Day 01 : Arrive Cochin
You
arrive in Cochin by international flight. After a traditional 'Swagat'
(Welcome) our representative would meet & assist you at the airport and
to our hotel for check-in. Afternoon we leave for a boat cruise on sunset
and in the evening we see Kerala's most popular classical dance, Kathakali.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02 : Cochin - Munnar (150 km/ 4 hrs)
Cochin always had a very popular and historical sea trade connection with
Middle East, Mediterranean Europe, Dutch and British. It has one of the
finest natural harbours on the Arabian coastline. Its cosmopolitan character
is reflected in the buildings and structures representing different regions
of the world. It is one of the few places in the world where one can see a
Jewish synagogue, Portuguese churches, architecture, mosques, temples and
Chinese fishing nets, all in one city. A city of peninsulas and islands,
today it is Kerala's commercial hub.
In the morning at 0900 hrs we leave for a half day city tour of Cochin,
with visits to St. Francis' Church, Dutch Palace (Built by the Portuguese),
Jew Town, the Jewish Synagogue built in the year 1568, spice market, where
the air is filled with the pungent smell of spices, and Chinese fishing
nets.
Later in the afternoon we drive to Munnar. The distance of approximately
150 km is covered in around 4 hours while enjoying the scenic beauty with
marvelous waterfalls, high mountains and low flying clouds passing through.
Upon arrival check-in hotel for overnight stay. (B)
Day 03 : Munnar
Munnar
Hills Munnar is one of the most popular hill stations in India, Munnar is
situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha,
Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 1600 Mts. above sea level, this was once
the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India.
Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and
holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience. Munnar is essentially a
tea town.
Morning post breakfast we head for a half-day tour of Munnar, visiting the
world's highest tea estates spread like a green carpet over hundreds of
kilometres, Lush green hills all around - a place to be seen to be believed,
and Eravikulam National Park (Park is closed in the month of January and
February), the best place to see the Nilgiri Tahr (mountain goat). Rest of
the day at leisure to explore the destination on your own. Overnight stay at
hotel. (B)
Day 04 : Munnar - Periyar (160 km/ 4 hrs)
Today we head for one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in India, the
Periyar Wildlife Reserve. Upon arrival at Periyar, we assist you to check in
at our hotel. Set on an attractive lakeside, it is South India's most
popular Wildlife Sanctuary. Late afternoon at 1500 hrs we shall take you to
a guided Spice and plantation tour in one of the Spice Gardens / Plantations
for which this region is famous. Overnight stay at the hotel. (B)
Day 05 : Periyar - Kumarakom (135 km/ 4 hrs)
Boat Ride at Periyar Lake Periyar is a place to cruise on the lake and
gives an opportunity to see wildlife. It is home to tigers, leopards,
elephants, bison (gaur), antelopes, sambhar, wild boar, money etc, and a
wide variety of birds.
Early morning before breakfast at 0630 hrs we go for a wildlife viewing to
the sanctuary on lake Periyar by boat cruise. After two hours of wildlife
viewing we get back to the hotel for breakfast. Later we leave for Kumarakom
known for its backwaters, huge Vembanad Lake and the famous Kumarakom Bird
Sanctuary. Check in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure for independent
activities. Overnight stay. (B)
Day 06 : Kumarakom - Thothapalli (Overnight Houseboat)
After
breakfast a visit to Bird Sanctuary. There are two seasons for birds:
between October and February there are cormorants, teals, and other ducks
and from February to July there are darters (snake birds), night herons,
egrets, and Siberian storks. It also has golden backed woodpecker, crow
pheasant, white-breasted water hen, tree pie etc.
This region is famous for its beautiful backwaters and village life
revolving around the banks of these backwaters. On arrival board the
houseboat, locally called Kettuvallam, and cruise around backwaters of
Kumarakom to Thothapalli to observe and experience the daily life of the
villagers along the backwaters. Overnight stay in the houseboat. (B, L, D)
Day 07 : Thothapalli - Kovalam (90 km/ 2 hrs)
Disembark the houseboat and next we head for Kovalam, South of Trivandrum,
one of India's best beaches and famous for water sports in Southern India.
The day's invested in exploring the unbounded beauty of this place.
Overnight stay. (B)
Day 08 : Kovalam
Day at leisure and overnight stay at hotel. (B)
Day 09 : Kovalam
Day at leisure and overnight stay at hotel. (B)
Day 10 : Kovalam - Trivandrum (Depart)
Tour concludes. We thanks you for your patronage and ensures a punctual
transfer to the Railway Station / Airport for your onward travel.
