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Home , Alappuzha Beach, Alappuzha Lighthouse, Beaches in Kerala, Mullakkal, Periyar (river), Thekkady

Mumbai . . . .

Devon Seniors Cricket Tour Mar/Apr 2019: Mumbai-

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SPORTA TOURS

Travel Itinerary

You are one step closer to Experiencing India differently. In planning your

journey, this booklet will provide everything you need to know about India and our services. Please get in touch with Sporta Tours with any questions.

YOUR DESTINATION MAP 3

YOUR ITINERARY 4-5

YOUR JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS 5- 11

YOUR JOURNEY HOTELS 12

YOUR TRIP INCLUSIONS 13

YOUR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES 14

YOUR QUOTATION ESTIMATE 15

YOUR TRAVEL ADVISORY 16

ABOUT SPORTA TOURS 17 Fall in Love with India expect the unexpected... “A land of remarkable diversity – from ancient traditions and artistic heritage to magnificent landscapes and culinary creations – India will ignite your curiosity, shake your senses and warm your soul.”

SPORTA TOURS www.sportatours.com 2

A VISUAL OVERVIEW

Your Destination Map TOUR DETAILS

Dates: 18th March till 3rd April 2019 1. Mumbai Mumbai- Kerala, India

30 pax – Players (50+), supporters

Cricket tour; 05 Matches

16 Nights Tour

Sightseeing opportunities

4* hotels with Breakfast

2. Kochi

3. Alappuzha ...... 4. Thekkady

Mumbai- Kochi : 02 hour flight 5. Varkala Kochi- Alappuzha : 55 Kms/ 01 hour Alappuzha- Thekkady : 135 Kms/ 3.5 hours International Flight Transfers - - - - Internal Flight Transfer Thekkady- Varkala : 175 Kms/ 4.5 hours SPORTA TOURS ...... Land Transfer by coach www.sportatours.com 3 Your Itinerary Meals provided are indicated as Breakfast (B), Lunch (L) and Dinner (D)

DAY LOCATION SCHEDULE HOTEL OPTIONS

Day 1 Mumbai D Arrival; escorted to hotel by Tour execu9ve

Day 2 Mumbai B, L Full day MATCH 1 Fariyas Hotel, Mumbai

https://www.fariyas.com/hotel-in-mumbai/ Day 3 Mumbai B Mumbai sightseeing; Elephanta caves

Day 4 Mumbai B, L Full day MATCH 2

Day 5 Mumbai- Kochi B HOLI Fes0val; Flight transfer to Kochi (Cochin)

4* Casino Hotel, Kochi

Day 6 Kochi B, L Full day MATCH 3 http://cghearth.com/casino-hotel

OR SIMILAR Day 7 Kochi B, L Kumbalangi tourism village;

Day 8 Kochi- Alappuzha B Transfer to Alappuzha 4* Citrus Backwaters Spa Retreats, Alappuzha http://www.citrushotels.com/destinations/citrus- retreat-alleppey

Day 9 Alappuzha B, L Full day MATCH 4

SPORTA TOURS www.sportatours.com 4 Your Itinerary continue... Meals provided are indicated as Breakfast (B), Lunch (L) and Dinner (D)

DAY LOCATION SCHEDULE HOTEL OPTIONS

Day 10 Alappuzha B, L Backwater Cruise ride with lunch, Beach 9me

Day 11 Alappuzha- Thekkady B Transfer to Thekkady/ Na9onal Park 4* Greenwoods Resort, Thekkady

https://www.greenwoods.in/ Day 12 Thekkady B Wildlife Safari, Cultural show; Elephant ride (op9onal)

Day 13 Thekkady B, L Tea Factory visit, planta9on; other op9onal excursions

Day 14 Thekkady-Varkala B Transfer to Varkala; Beach 9me

Day 15 Varkala B, L Final full day MATCH 5 4* Hindustan Beach Retreat, Varkala

https://www.tripadvisor.in/Hotel_Review-g297639- d623968-Reviews-Hindustan_Beach_Retreat- Day 16 Varkala B D Beach 9me; Farewell dinner in the evening Varkala_Thiruvananthapuram_District_Kerala.html

