Best Of Kerala Tour
Type :
Heritage & Cultural
Destination :
Cochin / Periyar / Kumarakom / Houseboat / Cochin
Duration :
Valid From :
10/1/2010
Valid Till :
9/30/2011
Overview:
TOUR CODE: IND 048
An ideal tour option for a much relaxed travel in India. Your journey starts in Cochin, which brings together the old world charm of erstwhile Portuguese colony and the modern day city life. You then travel to Periyar, home to the endangered tiger and the scented spice plantations. The tour then offers you the authentic keralan hospitality and ayurvedic massages at Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom. Followed by overnight backwater cruise experience before driving back to Cochin for the flight.
Details(Day by Day):
Duration: 7 days
Destinations: Cochin, Periyar, Kumarakom and Houseboat
Day-01 Arrive Cochin:
You will be met on your arrival at Cochin airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day-02 In Cochin:
Morning tour Cochin city. The tour includes visit to St. Francis Church - built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscans, it is India's oldest European -built church. The original wooden structure was re-built in stone around the mid-16th century, the earliest Portuguese inscription in church dates back to 1562. Vasco da Gama who died in 1524 was buried here for 14 yrs before his remains were taken to Lisbon. Muttancherry Palace - the palace was built in 1555 by Portuguese and was presented to the king of Cochin as a gesture of goodwill. Dutch renovated it in 1663 and hence it is also called Dutch palace. The astonishing murals in the palace depicting scenes from age-old epics are one of the wonders of India. Jewish Synagogue, originally constructed in 1568, it features hand-painted willow pattern floor tiles brought from China in mid 18th century. The area around the synagogue is called Jew Town and is one of the centers of the Kochi spice trade. Overnight at the hotel.
Day-03 Drive Cochin – Periyar :
Early morning depart from Cochin (200 kms--6 hours) and check in at hotel.Overnight at the resort.
Day-04 In Periyar :
Early morning visit to Spice Plantations and Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary . Visit to the sanctuary includes boat cruise on lake Periyar. Overnight at the resort.
Day-05 Periyar/Kumarakom :
Morning depart for Kumarakom (200 km, 5-6 hrs). On arrival check-in at hotel.Overnight at the hotel.
Day-06 Kumarakom/Houseboat :
Morning at leisure.Afternoon, board houseboat from the hotel’s jetty for overnight sail on backwaters. A private boat trip along the beautiful backwater canals of Kerala is a highlight of any visit to the South. These converted rice barges or 'Kettuvallams' sail along shallow, palm-fringed lakes and narrow canals where coconut and cashew is loaded onto dugouts.You pass villages built on narrow spits of land, stopping to visit local markets by bullock-cart, or to marvel at craftsmen engaged in centuries-old boat-making tradition.Overnight on board the houseboat.
Day-07 Houseboat/Alleppey /Cochin :
Morning disembark at Alleppey jetty followed by drive to Cochin airport (85 km, 1.5 hrs) in time for the flight.
Inclusions:
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Accommodation on twin sharing basis at above mentioned hotels or similar.
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Full English breakfast daily.
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Land transportation exactly as per itinerary using an air-conditioned car or coach ( except between November 01/2005 to March 15/2006).
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Sightseeing tours as per itinerary.
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Local english speaking guide
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Entrance fees to all monuments and places of interest.
Exclusions:
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International airfare to/from India
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Domstic airfare.
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Visas
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Meals other than breakfast
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Expenses of personal nature like beverages/laundry/phone calls etc.
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Gratuities
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Camera fees
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Any items not specifically mentioned in inclusions above.
Terms and Conditions:
RESERVATIONS AND DEPOSIT
A deposit of $300.00 is required to reserve space on tours. Balance payments are due no later than 60 days prior to departure. Failure to comply may result in an automatic cancellation of the reservation and forfeiture of deposits. A booking made within 60 days of departure is payable in full at the time of booking. For booking deluxe cruises and trains, i.e. Palace on Wheels, Eastern & Oriental Express, Star Cruises, Victoria Yangtze River Cruise etc., 50% of fare cost is required as a non refundable initial deposit at time of booking. Full payment is due 60 days prior to departure and is fully non-refundable.
Any deviation/ change requested by the passenger, will be subject to a non-refundable fee of $25.00 per deviation/ change. Tour documents will be sent 2-3 weeks prior to the departure date.
CANCELLATION PENALTIES
JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc must receive all cancellation requests in writing. Cancellation charges (unless otherwise indicated or in the case of deluxe cruises and trains) will depend on the time at which JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc receives notice of cancellation.
Non-refundable cancellation charges:
60 days and prior - full deposit
59-30 days prior - 50% of the total price
29-0 days - 100% of the total price
All above percentages are of total price, which include hotel taxes and service charges, GST (where applicable) and transportation taxes. For deluxe trains and cruises, full amount is non-refundable if canceled up to 60 days prior to departure terms and conditions of respective cruise and Train Company will apply.
