KERALA- GOD'S OWN COUNTRY

• Day 01: Arrival in Cochin

Arrival in Cochin. Here, you will be assisted by our representative and transferred to your designated hotel for check-in. Later, enjoy a half-day tour of Cochin. Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city, also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. The twin cities of Fort Cochin and Mattanchery have preserved an extraordinary wealth of really old colonial architecture spanning the Portuguese, Dutch and the British eras. Visit Fort Cochin… walk to the church of St Francis, the oldest European-built church in the country. Also explore the 282-year-old Dutch Cemetery in Fort Kochi. Continue your tour with a visit to Mattancherry, where you will visit the historic synagogue in the Jewish Quarter, built over 400 years ago. The Synagogue itself is elaborately decorated. You will also visit the Mattancherry or Dutch Palace, constructed in 1555. The palace has a fine collection of mural paintings depicting scenes from the Hindu epics. Thereafter, drive past the amazing Chinese Fishing Nets, strung out along the tip of the peninsula. Also drive past Willington Island, a man-made island that belongs to the Port Trust and the Indian Navy.In the evening, witness a Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali is the most recognized dance drama form in Kerala. It dates back to the seventeenth century and is deeply rooted in mythology, taking it themes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Overnight in Cochin.

• Day 02: Drive from Cochin to Munnar (120 km/approx. 4.5 hours)

After breakfast, drive to Munnar - derived its name from the confluence of the three rivers around which the town grew. Today, it offers beautiful vistas, cardamom and spice plantations, aromatic oil factories, sights of several endangered species. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and spend evening at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

• Day 03: Sightseeing in Munnar

After breakfast, visit Top Station got its name from the fact that it was the uppermost railway station, located in the Kundala Valley. This destination is popular for many reasons, however, the famous Neelakurinji flowers (Strobilanthus), which bloom once in twelve years, makes this place special among tourists. Other things that make this a place worth visiting are its amazing tea plantation, serene valleys, enchanting waterfalls, and exotic forest life. Later, proceed towards Tea Museum (closed on Monday), which gives an insight to the history of tea plantations of this region. Later visit Mattupetty Dam, Eco Point and Flower Garden. Return to the hotel for overnight stay. Overnight. 

• Day 04: Munnar – Thekkady (110 kms / approx. 3 hours)

After breakfast, drive to Thekkady (Periyar) and on arrival check-in at the hotel. Later, enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Periyar. Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats in Kerala, is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. Periyar wildlife sanctuary has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Herds of playful wild elephants have made Periyar Lake their favorite haunt for frolicking in the water. They can be witnessed bathing and swimming here. Enjoy a boat ride on the lake to view the wildlife at close quarters. Other inhabitants of Periyar include the leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri langur, bonnet macaque, sambhar, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boar and sloth bear. Later, take a spice plantation tour. The aroma and pleasant ambiance of the spice and tea plantations of Periyar are fascinating. Spices found in Thekkady include pepper, clove, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, vanilla and curry leaves. In evening, watch traditional Kalari show. (Optional) - You can also enjoy an elephant ride in Periyar. Overnight in Thekkady.

• Day 05: Thekkady – Alleppey (135 kms / approx. 4 hours)

After Breakfast leave for Alleppey. Embark your house Boats from here the boats called “ketuvallam” were used in Kerala for transporting the cultivation of Rice from the paddy fields situated on various islands to the sea port, now converted and furnished to be used as a tourist attraction for overnight stay with all comfort and on spot cooked original Kerala Boatman’s cuisine. Cruise amidst Kerala Backwaters, Tropical Forest, green paddy field, coconut groves and rural life. Hot Meals will be prepared for you and served to you at House Boat itself

Houseboat (Rice Barge) - ‘kettuvallam’, meaning rice barge. For The backwater travel along waterways with overnight on board. All meals are served on board, consisting of traditional Kerala cuisine. There is a quarter at the backside of the boat(s) for the cook. The traditional rice boats do not have the provision for electricity; lanterns are used after dusk. Toilet provisions are therein. The larger boats are motorized with full electricity supply & comfortable amenities for foreign travelers. Along the way are small settlements where people live on narrow spits of reclaimed land only a few meters wide. Although practically surrounded by water, they still manage to keep cows, pigs, chickens and ducks and cultivate small vegetable gardens. Prawns and fish, including the prized ‘karimeen’ are also farmed, and shellfish are dredged by hand to be later burnt with coal dust to produce lime. Traveling the backwaters is one of the highlights of a visit to Kerala.

• Day 06: Alleppey – Kovalam (175 kms / approx. 4.5 hours)

After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat &drive towards south of Kerala, Kovalam- located close to the state capital Trivandrum, it is internationally famed for its palm-fringed beaches and rejuvenating centers. This coastal town initially came to notice with the construction of Halcyon Castle by the last Maharani of Travancore - Sethu Lakshmi Bayi. With the arrival of hippies in 1970s, the place gained recognition as a tourist destination and is today renowned for its 17 km-long coastline, which is formed by three beautiful beaches - Lighthouse, Hawah and Samudra. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel. Possibility to visit Gangadhareswara Statue if interested. Overnight in Kovalam.

• Day 07: Day trip to Kanyakumari

Today, enjoy a full day excursion to Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of peninsular India and the meeting point of three oceans-the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The multicolored sand is a unique feature of the beach here. Visit the Kumari Amman or the Kanyakumari Temple, located on the shore. It is dedicated to a manifestation of Parvati. Swami Vivekananda is said to have sat in deep meditation here. Visit the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial built in 1970. Also visit the Gandhi Memorial, built on the spot where the urn containing the Mahatma's ashes was kept for public viewing before immersion. Return to Kovalam for overnight stay. Return to Kovalam for overnight stay. Overnight in Kovalam.

• Day 08:Relax at the hotel

Day at leisure. Overnight in Kovalam.

• Day 09: Departure from Trivandrum

After breakfast, you will be dropped at the airport in Trivandrum to board you onward flight.