DAY 1 - At Taj Malabar, Cochin

• Arrive at Cochin airport and proceed to Taj Malabar, Cochin
• Traditional welcome in a Kerala style
• Check in to the Executive Suite at Taj Malabar, Cochin
• Time off to relax
• In the evening, leave for a backwater cruise on the luxury yacht, the Cinnamon Coast (for an hour)
• Cultural show on the lawns followed by dinner at Rice Boat Restaurant, the sea food specialty restaurant.

• Sunrise Yoga
• Breakfast at 'Pepper' the newly renovated all-day dining cafe.
• Sightseeing covering Fort Cochin, Spice Markets, Antique shopping, Jewish Synagogue and Chinese Fishing Nets
• Lunch - Sadhya served at the Jetty or a suitable venue during the monsoon. The Master Chef explains what goes into a Sadhya meal. This is a traditional Kerala lunch served on a banana leaf. There is a way of serving the dishes and the order in which it comes
• Relax with a rejuvenating massage at the Taamra Spa
• Dinner at Thai Pavillion

Day 3 - Departure for Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom.

• Breakfast - In your Suite Balcony
• 10.30 am - Departure to TGR Kumarakom. Depending on the weather we can arrange for a transfer by boat from Thaneermukham or by car directly to the hotel.
• Check into the Luxury Villa with private pool at the Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom
• Lunch at the Restaurant.
• In the afternoon, visit the Ayurveda Centre for an Ayurveda massage combined with 'Avagham'. 'Avagham' is a half an hour soak in a Copper Tub mixed with various herbs and oils. Ladies have the option of trying out a 'mukha lepam' (Ayurveda face mask with herbs/oils) instead of an Avagham.
• 7.00 pm Cocktails at the hotel followed by a Dinner Cruise on the Kavanar river.

Day 4 - At Taj Garden retreat, Kumarakom

• Early morning visit to the Bird Sanctuary
• Breakfast at the Restaurant or in your Villa.
• Visit to Aymenem, a quaint, typical Kerala village written about by the Booker prize winner, Arundhati Roy, in the book 'God of small things'
• Lunch at the restaurant or in the villa
• The option of a Jasmine /Rose bath can be done in the bath tub in the Evening.
• Cultural show in the evening followed by private Candle Light Dinner at the Villa.

• After breakfast leave for Taj Green Cove Resort, Kovalam.
• Lunch at Jasmine bay, the coffee shop.
• Afternoon free for leisure.
• In the afternoon, visit the Jiva Spa for a specially designed treatment.
• Option of alfresco dining at the pool side (weather permitting) or candlelight dinner in the balcony / lawns of the suite.

• Breakfast followed by half day sightseeing of Trivandrum covering Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Sri Chitra Art Gallery, Kuthiramalika Palace and the Napier Museum. Various Shopping outlets can also be explored.
• Afternoon at leisure. Laze in the resort's infinity pool or the outdoor hot and cold Jacuzzi.
• Guests can opt to go for a catamaran ride for fishing or a backwater cruise
• Dinner at the specialty restaurant ' Curries' with a special menu.

Day 7 - Departure for the airport

• After breakfast, checkout and leave for Trivandrum Airport .

PLEASE NOTE : THAT ALL ACTIVITIES ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY AND WEATHER CONDITIONS.

Extra person in the room

Child (5 - 12 years) : USD 25 per night
Above 12 years : USD 40 per night

The above rates are PER ROOM PER NIGHT and include :

- Accommodation in standard or equivalent category of rooms at all hotels.
› Taj Malabar , Cochin - Superior Room
› Taj Residency, Ernakulam - Standard Room
› Taj Garden Retreat, Thekkady - Cottage
› Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom - Cottage Lagoon View
› Taj Garden Retreat, Varkala - Standard Garden View
› Taj Green Cove Resort, Kovalam - Superior Garden View
› Taj Garden Retreat, Madurai - Standard Room

- Buffet breakfast and fixed menu/ buffet lunch or dinner (MAP)
- One child below 12 years will be accommodated in the parent's room at no additional cost.
- Current taxes

A supplement of USD 15 per room per night to be charged over the total package rate for the following dates (both dates included)

• 28 October - 5 November 05
• 20 January - 28 January 06
• 10 March - 18 March 06
• 10 April - 15 April 06

› The itineraries can be made by choosing any combination of hotels across the two categories.
› Stay in a AC Moving House Boat at Kumarakom : USD 280 for 1 bedroom houseboat per night; USD 475 for 2 bedroom houseboat per night - inclusive of all meals and taxes.

In case of more than 2 adults or more than one child accompanying the parents, please recommend a two bedroom houseboat. In case of only one child, a mattress can be provided at no extra cost.

› Transportation for itineraries will be at an additional cost. See Transfers cost sheet.
› Munnar - All clients travelling on the Best of Kerala package and seeking to stay also at Munnar may make bookings directly at the hotel of their choice in Munnar. We can provide the car transfers from Thekkady. See Transfer costs sheet.
› Confirmation of all itineraries is subject to 100% payment in advance.

SUGGESTED ITINERARIES

5 nights

• Ernakulam/ Cochin (1 night), Thekkady (2 night), Kumarakom (1 night), Ernakulam/ Cochin (1 night)
• Ernakulam / Cochin (1 night), Thekkady (2 nights), Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom (2 nights)
• Ernakulam/ Cochin (1 night), Thekkady (2 nights), Taj Garden Retreat, Madurai (2 nights)
• Ernakulam/ Cochin (1 night), Kumarakom (2 nights), Kovalam (2 nights)
• Ernakulam/ Cochin (1 night), Kumarakom (2 nights), Varkala (2 nights)
• Thekkady ( 2nights), Kumarakom (2 nights), Varkala (1 night)

6 nights

• Ernakulam/ Cochin (1 night), Thekkady (2 night), Kumarakom (2 nights), Ernakulam/ Cochin (1 night)
• Ernakulam/ Cochin (2 nights), Kumarakom (2 nights), Kovalam (2 nights)
• Ernakulam/ Cochin (2 nights), Kumarakom (2 nights), Varkala (2 nights)
• Thekkady (2 nights), Kumarakom (2 nights), Kovalam (2 nights)
• Ernakulam/ Cochin , (2 nights), Thekkady (2 nights), Madurai (2 nights)

7 nights

• Ernakulam/ Cochin (1 night), Thekkady ( 2 nights), Kumarakom (2 nights), Kovalam (2 nights)
• Ernakulam/ Cochin (1 night), Thekkady ( 2 nights), Kumarakom (2 nights), Taj Garden Retreat, Varkala (2 nights)
• Ernakulam/ Cochin (1 night), Kumarakom (2 nights), Thekkady ( 2 nights), Madurai (2 nights)

8 nights

• Ernakulam/ Cochin (2 nights), Thekkady (2 nights), Kumarakom (2 nights), Kovalam (2 nights)
• Ernakulam/ Cochin (2 night), Kumarakom (3 nights, Thekkady (3 nights)
• Ernakulam/ Cochin (2 nights), Kumarakom (3 nights), Kovalam (3 nights)
• Ernakulam/ Cochin (1 night). Thekkady (2 nights), Kumarakom (3 nights), Varkala (2 nights)
• Varkala (2 nights), Kumarakom (2 nights), Thekkady (2 nights), Madurai (2 nights)