DAY 1 : COCHIN

Arrival at Cochin International Airport/Railway Station – and get greeted by our tour

representative and transfer to Hotel. Kochi – the rich and Old Spice City, the commercial town of Kerala, is today renowned as the `Queen of the Arabian Sea’.

Visit JEWISH SYNAGOGUE (Built in 1568 AD. Closed on Saturdays & Jewish Holidays). DUTCH PALACE (Built in 1557 AD Closed on Friday & National Holidays). ST.FRANCIS CHURCH (Built by Portuguese in 1503 AD) SANTA CRUZ CATHEDRAL, MARITIME MUSEUM (Monday Holiday), CHINESE ISHING NETS line the sea-front and exhibit a method of catching fish, introduced by Chinese traders

DAY 2 : MUNNAR 135 Kms/04.00 hrs drive

MUNNAR, a pleasing 04:00 hrs journey riding through the picturesque hills jacketed in greenish tea and spice plantations. The cab will stop in many of the places on the way to enjoy the beautiful nature, waterfalls and sceneries.

MUNNAR is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. 1600 mts above sea level, the hill station was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Sprawling tea plantations, pristine valleys, mountains and aroma of spice scented cool air make Munnar is a resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji, this flower blooms once in every twelve years.

DAY 3 : MUNNAR SIGHTSEEING

Visit Eravikulam National Park at Rajamala (Here you can see the Nilgiri Thar), Echo Point, Mattupetty Lake and Dam, Tea Plantations and TATA Tea processing Factory, Kundale Lake etc..

DAY 4 : THEKKADY [PERIYAR] (Munnar – Thekkady 110 Kms/03.00 hrs drive)

The Thekkady forest, one of the finest wildlife reserves in India, spreading over the entire district, instantly conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spices scented plantations. This is the only sanctuary in the country where you get the unique experience of watching wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boating in Periyar Lake.

DAY 5 : THEKKADY [PERIYAR]

Visit spice market and spice plantations. Here you can see the Pepper, Cardamom, Vanilla, Cinnamon and other spices are grown.

Optional activities: Boating in Periyar Lake, Bullock cart ride, Bamboo Rafting, Jungle Trekking, Jungle Jeep Safari, Elephant Safari, Spice Plantation Tour, Tribal village visit, Periyar Tiger Trail, Kalari Payattu – a traditional martial Art, Kathakali Show – a traditional performance-Art etc..

DAY 6 : KUMARAKOM (Thekkady – Kumarakom 160 Kms/04.00 hrs drive)

An unbelievable beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Kumarakom a beautiful small water world situated on banks of the Vembanad Lake. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, located on the banks of the Vembanad an ornithologist’s paradise, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter heron and teal. Other common varieties like the woodpecker, skylark, crane, water hen and parrots can also be spotted here.

DAY 7 : ALLEPPEY HOUSEBOAT (Kumarakom – Alleppey 55 Kms/1.30 hrs drive)

ALLEPPEY the `Venice of the East’ by the travelers from across the globe, is caressed by the Arabian Sea in the west and a huge network of Lakes, Lagoons and freshwater Rivers crisscrossing the backwater country.

On arrival check-in at Houseboat (a luxury boat made in ethnic Kerala style having well appointed sitting room, bedrooms, toilet and kitchen) enjoy the tranquil beauty of the inland waters and the countryside for one day.

Houseboat Cruise at ALLEPPEY through narrow canals, Pathiramanal Island, Virgin Villages, Paddy Fields, Historical Places, Temples, Churches, Watch Snake Boats, Coconut Beer Shop (Toddy shop), Kuttanad Village etc. enjoy spectacular lush green paddy fields, where you may enjoy an unique nature, life style of village people and their activities like Coir roping, Toddy tapping etc.

Meals served will be of typical Kerala cuisine. Welcome Drink – Tender Coconut, Lunch – Boiled/Basmati Rice, vegetables, fish fry/curry, salads, Pappad. Evening – Tea / coffee wit

DAY 8 : VARKALA (Alleppey – Varkala 145 Kms/03.00 hrs drive)

VARKALA BEACH, known as the `Papanasam’ Beach (meaning redemption from sins), lying in the north of the capital of Thiruvananthapuram, the Beach is one of the most isolated beaches in Kerala. Away from the noise and tensions of daily life, the beach proves to be an ideal haven.

DAY 9 : VARKALA

Leisure at Beach side

DAY 10 : KOVALAM (Varkala – Kovalam 70 Kms/02.00 hrs drive)

The beach town of Kovalam is mostly attracting to tourist with its three famous beaches namely the Lighthouse beach, the Hawah Beach and the Samudra Beach. There are plenty of leisure activities at these beached like sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages and catamaran cruising.

DAY 11 : KOVALAM SIGHTSEEING

Trivandrum [Capital city of Kerala] city sightseeing – visit PADMANABHA SWAMY TEMPLE: This temple is one of the most important sites and dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is enshrined in the `Anantha Shayanam’ posture, the eternal yogic, asleep on the serpent Adishesha. KUTHIRAMALIKA PALACE MUSEUM (open 08.30 to 13.00 hrs, 15.00 to 17.30 hrs closed on Monday) the Place was built by Maharaja Swathi Thirunal Balarama Varma – the King of Travancore. The Palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family. THE ZOOLOGICAL PARK: (10.00 am to 6.15 pm – Closed on Mondays). One of the first Zoo in India. NAPIER MUSEUM & SREE CHITRA ART GALLERY: (10.00 am to 04.45 pm – Closed on Mondays and Wednesday) this art gallery displays select paintings of RAJA RAVI VARMA, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art in India. The oriental collection consisting of paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali.

DAY 12 : AIRPORT DROP (Kovalam – Trivandrum Airport 20 Kms)

Departure with lot of sweet memories the cab will drop you at TRIVANDRUM INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/RAILWAY STATION

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