Arrive in Cochin, where you will be taken to your hotel upon arrival. The name itself evokes images of fishing nets, spices, Ayurveda, and ships sailing on the blue sea. The city seems to be expanding every day and stands out from the rest of Kerala, blending traditional and modern cultures. With skyscrapers reaching for the sky on one side and the majestic Fort casting its shadow on the other, Kochi is a delight for everyone. Interestingly, the common elements in both these worlds are the red city buses, yellow auto-rickshaws, and the ever-friendly locals. Historically, the city has welcomed traders from Arabia, China, the Netherlands, Portugal, France, and Britain, all of whom came to admire this beautiful place. Today, it is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with three IT parks nearby. It’s easy to see the city’s potential for business and job opportunities. In summary, Kochi is the perfect starting point to explore God’s own country, as the most famous attractions in Kerala are located close to each other here. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Cochin.

Discover the history of Kochi by joining a morning sightseeing tour that will take you and your group deep into this remarkable city. The Dutch, British, French, and Portuguese have all made their mark with stunning architecture. You will explore Fort Cochin, a beloved sea port for many centuries, Vasco Da Gama Square, and Santa Cruz Basilica. Next, visit St. Francis’ Church, known as India’s oldest European church, built by Portuguese Franciscan Friars. Vasco da Gama was buried here before his remains were moved to Lisbon. Then, head to the VOC Gate, Dutch Palace, and Jewish Synagogue, and admire the murals at Mattancherry Palace that illustrate the Ramayana and Puranic tales.

Interestingly, the only signs of China’s influence are the large nets, ‘cheenavalas’, dating back to 1350. Diplomat Ma Haun noted, “The fishermen are friendly to tourists and will gladly let you join them.” This observation remains true today. You and your group will discover their unique fishing technique, which is conducted from the shore. Afterward, return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Cochin.

After breakfast, leave at 09:30 AM for a full-day tour of Munnar.

Start with a trip to Devikulam, a beautiful hill station famous for its green tea plantations and peaceful scenery. Take a guided tour of a Tea Factory and Tea Garden, where you can see how tea is made and walk through the fragrant plantations. Next, head to the Lockhart Gap, a well-known viewpoint that provides stunning panoramic views of the valleys and misty hills.

In the afternoon, visit the Tea Museum, which displays the history and development of tea production in Munnar. After that, check out the Shrishti Welfare Centre, a motivating project that helps differently-abled people through various vocational activities like making paper bags, dyeing natural fabrics, and baking homemade treats. Return to the hotel by 5:00 PM for an overnight stay.

Today, you will explore one of the tea and cardamom plantations that adorn the beautiful hills of Munnar. Discover the area’s history and learn how tea and coffee are produced, from the initial growth of the green plants to their packaging and distribution worldwide. In the afternoon, you can either hike through the misty plantations or relax at your hotel, enjoying the cool breeze high in the hills. Alternatively, you can visit the Rajmalai Wildlife Sanctuary, the only sanctuary in India that is home to the Indian Ibex, followed by a trip to Kannan Devan Hills. From this location, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Munnar Tea Estates and the Lake of Munnar. Overnight stay in Munnar.

Note: Eravikulam National Park (also known as Rajamalai National Park) remains closed annually from 5th January to 5th April for the Nilgiri Tahr calving season. During this period, guests will enjoy an alternative 3-hour Jeep Safari near Munnar, offering equally beautiful landscapes and wildlife viewing opportunities.

The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located near the plantations in the lush jungles of Thekkady. It is one of the most captivating natural wildlife reserves in the world, covering an area of 777 sq km, with 360 sq km of dense evergreen forest. Established as a tiger reserve in 1978, the sanctuary features a beautiful artificial lake created by the Mullaperiyar Dam on the Periyar River, enhancing the park’s appeal. This sanctuary is unique in India as it allows visitors to observe wildlife closely from the safety of a boat on the lake. After breakfast, begin your drive to Thekkady (Periyar), and upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Thekkady.

After breakfast, embark on a full day of sightseeing in Periyar. Nestled in the Western Ghats of Kerala, Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve is a stunning location. At the center of the sanctuary lies a beautiful lake, which is a favorite spot for herds of playful wild elephants. You can see them bathing and swimming in the lake. Enjoy a boat ride to get a closer look at the wildlife. Other animals that call Periyar home include leopards, wild dogs, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri langurs, bonnet macaques, sambhar, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boars, and sloth bears. Later, explore a spice plantation. The delightful aroma and atmosphere of the spice and tea plantations in Periyar are captivating. Thekkady is known for its spices such as pepper, clove, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, vanilla, and curry leaves. Spend the night in Thekkady.

After breakfast, travel to Alleppey and get on your houseboat when you arrive. Known as the “Venice of the East,” Alleppey features an extensive system of backwater canals that wind through the town, nearby villages, and Vembanad Lake. Enjoy a cruise through the stunning backwaters of Kerala while you relax on a houseboat. Spend the night on the houseboat.

Check out at 10:00 AM and head to Kumarakom. After having breakfast at the hotel, drive to Kumarakom, the center of stunning backwaters and lagoons. This area is connected by numerous winding canals and traditional low boats that transport everything from people to fish, rice, and coconuts, as well as deliveries for the milkman and newspaper boy. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel. Spend the rest of the day unwinding. Enjoy a sunset cruise in the evening from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kumarakom.

Full day to relax at the backwater resort, take advantage of the facilities available, and in the evening, enjoy a sunset cruise from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Vembanad Lake. Overnight stay at the backwater resort in Kumarakom.

It’s time to leave! After breakfast, you will check out and travel to Cochin according to your flight schedule for some last-minute shopping and sightseeing. After that, you will be taken to Cochin Airport based on your flight departure time. We hope you had a fantastic trip!