Day 17 Varkala B Transfer to Thiruvananthapuram airport for departure

SPORTA TOURS www.sportatours.com 5 A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE Your Journey Highlights Mumbai

Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) is a densely populated city on India’s west coast. A financial centre, it's India's largest city. On the Mumbai Harbour waterfront stands the iconic Gateway of India stone arch, built by the British Raj in 1924. Offshore, nearby Elephanta Island holds ancient cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The city's also famous as the heart of the Bollywood film industry. It has some of ’s biggest slums (as well as the world’s most expensive home) and the largest tropical forest in an urban zone. Mumbai is India’s financial powerhouse, fashion epicentre and a pulse point of religious tension. The heart of the city contains some of the grandest colonial-era architecture on the planet but explore a little more and you’ll uncover unique bazaars, hidden temples, hipster enclaves and India’s premier restaurants and nightlife. Cricket was born here and it still lives here in every heart.

SPORTA TOURS www.sportatours.com 6 A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE Your Journey Highlights Kochi (Cochin)

Kochi (also known as Cochin) is a city in southwest India's coastal Kerala state. It has been a port since 1341, when a flood carved out its harbor and opened it to Arab, Chinese and European merchants. Sites reflecting those influences include Fort Kochi, a settlement with tiled colonial bungalows and diverse houses of worship. Cantilevered Chinese fishing nets, typical of Kochi, have been in use for centuries. Kochi also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, was an important spice trading centre on the west coast of India from the 14th century onward, and maintained a trade network with Arab merchants from the pre-Islamic era. Occupied by the Portuguese in 1503, Kochi was the first of the European colonies in colonial India. Very close to Kochi is Kumbalangi Integrated Tourism Village project, which is a unique initiative to transform the tiny island as a model fishing village and tourism spot. Here at the Kumbalangi Tourism Village one can fully savor a variety of natural splendors, and paramount to a model tourist village the outstanding ecological balance of the location.

SPORTA TOURS www.sportatours.com 7 A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE Your Journey Highlights Alappuzha

Alappuzha (or Alleppey) is a city on the in the southern Indian state of Kerala. It's best known for houseboat cruises along the rusAc , a network of tranquil canals and lagoons. is the site of the 19th-century . The city's Mullakkal Temple features a tradiAonal design. Punnamada Lake's snake boat races are a well-known annual event. Alappuzha is a Land Mark between the broad Arabian sea and a network of rivers flowing into it. In the early first decade of the 20thCentury the then Viceroy of the Indian Empire, Lord Curzon made a visit in the State to Alleppey, now Alappuzha. Fascinated by the Scenic beauty of the place, in joy and amazement, he said, "Here nature has spent up on the land her richest bounAes". In his exhilaraAon, it is said, he exclaimed, "Alleppey, the Venice of the East". Houseboats are famous for either day cruise or a night stay with in house kitchen which serves you authenAc .

SPORTA TOURS www.sportatours.com 8 A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE Your Journey Highlights Thekkady

The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice-scented plantaAons. In the Periyar forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India and spread across the enAre district are picturesque plantaAons and hill towns that hold great opportuniAes for treks and mountain walks. Lying close to the plantaAons, in the rich jungles of Periyar in Thekkady is one of the world's most fascinaAng natural wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Spread across 777 sq.km, of which 360 sq.km is thick evergreen forest, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Washed in fresh spice-scented air, Murikkady is a panorama of , coffee and pepper plantaAons. There are local cultural shows to look forward to which includes dance form and MarAal Arts show Kalaripaya_u.

