Splendours of Southern India Tour Brochure FOT

Travel Fred. Olsen

Agents

including Kerala House Boat stay 15 nights departing 22 October 2018, flying from London Heathrow

Fully Escorted by

Travel Fred. Olsen

Memories live s‌ longer than dream Experience the natural and living cultures of India

Agents Exclusive Travel Club

Mumbai

Bangalore

India charms, enchants and gets under your skin, and it will always surprise you.

This small (maximum 14 guests) escorted tour of Southern India Dawn Jordan will introduce you to Fred. Olsen Travel the countryside of the Dravidian South, the spice groves, coffee plantations and the extensive wildlife, including Tigers found in the national parks before finishing in the sleepy backwaters of Kerala, “Gods own Country”.

You will also experience Mumbai, a city teaming with some 13 million residents and home to “Bollywood” plus the architectural jewels of Mysore.

Join me on this once in a life time experience,the memories of which will live with you forever.

22 Oct - Depart London for overnight flight to Mumbai 23 Oct - Mumbai Arrive am and transfer to your hotel.

Overnight at Trident Hotel - Nariman Point

Mysore

Coorg

Calicut

Trident Hotel, Mumbai

24 Oct - Mumbai This morning we will visit the Gateway of India, British in 1924 to serve as a ceremonial entrance to the country and Gandhi’s headquarters, the Mani Bhawan. After lunch at a local restaurant we will visit the acclaimed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum (formerly Prince of Wales Museum) with collections of art, archaeology, and natural history.

Tonight there is a welcome dinner together at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Trident Hotel - Nariman Point (B, D)

25 Oct - Mumbai After breakfast we will visit Dharavi, Mumbai’s giant slum considered a “city within a city” with approximately 800,000 inhabitants living in less than a square mile area. Cottage industries and small businesses thrive here, accounting for Dharavi’s estimated annual economy of more than USD $650 million.

Later in the afternoon, we visit iconic Crawford Market (ca. 1869), the huge Raj-era arcade prized for its architecture where Lockwood Kipling, Rudyard Kipling’s father, designed its friezes and stone fountains.

Overnight at Trident Hotel - Nariman Point (B) 26 Oct - Mumbai - Bangalore - Mysore This morning we fly to Bangalore, and then by coach to Mysore. En-route we visit the river island town of Srirangapatna, with its celebrated 9thcentury Hindu Ranganatha Temple. The Indian ruler Tipu Sultan made his capital here and opposed the East India Company forces in four wars until he fell in a siege in 1799; the temple and the island as a whole has become an important pilgrimage site.

Overnight at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Mysore (B, L) 27 Oct - Mysore This morning, we visit the Chamundi Hills, site of the 12th-century Chamundeshwari Temple with its 1,008 ancient steps leading to the summit.

Our next stop brings more magnificent architecture, as we visit the Palace of Mysore, the home of the Maharajahs of Mysore and one of India’s most popular attractions. We also visit to a local workshop to learn how the local sandalwood incense is made by hand.

The afternoon is free to relax or to explore the local markets, museums or art galleries.

Overnight at Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Mysore (B) 28 Oct - Mysore - Coorg After a 3 hours drive to Coorg we arrive at the Orange County Resort. Set on a 300-acre working coffee and spice plantation, it has a dramatic backdrop of virgin forest and the Kaveri River. After lunch we take a walking tour of the plantation and learn about the coffee grown on it, the difference between an Arabica and a Robusta bean, and the special “monsooning” process applied to the beans.

We enjoy a cultural dance performance before dinner.

Overnight at Orange County Resort, Coorg (B, L, D)

29 Oct - Coorg Today we encounter everyday life as we wander the narrow lanes of a nearby village. Here we see a traditional coffee pour, then experience the round “coracle” boats used by local fishermen; we ride comfortably and close to water level as our boatmen expertly manoeuvre these unique vessels.

After lunch there is time to explore the extensive grounds, relax at the coffee lounge, enjoy the library or spa, or join the hotel staff on a walk to discover more of Coorg’s unique geography and culture.

Overnight at Orange County Resort, Coorg (B, L, D)

02 Nov - Calicut - Kochi - Houseboat Cruise Early this morning, we transfer to the railway station where we board a train and head south.

We then begin our leisurely cruise of the palmfringed backwater canals of the Arabian Sea, a distinctive region whose beauty and tranquillity have earned it the sobriquet “God’s own country.”

A vast network of lagoons, lakes, and canals formed by the confluence of Kerala’s numerous rivers and the Arabian Sea, the Kerala backwaters run alongside the coast for more than 550 miles.

Overnight at Kerala Houseboat (B, L, D)

30 Oct - Coorg - Kabini Early this morning, we embark on a birdwatching walk to see some of the 300 species - 25% of all India’s birds are found here.

After breakfast we leave for Nagarhole National Park, established in 1955, whose abundant wildlife, including leopard, Indian bison, wild dog, deer, antelope, hyena, and more, make it one of India’s finest reserves. In the summer months, this park also hosts the world’s greatest concentration of Asian elephants, estimated at 8,000-14,000, who migrate here to feast on riverbed pastures.

