TAJ GROUP - BEST OF KERALA
Validity : October 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005
Validity : 01 May to 15 October 2005 (for Itinerary - 4)

INR. OFFER

* Opt for Taj Residency, Ernakulam instead of Taj Malabar, Cochin at a reduction of Rs. 2000 per room per night .

Inclusives ( for Itinerary 01 to 03)

• Current hotel taxes
• Two way transfers to the nearest airport/ railway station
• Accommodation in standard rooms
• All 3 meals - Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner as per itinerary. Prawns, Lobsters and Liquor at an
  extra charge. Tea/ coffee in the restaurants on a complimentary basis.
• Transportation on dedicated A/c car basis (Maruti Esteem) as per itinerary
• Sightseeing included by air-conditioned transportation (except on the boat) as per itinerary.
• Children below 5 years free in the parents room
• One child below 12 years free sharing the room with an extra bed and meals.

Extension of stay on the itineraries

Extension to Green Cove Resort and Spa, Kovalam (Opening December 04) available at a supplement cost :

• From Kumarakom ( In the Enter Cochin - Exit Cochin Package )
• Per Night Rs.10,000/-
• From Varkala ( In the Enter Cochin - Exit Varkala Package )
• Per Night Rs.8000/-

Day trip to Kanyakumari can be organized at an additional transport cost :-

• From Taj Garden Retreat, Varkala Rs. 3575/-
• From Green Cove Resort and Spa, Kovalam Rs. 2425/-

Extension to Munnar - should a guest wish to extend stay at Munnar from Thekkady, we can organize the transportation. Accommodation at Munnar has to be booked directly by the guest.

• Per Night (car) Rs.1800/-

Extension in a Moving House Boat at Kumarakom : Rs.12000/- per room per night.

Supplement for Taj Moving Houseboat at Kumarakom on Best of Kerala - If Guest stays on the Moving A/c Taj Houseboat instead of a room will have to pay an additional Rs.4000/- on the package for a couple per night.

Inclusions (for Itinerary - 04)

• Current Hotel taxes
• Two way transfers to the nearest airport. (Entry - Cochin ; Exit - Trivandrum or vice versa)
• Accommodation :
  Taj Malabar, Cochin - Executive Suite
  Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom - Luxury Room with the private pool.
  Taj Green Cove Resort, Kovalam - Suite
• Buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner at a choice of restaurants as per a specially designed itinerary.
• Sightseeing and exclusive experiences as per itinerary.
• Specially designed spa treatments once during the stay at each of the hotels
• Children below 5 years free in the parents room
• One child below 12 years free sharing the room with an extra bed
  

DETAILED ITINERARIES

Itinerary 1
Validity : October 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005
( 5 Nights / 6 Days, Entry Cochin Exit Cochin )

Taj Malabar Cochin/ Taj Residency Ernakulam (1) - Taj Garden Retreat, Thekkady (2) - Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom (1) - Taj Malabar Cochin / Taj Residency Ernakulam (1)

Day 1 - Arrive Cochin -Taj Malabar, Cochin / Taj Residency, Ernakulam

• Pick-up from the airport or railway station as per arrival details straight to the hotel
• Meet at the lobby at 5.30 pm for Kathakali show or Sunset Cruise at Taj Residency / Sunset cruise at Taj Malabar.
• Dinner at the restaurant

Day 2 - Departure to Taj Garden Retreat, Thekkady

• Breakfast at the restaurant
• Meet at the lobby at 9:30 am for sightseeing to Fort Cochin, Spice Markets, Antique shopping, Synagogue and Chinese Fishing Nets
• Lunch in the restaurant
• Meet at the lobby at 1:30 pm to leave for Thekkady
• Dinner at TGR Thekkady

Day 3 - At Taj Garden Retreat, Thekkady

• Breakfast in the restaurant
• 9.30 am Meet at the lobby in the morning for Plantation Tour
• Lunch at Restaurant
• Meet at Lobby at 3 30 pm for Boat Safari in Periyar Lake
• 7.00pm Screening of Wildlife in the Conference room.
• Dinner at the Restaurant.

