Destinations Covered:
Cochin- Munnar – Periyar ( Thekkady)-Kovalam – Trivndrum
Tour Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days
Day 1 : Cochin Arrival
Meet on arrival at Cochin airport and transfer to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Cochin or Kochi originated after a flood created one of the world’s finest natural harbors. Lying on the Arabian Sea, on a natural trade route between China and Europe, the city has been a trading port since Roman times. Whilst modern Ernakulam in the east has its expanding suburbs and is a dynamic city, it is the old districts of Mattancherry and Fort Cochin on a peninsula in the west, which are the main focus for visitors. Here narrow winding, picturesque streets, old churches and Portuguese, British and Dutch colonial houses appear frozen in the 15th and 16th centuries. The renowned cantilevered Chinese fishing nets supposedly introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan line the entrance to the harbour. Fort Cochin is a wonderfully peaceful place to walk around with lots of cafes, character and culture. Accommodation at Hotel in Cochin.
Day 2 : Cochin
After breakfast you will explore the Cochin city by visiting Jew Town on Mattancherry with its fascinating mixture of shops (some antique) warehouses and spice auction rooms with the synagogue at its heart. The interior is illuminated by the 18th century blue Cantonese ceramics flooring tiles and original oil lamps. Mattancherry Palace built by the Portuguese in 1557 AD and later rebuilt by the Dutch houses some superb murals from the Kerala holiday packages School of painting. St. Francis Church originally built in wood in 1510 and named after Santo Antonio, the patron saint of Portugal, was the first European church in India. Vasco da Gama was originally buried here before his body was moved to Portugal.
In the evening witness the make-up session that is demonstrated before a Kathakali dance performance, the popular art form of Kerala holiday packages, referred to as the first theatre imagination of the world, owing to its elaborate costumes, ornaments and facial make-up. Overnight stay at Hotel in Cochin
Day 3 : Cochin- Munnar
After breakfast drive up through the stunning western Ghat hills approximately 4 hours to the hill station of Munnar.
Situated in the heart of the Cardamom Hills in eastern Kerala, at an altitude of 1700m, Munnar is one of Kerala’s gems and a still relatively undiscovered hill station. Surrounded by endless green, rolling hills and 30 of the world’s highest tea estates, Munnar is now Kerala’s principal tea growing region. Planters live in old bungalows left over from the days of the Raj and the surrounding, dense forest is still rich in wildlife. Hemmed in by soaring hills, dominated by peninsula India’s highest peak (Anamudi at 2695m), the setting is spectacular and the clean, fresh mountain air is a world away from the steamy coastal areas. The town itself is spread out on various levels and is full of grand old churches and scruffy little houses.
Upon arrival check in at the Hotel. Rest of the day free to relax and enjoy the Munnar hill station. Overnight stay at Hotel in Munnar
Day 4 : Munnar
Day in Munnar for local exploration. You can visit Eravikulum National Park, Mattupatty Dam and a Tea Plantation. Overnight stay at Hotel in Munnar
Day 5 : Munnar- Periyar ( By surface)
This morning drive approximately 4 hours through beautiful, lush countryside across the top of the hills to Thekkady. Periyar National Park is only a short drive from Thekkady.
In the afternoon go on a group boat trip in Periyar National Park. The construction of the Mullaperiyar dam across the Periyar River in 1895 submerged large tracts of land creating a huge lake. This lake now forms the nucleus of the ecosystem of the sanctuary which extends to 777 sq km. Wildlife that can be viewed by boat include elephants, for which the park is famous, gaur, dhole (wild dogs), otters and freshwater tortoise. Bird watching is also good here.
Overnight stay at Hotel in Periyar ( Thekkady).
Day 6 : Periyar- Backwaters
After morning breakfast drive to Alleppey boat jetty to board Houseboat for an overnight backwater cruise through the backwaters.
‘The Backwaters’ comprise a labyrinthine network of canals and lagoons, at times only a few metres inland from the sea, and stretching for miles. These freshwater waterways wind their way through the tropical jungles of palms and fruit trees, vibrant green paddy fields and small, water based settlements and villages. In this region you will be able to glimpse Kerala holiday packages unique rural lifestyle where land and water are inseparable. Overnight stay in Houseboat.
Day 7 : Backwaters- Kumarakom
You will cruise till Kumarakom, an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Situated on the Vembanad Lake, in this small water world you’ll come across plenty of traditional country crafts, boats and canoes that will take you into the heart of the scenic lake. Enjoy the breakfast on your house boat. Disembark from your boat at the boat jetty in Kumarakom. Transfer to the hotel. Remainder of day at leisure. Overnight stay at Kumarakom Hotel.
Day 8 : Kumarakom- Kovalam Beach
After breakfast drives to Kovalam. Kovalam is famous for its breach and for various Ayurvedic treatments. Overnight stay at Hotel in Kovalam
Day 9 : Kovalam Beach
At leisure in Kovalam. You can avail beach activities or Ayurvedic treatments for which kerala is famous for. Overnight stay at Hotel in Kovalam
Day 10 : Trivandrum Departure
Morning breakfast later departure transfer to Trivandrum Airport for your international/domestic flight.