Escorted Tours 2020 & 2021 - 2nd Edition - Mercury Holidays

24 INDIAN SUBCONTINENT MEAL PLAN: All meals included ACCOMMODATION Cochin 2 nights 5 ★ Hotel Casino Thrissur 2 nights 3 ★ River Retreat Munnar 2 nights 4 ★ Tea County Resort Thekkady 1 night 4 ★ Aranya Nivas Alleppey 1 night Traditional House Boat Trivandrum 2 nights 4 ★ Uday Suites DAY 1: UK TO COCHIN Depart London on your scheduled, overnight flight to Cochin, via Dubai. DAY 2: COCHIN D On arrival at Cochin International airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel where you will check-in and have dinner. The rest of your evening is at leisure. DAY 3: COCHIN B/L/D Following breakfast at your hotel, unwind with a 45-minute Ayurveda treatment before enjoying a traditional lunch of Sadhya, a delicacy in Kerala served on a banana leaf. Later today, begin a tour of Cochin; considered the historic centre of India’s spice trade, an intriguing mix of Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and British cultures are showcased within its fascinating combination of architectural treasures. Discover ancient Chinese influences within the impressive fishing nets, still used daily by locals, and feel a fresh breeze sweep across your face as you take a thrilling ride through the village in a tuk-tuk. Continue to the Mattanchery Dutch Palace and witness an excellent example of traditional Kerala style architecture, strewn with colonial influences. Following a visit to St Francis Church, the oldest European church in India, return to your hotel in Cochin later this evening. DAY 4: COCHIN TO THRISSUR B/L/D Affectionately referred to as ‘The Niagara of India’, journey into a land of surpassing beauty and witness a thundering showcase of cascading water at Athirapilly Waterfalls; plummeting from a height of 80 feet, soak in incredible views of the biggest waterfall in Kerala, before continuing onwards to the cultural capital of Thrissur. Boasting a strong religious and spiritual background, visit the temple of Vadukkumnathan dedicated to the Hindu God of Shiva, and continue to the crimson Paramekavu Devi Temple. Later this afternoon, travel to your hotel in Thrissur, where you will spend the next two nights. DAY 5: THRISSUR B/L/D Following breakfast, today will be your chance to gain insight into the local culture with ‘A Day with the Masters’, an introduction to the world of Kerala’s traditional performing arts. Learn about traditional Sanskrit theatre, percussion music and the training of each art form, as well as the life of an artist. Retire to your hotel in the evening for dinner and your overnight stay. DAY 6: THRISSUR TO MUNNAR B/L/D Depart Thrissur this morning and journey to Munnar, a region known for its verdant expanse of tea plantations, rolling valleys and mountainsides. Stopping en route for lunch, enjoy the rest of the day at leisure where you may choose to relax at your hotel or perhaps hire a bicycle to ride amongst Munnar’s beautiful winding paths, soaking in the refreshingly cool climate and absorbing breath-taking views of mist-shrouded emerald hills which stretch beyond the horizon. DAY 7: MUNNAR B/L/D Embark on a full day tour of Munnar and delight in today’s exploration of a nature lover’s paradise. Nestled within the hills of Munnar, gaze upon the mirror-like waters of Mattupetty Lake, listen to the echo of your own voice bouncing off the surrounding hills at Echo Point, bask in blissful serenity from the picturesque shores of Kundala Lake, and witness the striking Jungle Honey Bee Tree, where over 25 active honey bee hives occupy a single tree! Continue to some of the most elevated tea plantations in the world, where its cool climate provides the perfect conditions for cultivating the key ingredient of this hugely popular beverage. Absorb breath-taking vistas of this verdant land, peppered with brightly dressed tea pickers, before witnessing a biodiverse oasis of flora and fauna as you traverse the rugged terrain at Rajamalai National Park, famous for its largest surviving population of Nilgiri Tahr (wild goat). Characterised by winding rivers, exotic wildlife, and lush landscapes, Kerala exudes tranquillity and beauty. Discover the most captivating areas including an overnight boat cruise on the rural backwaters and wildlife spotting in Periyar National Park. KERALA EXPLORER 12 days from £1,199pp TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ✔ City tours of Cochin and Trivandrum ✔ Cruise the backwaters of Alleppey with an overnight stay on a traditional houseboat ✔ Two 45-minute Ayurvedic massages ✔ Traditional tea plantations in Munnar ✔ Take in spectacular views from Thekkady in the Cardamom Hills ✔ Boat safari on Periyar Lake ✔ The mighty cascade of Athirapally Waterfalls PACE: Munnar To book or for further information visit your local travel agent or call us FREE on 0800 408 0556