Welcome to Enchanting Journeys
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India
Central India DiscoveryFrom : $ Please requestDiscover : Delhi * Varanasi * Khajuraho......Includes :• All Transfers with a Journeys Rep• Accommodation of 14 nights with B/fast• Services of an English speaking Guide• Entrance Fees• Private A/c Transport• 24/7 Assistance• Farewell Gift -
India
Indian KaleidoscopeFrom : $ Please requestDiscover : Delhi * Khajuraho * Agra......Includes :• All Transfers• 19 nights Accommodation with Breakfast• English speaking Guide• Entrance Fees• Private A/c Transport• Farewell Gift -
India
India Nepal HighlightsFrom : $ Please requestDiscover : Delhi * Jaipur * Agra......Includes :• All Transfers with a Journeys Rep• 11 nights Accommodation with Breakfast• Services of an English speaking Guide• Entrance Fees• Private A/c Transport• 24/7 Assistance• Farewell Gift -
India
North India ExclusiveFrom : $ Please requestDiscover : Delhi * Varanasi * Khajuraho......Includes :• All Transfers• 17 nights Accommodation with Breakfast• English speaking Guide• Entrance Fees• Internal Flights• Private A/c Transport• Farewell Gift -
India
Indian KaleidoscopeFrom : $ Please requestDiscover : Delhi * Khajuraho * Orccha......Includes :• All Transfers with a Journeys Rep• 19 nights Accommodation with Breakfast• Services of an English speaking Guide• Entrance Fees• Private A/c Transport• 24/7 Assistance• Farewell Gift -
India
Maharaja RetreatFrom : $ Please requestDiscover : Delhi * Agra * Jaipur......Includes :• All Transfers with a Journeys Rep• 9 nights Accommodation with Breakfast• Services of an English speaking Guide• Entrance Fees• Private A/c Transport• 24/7 Assistance• Farewell Gift -
India
Golden Triangle by TrainFrom : $ On requestDiscover : Delhi * Agra * JaipurIncludes :• All Transfers with a Journeys Rep• Accommodation of 5 nights with Breakfast• Services of an English speaking Guide• Entrance Fees• Private A/c Transport• 24/7 Assistance• Farewell Gift -
India
Short Break - Agra & KhajurahoFrom : $ Please requestDiscover : Agra * KhajurahoIncludes :• All Transfers with a Journeys Rep• Accommodation of 3 nights with Breakfast• Services of an English speaking Guide• Entrance Fees• Private A/c Transport• Farewell Gift• 24/7 Assistance -
India
Kerala BackwatersFrom : $ Please requestDiscover : Cochin * Kumarakom * AlleppeyIncludes :• All Transfers with a Journeys Rep• Accommodation of 4 nights with Breakfast• Services of an English speaking Guide• Entrance Fees• Private A/c Transport• Farewell Gift• 24/7 Assistance -
India
Jungle ExperienceFrom : $ Please requestDiscover : Delhi * Jaipur * Ranthambore......Includes :• All Transfers• 18 nights Accommodation with Breakfast• English speaking Guide• Entrance Fees• Private A/c Transport• Farewell Gift
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Incredible India - waiting to be experienced
Backwaters Break
Asia sticks to you. From the nomadic steppes of Kazakhstan to the frenetic streets of Hanoi, Asia is a continent so full of intrigue, adventure, solace and spirituality that it has fixated and confounded travellers for centuries. The joss sticks lit for the household shrines in Thailand impart a sweet perfume to the thick air and the heavenly aroma of Indian spices follows you for days.
And India is an incredibly varied & exciting vacation destination, pulsating with a spectacular mix of people, traditions & landscapes. With an intoxicatingly rich history, which has spawned a number of exquisite palaces, temples & monuments, your journey through this mind-stirring country will blaze in your memory long after you've left its shores. Come, discover India with us……..
This is a spiritual place infused with the gods of past & present: the ancient spirits of the land & the family, the deities of Buddhism & Hinduism and the rules of Islam. Architectural wonders & sacred spaces abound from the Great Wall of China & the temples of Angkor to lesser known marvels in Myanmar, Nepal & Afghanistan.
From sublime coastlines to snow-capped mountains, rolling landscapes fed by the monsoon rains and frenetic cities fizzling with energy, the diversity of Asia’s landscapes is mind-boggling. As are their highlights from trekking Malaysia’s steamy jungles & wildlife spotting in southern India to riding horses through the Mongolian steppes, skiing in Japan’s Alps & dodging falling coconuts on of the continents many remote islands.