Day 4 - Departure to Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom

• Meet hotel activity coordinator at 6:30 am at the lobby for a 2-hour trek in the Jungle (Optional)
• Breakfast in the Restaurant
• Meet at the lobby at 10.30 am to leave for Kumarakom
• Lunch at the Restaurant
• Time off to relax
• 5.30 Meet at the Jetty for a Sunset Cruise.
• Dinner at the hotel restaurant or lawns
• Night fishing option - (At an extra charge)

Day 5 - Departure to Taj Malabar, Cochin / Taj Residency, Ernakulam

• Meet at the lobby at 6.30 am for bird watching in the nearby bird sanctuary (optional)
• Breakfast at the restaurant.
• 10.30 am to depart to Taj Malabar,Cochin / Taj Residency, Ernakulam
• Lunch at the Restaurant
• At 5:30 pm meet at the lobby for Sunset cruise at Taj Malabar / Kathakali or Sunset Cruise at Taj Residency.
• 7.30 pm return to hotel for dinner

Day 6 - Depart Cochin

• Breakfast at the restaurant
• Leave for Cochin airport/railway station as per departure schedule

Itinerary 2
Validity : October 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005
( 6 Nights / 7 Days, Entry Cochin Exit Trivandrum )

Taj Malabar Cochin/ Taj Residency, Ernakulam (1) - Taj Garden Retreat, Thekkady (2) - Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom (1) - Taj Garden Retreat, Varkala (2)

Day 1 - Arrive Cochin -Taj Malabar, Cochin / Taj Residency, Ernakulam

• Pick-up from the airport or railway station as per arrival details straight to the hotel
• Meet at the lobby at 5.30 pm for Sunset cruise at Taj Malabar / Sunset Cruise or Kathakali Show at
  Taj Residency, Ernakulam
• Dinner at the restaurant

Day 2 - Depart for Taj Garden Retreat, Thekkady

• Breakfast at the restaurant
• Meet at the lobby at 9:30 am for sightseeing to Fort Cochin, Spice Markets, Antique shopping,
  Synagogue and Chinese Fishing Nets
• Lunch in the restaurant
• Meet at the lobby at 1:30 pm to leave for Thekkady
• Dinner at Thekkady

Day 3 - At Taj Garden Retreat, Thekkady

• Breakfast in the restaurant
• 9.30 am Meet at the lobby in the morning for Plantation Tour
• Lunch at Restaurant
• 3 30 pm Meet at Lobby at for Boat Safari in Periyar Lake
• 7.00pm Screening of Wildlife in the Conference room.
• Dinner at Restaurant

Day 4 - Departure to Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom

• Meet hotel activity coordinator at 6:30 am at the lobby for a 2-hour trek in the Jungle (Optional)
• Breakfast in the Restaurant
• Meet at the lobby at 10.00 am to leave for TGR Kumarakom
• Time off to relax - swim, fish, rowboats or use the Ayurveda Center (At an extra charge)
• At 5:30 pm meet at the lobby for Sunset cruise
• Dinner at the hotel restaurant or lawns (Night fishing option - At an extra charge)

Day 5 - Departure to Taj Garden Retreat, Varkala.

• Meet at the lobby at 6.30 am for bird watching in the nearby bird sanctuary (optional)
• Breakfast at the restaurant.
• 10:30 am departure to TGR Varkala
• Lunch at the Restaurant
• Time off to relax use the Ayurveda Center (At an extra charge) or enjoy the Pool.
• Dinner at the Restaurant

Day 6 - At Taj Garden Retreat, Varkala

• Breakfast at the Restaurant.
• 9.30 am Boat Cruise at the Backwaters of Kapil Beach
• Lunch at the Restaurant
• 5.00 pm leave for sightseeing - Sivagiri Mutt, The Cliff & Janardhana Swamy
• For ladies, a special cooking demonstration for half an hour at 6.30 pm.
• Back for Dinner at the Restaurant

Day 7 - Departure from Trivandrum

• Breakfast at the Restaurant
• Departure to Trivandrum airport/ station.

