INDIA

Best Of Kerala

India, Kerala
Suitable for couples, families
Priced From $1,111 per person, double occupancy
N
Breakfast Included
BREATHTAKING BEAUTY—INSIDE AND OUT

Experience luscious jungles, rural villages, golden sands and a relaxed pace of life in God’s own country, Kerala.

Properties

Days

Day By Day Itinerary

Day 01 Arrive Cochin On arrival at Cochin airport by Spice Jet Flight SG 153 at 11:40 Am, you will be met upon and transferred to the hotel. Arrive and check in the hotel. Travelers, explorers and traders have been attracted to the shores of Cochin for over 600 years.  Nowhere else in India can one find such an intriguing mix of cultures that include giant fishing nets from China, a 400-year-old Synagogue, ancient Mosques, Portuguese houses and remains of the British rule in India.  Cochin is the center for Keralan arts and one of the best places to see varying cultural influences.  Fort Cochin and Mattancherry Palace remain wonderfully atmospheric – thick with the smell of the past. Stay Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 2

After breakfast proceed for tour of Cochin visiting Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays/Saturdays) and Mattancherry Palace, the palace built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to the Cochin Raja (King) Verra Kerala Varma as a gesture of goodwill. The Dutch substantially renovated it after 1663. Hence it is also called the Dutch Palace.  Visit, the St. Francis Church, India’s oldest European- built church. Vasco de Gama, the first European to reach India by sailing around Africa, died in Cochin in 1524 and was buried here for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Lisbon. His tombstone still stands. Also visit the Chinese Fishing Nets, showing the traditional methods of sea fishing and the spice markets, a rich-trading center during the medieval times.

This evening witness a Kathakali dance performance. This is one of the most developed dance drama art of India. Drums beckon an audience to a performance most magnificent actors depict characters from the Puranas and the Mahabharata, the great Indian epics – demons, superhuman beings and ordinary men and women. Stay Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 3

After breakfast you will be driven 135 kms / approx 3 ½ hrs drive to Munnar.  Arrive and check in at the hotel. One of the most popular hill stations in India, Munnar is breathtakingly beautiful – a haven of peace and tranquility – the idyllic tourist destination in God’s own country. Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favoured summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanses of tea plantations – pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests – the aroma of spices scenting the cool air – Yes! Munnar has all this ad more. It’s a place you would love to visit and a place you would never wish to leave. The rest of the day will be at leisure. Stay Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4

This morning proceed to visit Eravikulam National Park (Rajamala) which houses the unique Nilgiri Thars. Eravikulam National Park is located a short distance from Munnar, and has an area of 97 square kms.  The Park is located along the Western Ghats in the High Ranges of the Idukki district of Kerala state, India, and has the largest viable population of the Nilgiri Thar.  The Park also has other animals such as the Nilgiri marten, ruddy mongoose, small clawed otter, dusky striped squirrel, Sambar Deer, Golden Jackal, Wild Dog, Indian Porcupine, and Funambulus etc. There are many species of birds too such as the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, White Bellied Short wing, black-and-orange Flycatcher etc.  Proceed to visit the Tea Estates. At the tea estate we shall arrange for tea tasting session. Post the sightseeing return to the hotel. Stay Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5

This morning visit the Tea Museum, where a collection of old bits and pieces from the colonial era can be seen. There is then a demonstration of tea production machinery information, tea leaf processing and tea tasting etc. (Note: The Tea Museum is closed on Mondays).

Later you will be driven  95 kms / approx  3 hrs to Periyar. the land of the unending chain of hills and spice scented plantations. Arrive and check in at the hotel. In the afternoon visit a Spice Plantation.  Periyar, or Thekkady, is known as the hub of spice plantation in South India. There are various kinds of spices cultivated in Thekkady.  The most abundantly found spice in Thekkady is pepper. But there is a variety of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric and curry leaves found as well. Stay Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6

This early morning, enjoy a Boat ride [on a sharing basis] at Periyar Lake, inside the Periyar National Park to explore its wildlife. Situated within the confines of the Western Ghat ranges, Periyar National Park is one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world.  The National Park is spread over 777 sq. kms; and is famous for a large elephant population which is an absolute delight to watch. The vast area of the National Park encompasses a lot of other animals such as leopards, wild dogs, barking deer, mice deer, Nilgiri langurs (primates), bonnet macaques, sambhar, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boars and sloth bears. An Artificial Lake is a major attraction where tourists get the pleasure to view wildlife. The park also boasts of some rare species of birds. Return to the hotel.

Later you will be driven 78 kms / approx 2 hrs to Kumarakom . Arrive and check in the hotel. Arrive and check in the hotel. Kumarakom is a popular tourism destination located near the city of Kottayam, in Kerala, India, famous for its backwater tourism. It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala. Stay Overnight at the hotel. (Meals Included – Breakfast at the hotel)

Day 7

This early morning visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, the bird sanctuary is spread across 14 acres. The Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, an ornithologist’s paradise is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the siberian stork, egret,  darter, heron and teal. A visit to the bird sanctuary, set within the lush acres of wooded land nearby, acquaints you to the variety of migratory birds that flock in thousands, some from the Himalayas, some even from as far as Siberia. In addition, you can get thrilled of the native kingfishers ablaze in psyzhedelic colors, experience a walk under rookeries of egrets and night herons or lone golden-backed woodpeckers and even delight in the acrobatics of the paradise fly-catchers.  The main attractions are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian cranes. Parrots, teal, larks, flycatchers, wood beetle, and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons. Post the visit return to the hotel.

Afternoon drive 15 kms / approx 30 minutes drive to Kottayam to visit The Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, a popular Hindu shrine and great epitome of Kerala style of architecture, Thirunakkara Mahadev Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was established in 16th century by the king of Thekkumkur. Thazhathangady Juma Masjid is a mosque situated in Thazhathangady, one of the Heritage Zones of Kerala, India, near the town of Kottayam. It is one of the oldest mosques in India and is more than 1000 years old. It is famous for its richness of architecture, wood carvings and the beauty,  St Mary’s Orthodox Church is one of the popular places to visit in Kottayam. Built in the Portuguese style of architecture, the walls of the church have murals from the Bible. The heartfelt depiction of monumental scenes on the walls will leave you in awe. You can also get a glimpse of local Kerala style of architecture in the refurbishing. Post the visit drive back to Kumarakom. Stay Overnight at the hotel. 

Day 8

This morning you will be transferred to the jetty in Kumarakom and embark on houseboat. Enjoy backwater cruise, on the Vembanad Lake with narrow canals, paddy fields and the sleepy villages all make Alleppey a beautiful place. Vembanad Lake, which is the longest lake in India, the commercial centre of Allappuzha, lives up to its image with a maze of canals. Houseboats of Kerala are a unique way to experience the beauty of kaleidoscopic Kerala. Transportation of men and material using houseboats of Kerala is nothing new. The houseboats glide on the backwaters of Kerala, with a panoramic view passing by. Stay Overnight on the Houseboat.

Day 9

This morning disembark from the houseboat and drive 55 kms / approx 1 ½ hrs drive to Cochin airport to board flight for onward destinantion.

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