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Feb 06
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Depart San Francisco or Los Angeles via Singapore
Airlines.
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Feb 07
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Arrive Singapore. Overnight.
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Feb 08
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Depart Singapore for Colombo, capital of Sri
Lanka, formerly called Ceylon. Overnight.
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Feb 09
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After breakfast, depart for Habarana. Check in at The
Lodge Habarana.
Afternoon excursion to Sigiriya – the most
fantastic single wonder of the island. BD
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Feb 10
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After breakfast, excursion to Polonnaruwa, the
medieval capital of Sri Lanka and now a World Heritage site. After lunch at a
local restaurant, elephant ride in Habarana. BLD
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Feb 11
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After breakfast, depart for Kandy, which was the
last capital of the Sinhalese Kings. We visit the Dambulla Caves dating back to
1st Century BC. We also visit a spice garden and batik factory enroute and the
Tooth Temple and Market Square. Queens Hotel.
Evening cultural show. BD
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Feb 12
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After breakfast, visit the Pinnawela Elephant
Orphanage in time to witness the bathing and bottle feeding of the baby
elephants. Lunch in Pinnawela. After lunch, depart for Colombo for sightseeing
and some shopping. Colombo Hilton. BD
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Feb 13
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After breakfast, transfer to the airport for
flight to Bangalore. Continue on to Mysore, one of the finest cities of southern
India. Lalitha Mahal Palace. BD
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Feb 14
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Sightseeing of Mysore, the Sandalwood City, once
the capital of the Wodeyar kingdom. BD
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Feb 15
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Today we go to Nagarhole National Park which has
an abundance of streams and rivulets and is an idea place to sight tigers,
gaurs, barking deer, wild dogs, bears and elephants.
We stay at the Kabini Wildlife Resort, rated among the top five wildlife
resorts in the world.
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Feb 16
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A view from the Kabini River Lodge is absolutely
breathtaking; the steep valleys with rich forests, spectacular pools and rapids;
the Kabini river bed is the playing ground for elephants of all ages including
calves that are a few weeks old. BLD
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Feb 17
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After two days of adventure, we proceed to Ooty,
renamed as Udhagamandalam and also known as the Queen of Hill Stations. Apart
from its coffee plantations and sandalwood forests, the area of Coorg bears
vestiges of its British past and a strong martial tradition. Pepper, Cardamom,
paddy, honey, orange, rubber, areca nut and pineapple grow abundantly here. BD
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Feb 18
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Homesick Britishers used to call it the ‘Scotland
of India’ but the Coorgs or Kodavas have all along had a distinct way of life.
They worship Karana(ancestors) as the family deity, Kaveri as godmother and
Igguatappa as the presiding deity. Taj Savoy. BD
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Feb 19
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We continue our journey through South India to
Calicut, which was Vasco da Gama’s first port of call in India. Calicut was
once the capital of the Zamorin Rajas. Taj Residency.
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Feb 20
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After breakfast we proceed to Cochin, in the state
of Kerala which is known for its backwaters and lakes(41 west flowing rivers and
1900 kilometers!). You will board your kettuvallom or traditional rice
boat--traditional except these have bedrooms, modern bathrooms, elegant sitting
rooms and a sundeck…..a comfortable houseboat to ply the serene backwaters. BLD
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Feb 21
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After the wonderful kettuvallom experience, you
are transferred back to Cochin.
Rest of the day at leisure. In the evening we experience the dances and music of
a rich past, steeped in tradition. Kathakali integrates music, dance, poetry and
histrionics. Le Meridien or similar hotel. BD
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Feb 22
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Sightseeing of Cochin includes the Dutch Palace,
St. Francis Church, Chinese Fishing Nets, Bolgatty Island. A special Farewell
dinner arranged tonight. BD
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Feb 23
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Free day for packing, last minute shopping and
relaxing until departure tonight. B
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Feb 24
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Arrive Singapore in the morning, connect to San
Francisco or Los Angeles.
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