*Note: If cancellation by one or more passenger(s) alters the room requirements of the remaining passengers of a personalised group or individual tour, those passengers still traveling will be required to pay the applicable cost for accommodation to be occupied.
REFUNDS ON UNUSED OR CHANGED TOUR ARRANGEMENTS
All voluntary unused tour services or features including hotel accommodations, ground transportation, domestic and international flights, and sightseeing tours are neither refundable nor exchangeable. All claims for refunds must be made in writing within 30 days after termination of the tour. Failure to provide JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc with notice in writing will preclude your right to pursue a claim against us.
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
A valid passport is required for all tour participants and the passport must remain valid for at least six months after the scheduled return of the tour. Please note that tour participants may require visas for certain destinations. All visas must be obtained by the client’s own arrangements prior to departure. The cost of obtaining visas is not included in the cost of the tour. JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc will not be responsible for alternate or additional land or air arrangements resulting from improper documentation.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Tour participants are advised to check with their personal physicians or health clinics at the time of booking.
AIR AND LAND COSTS
All rates are quoted in US Dollars (unless otherwise specified), based on twin sharing basis, economy class Inter Asia airfares, train service as specified, unless otherwise stated. Costs quoted in this brochure are based on tariffs, costs and exchange rates in effect as of June 01, 2000 and are subject to change without notice. Any increase in fares or land costs resulting in the change of the tour price will be borne by the passengers.
TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
Meals not specified in the itinerary, optional tours, all domestic and international airport taxes, visa, visa fees, laundry, liquor, excess baggage charges, usage of telephones, faxes and telexes, travel and baggage insurance, airport fees, departure taxes, items of personal nature and any item not specifically listed as included.
ACCOMMODATIONS
A list and category of the hotels will be provided as per individual itinerary. All accommodations are based on two persons sharing a twin bedded standard room with private facilities (unless otherwise indicated).
Single accommodations are available and supplements charges will apply. Single room supplements pay for privacy only and not for a superior room. All hotel accommodations will be provided in hotels mentioned or hotels of similar category, JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc endeavors to provide specified hotels at all times, however, in the unlikely event that the specified hotel in the itinerary is not available for reasons beyond our control, a substitute of similar class hotel will be arranged. Each hotel on run-of-the-house basis will randomly assign all hotel rooms. Our tours include stay at standard rooms only.
MEALS
Meals are indicated in individual itineraries in abbreviated form as B/L/D. Some meals are served by the airline in-flight when flying during normal meal times. All meals are non-refundable and non-transferable.
BAGGAGE
JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc assumes no responsibility for lost or damaged baggage. All baggage allowance is as per the International Airline regulations. Excess baggage charges are the responsibility of the passenger.
PAYMENT BY CREDIT CARD
In the case the payment is by credit card, the signature of the cardholder is obligatory and the travel agent must keep the proof and remit it to JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc on demand. JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc reserves the right to cancel any reservation in the case where the cardholder signature does not appear on the credit card payment slip. In the case of reservations made over the phone, the consumer, is permitting the use of his credit card number by travel agent, agrees to respect the conditions of reservation even if he has not signed the appropriate slip and agrees to sign the payment slip on demand. If not, the reservations will be canceled and will be subject to the penalties indicated in the section, Cancellation Penalties.
RESPONSIBILITY
JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc acts only as agent and/or intermediary for the independent suppliers. The suppliers providing transportation, conveyance or accommodations are independent contractors and are not agents or employees of JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc. JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc makes all tickets, coupons and receipts issued by JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc and all arrangements for transport or conveyance or hotel accommodations as agents of the suppliers. JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc assumes no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be caused either by reason of defect in any vehicle or through the act or default of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger, or carrying out the arrangements of the tour(s) or otherwise. JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc accepts no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine or other cause or acts of God. Although JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc anticipates no changes in the itineraries or accommodations, etc. as printed herein, the right is reserved to make any changes with or without notice that might become necessary to the best interest of the tour. In such cases, any additional expenses must be borne by the passenger. The right is also reserved to withdraw any tour announced in this program and to substitute hotels if necessary, JMD Diplomatic Travel & Tours Inc reserves the right to decline, accept or to retain any person as a member of any tour at any time. The airline concerned are not held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not onboard their planes or conveyance. The passenger’s contract in use by the airlines concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and purchaser or these tours and/or passenger. Any and/or all transportation companies herein mentioned shall have or incur no responsibility or liability to any traveler.
LIMIT OF RESPONSIBILITY
This brochure confirms that you have read, understood and agreed to each and all of the above conditions and limit of responsibility.
INSURANCE
We strongly recommend you to purchase travel insurance.
Last Updated:
8/23/2010 7:56:55 AM