Itinerary 3
Validity : October 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005
( 6 Nights / 7 Days, Entry Cochin ; Exit - Madurai )

Taj Malabar Cochin/ Taj Residency, Ernakulam (1) - Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom (1) - Taj Garden Retreat Thekkady (2) - Taj Garden Retreat, Madurai (2)

Day 1 - Arrival Cochin -Taj Malabar, Cochin / Taj Residency, Ernakulam

• Pick-up from the airport or railway station as per arrival details straight to the hotel
• Meet at the lobby at 5.30 pm for Sunset cruise.at Taj Malabar / Sunset Cruise or Kathakaki show at
  Taj Residency .Ernakulam.
• Dinner at the Restaurant

Day 2 - Departure to Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom

• Breakfast in the Restaurant
• Meet at the lobby at 9:30 am for sightseeing to Fort Cochin, Spice Markets, Antique shopping,
  Synagogue and Chinese Fishing Nets
• Lunch at the Restaurant
• Meet at the lobby at 1.30 pm for departure to Kumarakom
• Time off to relax swim, fish, and rowboats or use the Ayurveda center (at an extra charge)
• At 5:30 pm meet at the Jetty for Sunset cruise
• Dinner at the hotel restaurant or lawns (night fishing option - At an extra charge )

Day 3 - Departure to Taj Garden Retreat, Thekkady

• Meet at the lobby at 6.30 am for bird watching in the nearby bird sanctuary (optional)
• 10.30 am departure to TGR Thekkady
• Lunch at Restaurant
• Time off to relax or use the Ayurveda Center (At an extra charge)
• Dinner at the hotel Restaurant

Day 4 - At Taj Garden Retreat, Thekkady

• Breakfast in the restaurant
• 9.30 am Meet at the lobby for Plantation Tour & Spice Shopping
• Lunch at Restaurant
  
• 3 30 pm Meet at Lobby at for Boat Safari in Periyar Lake
• 7.00pm Screening of Wildlife in the Conference room.
• Lunch at the restaurant
• Dinner at the Restaurant.

Day 5 - Departure to TGR Madurai

• Meet hotel activity coordinator at 6.45 AM at the lobby for a 2 hour jungle trek (Optional)
• Breakfast and time off to relax; lunch at the hotel
• 10.30 am departure to TGR Madurai
• Lunch at the Restaurant
• Time off to relax and explore the 62 acres of land that the hotel
• Dinner at the Restaurant

Day 6 - At Taj Garden Retreat, Madurai

• Breakfast at the restaurant
• Meet at the lobby at 10.30 am for departure to Madurai Meenakshi temple and shopping
• Lunch at the restaurant
• Time off to relax, use the pool
• Dinner at the hotel

Day 7 - Depart Madurai

• Breakfast at the restaurant
• Leave for Madurai airport/ Railway station as per departure schedule

Itinerary 4
Validity : 01 May to 15 October 2005
( 6 Nights / 7 Days, 02 Nights each at Cochin, Kumarakom, Kovalam )

Taj Malabar, Cochin (2) - Taj Garden Retreat, Kumarakom (2) - Taj Green Cove Resort, Kovalam (2)

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.

Day 2 - At Taj Malabar, Cochin

• 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.

Day 5 - Departure for Taj Green Cove Resort, Kovalam

• 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.

Day 6 - At Taj Green Cove Resort, Kovalam

• 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 (at an additional cost)
• Dinner at the specialty restaurant ' Curries' with a special menu.

Day 7 - Departure for the airport

• After breakfast, checkout and leave for Trivandrum Airport.