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Dates and prices are subject to change. For booking, availability, and detailed itineraries, consult your travel agent or check online. Southern India & Karnataka by Rail RAIL Highlights › › Indulge in the relaxing vibe and amazing food of seaside Goa › › Marvel at the breathtaking ruins of the Karnataka region in Hampi › › Explore palaces and plantations in Mysore and Madikeri What's Included Beach time in Goa. Walking tour and ruins visit in Hampi (Karnataka). Hararama Temple visit. Mysore Palace and Chamunda Hill visits (Mysore). Namdroling Monastery visit. Coffee plantation tour (Madikeri). Madikeri Fort and Raja's Seat visit. Fort Kochi and Chinese fishing nets visit. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities. ACCOMMODATIONS Hotels/ guesthouses (7 nts), sleeper trains (2 nts) TRANSPORT Train (seats), train (beds), private van, walking GROUP LEADER CEO throughout, local guides MEALS Allow USD240-315 for meals not included. ITINERARY As a country, India is so vast that sometimes it takes a couple visits in order to see as much of it as possible. Knock the less-explored southern region of Karnataka off the list right away. Over ten days' time, you'll take the train from Goa to Kochi via Karnataka and have the chance to see the breathtaking ruins of Hampi – a true highlight of the journey. Even more memorable moments await in Mysore and Madikeri as you explore opulent palaces and a coffee plantation. Hop on board and get ready for the ride of your life. DAY 1 GOA Arrive at any time. DAY 2 GOA Spend a free day relaxing on the beach or opt to visit the many Portuguese-built monuments, wander around the churches of Old Goa (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), or discover Panjim, the capital. Don't forget to indulge in Goan cuisine. DAYS 3-4 HAMPI Travel by Visakhapatnam Howrah Express train and bus to reach Hampi in the heart of Karnataka. Spend a full day on a walking tour and exploring the spectacular ruins of Hampi Palaces, Hararama Temple, and the boulders on the river. In the evening, take an overnight Hampi Express train to Mysore. DAY 5 MYSORE Arrive in Mysore and explore the Mysore Palace and Chamunda Hill. DAYS 6-7 MADIKERI Drive to Bylakuppe and explore the Namdroling Monastery - a home to nearly 5000 Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns. Later, drive to Madikeri for the evening. Explore Madikeri (the coffee hub of India) and enjoy a tour of a coffee plantation. Visit the Madikeri Fort and the famed Raja's Seat for its stunning views. DAYS 8-9 KOCHI Take a morning drive to the coastal town of Kannur. Catch the Ernakulam Express to Kochi in the afternoon. Explore the Fort Kochi area and see the Chinese fishing nets at work. If time permits, visit the Jewish area and synagogue, the Dutch Palace, and Spice Market. DAY 10 KOCHI Depart at any time. Guaranteed Departures Number of IF YOU'RE BOOKED, YOU'RE GOING | departures / month. 1 3 3 2 1 2 1 3 2 1 ■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■ J F M A M J J A S O N D 10 DAYS—GOA TO KOCHI FROM $ 999 OPTIONAL MY OWN ROOM: $ 399 TOUR CODE: AHKR IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? See back foldout. TYPE: SMALL GROUP – MAX 15, AVG 12 SERVICE LEVEL: STANDARD PHYSICAL DEMAND: LIGHT Goa Kochi Hampi Mysore Madikeri Kannur I N D I A K A R N A T A K A Southern India & East Coast by Rail RAIL Highlights › › Live like a local in the Kerala Backwaters › › Travel to the southern tip of India in Kanyakumari › › Explore temples and palaces up the east coast › › Visit bustling Kolkata What's Included Kerala Backwaters homestay. Backwaters canal ride. Vivekananda Rock and Ramkrishna Ashram visit (Kanyakumari). Meenakshi Temple visit (Madurai). Cycle tour to Shore Temple and Mamallapuram Beach. Simachalam Temple visit (Vizag). Jagannath Temple visit (Puri). Raghuraj Pur village visit. Beach time in Puri. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities. ACCOMMODATIONS Hotels/guesthouses (10 nts), homestay (1 nt), sleeper train (2 nts) TRANSPORT Train (seats), train (beds), private van, walking GROUP LEADER CEO throughout, local guides MEALS 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner. Allow USD310-405 for meals not included. ITINERARY It's common knowledge that India is a huge tourist destination – so what do you do if you want to get off the beaten path and check out some underexplored parts of the country? Get on the train, of course. Get on board and go from the deep south of Kochi up the east coast towards bustling Kolkata, disembarking to explore temples and palaces along the way. You'll have the chance to explore smaller cities and villages on the coast, getting a perspective on this country that few have the opportunity to experience. Once you've lived like a local in Kerala before hopping back on board the train for the next adventure, you'll be seeing India in a brand new light. DAY 1 KOCHI Arrive at any time. DAYS 2-3 ALLEPPEY Take a morning Ernad Express train to Alleppey for an overnight in a Kerala Backwaters homestay. Walk in the paddy fields and take a canoe ride through the canals the region is famous for. Enjoy a free day to continue exploring. ( 1B, 1D ) DAY 4 KANYAKUMARI Enjoy some more time in Kerala before an evening Ernad Express train to Kanyakumari for a full day exploring the area. ( 1B ) DAYS 5-6 KAYAKUMARI/MADURAI Spend most of the day in Kanyakumari. Drive to the southernmost tip of India and take a ferry across to Vivekananda Rock and Ramkrishna Ashram. Take an evening Kanyakumari Express train to Madurai. Explore the Meenakshi Temple and colourful Madurai markets. DAYS 7-8 MAMALLAPURAM Take the morning Vaigai Express train to Chengalpattu, continue by van to Mamallapuram. Cycle around and explore the rock-cut Shore Temple and Mamallapuram Beach. DAY 9 CHENNAI/VIZAG Drive to Chennai and catch an early Coromondal Express train to Vizag. Spend the day on the train with plenty of time to relax and watch the scenery of East Coast India glide by. DAY 10 VIZAG Explore Vizag and the northern beaches, along with the Simachalam Temple. DAYS 11-12 PURI Take an early Puri Express train to Bhubaneshwar and marvel at the scenery. Continue by van to reach Puri. Explore the Jagannath Temple, Raghuraj Pur village, and beautiful Puri beaches. DAY 13 KOLKATA Take a morning Shatabdi Express train to Kolkata, with lunch provided on board. Arrive in the afternoon and enjoy a night out with the group. ( 1L ) DAY 14 KOLKATA Depart at any time. Guaranteed Departures Number of IF YOU'RE BOOKED, YOU'RE GOING | departures / month. 1 2 1 1 1 1 ■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■›■ J F M A M J J A S O N D 14 DAYS—KOCHI TO KOLKATA FROM $ 1399 OPTIONAL MY OWN ROOM: $ 549 TOUR CODE: AHER IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? See back foldout. TYPE: SMALL GROUP – MAX 15, AVG 12 SERVICE LEVEL: STANDARD PHYSICAL DEMAND: LIGHT Kolkata Kochi Puri Vizag Chennai Alleppey Madurai Kanyakumari Mamallapuram I N D I A ASIA›› INDIA 32