We arrive in time for a late lunch at our safari lodge, which is flanked on two sides by the Kabini River and was named one of the world’s 25 best eco-lodges by National Geographic Traveller. We then set out on a boat safari that takes in some of Nagarhole’s 247 square miles.

Overnight at Orange County Resort, Kabini (B, L, D)

03 Nov - Houseboat Cruise Today we see Indian life up close as we slowly cruise past small farms and villages, old temples, and churches, stopping on occasion to go ashore.

These labyrinthine waterways have served as a thoroughfare from ancient times, and the daily existence has changed little over the centuries.

Along the way we may observe traditional livelihoods such as fish farming and toddy tapping.

Overnight at Kerala Houseboat (B, L, D)

31 Oct - Kabini This morning, before breakfast, we take a safari in an open-air 4-wheel-drive vehicle through Nagarhole in search of wildlife. Later, we visit Orange County’s Butterfly Park with its many-hued occupants, including the Southern Birdwing, India’s largest butterfly. Then we drive to Gundathur, where we visit with a local family in their home.

More of the natural world is on tap tonight as we embark on an after-dinner nature walk to witness the nocturnal birds and reptiles in their natural habitats.

Overnight at Orange County Resort, Kabini (B, L, D) 01 Nov - Kabini - Calicut Today we drive to Calicut, dubbed the “City of Spices” in antiquity for its role in the thriving eastern spice trade. We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on the way to Calicut, and check into our centrally located hotel mid-afternoon.

We have some time at leisure to walk on the nearby beach or enjoy the amenities at our hotel.

Overnight at Gateway Hotel Beach Road (B, L)

04 Nov - Kochi We disembark this morning and return to Kochi, “Queen of the Arabian Sea”. Upon arrival, we visit the well-preserved European quarter, with its mix of Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonial houses and other historic buildings. Here we see the Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), with its rare Keralite flooring and mythological murals, followed by the Synagogue and Jewish Town, home to the oldest group of Jews in India, whose roots stretch possibly all the way back to King Solomon.

Later this afternoon, we attend a performance of Kathakali dance, where facial expressions and hand gestures combine with movement to create this traditional Kerala art form.

Tonight we celebrate our splendid journey at a farewell dinner at our hotel.

Overnight at Eighth Bastion Hotel (B, D) 05 Nov - Kochi This morning’s walking tour further reveals Kochi’s multi-layered past, a rich brew of Arab, Portuguese, British, and Dutch influences. We will also see the Chinese fishing nets unique to Kochi. These iconic land-based nets combine elegance and ingenuity, their massive frames balanced by counterweights manipulated by teams of up to six men. Tonight, we enjoy a sunset harbour cruise.

Overnight at Eighth Bastion Hotel (B)

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Mysore

Orange County Resort, Coorg

Orange County Resort, Kabini

Gateway Hotel Beach Road

06 Nov - Kochi - Return flight to London We depart for the airport for our return flight via Mumbai.

Kerala Houseboat standard double room

Kerala House Boat

Eighth Bastion Hotel

What’s included:

About your Kerala Houseboat:

• Economy class International and Internal flights

The Vaikundam is a beautifully designed traditional houseboat with just 9 twin bedded cabins.

• Rail journey

All cabins have air conditioning and are tastefully decorated with an enchanting mix of antique and modern accessories. Solar panels provide the attached bathrooms with hot water and the houseboat is fitted with modern waste disposal units that ensure that we leave no trace of our journey along the pristine waterways.

• All overseas transfers with assistance and porterage • Hotel accommodation as detailed in itinerary • 2 night cruise on the Kerala Backwaters • Meals as detailed in the itinerary • Sightseeing as per the itinerary with services of an English speaking guide • All excursions, safari’s and performances as detailed in the itinerary • All entrance fees to the Monuments and National Parks as per the itinerary

The upper deck of Vaikundum gives you a 360 degree perspective of this unique landscape. Enjoy a village walk or lounge the day away reading from the library as the world drifts slowly by.

After a sunset drink in the evening, be prepared to be wowed by the exquisite cuisine lovingly prepared by the chef and served in the airconditioned dining area on the upper deck.

• Taxes where applicable • Welcome and farewell dinner • Welcome drinks party hosted by your escort • Fully escorted by Dawn Jordan (subject to minimum numbers)

Fly from Mumbai

INDIA

Bangalore

Keveri River

Coorg

Mysore

Nagarhole National Park

Kabini Bandipur National Park

Calicut Silent Valley National Park

Fly to London

Kochi Karala Backwaters

£100

per person nt booking discou th - book by 30 September ‘17

By Air

By Coach Rail

Prices per person: Double 2 sharing

Single

£3,999

£5,499

Terms & Conditions apply. Prices are subject to availability and can be changed or withdrawn at any time. All timings and itinerary may be subject to alteration due to circumstances beyond our control - please ask for details at the time of your enquiry. Due to the nature of the holiday participants must be reasonably fit.

Your booking is ABTA and ATOL bonded for your financial security and peace of mind. E&OE.

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