Kerala Backwaters Wildlife and Beaches

Day 01 , Trivandrum Kovalam (20 Kms ½ hr)

On arrival in Trivandrum airport, you will be picked up from the airport and transferred to your hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel you are received with a traditional Indian welcome, overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02, Kovalam

Full day is at leisure; enjoy the facilities at the beach resort; overnight at the hotel.

Day 03, Kovalam

After a leisurely breakfast proceed for a half day sightseeing of Trivandrum. Evening is at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at the resort.

Day 04, Kovalam Kanyakumari

In the morning proceed for an optional tour of Kanyakumari, (90 kms / 1½ hrs). On the way you can visit the Padmanabhapuram Palace & Suchindram Temple. Arrive in Kanyakumari in the afternoon. Visit Vivekanada Rock, Gandhi Memorial etc. Evening -watch sunset at the beach. Later drive back to Kovalam, overnight stay at the resort.

Day 05, Kovalam Alleppey

After breakfast, check out at 12 00 noon and proceed to Alleppey. Check in at the hotel; overnight stay at the resort in Alleppey.

Day 6, Alleppey Kumarakom

After breakfast, check out from the resort and check in at the houseboat. Enjoy the magic of backwaters by going on a Houseboat (Kettuvallam) cruise across the backwaters. Spend the next 22 hours in your floating villa; getting a glimpse of the village life at close quarters, a unique and unforgettable experience. Enjoy the sunset & stay overnight on the houseboat.

Day 7, Kumarakom

After breakfast check out (10 00 clock) and check in at the backwater resort in Kumarakom. Kumarakom – for the nature-lover. Here in this backwater town, you can laze in a canoe amidst sylvan surroundings where the only presence is yours and the egrets. Later visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake,where numerous species of birds including Darters, Bitterns, Brahminy kites, Marsh Harries, Teals and several varieties of Herons roost are found. For an avid bird watcher, it is always advisable to carry your binoculars at all times. Return to the hotel. Make sure you do not miss out on Karimeen and fresh toddy, the favourite fresh water food and the local wine. Overnight stay at Kumarakom.

Day 8,Kumarakom

Day is free for leisure activities. A boat ride into the countryside, visit to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, adventure thrills in water sports like wind sailing and water skiing or canoeing at the lake. Spend the night at the resort.

Day 9, Kumarakom Thekkady (170 Kms)

Check out at 12 00 noon and proceed to Thekkady. Check in at the resort in the evening. Dinner and overnight stay at the resort in Thekkady.

Day 10, Thekkady

After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India’s biggest wildlife sanctuaries covering 777 sq. Km (300 Sq. miles) and is a Tiger Reserve. Its centrepiece, the man-made Periyar Lake at the height of 2000 ft. covers 26 sq. km, running through the forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala. Animals found here include elephant, sambar, gaur and birds like ibis and grey heron. With a bit of extra luck we may be able to see the rare tiger as well. Later in the evening take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. On your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Overnight at Periyar.

Day 11, Thekkady Munnar (130 Kms)

Post breakfast check out and drive to Munnar. Munnar is located in the Idukki district of Kerala State. The word “Munnar” means three rivers. Three mountain streams (Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala) join together here. During the British rule in India, Munnar was the summer resort of the Government officials. The natural beauty, calmness and mild cold climate throughout the year make it a favorite tourist destination. There are about 30 tea plantations in and around Munnar. The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar range encompass its beauty. Later visit the Rajmalai Wild Life sanctuary – this is the only sanctuary in India where Indian Ibex is found. Follow this with a visit to Kannan Devan Hills from where you can have a panoramic view of Munnar Tea Estates & the lake of Munnar.

Day 12, Munnar

Proceed to visit Pothamedu which offers you an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations and is famous for the breathtaking scenery, it is also an ideal place for trekking and long mountain walks. Also visit Devikulam, this tranquil hill station offers you a rare experience with its velvet lawns and the cool mountain air. You can also visit Rajamala where you can spot the Nilgiri Thar (mountain goat), then the Echo point where nature reproduces your sound. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 13, Munnar Thettekad

After breakfast check out and proceed to Thettekad bird sanctuary. Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary is one of the most popular National Parks of Kerala.This bird sanctuary is situated in the dense tropical evergreen deciduous forests and grassland patches. Check in at the hotel; overnight stay at the hotel.

The Thattekad Sanctuary is located in the Kothamangalam Taluk of Ernakulam district on the northern bank of the Periyar River. It attracts a large number of nature lovers especially bird watchers. Thattekad was developed by the untiring efforts of India’s birdman Dr Salim Ali; hence it also sometimes referred to as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary.

Ali described Thattekad in the 1930’s as the richest bird habitat in peninsular India, comparable only with the eastern Himalayas. Since then much of the forest has been diverted to cultivation and teak and mahogany plantation but what survives gives a glimpse of the phenomenal bird diversity of the once widespread lowland forests of Kerala

Day 14, Thettekad Kochi (80 Kms)

Check out at 12 00 noon and proceed to Kochi,one of the India’s most colourful cities. FORT COCHIN- interesting sites include Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow, Jewish Synagogue, Mattancherry Palace, etc. Learn the operation of the interesting Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles which work on the principle of balance. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450. Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea. In the evening enjoy the Kathakali, one of India’s most famous classical dances. Lavish costumes & exotic makeup & masks intensify the beauty of the dancers, intricate moments

Day 15, Kochi Departure

Check out at 12 00 noon, and depart as per schedule to the Airport/ Railway station at Kochi for your return journey.