Arrive at Mumbai International airport. After completing the immigration and custom, proceed towards the arrival area. Meeting and assistance on arrival with traditional welcome of garlanding and transfer to the hotel (room being held from 1400 hrs).

Mumbai once a group of seven islands and over the century has been the most vibrant, commercial, industrial and centre of theatre, art, music centre of India which the British had acquired from the Portuguese in 1665 and handed it over to the East India Company in 1671.

Overnight in Mumbai

After leisurely breakfast, set off to explore the financial capital of India, Mumbai.

The full day trip will include highlights like the excursion to Elephanta Caves followed by the visit of Gateway of India, Prince of Wales Museum and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.

This morning, you will be transferred to the Gateway of India to board the motor launch for an hours travel, the only way to access the Caves located 22 kms of the coast of Mumbai. An amazing collection of 7th century rock cut caves containing fine example of Hindu architecture. The beauty and power of these sculptures are dedicated to Shiva depicting the different manifestation of Shiva.

We disembark at Gateway of India, built to commemorate the visit of King George and Queen Mary to India in 1911 and the only gateway available to India before the invent of air travel.

This will be followed by the drive along the Marine drive, known as the Queen’s Necklace. The Jain Temples, built of marble and dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara. Drive via the Tower of Silence - a round stone construction on which Parsis place their dead to be eaten by the vultures and Hanging Gardens which is built over Bombay’s reservoir.

We cannot miss the Dhobi Ghats a huge open-air laundry, followed by the visit to Mani Bhawan (Gandhi Memorial), the house where the Father of the Nation stayed on his early visits to the city.

We will wind up the day with the visit of Prince of Wales Museum, established in the 20th Century boasts of a significant collection of Indus valley artifacts and the miniature paintings – nearly 2000 of them are from various stylistic schools of India.

Return to the hotel

Overnight in Mumbai

This morning, departure transfer to Mumbai airport to board the flight to Raipur, which is one amongst the closest airport to Kanha, the National Park of India located in Central India, Madhya Pradesh.

Meeting on arrival at Raipur airport and drive to Kanha National Park – Considered as India's greatest national park by some is home to many species in their natural habitat. In 1933, it was first declared as a small sanctuary and then in 1955, was upgraded to a national park. This National Park is the only habitat of the rare hard-ground swamp deer (barasingha), a species that was brought back from the edge of extinction. The terrain consists of attractive forest with bamboo brakes, grassy plateaus and meadows in the valleys. A healthy population of the big cat is a major lure.

On arrival, check in at the hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure. You can take Nature walk around the resort as they are quite spread out.

Overnight in Kanha

Early morning and afternoon embark on a safari through the Kanha National Park, which expands over almost 950 sq kms of grassland and forest.

We also have the options to explore Tribal villages.

Overnight in Kanha

Park is closed during the evening of Wednesday

Early morning and afternoon embark on a safari through the Kanha National Park

Overnight in Kanha

Early morning and afternoon embark on a safari through the Kanha National Park

We might get the option of cycling also in the buffer zone.

Overnight in Kanha

Early morning embark on a safari through the Kanha National Park

Return to the hotel for Breakfast.

After breakfast, we set off to Nagpur for an overnight stay to connect the flight next day.

Overnight in Nagpur

This morning, departure transfer to Nagpur airport to board the flight to Kannur via Mumbai or any other city. This is the closest airport to Neeleshwar.

On arrival at Kannur airport, drive to the resort - Neeleshwar Hermitage, set in a secluded palm grove beside the Arabian Sea.

Neeleshwar Hermitage, a beautiful property located amongst the unspoilt beaches of Northern Kerala. Built in accordance with the architectural principles of Kerala Vastu, the property has 18 Thatched Cottages, all with sea, pool or garden views.

Rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Neeleshwar

This morning after leisurely breakfast, we venture out on a gentle walk (2 kms) along the beach to Turtle hatchery Farm.

