomed by the hotel staff. Thereafter we board the traditional horse carriage used by the Nizams (the rulers of Hyderabad) and are driven to the main porch where we get the flavour of Royal Indian hospitality. At the porch the butlers in their traditional outfit offer us the traditional welcome drink "Khas Sharbat" which the former Nizam used to offer to the royal dignitaries. Thereafter we check into our pre checked in Palace Rooms. The Palace Rooms are about richness, beauty, perfection and luxury, all of which have been channeled through the medium of royalty. You can see the commitment to these ideals in the rich fabrics, gleaming oak wood floors, hand-painted walls and its literal reflection in the bathroom's mirrored tiles.

    Meals Included

    • Breakfast
14. Day 13 - Hyderabad
    Today we explore the city with a visit to the Charminar, Hyderabad’s most important landmark, built in 1591. The Charminar is a square structure with each side 20 meters (60 feet) long, with four grand arches each facing a fundamental point that open into four streets. At each corner stands an exquisitely shaped minaret, 56 meters (184 feet) high, with a double balcony. Each minaret is crowned by a bulbous dome with dainty petal-like designs at the base. Unlike the Taj Mahal's, Charminar's four fluted minarets are built into the main structure. There are 149 winding steps to reach the upper floor. The structure is also known for its profusion of stucco decorations and the arrangement of its balustrades and balconies. Next, we visit the Mecca Masjid, dating to the Qutb Shahi period. It took 78 years to build. It is the second largest mosque in India and reputedly the seventh largest in the world. Its enormous colonnades are monoliths, carved from single blocks of pink granite. Mecca Masjid can accommodate 10,000 worshippers quite comfortably.   Afternoon is free to enjoy the various facilities at hotel like Spa, pool. Please note, Charminar remains closed on Friday.

    Meals Included

    • Breakfast
15. Day 14 - Hyderabad/ Goa by flight
    Today we are transferred to airport for our flight to Goa. Upon arrival we are met and transferred to our ITC Grand Goa. Nestled in serene South Goa, amidst lush 45 acres of landscaped gardens, swaying coconut palms and shimmering lagoons - the ITC Grand Goa Resort & Spa, with direct access to the pristine Arossim beach, provides all the ingredients for an invigorating or intimate relaxed getaway. This beach-side, village-styled resort's architecture draws inspiration from the Indo-Portuguese vintage and blends classical elegance with a distinctive regional allure that's infused in its service, cuisine, rituals and more - promising a truly immersive experience. The remainder of the day is free.

    Meals Included

    • Breakfast
16. Day 15 - Goa
    Today we take tour of Old Goa visiting the Churches and Convents of Goa*, the former capital of the Portuguese Indies, illustrate the evangelization of Asia. These monuments were influential in spreading forms of Manueline, Mannerist and Baroque art in all the countries of Asia where missions were established. We will visit the Basilica of Bom Jesus, built in the 16th century, where the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier are enshrined; the Se Cathedral, which is the most imposing of all churches at Old Goa. Its vaulted interior overwhelms the visitors by its sheer grandeur. The cathedral has five bells of which one is the famous Golden bell, the biggest in Goa and one of the best in the World. The remainder of the day is free to relax on the beach or enjoy the bazaars of Goa.

    Meals Included

    • Breakfast
17. Day 16 - Goa
    The day is free to relax on the beach.  In the evening we enjoy farewell dinner at Martins’ Corner with cocktail.

    Meals Included

    • Breakfast
    • Dinner

* DENOTES UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES INCLUDED