Escorted Tours 2022-23 2nd Edition

19 Hundreds more escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk Southern Asia Kerala backwaters P R I V A T E T O U R U P G R A D E S F R O M £99 Day 1: UK to Cochin Depart the UK on your overnight flight, via Dubai. Day 2: Cochin D On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for dinner and an evening of leisure. Day 3: Cochin B/L/D Following breakfast, unwind with a 45-minute Ayurveda treatment before enjoying a traditional lunch of Sadhya. Later today, begin your city tour, visiting the Mattanchery Dutch Palace and St Francis Church, India’s oldest European church. Day 4: Cochin to Thrissur B/L/D After breakfast, journey to the Athirapally Waterfalls which, falling from a height of 80 ft, are one of the highest in the state. Later, travel to Thrissur, visiting the Vadkumnathan and Paramekkavu Devi Temples. Day 5: Thrissur B/L/D Following breakfast, 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. Day 6: Thrissur to Munnar B/L/D Travel to Munnar, stopping en route for lunch, then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Day 7: Munnar B/L/D Embark on a full-day tour of Munnar, a nature lover’s paradise. Gaze upon the dazzling waters of Mattupetty Lake, listen to the range of echoes at Echo Point, bask in blissful serenity from Kundala Lake, and witness the striking Jungle Honey Bee Tree. Continue to some of the most elevated tea plantations in the world, before witnessing a biodiverse oasis at Rajamalai National Park. Day 8: Munnar to Thekkady B/L/D The tour will then journey to Thekkady, a stunning area located high in the Cardamom hills containing tea gardens, rubber, coffee and pepper plantations. Following lunch, a visit to a plantation and spice market awaits you. Day 9: Thekkady to Alleppey B/L/D A highlight of Thekkady is the Periyar National Park, India’s largest wildlife sanctuary. Board a boat upon Periyar Lake, where you will have the chance to spot a range of wildlife including Bengal tigers. Later today, journey to Alleppey, and board a traditional houseboat for your overnight cruise along the winding backwaters, enjoying stunning rural scenery of the surrounding Kerala villages and waters. Day 10: Alleppey to Trivandrum B/L/D After breakfast, travel to Trivandrum and stop at the Jatayupara Earth Centre. Visible from afar, the world’s largest bird sculpture which pays tribute to the mythical bird from Hindu epic, Ramayana. Day 11: Trivandrum B/L/D This morning, enjoy a city tour of Trivandrum. Witness the magnificent Kanakakunnu Palace and marvel at the Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple. Return to your hotel for another Ayurvedic massage and farewell dinner. Day 12: Trivandrum to the UK B Transfer for your return flight, via Dubai, or continue on to your chosen extension. Extend your tour Ayurvedic Treatment, 3 nights, Full Board from £189 Kerala beach stay, 3 nights, 5 H Full Board from £199 Kerala Explorer Tour highlights ✔ Enjoy a cruise on a traditional houseboat through Alleppey winding backwaters ✔ Tour Cochin and Trivandrum ✔ Visit the lush tea plantations of Munnar ✔ Embark on a Periyar Lake boat safari in search of wildlife ✔ Witness the mighty cascade of Athirapally Waterfalls Tour includes • All meals daily • 3 and 4 H accommodation: Cochin-Hotel Casino, Thrissur-River Retreat, Munnar-Tea County Resort, Thekkady- Aranya Nivas, Alleppey-Traditional House Boat, Trivandrum-Uday Suites • Flights from London Heathrow with Emirates (via Dubai) Tour pace: Intermediate No Single Supplement Rooms available with no single supplement. Once sold, single supplement starts from £219 Characterised by winding rivers, exotic wildlife, and lush landscapes, Kerala exudes tranquillity and beauty. Discover the most captivating areas including an overnight backwaters cruise and wildlife spotting in Periyar National Park.  Trivandrum Thekkady Munnar Thrissur Cochin Alleppey < Periyar National Park <     Coach Air Departures & from prices 17 Nov 22 £1,959 20 Apr 23 £1,599 1 Dec 22 £1,619 4 May 23 £1,349 12 Jan 23 £1,899 11 May 23 £1,439 19 Jan 23 £1,799 18 May 23 £1,539 26 Jan 23 £1,999 5 Oct 23 £1,679 2 Feb 23 £1,919 12 Oct 23 £1,679 16 Feb 23 £1,849 19 Oct 23 £1,799 2 Mar 23 £1,849 9 & 16 Nov 23 £1,759 16 Mar 23 £1,839 23 Nov 23 £1,759 30 Mar 23 £1,879 30 Nov 23 £1,759 2024 DATES AVAILABLE AT 2023 PRICES • Solo Group departures available 18 May 23 from £1,699 and 21 Sep 23 from £1,659