DAY 01
Delhi Arrival – Delhi City Tour
Our representative and driver will receive you on arrival at the airport (late in the evening) and transfer to the hotel.
Cochin is a diverse and colorful port/city, spreading over 4-5 islands and peninsulas. The main town of Ernakulam is on the mainland. All the islands are connected by a ferryboat network and therein lay the charm of an exploratory two days here. Around the headland of Fort Cochin, a phalanx of cantilevered Chinese fishing boats dips into the sea at high tide. In its back streets, there is an aroma of ginger, cardamom and other spices, piled high in every nook and cranny.
Overnight will be at Cochin.
DAY 02
Cochin
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Proceed for a sightseeing tour of Cochin in the afternoon.
Chinese fishing nets: The Chinese fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles 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.
JEWISH SYNAGOGUE: The Jewish community traces its history to nearly 2000 years ago. In 1948 the community numbered 2500 and today there are fewer than 30 people. The community is still centered round JEWTOWN where you will visit its crown Jewel, the Paradesi Synagogue. Built in 1568 and reconstructed after a Portuguese bombardment in 1662, the synagogue is distinguished by its tile roof and bell tower. The small synagogue is also known for its hand-painted, willow-patterned, blue and white Chinese floor tiles, and the many brass and crystal lamps that hang from the ceiling. Later visit the interesting International Pepper Exchange, also located in Jew town.
The Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC Gate, Bastion Bungalow etc. are also nice for sightseeing. Take a boat ride and visit BOLGATTY PALACE and VYPPIN ISLAND.
In the evening proceed for Kathakali Dance Show along with Kalaripayattu, Thayyam and Mohiniattam presentation.
Overnight will be at Cochin.
DAY 03
Cochin
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Day will be at leisure; car and driver will be at your disposal.
Overnight will be at Cochin.
DAY 04
Cochin – Thekkady by Road 160 kms in 4 hrs
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Drive to Thekkady through beautiful tea gardens, waterfalls and quaint towns.
Four hour drive southwards over rolling hills and coffee plantations to the PERIYAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, one of the major wildlife reserves in India. Indian elephants, wild boars, lion-tailed monkeys, ibex, tigers, leopards and sloth bears are on the list. The park surrounds a large, many-fingered lake and a dawn or dusk foray on one of the boats will be a thrilling experience. It is from the lake rather than vehicles that the wildlife is viewed. The sanctuary is rich in bird life. Great hornbills, kites, darters, herons, egrets, owls and kingfishers are in abundance. Surrounding the reserve are many small spice plantations and we spend an absorbing afternoon searching for pepper, cardamom, turmeric, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and betel.
Check-in at the resort and enjoy lunch.
Visit and elephant farm and spend time with the elephants. Watch elephant feeding and bathing and also take part in these activities. Enjoy an elephant ride.
Overnight will be at Thekkady.
DAY 05
Thekkady
Early morning you will visit the rare species of plants and animals by taking a NATURE TREK into the Park and then a short walk.
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Today visit spice plantations like 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 will be at Thekkady.
DAY 06 & 07
Thekkady – Kumarakom by road 140kms in 4hrs
Enjoy breakfast at the resort.
Proceed to Kumarakom.
On your way, you will stop at the TEA GARDENS and enjoy the views of women plucking the leaves. Climb up to the factory on top of the hill (all of them usually are like distilleries in Scotland are on the shore or top of hills) and take a tour of the process ending with tea tasting.
Check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat.
The backwaters of Kerala are a unique product of Kerala and are found nowhere else in the world. Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. The backwaters of Kerala are a self supporting Eco-system teeming with aquatic life. The canals connect the villages together and are still used for local transport. Over 900 km of this labyrinthine water world is navigable.
Spend two nights onboard the Goodearth Kayal Kettuvallam, stopping at each of the four communites; Vayalar, Chenganda, Perumbalam and Kodamthuruthu. Your mornings and evenings will be spent in the villages, getting to know the communities and discovering the customs and traditions, or exploring deeper into the backwaters in the houseboat’s own canoe.
During the hotter, central part of the day the boat progresses gently through the backwaters to the next village.
Overnight will be on the houseboat.
DAY 08
Alleppey – Kovalam by Road 60Kms in 1hr
Breakfast will be on board.
Cruise through the backwaters watching the children going to school and the village markets opening.
Disembark the boat at the finishing point where your driver will be waiting for you to drive to Kovalam.
Kovalam went through a gradual metamorphosis from an obscure fishing village to a contemporary holiday destination. Though frequented often, the very beautiful Kovalam beach glows in its un-spoilt beauty and offers a relaxing holiday to a tired and wandering soul.
Life at the tiny fishing village located on the Kovalam coast goes on as it did for ages. Take walk near the fishing village in Kovalam, Kerala, and South India and be enthralled at the simplicity, happiness and contentment that greet you.
A natural bay created by a breathtaking rock cluster and three crescent shaped beaches make up the stunning and very beautiful Kovalam beach in Kerala, South India.
Reach and check in at the resort. Day will be free to explore and relax at the beach.
Overnight will be in Kovalam.
DAY 09
Kovalam - Kanyakumari – Kovalam by Road 120kms in 2hrs
After breakfast, proceed for the sightseeing tour of Kanyakumari.
Surrounded by Majestic Hills and the plains bordered by colourful sea-shores, fringed with coconut trees and paddy fields, here and there are few elevated patches of red cliffs with undulating valleys and plains between the mountainous terrain and the sea - coast, so closely interwoven with Temples and Churches and other edifices lies the district, 'Kanyakumari'. (The district name is spelled as 'Kanyakumari' in official records which are in tune with the spoken name of the district in Tamil language). With an area of 1672 sq.km, It occupies 1.29% of the total extent of Tamil Nadu. It ranks first in literacy among other districts in Tamil Nadu.
Evening - return to Kovalam.
Overnight will be in Kovalam.
DAY 10
Kovalam – Trivandrum by Road 16kms in 45minutes
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Spend the day at leisure.
Overnight will be in Kovalam.
DAY 11
Kovalam – Trivandrum by Road 16kms in 45minutes
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
You will be transferred to Mitra Hermitage with sweet memories of GOD’S OWN COUNTRY – KERALA.
TOUR ENDS
