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Central and Southern ExplorerFrom ZAR54 785 - 20 Days Fully Inclusive From South AfricaEmbark on a captivating tour through central and southern India. Start your journey in Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, this lively city never sleeps and is home to the largest movie industry,‘Bollywood’. Capture India’s continually changing scenery, from the UNESCO World Heritage listed Ajanta Caves at Aurangabad, to the impressive Charminar at Hyderabad. Discover ancient forts, majestic temples and verdant landscapes. A night will be spent relaxing on a houseboat to view the rural village life around the backwaters of Kerala. This will give you time to sit back and soak up the scenery as it unfolds before your eyes. The diversity of this vibrant and colourful country will truly amaze you. An ideal choice for those who adore architecture, love history and who have a desire to see some of the fascinating sites not usually seen by travellers. TOUR ITINERARYDAY 1: SOUTH AFRICA TO MUMBAIFly with Jet Airways to Mumbai for a two-night stay. DAY 2: MUMBAIVisit the 1,200-year-old Elephanta Caves this morning. After lunch, tour the city of Mumbai; drive past the Afghan Church and along Marine Drive. Visit the Gateway of India, the Hanging Gardens, Chowpatty Beach, Kamala Nehru Park and Mani Bhavan. Stop at the Dhobi Ghat where Mumbai's 'dirties' are scrubbed, bashed, dyed and hung out to dry. End your day at the colourful Crawford Market and Flora Fountain. DAY 3: MUMBAI TO AURANGABADThis morning you will transfer to the railway station and board your train to Aurangabad. Upon arrival visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed Ellora Caves, with 34 rock-cut shrines representing Buddhist, Hindu and Jain art. After touring the caves, return to Aurangabad for a two-night stay. DAY 4: AURANGABADExplore the Ajanta Caves, another UNESCO World Heritage listed site, dating from around 200BC-650AD. DAY 5: AURANGABAD TO HYDERABAD (VIA MUMBAI)Transfer to the railway station for your early train back to Mumbai. After lunch, transfer to Mumbai airport to board your flight to Hyderabad. DAY 6: HYDERABADVisit the 13th-century Golconda Fort, once famed for its diamond mines. Continue to the beautiful man-made Usman Sagar Lake. DAY 7: HYDERABAD TO BANGALORETour Hyderabad this morning, visiting the Charminar, often described as the ‘Arc de Triomphe of the East’, and the Mecca Mosque. Continue to the Salar Jung Museum to see a collection of manuscripts, ancient weapons, costumes and curios. This afternoon transfer to Hyderabad airport to board your flight to Bangalore. DAY 8: BANGALORE TO MYSOREThis morning you will visit the Lal Bagh Botanical Garden and the Bull Temple. Drive past the Government Secretariat, Vidhana Soudha (Legislature building) and Cubbon Park. After lunch, continue the journey to Mysore visiting Srirangapatnam Fort en route. DAY 9: MYSORETour Mysore today, visiting the Maharaja’s Palace and the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery. Drive up to Chamundi Hill to see the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple and enjoy the panoramic view of Mysore. On your descent visit the Nandi Bull statue and Brindavan Gardens. DAY 10: MYSORE TO COONOORDrive to the hill station of Coonoor this morning and visit Sim's Park, a small botanical garden, and a tea factory. Stop at viewpoints and picnic spots including Lamb's Rock, Lady Canning’s Seat and Dolphin's Nose, an enormous rock formation. DAY 11: COONOOR - OOTYThis morning you will take the Toy Train to the hill station of Ooty, famous for its tea and coffee plantations. Visit the botanical gardens established in 1847 and Doddabetta Peak, the highest point in the Nilgiri Mountains, offering spectacular views of the valleys below. Return to Coonoor by coach this afternoon. DAY 12: COONOOR TO KOCHIToday is a full day of driving as you continue your journey to Kochi. DAY 13: KOCHIExplore the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. View the unique cantilevered Chinese fishing nets before ending the day with a walk around Fort Kochi. DAY 14: KOCHI TO MARARI BEACHThis morning enjoy a visit to the local market before commencing the drive to Marari Beach. DAY 15: MARARI BEACH TO ALLEPPEYDepart for Alleppey where you will board your overnight houseboat to Kumarakom. The houseboats, known as ‘kettuvallams’, are converted from traditional rice barges. Relax onboard as you cruise along the backwaters of Kerala. DAY 16: KUMARAKOMDisembark your houseboat in Kumarakom after breakfast onboard and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is free at your leisure. DAY 17: KUMARAKOM TO KOVALAMDrive to Kovalam this morning, stopping in Trivandrum en route to visit the Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Sri Chitra Art Gallery and the Zoological Gardens and Museums. You will also visit the Reptile House, the Observatory, Kanakakunnu Palace and Sree Moolamthirunal Shasti Purthi Memorial. DAY 18: KOVALAM - KANYAKUMARIToday you will have a full-day tour to Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), famous for its beautiful sunrise and sunsets and where the Bay of Bengal meets the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. Visit the rock on which Swami Vivekananda is said to have meditated. DAY 19: KOVALAM - DEPART TRIVANDRUMThis morning is free at your leisure. After a late check-out, transfer to Trivandrum airport to board your overnight flight to South Africa. DAY 20: ARRIVE SOUTH AFRICAArrive home this morning.
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