Tour Duration: 11 Nights/ 12 Days
Tour Destinations: Cochin – Munnar - Periyar National Park – Kumarakom – Alleppey - Kovalam
Kerala the ‘Gods own Country’ Tour will take one to one of the most beautiful destinations of Kerala in South India.
Nestled between the Western Ghats and the Indian Ocean, Kerala is one of the most beautiful destinations on the southwestern coast of India. Long white shorelines, golden beaches, peaceful lagoons and backwaters, tall palm trees, and the magnificent Nilgiri Hills filled with rolling tea plantations, exotic wildlife, and fragrant spice plantations together describe Kerala in short. The beauty of Kerala captivates visitors, which is why it is popularly known as “God’s Own Country.” In fact, Kerala has been a major spice exporter since 3000 BC, and the spice trade encouraged Europeans in the 15th century to travel to Kerala, eventually paving the way for the colonization of India.
During this tour one will explore historic Fort Cochin area in Cochin which boasts of old palaces, synagogues, churches and rustic markets.
Munnar, a picturesque hill station renowned for its sprawling emerald tea plantations, misty mountains, and cool climate and scenic landscape.
One of the impressive wildlife destinations of South India, Periyar National Park is part of the programme. An overnight houseboat cruise on the backwaters of Kerala.
You will end your tour unwinding on the beaches of Kovalam, where you can enjoy “Ayurveda” a famous traditional wellness system.
Watching Kathakali Dance, Kalaripayattu, taking a walk around spice market, exploring the forest on bamboo raft, exploring the jungle on foot are some of additional experiences this tour will offer.
Day 01 – Arrive Cochin international airport and transfer to hotel.
Day 02 – Full day sightseeing tour of Fort Cochin visiting Dutch Palace, Jews Town, Pardesi Synagogue, St Francis Church, Chinese fishing nets etc.
Evening witness Kathakali dance performance.
Day 03 – Morning drive through scenic landscape of Kerala to Munnar (135 Km).
Afternoon explore this hill station.
Day 04 – Morning, enjoy the landscape and visit a 150 years old tea factory.
Afternoon at leisure or free for optional activities.
Day 05 – Morning drive to Thekkady (190 Km).
Afternoon game viewing boat ride on picturesque Lake Periyar (Periyar National Park).
Day 06 – Morning, take a walking safari in Periyar National Park.
Afternoon, game viewing boat ride wildlife viewing in Periyar National Park.
Day 07 – Morning, drive to houseboat jetty for an overnight cruise on the backwaters of Kerala.
Day 08 – End cruise late in the morning at Alleppey and drive to Kovalam
Day 09 – Full day at leisure or free for optional activities (You can also enjoy rejuvenating Ayurvedic massages or other alternative wellness therapy if desired).
Day 10 – Full day at leisure or free for optional activities (You can also enjoy rejuvenating Ayurvedic massages or other alternative wellness therapy if desired).
Day 11 - Full day at leisure or free for optional activities (You can also enjoy rejuvenating Ayurvedic massages or other alternative wellness therapy if desired).
Day 12 – In time transfer to Trivandrum airport to board the flight for onward destination.
Day 01 – Arrive Cochin
Arrive Cochin international airport and transfer to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 – Cochin
Morning proceed on a full-day sightseeing tour of Cochin. You will visit some of the Historic sites of Fort Cochin such as Mattancherry or the Dutch Palace built in 1555 by Portuguese and gifted to then King of Cochin. However, what we see today is renovated form of it which carried out by Dutch middle of 17th century. Though the palace is built in traditional Kerala style, one can still see European influences in the architecture. Wood carvings and polishing are very interesting inside the palace, however it is the paintings and murals that infuse life in this palace. Walk around the alleyways of Jews Town and visit the Pardesi Synagogue that is the oldest active synagogue in the Commonwealth of Nations. St Francis Church the Oldest European church in India built during early 16th century. Watching the fishermen work at the Chinese fishing nets against a backdrop of the setting sun could be termed as the highlight of the day.
Evening witness Kathakali dance performance. One of the most popular 17th century Indian classical dance forms, Kathakali has its origination in Kerala region. In this dance form themes are taken from great Hindu epics such as Ramayana, Mahabharata etc. The costumes and elaborate makeup are the most distinctive characteristic of Kathakali.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 – Cochin to Munnar
Morning drive to Munnar (135 Km).
Enjoy the drive through lush green, scenic landscape of Kerala passing through mountain streams, waterfalls, spice plantations (rubber, pepper cardamom etc.), and Tea plantations.