SPORTA TOURS www.sportatours.com 9 A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE Your Journey Highlights Varkala

Varkala is a town in the south Indian state of Kerala. It’s on the Arabian Sea and known for , backed by palm-covered red cliffs. Just south, Papanasam Beach is believed to have holy waters. Varkala is a coastal town and situated in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. Varkala is the only place in southern Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to the Arabian Sea. These Cenozoic sedimentary formaAon cliffs are a unique geological feature on the otherwise flat Kerala coast, and is known among geologists as Varkala FormaAon and a geological monument as declared by the Geological Survey of India. Varkala beach is known as a haven for sun-bathing and swimming. One can take a flight from nearest InternaAonal airport Thiruvananthapuram.

SPORTA TOURS www.sportatours.com 10 A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE Your Optional Excursions Festivals of India Holi

Holi is a spring festival, also known as the festival of colours or the festival of love. It is an ancient Hindu religious Indian festival which has become popular with non- in many parts of South Asia and World wide. It’s a life time experience, if you are lucky to be in this part of the World. Holi commemorates the victory of good over evil, brought about by the burning and destruction of the demoness named Holika.

More info: : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh-o5g4tLVE Date: 22nd Mar 2019 (changes every year).

Arattupuzha The oldest pooram (temple festival) in all of Kerala, the Pooram is held at the Sree Sastha Temple in Thrissur for a period of seven days each year. Believers say that at this 'conclave', all Gods and Goddesses gather during the time period of the Pooram. As many as 23 deities from different temples in Thrissur are brought here and worshipped which makes for a stunning visual in itself. Known as the ‘Mother of all ’, its festivities are among the finest seen in Kerala as they represent such a wide variety of traditions from around the State.

More info: https://www.keralatourism.org/event/arattupuzha-pooram/3 Date: last week on March 2019 A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE

Your Journey Hotels

4* Fariyas Hotel, Mumbai 4* Casino Hotel, Kochi

4* Greenwoods Resort, Thekkady 4* Citrus Retreats , Alappuzha 4* Hindustan Beach Retreat, Varkala

Note: The esAmate is as per above hotels but no hotels are booked yet. At the Ame of booking above hotels or similar category hotels will be booked as per the availability.

SPORTA TOURS www.sportatours.com 13 JOURNEY INCLUSIONS Your Trip Inclusions

Package Inclusions: - 16 nights accommodation in 4* hotels based on twin sharing with Breakfast and wifi (wherever available) - 3 course hot lunch during 5 matches at the facility ; post match hospitality - Airport transfers in Mumbai, Kochi and Varkala by AC luxury coach - Transfers in an AC luxury coach on cricket, sightseeing and city transfer days - 2 x Laundry service for team training wear (outside vendor) - Mineral water for matches, transfers and sightseeing - Tour executive service throughout the tour - Farewell Gala Dinner with souvenirs & awards - Local sim for the head coach

Training/Fixtures Inclusions: - 05 full day matches at premium turf wickets grounds - Grounds man/Coordinator; certified match officials - Mineral water and refreshments - Cricket balls for training & matches (cricket kits not included)

SPORTA TOURS www.sportatours.com 14 JOURNEY PRICING Your Quotation Estimate

Your journey starts in Mumbai and ends in Varkala. Your quotation has been prepared for 16 nights based on min 30 pax

Category Price per person Price per person With breakfast Half board

Package Cost £2,475 (Twin Sharing) £2,575* (Twin Sharing)

Package Cost £2,775* (Single room) £2,875* (Single room)

Note: *Excludes Indian Visas, Travel/Medical Insurance, Meals (other than stipulated above)

Note: All information in this itinerary is accurate to the best of our knowledge but please note that changes to our trips can occur. This may be due to our effort to improve our program or logistical reasons such as changes in train/flight schedules, traffic conditions, weather conditions, or government policies. Sporta Tours will make every effort to keep you informed of any changes but cannot be held liable for any alterations made to the published itinerary. This is just an estimate and no hotels/venue has been booked as yet. Prices or hotels may differ at the time of booking.