Late afternoon, visit to a local market, to the Krishna Temple for the Aarti Ceremony, which is generally performed several times a day.

Overnight in Neeleshwar

This morning, we start early - cherish some moments watching the famous Theyyam Sacred Performance which is Kerala’s ritual dance full of colours. The dance represents the significance of worship of ancestral spirits and the heroes.

After witnessing the sacred dance recitel, we return to the hotel for breakfast.

Rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy the facilities of the resort

Overnight in Neeleshwar

This morning after leisurely breakfast, drive upto the boarding point or the jetty on the Tejaswani River and embark The Lotus houseboat for the cruise.

After a welcome drink, you will be taken to your room, either Sukhima (‘Happiness’) or Lalima (‘Beauty’), to relax and settle in. Your cruise today covers about 25 kms of the Valiyaparamba backwater, a large inland lake, and includes a visit to a village coir factory. Here brightly coloured houses can be seen peeping through the dense fringe of languid palms that lines the water front. The village’s main source of income is producing the coir fibre from coconut husks that is used to make twine, mats and mattress stuffing.

The cruise continues with a visit to Monkey Island. A short walk through a sleepy village brings you to a thick forest inhabited by friendly monkeys. In its heart sits a clearing with an ancient shrine dedicated to the Naga snake deities.

Overnight on board the Houseboat

This morning after breakfast disembark from the houseboat and drive to the beautiful 150-year-old homestead known as Ayisha Manzil at Thalassery (60 km/about 2 hrs) – earlier known as Tellicherry, which is referred to as the Mecca of Moplah Cuisine.

The history of Ayisha Manzil goes back to the spice trade days when the British made Thalassery an important spice trading center. In 1862, Mr. Murdoch Brown, an East India Company tradesman, built this bungalow and named it Judge’s Bungalow. He also planted cinnamon in a 300-acre land about 10 km away from the bungalow which is still known as the largest cinnamon garden in Asia.

In 1900, the bungalow was purchased by Mr. T.M. Moosa who belonged to a distinguished Moplah family in Malabar and was a spice merchant. The home was re-named as Ayisha Manzil after his beloved wife, Ayisha. The bungalow passed on to the next generations and is currently owned by Mr. Moosa and Mrs. Faiza Moosa who have converted it into a warm and comfortable home-stay.

The cooking demonstration with Mrs. Moosa, who is an internationally recognized Chef will begin around 1630 hrs will last for two hours.

We will try our hands to prepare one meat, one seafood, one vegetable, one rice or bread and one sweet dish which will be served during Dinner.

Overnight in Tellicherry

This morning after breakfast, we drive to the railway station to board the train to Kochi - also called the Queen of the Arabian Sea. It is believed to be the finest natural harbor in the world. Cochin was the oldest European settlement in India and each settlement has left its own distinctive imprint here.

Meeting on arrival at Kochi railway station and transfer to the hotel in Fort Kochi area.

Rest of the evening is at leisure.

Overnight in Kochi

This morning after breakfast, we proceed for a wonderful programme of sightseeing tour with the local guide - includes the ancient St. Francis Church that in its time has served the Portugese, Dutch and British communities here, the splendid San Sebastian Cathedral built by the Portugese, traditional Chinese fishing nets and charming colonial residences shaded by many ancient trees.

Then there is Mattancherry (Closed on Friday), with its Royal Palace built for the Cochin Raja by the Dutch and housing some of the best early mural painting in Kerala and the old trading area of Jew town (Closed from Friday afternoon till Saturday), with its fragrant spice warehouses, remarkable synagogue with Chinese tiles, and antique shops.

In the evening, there will be a performance of Kathakali in local theatre, the dramatic dance-drama that tells the much-loved epic stories of the gods and goddesses.

Overnight in Kochi

This morning or during the day depending on your flight schedule, we drive you to Kochi airport to board the flight for onward destination or back home with fond memories of the Indian Wildlife and the serene natural beauty of the countryside from the trip Tigers and Spices.