Arrive Munnar and check in at the hotel.
Nestled at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level in Idukki district, Munnar is a picturesque hill station in Nilgiri Hills in Kerala. A part of Western Ghats, it offers a refreshing escape from the tropical heat, blending natural beauty with colonial heritage. Rolling hills carpeted in endless emerald tea plantations define Munnar's terrain, dotted with misty valleys, dams and waterfalls is one can define Munnar in one line.
Afternoon, explore Munnar. Driving through tea garden observing life in this hill station – stop by enroute at view-points, lakes and dams. Some of the famous stops here are Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Photo Point etc.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 – Munnar
Morning drive toward Devikulam area to get a view of the Munnar landscape and visit a 150 years old tea factory.
Devikulam provides a bird eye view of one of the Munnar landscapes. Walk around the tea plantation enjoying the view of scenic surroundings.
Lockhart Factory is almost 100 years old and one of the well-maintained tea factories from the British era. Factory tours reveal the full process of tea production i.e. withering, rolling, fermenting, drying, and sorting—offering hands-on insights into traditional methods. Participating in tea testing here always remains the highlight of the visit.
Afternoon at leisure or free for optional activities.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 – Munnar to Thekkady
Morning drive to Thekkady (190 Km/ 05 Hrs. approx.). Arrive at Thekkady and check-in at the hotel.
Afternoon boat ride on picturesque Lake Periyar. Periyar National Park is one of the best Tiger Reserves in south India that harbours many endemic and endangered species like Lion-tail Macaque and Malabar Flying Squirrel. The Tiger is the main predator here followed by Leopard, the Jungle Cat. Other carnivores in Periyar are Sloth Bear, Palm Civet, Otter, Jackel etc. Other mammals include Asian Elephant, Gaur, Giant Indian Squirrel and various other smaller squirrel species, Mongoose, Porcupine and Black-naped Hare, Sambar, Axis Deer (Chittal), Indian Muntjac etc.
The area also supports a healthy avifauna population. Over 320 bird species of birds have been recorded here that includes rarities like Pompadour Green Pigeon, Nilgiri Pipit, White-bellied Treepie, Malabar Trogon, Sri Lanka Frogmouth etc.
Evening walk around the spice market.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 – Thekkady
Early morning, take a walking safari in Periyar National Park. Exploring the forest on foot is a very different experience and Periyar is one of those few places where you get to do this. In this walking safari you will get an opportunity to understand the jungle and its inhabitants so much that no riding safari provides.
Afternoon boat ride wildlife viewing in Periyar National Park.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 – Thekkady to Houseboat Jetty and Backwater Cruise
Morning drive to Alleppey (130 Km/ 03 Hrs. approx.) Arrive houseboat jetty and embark the awaiting “Kettuvallam” (houseboat) for an overnight cruise on the backwaters of Kerala.
Kettuvallam actually a cargo boat designed to ferry rice bags on the waterways which is an intrinsic part of Kerala’s economic lifeline now is a major tourist attraction here. The houseboats are individualistic in character due to its unique design and use of indigenous materials like bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, carpets etc. It certainly is a unique and exciting experience and definitely the best way to explore life around backwaters.
Overnight onboard the houseboat.
Day 08 – Alleppey to Kovalam
End cruise in the late morning at Alleppey jetty and drive to Kovalam (170 Km/ 04 Hrs. approx.). Arrive at Kovalam and check-in at the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure or free for optional activities.
The imposing lighthouse, swaying palms, rocky cliffs and silver beaches are just some of the features that defines landscape of Kovalam. Soared to fame during 70’s amongst the hippies, Kovalam now is more popular for quiet beaches and wellness resorts. Ayurveda resorts dotted along the beaches now offers a perfect rejuvenating wellness holiday here.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 – Kovalam
Full day at leisure or free for optional activities (You can also enjoy rejuvenating Ayurvedic massages or other alternative wellness therapy if desired).
Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 – Kovalam
Full day at leisure or free for optional activities (You can also enjoy rejuvenating Ayurvedic massages or other alternative wellness therapy if desired).
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 – Kovalam
Full day at leisure or free for optional activities (You can also enjoy rejuvenating Ayurvedic massages or other alternative wellness therapy if desired).
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 – Kovalam
In time transfer to Trivandrum airport to board the flight for onward destination.
Note:
One can take a half or full day tour of Trivandrum if desired when in Kovalam
One can take a day return excursion to Kanyakumari (Cape Cameron) when in Kovalam.
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