ItineraryOnce in a lifetime experience to discover IncrEdible India.
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LEAVING SAN FRANCISCO We embark on our exciting cultural culinary
tour from San Francisco International Airport at 2:50 in the afternoon,
traveling more than 7000 miles in almost 1.5 days until we land in India. |
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DAY 1 - WELCOME TO INDIA One Nation, countless destinations. A land of rich heritage that's ancient. The mystique of India, its history of 5000 years, philosophy, religions, fabulous historical monuments all add to its bewildering diversity to create a unique and colorful mosaic. This is the wonder that is India, come, enjoy and experience it. Reception upon arrival at the International airport and transfer to Taj President Hotel Mumbai - India's western gateway is Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra. The island of Mumbai defines itself straight from the dictionary -vibrant, vivid and electrifying. The city's rise from the dowry of a Portuguese queen (when Catherine of Braganza married England's Charles II in 1661) to the country's foremost sea port, commercial center and home to the worlds largest film industry, has been nothing short of meteoric. Mumbai, the economic powerhouse of India. Overnight at the hotel. (NO MEALS TODAY) |
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Day 2 - MUMBAI Breakfast at the hotel. Morning, sightseeing tour of Mumbai. The tour begins at the "Prince of Wales Museum (closed on Mondays)", built to commemorate King George V first visit to India in 1905. Designed in the Indo-Saracenic style, has sections of art, paintings, archeology and natural history dating back from 18th to 19th century. "The Gateway of India" Mumbai's foremost landmark overlooking the harbor, was conceived following the visit of King George V in 1911 and officially opened in 1924. A drive up to the Malabar Hill, to the hanging gardens, gives a panoramic view of the city and the Queens Necklace - the Marine Drive. The tour concludes with a drive through the Flora Fountain and Fort area and view the Gothic and Victorian style buildings. Visit the Victoria Terminus (now known as Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus) India's finest Gothic building and a bustling Railway Station. Continue drive around the Horniman Circle and visit the Town Hall, right besides the docks. Also visit Crawford Market & Dhobi Ghat. Lunch at Mahesh, Apoorva OR Gajali Seafood restaurants including "Bombay Duck". Afternoon, free at leisure. Evening, WELCOME BUFFET DINNER at the hotel including 2 glasses of Indian Wine per person. OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL (B+L+D) |
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DAY 3 - MUMBAI Breakfast at the hotel. Morning proceed for a sightseeing tour which will also include drive past by famous Bollywood actors homes (time duration of about 3 hours including travelling time). Rest of the afternoon, at leisure. Walking tour of Colaba Causway (no guide or transport). Evening, enjoy a dinner at the iconic "Bade Mia" Street Restaurant (Street Food) OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL (B+D) |
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DAY 4 - MUMBAI, MADURAI Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer from hotel to the airport in time for: Afternoon,, city tour of Madurai. Reception upon arrival at the airport and transfer to Taj Gateway Hotel Pasumalai Madurai - is an animated city packed with pilgrims, vendors, business people, bullock carts and legions of under employed rickshaw pullers. It is one of the Southern India's oldest cities and has been a center of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. In the evening, witness Temple ceremony at Shree Meenakshi temple. Dinner at the Hotel. OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL (B+D) |
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DAY 5 - MADURAI, KUMARAKOM Breakfast at the hotel. After early breakfast, drive from Madurai to Kumarakom (265 km/4.5 hours) enroute stop at Spice Village for Lunch and Spice tour at the Spice Village. You will learn a great deal about Spices from Master Chefs' Ranjan Dey and Abrahim. You also have an opportunity to buy fresh spices and herbs. Enjoy a South Indian lunch with home grown spices and vegetables. Finish the day by check-in at the The Zuri Resort. Buffet Dinner at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL (B+L+D) |