Then there is the food. Tuck into fiery Indian curries, get adventurous with a local dish from a road side stall and gulp down a hearty bowl of Japanese ramen. With its colours, smells, flavours & personalities, you will find Asia is deliciously rewarding.
And now let us talk about India. now & leave your preconceptions at home.
Ancient Civilisations| vast Landscapes |expectedly Unexpected |Soul Warming
Bamboozling. There is simply no other word that convincingly captures the enigma that is India. With its in-your-face diversity, from snow-dusted mountains to sun-washed beaches, tranquil temples to feisty festivals, lantern-lit villages to software supremo cities, it is hardly surprising that this country has been dubbed the world’s most multidimensional. Love it or loathe it & most visitors see-saw between the two, India promises to jostle your entire being, and no matter where you go or what you do, it is a place you will never forget.
India is a mystical land that presents the traveler with an array of unforgettable experiences. Apart from its ancient spiritual framework, India's vastness also challenges the imagination, being home to one sixth of the world’s population. With more than one billion people, the subcontinent bristles with an eclectic mélange of ethnic groups, which translates into an intoxicating cultural cocktail for the traveler. The destination reflects the rich glories of the past in its culture, tradition & cuisine.
Spirituality is the common characteristic painted across the vast & varied canvas that is contemporary India. The multitude of sacred sites & rituals are testament to the country's long, colourful, & sometimes tumultuous, religious history. So for those seeking spiritual sustenance, India has oodles of sacrosanct sites & stirring philosophical epics, while history buffs will encounter gems from the past almost everywhere - from grand vestiges of the British Raj serenely peering over swarming spice bazaars, to crumbling fortresses looming high above plunging ravines
For those in search of tropical bliss, there are the palm-fringed beaches of Goa and the serene backwaters of Kerala. And for fresh air and serenity, India ripples with pristine mountains and hills, from the towering beauty & eternal snows of the mighty Himalayas to a bevy of beautiful pine forests, orchards & babbling streams.
A land of myriad cultures, with an intoxicatingly rich history which has spawned a number of exquisite palaces, temples & monuments, it is truly representative of “Unity in Diversity”.
The destination reflects the rich glories of the past in its culture, tradition & cuisine. And not to forget the colorful mosaic of Indian festivals & fairs as diverse as the land - an eternal expression of the spirit of celebration. Observed with enthusiasm & gaiety, every season brings along new festivals - each a true celebration of the rich tradition of India.
Meanwhile, the travel aficionados of the great outdoors, can paddle in the shimmering waters of one of many balmy beaches, scout for big jungle cats on a blood-pumping wildlife safari, or simply inhale pine-scented air on a meditative forest walk.
India is proud to be home to the Taj Mahal - a majestic architectural creation and travelers have crossed continents to visit the ultimate memorial of love, in the city of Agra, in close proximity to the capital - Delhi.
And South India is the subcontinent's steamy heartland – a lush contrast to the peaks & plains up north.
Wherever you go in the south, you will uncover splendid relics of the many civilisations that have inhabited this land over two millennia. The spectacular rock-cut shrines carved out by Buddhists, Hindus & Jains at Ajanta & Ellora; the palaces, tombs, forts & mosques of Muslim dynasties on the Deccan; Tamil Nadu's inspired Pallava sculptures & towering Chola temples; the magical ruins of the Vijayanagar capital at Hampi…& so much more that you would need a multitude of incarnations to see it all. It is a diverse cultural treasure trove with few parallels, in the land that also gave birth to yoga.
Thousands of kilometres of cascading coastline frame fertile plains, glinting backwaters & rolling hills in South India - a constantly changing landscape kept glisteningly green by the double-barrelled monsoon. The palm-strung strands & inland waterways of the west give way to spice gardens, emerald tea plantations, tropical forests & cool hill-station retreats in the Western Ghats. Across the region, protected wild forests shelter a world of wildlife, from elephants & tigers to monkeys, deer & sloth bears.
South India's glorious culinary variety & melange of dining options are an adventure in their own right. Some of India's most famous and traditional staples hail from here: large papery dosas (savoury crepes) and fluffy idlis (fermented rice cakes) are the backbone of South Indian cooking. Mouth-watering Goa's spicy, Portuguese-influenced cuisine is fiery inventive fusion at its finest; Kerala's coconut-infused seafood is the stuff of legend; and, everywhere you travel, the humble South Indian kaapi (filter coffee) keeps things ticking over.
