Duration: 9 Nights / 10 Days
Places Covered: Cochin - Munnar
- Periyar - Kottayam - Alleppey - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Mumbai
Day 01 Arrive CochinLate night, arrive Mumbai and transfer to
the domestic airport for your flight to Cochin by 9W 405 at 0545 hrs. On arrival
in Cochin at 0730 hrs, assistance at airport and transfer to hotel. Rest of the
day free.
Evening attend the Kathakali dance performance.
Overnight
in Cochin.
Day 02 In CochinMorning Guided city tour.Afternoon
free.
Cochin - the palmgreen commercial town of Kerala has one of the
finest natural harbours in the world. A town with a hoary past, Cochin is the
gateway to Kerala.
The Jewish Synagogue - built in 1568 AD contains Grand
Scrolls of the Old Testament and the copper plates containing the privileges granted
to the Jews by the Cochin rulers. The floor of the synagogue is paved with exquisite
Chinese hand painted tiles. The Dutch Palace was built by the Portuguese and presented
to the Cochin Raja in 1555 AD. 17th century murals depicting scenes from the Indian
epic, the Ramayana can be seen here. St Francis Church, built originally by the
Portuguese in 1510 AD is believed to be the first church built by Europeans in
India. Vasco da Gama was originally buried here. The Chinese fishing nets can
be seen at the entrance of the harbour. The Chinese through trade contact taught
this technique of catching fish.
Overnight in Cochin.
Day 03
Cochin - MunnarMorning: Drive to Munnar (135 kms/04½ hrs) enroute
visit tea plantations. On arrival in Munnar, check in at hotel. Afternoon: Boat
ride in the lake.
Munnar (1,524 M), is the highest town of Kerala, with
a cool, bracing climate exuding an old-world charm. The atmosphere is fragrant
with extensive tea and cardamom plantations. There are enchanting high ranges,
lakes and streams and beautiful view of low-lying clouds and the mist filled valleys.
Overnight in Munnar.
Day 04 In MunnarFull day free
to visit the bazaars, plantations etc.
Overnight in Munnar.
Day
05 Munnar - PeriyarEarly Morning: Drive to Periyar (100 kms/03 hrs) and
on arrival, check in at hotel. Afternoon: Boat ride in Lake Periyar to watch wildlife.
Later visit Kumily spice market to see and buy spices.
Periyar Tiger Reserve,
777 sq km in area is set in a rich, mixed deciduous forest, interspersed with
open areas of tall grass. Periyar has a splendid artificial lake dotted with snags
of dead wood, which provide a perch for waterbirds; darter, grey heron, egret
and kingfisher. It is one of the finest habitats for the Asiatic elephant. These
enormous mammals swim in the waters and streams and usually they can be observed
during the boat ride. Periyar also holds, apart from Tiger leopard, sambar, wild
dog, barking deer, the lion tailed macaque, the Nilgiri langur . The forest harbours
a variety of woodland birds. Boat travel is the only means of transport in the
Sanctuary.
Overnight in Periyar.
Day 06 Periyar - KottayamEarly
Morning: Drive to Kottayam (120 kms/03 hrs) and on arrival, switch over to the
House Boat and cruise along the backwaters, passing through paddy fields, villages,
market etc.
The cruise is through `Kuttanad' literally meaning the land
which is lower than the sea level but is kept intact by its bunds and dikes. It
is the `rice bowl' of Kerala. The rice fields are very beautiful and this lush
land and surrounds governs the placid way of life of the people who live on the
backwaters.
Overnight on board HOUSE BOAT.
Day 07 Arrive Alleppey
- KovalamMorning: Drive to Kovalam (180 kms/04½ hrs) and on arrival
in Kovalam, check in at a beach resort. Rest of the day to relax at the beach
or indulge in Ayurvedic massages.
Kovalam is a sheltered bay endowed with
unusual beauty, located on the magnificent Arabian Sea coast. This natural bay
is a safe sea-pool, free from high waves and surges. The 30 kms drive from the
Tiruvanantapuram airport to the beach through groves of palms is refreshing. It
is an ideal place to swim, sunbathe and perhaps enjoy the ancient rites of an
Ayurvedic massage and oil bath.
Overnight in Kovalam.
Day 08
In KovalamFull day free on the beach.
Overnight in Kovalam.
Day
09 In KovalamFull day free on the beach.
Overnight in Kovalam.
Day 10 Kovalam - Trivandrum - Mumbai - DepartMorning: Assistance
and transfer to Trivandrum airport (25 kms) in time to connect flight 9W 335 at
1335 hrs to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai at 1535 hrs, assistance at airport and
transfer to city hotel for wash and change. Rest of the day free for last minute
shopping/packing. Evening: After farewell dinner, assistance and transfer to International
airport in time to connect your onward flight home.
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