Treasures of Kerala

On arrival, meet, assist and transfer to the hotel in Cochin. A city tucked in the beauty of coconut palms and endless blue waters is one of the important towns in South India, with a natural Harbor. Rest day is free at leisure. Overnight in Cochin. Cochin – Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as ‘God’s Own Country’. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. Overnight in the Hotel.

In the morning after breakfast you will visit Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, is the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth. It is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Mattancherry Palace or Dutch Palace has fine collection of mural paintings depicting the scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana. It is closed on Fridays. In Fort Cochin visit St. Francis Church, the oldest church built by European in India. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524 before his remains were moved to Lisbon, Portugal. The tombstone still remains. Also visit Chinese Fishing Nets that are the most efficient means of backwater fishing. You can enthrall yourself with a special presentation of the colorfully costumed Kathakali Dance Show in a local theatre. Kathakali is an ancient religious pantomime dance drama handed down through generations for more than 300 years and performed by dedicated families of Kerala Overnight in the Hotel.

After breakfast drive to Munnar – Munnar is a famous hill station in Kerala known for its tea estates. For those who do not want to be surrounded by crowds, Munnar is one of the best destinations that could be selected. The place has greenery, lakes, reservoirs and some of the highest tea estates in the world. The place also has good facilities for adventure sports. Munnar is located in the eastern part of Kerala at an altitude of 1524 meters. On the way to Munnar can see tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometers, lust green hills, a place so difficult to describe, very low population too far from pollution. On arrival check in to the Hotel and Evening stroll through the tea estates. Over night stay at hotel.

In the morning, after breakfast, proceed to see some spectacular sights in Munnar covering Mount Carmel, the first Catholic Church in the high ranges, tea factory, Mattapetty Lake, cattle breeding centre, Top Station-the topmost point in Munnar. Evening at leisure. Overnight Munnar.

Morning after breakfast drive to Thekkady – South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompassing an area of 777 sq. km. Though the sanctuary was made a part of Project Tiger in 1973, it is better known for its elephants. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a perennial source of water for the local wildlife. The dense forest cover and the variety of flora are also among the tourist attractions in Periyar (Thekkady). There are trees more than 100 years old and over 50 m high. On arrival in Thekkady, check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day free for relax. Overnight stay at the hotel in Thekkady.

In the morning, after breakfast drive to Kumarakom. Kumarakom is Kerala’s heartland of lagoons; palm fringed lakes, and paddy fields, inter-linked with hundreds of winding canals. The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala, a state in India. Geographically, it is located at 9.35 North and 76.26 East. Kumarakom’s soil is extremely fertile due to the proximity of the water source, this has resulted in the growth of a wide variety of flora in Kumarakom, especially the mangrove and coconut trees. Vembanad Lake is home to several types of marine life exclusively the ‘Karimeen’ (Pearl Spotted Fish), the ‘Chemeen’ (Prawns) and the ‘Konju’ (Tiger Prawns). On arrival transfer to hotel, rest of the day free for personal activates. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kumarakom.

In the morning board the Rice boat – It took great skill and meticulousness to construct these Houseboats by tying huge planks of jack wood together, without the use of a single nail. It usually has one or two bath rooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette and a crew comprising oarsmen, a cook and guide.The backwaters of Kerala form the lifeblood of beautiful Kerala and played a main role in the economy of the state. Riceboats and small ships used to ply in these waters, carrying coconut, rubber, rice and spices to various trading centers of Kerala. Even today, these waterways link remote villages and island with the main land .It is an incredibly different experience to cruise in the backwaters in country boats, absorbing the beauty of the villages. Sail along the winding network of Kerala backwaters, see the unique water world and experience its myriad charms.Eat spiced and baked rice cakes on board a floating rice barge, fish for fresh catch and have the cook onboard cook a traditional delicacy for you, lie down on the deck and count the glittering stars that garland a clear moon with crickets making pleasant sounds as your barge floats along the unending network of Kerala backwaters. Embark at the local villages that flourish on the banks of the emerald Kerala backwaters and visit the village bazaars that are flooded with coir products, coconuts and other village produce. You can also interact with the local population see their lifestyle. Although practically surrounded by water, they still manage to keep cows, pigs, chickens and ducks and cultivate small vegetable gardens, prawns and fish. In houseboats, traditional Kerala food will be served. Lunch, Dinner & overnight on Boat.

In the morning after breakfast disembark the boat, and drive to Mararikulam, a tiny fishing village confined with its virgin natural beauty welcomes the tourist to click some extraordinary snaps of the panaromic scenarios of the towering mountains and the cerulean blue sea. You as a tourist can explore the whole village observing the life style of fishing community of Kerala with its native traditions and customs. The tourists can enjoy the beach side with waves carassing the legs, sunbathe on the sea shore or simply cherish the solemn moments proving the desired privacy. On arrival check in at the hotel, rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Mararikulam.

Full day at leisure for own activities and to enjoy the facilities of the resort. Dinner & overnight at the hotel.

Day free at leisure and overnight stay at the hotel.

In the morning after drive to Kovalam – is one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look. The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories, makes this beach paradise. On arrival, check in at the Hotel. Rest the day is free at leisure on the beach You may take Ayurvedic massage or treatment at the hotel on direct payment basis. Overnight in the Hotel.

After breakfast same day excursion to Kanyakumari (87 Kms) – is the southernmost point of peninsular India and the meeting point of three oceans-the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Besides its importance as a Hindu pilgrim center, it is famous for its beautiful views of sunrise and sunset over the waters. The multicolored sand is a unique feature of the beach here. Visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial. This memorial to Swami Vivekananda was built in 1970. Vivekananda was a social reformer and saint of modern India. He is supposed to have meditated on the rock where the memorial stands. Ferry service is available to reach the rock memorial.Visit the Sangam which is the meeting point of the three major bodies of water, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Drive back to Kovalam. Overnight in the Hotel.

Full day is free at leisure on the beach. Overnight stay at the hotel in Kovalam.

In the morning transfer to Trivandrum airport to connect flight.