The south's vibrant cities are the pulse of a country that is fast-forwarding through the 21st century while also at times remaining staunchly traditional. From in-yer-face Mumbai (Bombay) & increasingly sophisticated Chennai (Madras) to historic Hyderabad, IT capital Bengaluru (Bangalore) & charming, colonial-era Kochi (Cochin) & Puducherry (Pondicherry), southern cities are great for browsing teeming markets, soaking up local history & indulging in India's more fashionable side - from arty coffee houses & chic boutiques to an explosion of hipsterised microbreweries & cocktail bars.
For many travellers, Kerala is South India's most serenely beautiful state. Besides the famous backwaters, elegant houseboats, ayurvedic treatments & delicately spiced, taste-bud-tingling cuisine, Kerala is home to wild elephants, exotic birds and the odd tiger, while vibrant traditions such as Kathakali, theyyam (a trance-induced ritual), temple festivals and snake-boat races frequently bring even the smallest villages to life.
On this 3 day glimpse of ‘Gods Own Country’ Kerala, cruising in the backwaters & exploring the wildlife, you will discover some of the things that Kerala has to offer.
Wonderfully different, there is nothing quite like a tour of India. Indeed, the true Indian motif is not the Taj Mahal, the elephant or the patient peasant behind the ox drawn plough. It is the crowd, the ocean of faces in the land of multitudes, endlessly stirring, pushing & moving. It is in this human circulation that one sees India's color, variety, ethos & senses also its power, vitality & grandeur............!! An India like no other. Friendly, warm, welcoming & uniquely your own.
Come & discover the mystical land that presents the traveler with an array of unforgettable experiences. From the deserts of the West to the deltas of the East, India truly has it all. Yep…….India is waiting, & The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery on this incredible glimpse of ‘God’s Own Country’ & we are sure you will be enticed to come back again.
Come……be inspired & discover the World...
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Day | Date |
City |
Transfers | Sightseeing |
Any Day |
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01 | 00 | 0 |
Kochi |
✈ Arrival Transfer → v Transfer |
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Alleppey |
AM Free | PM ⛴ Embarkation & Cruising in the Backwaters |
02 | 00 | 0 |
Alleppey |
AM | PM ⛴ Cruising in the Backwaters |
03 | 00 | 0 |
Alleppey |
AM Disembarkation + v Departure Transfer |
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Kochi |
Depart ✈ |
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Incredible India…. prepare to be charmed
Backwaters Break
Kochi * Alleppey * Kochi
Day 1 - | ✈ Arrive Cochin at??? → Depart vAlleppey Drive: 33 km
Namaste & welcome to incredible Republic of India - one of the friendliest countries on earth, combining glorious architecture with a warm-hearted welcome.
With its sumptuous mix of traditions, spiritual beliefs, festivals, architecture & landscapes, your memories of India will blaze bright long after you have left its shores.
Arrive in the vibrant city of Cochin, set on a magnificent estuary, serene Kochi has been drawing traders, explorers and travellers to its shores for over 600 years.
After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Cochin International Airport, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you the hotel. Assistance will be provided during Check-in & there will be a short briefing to discuss the program for the next few days.
Cochin's history is a bright tapestry - many coloured threads woven through centuries together present the fabric of the present.
Popularly known as the “Queen of Arabian Sea”, Cochin (now known as Kochi) was traditionally a potpourri of various Indian & international communities and was highly influenced by historical trading partners, Portuguese, Dutch, Arab, Chinese & Japanese and was controlled by many empires over the centuries.
Set on a magnificent estuary, serene Kochi has been drawing traders, explorers & travellers to its shores for over 600 years. It was ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch & British and this resulted in a unique mix & match of traditional as well Western architecture & lifestyle. But despite being ruled by so many different domains, it still maintains its cultural identity & is fiercely proud of it.
The result is an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal & Holland & an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast.
Nowhere else in India could you find such an intriguing mix: giant Chinese fishing nets, a 450 year old synagogue, ancient mosques, Portuguese & Dutch era houses and the crumbling remains of the British Raj. Kochi is the seat of the Latin church of Kerala & has many Catholic churches & followers.
Modern day Kochi may be a busy port and shipping centre but it has many attractions for ordinary tourists. A delightful place to explore, laze in arty cafes & relax at some of India’s finest homestays and heritage hotels. It is also an important centre for Keralan arts (traditional & contemporary) and a standout place to see Kathakali & kalarippayat.
Informally, this lovely seaside city, also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala, is flanked by the Western Ghats on the east & the Arabian Sea on the west. Its proximity to the equator, the sea & the mountains provide a rich experience of a moderate equatorial climate.
