Kerala is known for its palm-lined beaches and backwaters, a network of canals. Inland are the Western Ghats, mountains whose slopes support tea, coffee and spice plantations as well as wildlife. National parks like Eravikulam and Periyar, plus Wayanad and other sanctuaries, are home to elephants, langur monkeys and tigers.
Package Highlights
Meet our representative upon arrival in Cochin and drive towards hotel to check-in. Enjoy city tour covering Mattanchery Palace- gifted to the king of Cochin, by Portuguese in 1555, about 500 year old Jewish Synagogue, Chinese fishing nets, local spices market followed by colorful performing art – Kathakali Dance. Later in the evening, return to the hotel for overnight stay.
After breakfast, drive to Munnar – derived its name from the confluence of the three rivers around which the town grew. Today, it offers beautiful vistas, cardamom and spice plantations, aromatic oil factories, sights of several endangered species and the purple-blue of the Neelakurinji flowers that bloom every 12 years. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and spend evening at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Explore Eravikulam National Park, home to various elusive and endangered species. It is a great place to enjoy trekking and offers mind-blowing views of the tea plantations. Later, proceed towards Tea Museum (closed on Monday), which gives an insight to the history of tea plantations of this region. Later visit Mattupetty Dam, Eco Point and Flower Garden. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Post breakfast, enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Periyar. Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats in Kerala, is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. Periyar wildlife sanctuary has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Herds of playful wild elephants have made Periyar Lake their favorite haunt for frolicking in the water. They can be witnessed bathing and swimming here. Enjoy a boat ride on the lake to view the wildlife at close quarters. Other inhabitants of Periyar include the leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri langur, bonnet macaque, sambhar, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boar and sloth bear. Later, take a spice plantation tour. The aroma and pleasant ambiance of the spice and tea plantations of Periyar are fascinating. Spices found in Thekkady include pepper, clove, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, vanilla and curry leaves. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and proceed to Kumarakom – a charming emerald peninsula jutting into the picturesque Vembanad Lake dotted with innumerable traditional country rafts, boats and canoes. The fresh water of the lake flows into the mainland, making a labyrinth of lagoons, canals and waterways. Spend the rest of the day at beautiful resort of Kumarakom. You may want to indulge yourself with some Ayurveda treatments in your hotel (On direct-payment basis). Ayurveda is the ancient healing system of India and has been practiced continuously for over 5,000 years. The various treatments are individually prescribed and involve the use of medicated herbal oils, herbs, powders and poultices & natural ingredients. Overnight in Kumarakom.
After breakfast, drive to Alleppey and board your houseboat on arrival. Alleppey, “Venice of the East” has a large network of backwater canals that meander through the town, surrounding villages and Vembanad Lake. Cruise through the beautiful and scenic backwaters of Kerela, while you stay in houseboat. Overnight stay on houseboat.
After breakfast, drive towards south of Kerala, Kovalam- located close to the state capital Trivandrum, it is internationally famed for its palm-fringed beaches and rejuvenating centers. This coastal town initially came to notice with the construction of Halcyon Castle by the last Maharani of Travancore – Sethu Lakshmi Bayi. With the arrival of hippies in 1970s, the place gained recognition as a tourist destination and is today renowned for its 17 km-long coastline, which is formed by three beautiful beaches – Lighthouse, Hawah and Samudra. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel and spend rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Kovalam.
After breakfast, explore highlights of Kovalam- covering lighthouse, Vellayani Lake and Valiyathura Pier. Afternoon, enjoy a half-day sightseeing trip of Trivandrum. Visit the Napier Museum, built in the 19th century. This Indo – Saracenic structure boasts of a “natural” air-conditioning system, and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts… bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. Located near the Museum, the Shree Chitra Kala 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. Visit the Kuthiramalika Palace, built by the King of Travancore. The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family. Overnight stay in Kovalam.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Trivandrum airport for return flight back home.
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