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Day 1
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Depart San Francisco or Los
Angeles via Singapore Airlines, the world’s best airline.
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Day 2
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Arrive Singapore. Overnight.
Hotel Orchard or similar.
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Day 3
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Depart Singapore for Chennai,
formerly known as Madras. Taj Coromandel or similar.
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Day 4
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After breakfast, excursion to
Kanchipuram and Mamallapuram. Kanchipuram is one of the
seven sacred cities of India, while Mamallapuram offers
unique examples of rock temples. BLD
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Day 5
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After breakfast, transfer to
the airport for your short flight to Madurai, a bustling
city packed with pilgrims, businessmen, bullock carts and
legions of rickshaw pullers. In the evening, visit the
Meenakshi Temple to witness the Puja ceremony. Taj Garden
Retreat. BD
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Day 6
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This morning visit Shree
Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalia Nayak Palace and the Gandhi
Museum. Continue on to Mariaman Teppakkulam Tank, site of
the annual Float Festival. BD
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Day 7
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Your exploration of South
India continues as you travel to Thekkady. This unique
wildlife sanctuary is about 300 square miles and centered on
an artificial lake fed by the Periyar River. Afternoon at
leisure. Taj Garden Retreat. BD
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Day 8
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Morning game viewing by boat
which affords sightings of elephants, bison, deer and if
lucky, Tigers. This tropical habitat makes it one of the
premier reserves of South India with all the manner of flora
and fauna in abundance. This afternoon, depart for Kumarakom
experiencing the rich culture and active lifestyle that has
evolved centuries in and around the backwaters and waterways
that thread this region. Kumarakom Resort. BD
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Day 9
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Enjoy a backwaters cruise
through a series of canals and lagoons snaking their way
through tiny Villages and tropical vegetation. In the
afternoon, we depart for Cochin, known for its well-balanced
ecosystem. Enjoy a presentation of the colorful costumed
Kathakali dance drama including a demonstration of the
extensive make-up. Taj Malabar Hotel. BLD
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Day 10
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Morning sightseeing of Cochin
which includes visits to the Portuguese Church built by St.
Francis in 1562, the Jewish Synagogue and the famed
Matancherry Palace; view the Chinese fishing nets. Afternoon
free until our special dinner tonight to bid farewell to
India. BD
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Day 11
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After breakfast, transfer to
the airport for our short flight to Colombo, capital of Sri
Lanka. Upon arrival, we will drive to Dambulla. Kandalama
Hotel. BD
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Day 12
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After breakfast, excursion to
Polonnaruwa via Sigiriya and climb the Rock Fortress. The
ruined City of Polonnaruwa dates back to the 10th century
and now World Heritage site. BLD
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Day 13
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After breakfast, proceed to
Anuradhpura, Sri Lanka’s first capital, founded in 4t
century B.C. After lunch visit the famous Dambulla Caves,
which contain rare 2000 year old paintings of Lord Buddha,
depicting his birth, life and death. Kandalama Hotel. BLD
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Day 14
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Today we depart Dambulla for
Kandy, the last capital of the Sinhalese kings. This
three-hours ride is a beautiful one. We will visit a Spice
Garden in Matale and learn about herbs. Continue on to Kandy
and check-in at Mahaweli Reach Hotel. Welcome dinner
arranged tonight at the restaurant terrace followed by a
traditional Sri Lankan cultural show. BD
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Day 15
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After breakfast, enjoy a free
morning. After lunch, visit Perdeniya botanical garden and
visit a Gem museum. In the late afternoon visit the
golden-roofed Dalada Maligawa where the sacred tooth of Lord
Buddha is enshrined. Participate in the evening pooja at
Dalada Maligawa. BD
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Day 16
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After breakfast, check out and
depart for Nuwara Eliya – a journey where you pass
mountains, valleys, terraced paddies, tea gardens,
waterfalls and traditional Sri Lankan life. We also stop at
a tea factory to witness the complete process of making tea!
Nuwara Eliya is a bit of “Little England” with its stone
house, rose gardens and perfect lawns. Grand Hotel. BD
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Day 17
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After breakfast, we continue
on to Colombo via Pinnawela. Pinnawella is a government-run
elephant orphanage located on the banks of Maha River. This
will be one of your highlights! A special farewell dinner
has been planned for night. Colombo Hilton. BLD
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Day 18
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Morning sightseeing of Colombo
and some last-minute shopping before our flight tonight for
Singapore. B
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Day 19
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Arrive Singapore, connect to
your flight to San Francisco or Los Angeles. Or ask us about
possible stops in Singapore, Seoul or Hong Kong.
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