Breathtakingly scenic & prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as 'God's Own Country'. Kochi is the arguably the ideal starting point for exploring the unfathomable diversity & beauty of Kerala, rated in the top three tourist destinations by the World Travel & Tourism Council and featured in National Geographic Traveler's '50 greatest places of a lifetime'. It is the seat of the Latin church of Kerala and has many Catholic churches and followers.
You will immediately be transferred in your private car to the picturesque village of Aleppey for your ‘backwaters’ experience.
Arrive in Alleppey (or Alleppey) in an hour & continue driving around the picturesque countryside along the coastal line, amidst idyllic scenery.
Alleppey is a small city on the Laccadive Sea, best known for houseboat cruises along the rustic Kerala backwaters, with a large network of inland tranquil canals & lagoons, earning it the sobriquet "Venice of the east". These canals provide Alleppey with its lifeline & it was one of the busiest centers of trade in the past with one of the best known ports along the Malabar coast. Even today, it retains its charm as the centre for Coir carpet industries & prawn farming.
Alleppey is an ideal headquarters for backwater tourism as well as for visits to the lovely church filled towns of Kottayam & Aranmula - famous for its historic annual Aranmula Snake Boat Race on Punnamada Lake, which draws people from all over the world as well as thousands of locals. It is excitement all around as snake - boats, each manned by over a hundred oarsmen, cut through the waters like wind. The event is a tremendous success with tourists and the local population alike.
Alappuzha Beach is the site of the 19th century Alappuzha Lighthouse. The city's Mullakkal Temple features a traditional design.
In time, proceed to the Pier in Alappuzha to board your private Kettuvallam, a traditional Rice Boat.
Check-in at the Boat & relax.
*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. In case of early morning arrival, you will do a 4 hour sightseeing tour of Kochi before driving to Aleppey..
Cruise through rest of the day drifting through the backwaters of Kerala, enroute passing by quaint villages.
It took great skill & meticulousness to construct these Houseboats by tying huge planks of jack wood together, without the use of a single nail. It usually has one or two bath rooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette & a crew comprising oarsmen, a cook and guide. These boats offer a panoramic view of one of the most picturesque aspects of God's Own Country.
The backwaters of Kerala form the lifeblood of beautiful Kerala and played a main role in the economy of the state. Rice Boats & small ships used to ply in these waters, carrying coconut, rubber, rice & spices to various trading centers of Kerala. Even today, these waterways link remote villages & islands with the main land. It is an incredibly different experience to cruise in the backwaters in country boats, absorbing the beauty of the villages.
The boat cruise along the backwaters of Alleppey gives one first-hand experience of the life style; toddy tapping, fishing for small fry, Coir-making, prawn farming etc., which remains more or less unchanged over the years. Sail along the winding network of Kerala backwaters, see the unique water world and experience its myriad charms.
Travelling through palm-fringed backwaters, you can see local villages located on the side of the canals Stop by & visit the village bazaars that are flooded with coir products, coconuts & other village produce. You can also interact with the local population see their lifestyle. Although practically surrounded by water, they still manage to keep cows, pigs, chickens & ducks and cultivate small vegetable gardens, prawns & fish.
Eat spiced & baked rice cakes on board a floating rice barge, fish for fresh catch & have the cook onboard cook a traditional delicacy for you, lie down on the deck & count the glittering stars that garland a clear moon with crickets making pleasant sounds as your barge floats along the unending network of Kerala backwaters.
Traditional Kerala food will be served. Evening, enjoy a candlelit dinner on board & the night you spend on the Houseboat will long be remembered as the highlight of your South India experience.
Boat docks for the night at one of villages.
Overnight on board. L D
Day 2 - | Alleppey
Continue cruising and exploring the culture & lifestyles enroute.
Boat stops for the night at one of their docking points.
Overnight on board. B L D
Day 3 - | Alleppey vKochi Drive: 33 km | Depart ✈ Kochi at????
Enjoy breakfast on board.
Alas, this wonderful experience in “God’s Own Country” comes to an end. Time to say good-bye to incredible India & go home. But, we sure hope that you may want to discover a bit more of this multi-ethnic kaleidoscope that 1.2 billion people call home, on your next visit.