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DAY 6 - KUMARAKOM Early morning visit Bird Sanctuary: located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, an ornithologist's paradise, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. Return back to hotel for breakfast. Cooking demonstration of "Appam" in the open breakfast kitchen. Buffet Lunch at the hotel. 1600 hours - depart for a breathtaking 2.5-hours backwater Champagne Cruise and view the fascinating sunset from the cruise. After Sunset cruise, return back hotel. Cruise on the enchanting backwaters through the coconut groves and quiet lagoons. The swaying coconut palms almost dip into the waters, and on chunks of land that nudge the 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 too & fro across these waters from dawn to dusk. 1800 hours - return to hotel. Buffet Dinner at the hotel. OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL (B+L+D) |
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DAY 7 - KUMARAKOM, COHIN Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive from Kumarakom to Cochin (85 kms /2.5 hours) and check-in at Taj Gateway Hotel Ernakulam Kochi (Cochin) : Now known as Kochi, is one of India's largest ports where the misty silhouettes of huge merchant ships can be seen anchored off the point of Fort Cochin waiting for a berth in the docks of Ernakulam or Willingdon island. With its wealth of historical associations - since the times it was visited by the Portuguese, the Dutch and British, this city is a magical blend. Here you can see the oldest church in India, a 500 years old Portuguese house, the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, a Jewish synagogue and the palace built by the Portuguese. On arrival proceed for the sightseeing tour of Cochin. The tour begins from "The Dutch Palace (closed on Fridays)" also known as Mattancherry Palace, built by Portuguese in 1555, which is famous for its murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the Puranic legends. Adjacent to the palace is the Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays & Saturdays) built in 1568. Also visit the St. Francis Church (closed on Sundays), established by the Portuguese Franciscan friars in 1503. Vasco Da Gama was buried in the courtyard of this European church built in India. Evening, witness a Kathakali dance performance at a local theatre, performed by various artists. Kathakali is a traditional dance form, depicting Indian epics (Ramayana and Mahabharata). The dancers are dressed in very colorful and elaborate costumes. Their faces are painted to depict various characters of these epics. This dance has a lot of facial expressions and brisk, yet articulate body movements. Buffet Dinner at the hotel. OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL. (B+D) |
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DAY 8 - COCHIN Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure. OPTIONAL: Ayurvedic message and Yoga Classes on payment basis. Afternoon, visit Spice Board (subject to availability) and visit spice market. Kerala Cooking Demonstration and dinner at KODER HOUSE OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL (B+D) |
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DAY 9 - COCHIN, GOA Breakfast at the Hotel. Transfer from hotel to the airport in time for: Reception upon arrival at the airport and transfer to Taj Fort Aguada Beach Resort Buffet Dinner at the hotel. OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL (B+D) |
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DAY 10 - GOA Breakfast at the Hotel. Morning proceed for a sightseeing tour of Goa. The tour begins from Old Goa - visit the St. Francis of Assisi Church, built in 1661, it contains gilded and carved woodwork, old murals, depicting scenes from the life of St. Francis. The Basilica of Bom Jesus is famous throughout the Roman Catholic world. Visit the Cathedral to explore its Iberian exterior and its lavish interiors, which, enshrine the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. Also visit the starkly beautiful Convent of Saint Monica, the construction of which began in 1594 while the church was competed in 1605. Later visit the "Se Cathedral", the largest of the Churches of Old Goa, also known for its numerous altars, built during the reign of King Dom Sabastiao (1557-78) completed by 1619. Continue the tour visit some of the pristine beaches like the Dona Paola. Conclude your tour with a walk through the bustling life of Panjim city. Lunch on your own. Be bold and brave - try a shot of local liquor - FENNY - a rice or cashew fermented liquor, a pungent punch version of Tequila Afternoon visit to some of the local markets like Mapusa market for look around and shopping. Farewell Seafood Dinner at a local restaurant. OVERNIGHT AT THE HOTEL (B+D) |
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DAY 11 - GOA, MUMBAI, ABROAD Breakfast at the Hotel After breakfast, visit Spice plantation for Cooking Demonstration for a dish or two followed by lunch (Goan Hindu Food ). There is also an Elephant farm at the plantation. Later transfer to the airport in time for: *****END OF SERVICES***** |
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