1st day
Leave London Heathrow Airport in the evening by British Airways for Bombay.
2nd day
Arrive Bombay in the morning and transfer to the President Hotel. The remainder
of the day is at leisure.
3rd day
At leisure in Bombay.
4th day
Afternoon flight to Hyderabad, the largest and most important of India’s
princely s1stes before Independence, ruled by the Moslem Nizams. Accommodation
at the Gateway Hotel on Banjara Hill.
5th day
Morning tour of this colourful city including the Solar Jung Museum which houses
the fabulous private collection of a former prime minister.
6th day
This morning, there may be the opportunity to take an optional excursion to
Golconda Fort and the tombs of the Quite Shah kings who ruled the Deccan plateau
in the 16th and 17th centuries. In the afternoon fly to Bangalore, where accommodation
is at the West End Hotel.
7th day
A short city tour of Bangalore before the full morning’s drive to Mysore.
Stay at the Southern Star Hotel.
8th day
In the morning visit the exquisite Somnathpur Temple, and the summer palace
of Tipu Sultan at Srirangapatnam. In the afternoon there will be a tour of Mysore,
a city of palaces, gardens and oriental splendour, a contrast to the simplicity
of rural India. The tour includes a visit to the former Maharajah’s Palace
and a panoramic view of the city from Chamundi Hill.
9th day
At leisure. An optional excursion to visit the Hoysi temples at Belur and Halebid
may be available.
10th day
This morning we drive south into the Nilgiri Hills to Ootacamund, the Queen
of Hill S1stions. Stay at the Savoy Hotel.
11th day
Sightseeing in Colecamund, including the botanical gardens.
12th day
Continue by road to Cochin, with lunch and a stop at Trichur en route. Accommodation
at the Malabar Hotel.
13th day
Morning tour of Cochin, a city with a fascinating history, and a delightful
mix of European and the local Keralite cultures and traditions. In the evening
there will be an opportunity to see a performance of Kathakali dance-drama,
unique to Kerala.
14th day
Morning drive to Alleppey for a cruise on the beautiful palm-fringed backwaters
of the Malabar coast. After lunch in Kotlayarn, return drive to Cochin.
15th day
Fly to Madras and on arrival transfer to the Fisherman’s Cove Hotel at
Covelong, by the while sands of the Bay of Bengal.
16th day
Morning tour of Madras, the chief city of the Coromandel coast, which still
retains many reminders of its British colonial past. Afternoon at leisure.
17th day
Morning visit to the holy city of Kanchipuram, famous for its marvellous Hindu
temples and also as a centre of the silk industry. After lunch we continue to
the sculptured rock temples of Mahabalipuram.
18th day
Day at leisure until the evening transfer to the airport for the British Airways
flight to London.
19th day
Arrive London Heathrow in the early morning.
MEALS:
HALF BOARD:
Breakfast and dinner. Lunch is included on days 10 to 12, 14 and
17
EXTENSION HOLIDAYS
Extension holidays are available at the Fisherman’s Cove Hotel. Details
on request.