On disembarking, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? - Cochin Airport for your onward journey (if you have free time before the flight, we will provide a car at disposal, with our compliments to enable you to explore & discover the city). B
*** End of Services ***
Incredible India…. prepare to be charmed
Backwaters Break
What is included:
- Traditional Indian Welcome on arrival
- Transfers to / from Boat / Airport by private A/c vehicle*
- Services of a Journeys Rep for assistance on all Arrival / Departure Transfers
- Accommodation for a total of 2 nights on board the Rice Boat (Double Occupancy)
- Meals as per itinerary Full Board (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch & D=Dinner)
- All Government Taxes & Service Fees, wherever applicable
- 24 / 7 Emergency Contact
- Farewell Gift
- International or Internal flights
- Visa or Visa Fee for India (Canadian & US Citizens require a Visa to be obtained prior to departure)
- Airport Tax, if any
- Camera / Video Fees, wherever applicable, at the Monuments
- Items of personal nature i.e. Room Service, Laundry, Telephone Calls, Internet, Fax,
- Beverages, Medical or Evacuation Expenses, Insurance, Gratuities & Tips
- Any Meals not specifically listed in the itinerary
- Any optional Programs / Services
- Any items not specified under Inclusions
* Guaranteed departures with minimum 2 guests. Seat in Coach. There may be other participants & group size may vary. Participants may come from all over the world & most of them will be English speaking. Private services with English speaking Tour-guide & vehicle can be arranged with a supplement cost.
*** It is extremely rare that Programs need to be changed but it can occur. We reserve the right to change, amend or alter the Itinerary if required, for example, occasionally the tour sequence & duration of time spent in each place / city can change due to local conditions which are out of our control or due to heavy traffic conditions or bad weather. The Price will not be affected.
Conditions related to specific Tours will be advised in due course, if required.
Incredible India…. prepare to be charmed
Backwaters Break
Where you will stay:
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City |
Nights |
Superior *** |
First Class **** |
Deluxe***** |
Alleppey |
2 |
Rice Boat |
Rice Boat |
Rice Boat |
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2 |
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The Journeys has carefully selected each hotel based on overall quality, location, price, food, service, and cleanliness. All rooms are standard rooms with two beds and private facilities, unless you have specifically requested and paid for an upgrade. Room selection is strictly at the discretion of the hotel management. We reserve the right to make substitutions with those of equal standard in case of non-availability of the selected Boat.
Check-in time is usually 2:00 pm or later. Check-out time is 12:00 noon. If you will be arriving early in the day or departing in the evening, hotels will usually allow you to store your luggage in their luggage room. We will ask at the front desk on your behalf, if the hotel can check you in earlier, or let you stay later.
Incredible India…. prepare to be charmed
Backwaters Break
And last but not least:
Departures:
Arrival in Kochi on Any day (minimum 2 guests)
Validity:
→ December 2021
Prices:
We offer several accommodation choices for this Journey. The price varies by selected accommodations. The itinerary remains unchanged.
Exchange rates fluctuate on a daily basis. Please contact us for current pricing and we will respond within 24 hours.
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Price Per Person - C$ |
Superior *** |
First Class **** |
Deluxe***** |
Occupancy - Double |
On request |
On request |
On request |
Single |
On request |
On request |
On request |
Triple |
On request |
On request |
On request |
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Airfare - International |
On request |
On request |
On request |
Internal |
N A |
N A |
N A |
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Miscellenous |
If required |
If required |
If required |
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Some important notes
- Flights are subject to constant modifications / delays and cancellations. In such cases, we will do all possible to find the best available alternative / solution but will not accept any liability, whatsoever.
- Our rates only include those items which are specified in the Itinerary / Inclusions.
- The cost has been calculated on the existing tariffs / conditions and in case of any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to revise the tour price accordingly.
- Our quotations are calculated on base category of accommodation at each property and are subject to modification, if the same hotel / category of room not available at the time of reservation. In that case, we will confirm a superior category of room at a comparable or better hotel and supplement charges, if any, shall be advised accordingly. Final Itinerary will illustrate updated information and / or it would be furnished at the time of confirmation.
- All prices are per person, based on double occupancy, and subject to availability at the time of booking. The from price reflects the lowest available price at time of publication, which is valid for a specific start date or dates and also based on availability at the time of booking.
- Room availability is getting saturated due to heavy demands from the tourism industry, international Fairs and Congresses. Due to these constant sold- out situations the hotels are applying the cancellation rules more stringently. Once the reservation is guaranteed, the booking will be subject to full cancellation charges as per our Terms & Conditions (details will be advised at the time of deposit). We strongly recommend obtaining Insurance to protect yourself against any unforeseen scenarios.
- Additional services including Optionals, if any, can be paid directly by the clients to our local offices.
The Journeys strongly recommends that all Guests purchase appropriate Travel Insurance (Trip Cancellation / Interruption & Medical) to protect your travel investment & cover any eventuality & / or Emergency .