SPORTA TOURS www.sportatours.com 16 JOURNEY INCLUSIONS Your Recreational Activities Mumbai: - City sightseeing of Mumbai , Dhobi Ghat - Elephanta Caves tour, ferry ride - Gateway of India and other colonial era architecture - Wankhede stadium tour - Holi Celebration (optional)

Kochi: - Fort Kochi and city tour - Chinese fishing nets and Kumbalangi Integrated village tourism project at Kochi with lunch

Alappuzha (Alleppey): - Cruise ride at Alleppey backwaters with Kerala cuisine lunch - Evening at

Thekkady: - Wildlife Safari at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (boat/trek); Elephant ride (optional) - Visit to Tea factory, Spice plantation, Cardamom Curing Centre in Thekkady - Evening Cultural show of local dance form Kathakali and Martial Arts () show

Varkala: - Morning Yoga session with a Yoga expert at beachside - Enjoy at the best

SPORTA TOURS www.sportatours.com 15 DESTINATION GUIDE

On Tour in India General: § Each passenger will need to apply for their own VISA for travel. Any problems please let Sporta Tours know. § India Standard Time is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT. § Temperature in Mumbai and Kerala during Mar/Apr 2019 would be Min: 24°C, Max: 33°C

§ Power outlets for chargers are of round (2/3 pronged types), Power is 230 volts. § Carrying toilet paper, hand sanitizer, mineral water, some local currency is always a good idea. § Tipping is at discretion only, but not mandatory. § Restrain yourself from giving any money or gifts to beggars. It's best to lend your support through established charities, volunteering and NGOs. § You can reduce some of the unwanted attention by dressing extremely conservatively, specially females. § Respect cultural differences, dress codes, religious sentiments at holy places.

Currency: India uses Indian Rupees which values at 87 Rs. to 1 GBP as on date. Currency can be easily exchanged at hotels, airports or major markets but when visiting Kerala it is advisable to carry some local currency as there would be lesser cash machines available.

Health & Safety: § Travelers are advised to take precautionary vaccinations for common diseases in India . For detailed information please refer to http://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/destinations/asia-(east)/india.aspx § Everyone must carry medications, spray for mosquitoes. Mosquitoes are common in Kerala due to tropical climate, backwaters and wildlife. § Travel and Medical Insurance is a must for every traveler to safeguard against any cancellations, baggage loss, medical emergency or accidents etc. § Delhi Belly is real and be careful and selective while trying new or different food/street food. § Tap water is not safe to drink and not advisable anywhere in India. Please carry boetled water with you at all times. SPORTA TOURS www.sportatours.com 16 WHO ARE WE?

About Sporta Tours

We’re with you from start to finish, in person. You can count on a consistent contact here at Sporta Tours to provide all the help and support you need. Along with pre-tour planning, a member of our extended team accompanies every tour – from the minute you touch down with a friendly welcome at the airport, right up to your departure.

You can rely upon an itinerary which has been carefully planned, using only excellent quality accommodation, high class facilities and with matches against well known opposition who we can be sure will give you an excellent, evenly matched fixture played in the right spirit.

From a warm welcome the minute you touch down right up to your departure, we’re on-side throughout your tour.

This is what we promise and why we’re a good choice…

The benefit of our experience We’ve organised over 400 successful tours in the past 10 years and know just how to help you get the most from your opportunity.

Personal involvement A dedicated Sporta contact backed up by a team and the attention of a company director, we’re with you from start to finish.

Tailored service No two tours are the same, we tailor ours to get things just right, every time, taking care to match opponents, select the best facilities, and more.

Competitive pricing Our buying power with airlines and hotels allows us to pass on significant savings, because the bottom line matters.

Protection – we’re ATOL protected, it’s an important detail, don’t tour without it.

Thanks for your interest.

www.sportatours.com 18