The Essence of Kerala 14 nights & 15 days

Day 01, Cochin

On arrival in Cochin, 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, Cochin

After breakfast take a city tour of Cochin, 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 03, Cochin – Munnar (110 Kms 05 hrs Drive)

Post breakfast 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 makes 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 04, Munnar

After breakfast you can opt to visit Mattupetty – famous for its highly specialized dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss live stock project; over 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into three of the eleven cattle sheds at the farm. Next, visit Pothamedu which offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks. Later visit Devikulam (7 km from Munnar). This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral water and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing. Return to the hotel for overnight stay at Munnar.

Optionally you can visit Eravikulam National Park (15 km from Munnar) the park is 97 sq. km, situated in the Devikulam Taluk and is home to the Nilgiri Tahr. Considering the ecological, faunal, floral, geo-morphological and zoological significance, it was declared as a National park in 1978. The park is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world. Later return to the hotel for the night.

Day 05, Munnar – Periyar (120 Kms 03 ½ Hrs Drive)

Post breakfast drive to Periyar (Thekkady), one of the most fascinating wild life sanctuaries in India, noted for elephants and scenic beauty.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06, Periyar

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 07, Periyar – Kumarakom (140 Kms 04 Hrs Drive)

After breakfast leave for 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 08,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. Night at the resort.

Day 09, Kumarakom Alleppey

After a leisurely breakfast, check out at 12 00 noon and proceed to Alleppey.Check in at the resort. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay at the resort.

Day 10, Alleppey – House Boat

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 11, Alleppey Kovalam

After a leisurely breakfast, check out and proceed to Kovalam. The coastal village of Kovalam lies just about 10 km south of Thiruvananthapuram but as Kerala’s most developed beach destination, it’s a world away from the rest of the state. Overnight in Kovalam.

Day 12, Kovalam

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

Day 13, Kovalam Kanyakumari

In the morning drive to 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 for the night.

Day 14, Kovalam

After a leisurly breakfast, visit Trivandrum: The Napier Museum, Kuthiramalika Museum, Sri Padmanabha Temple & Veli Lagoon. Evening – relax on the Kovalam Beach; Overnight stay at the resort in Kovalam.

Day 15 , Kovalam – Trivandrum. (20 Kms ½ hrs)

You are transferred to Trivandrum airport to board flight for your onward journey.