| Day
01 Arrive Cochin
|
Meeting
assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel.
(Check-in time 1200 hrs)
Rest
of time free.
Evening
Kathakali Dance : A special treat awaits us this evening
as we proceed to witness the strength and vigor of Kathakali
dance drama, as it enacts episodes from great Indian epics.
The extremely stylized gestures, the elaborate make-up,
the masks and the splendid costumes of these all-male
dancers, recreates an incomparable sense of pageantry
Overnight
at the hotel. |
|
Day
02 Cochin
|
Full
day tour of Cochin City : With its wealth of historical
associations, and its magnificent setting on a cluster
of islands and narrow peninsulas, Cochin is one of the
most fascinating cities of coastal South India. It is
a city with indelible marks of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism
and Jewish traditions. Of Special mention is the older
parts of the Fort Cochin area. |
|
It
more or less exists as it used to be a 1000-year behind
our times. This part of the city reflects an unusual blend
of medieval Portugal, Dutch and English country life grafted
on to the tropical Malabar Coast. The 16th century Mattancherry
Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace is a fascinating
fort with elegant buildings and interesting collections
from the Royal traditions of the region. The unique feature
of Cochin is the unexpected and isolated Jewish community,
whose origins date back to AD 52. They are self-contained
and have there own Synagogue. The area around the Synagogue,
known as 'Jew Town' is one of the main centres of spice
trade. Scores of small firms huddle together in old dilapidated
buildings and the air is filled with the aroma of ginger,
cardamom, cumin, turmeric and cloves. The area is very
busy.
(Jew
Synagogue / Dutch Palace closed on Friday)
Overnight
at the hotel. |
| Day
03 Cochin / Munnar (158 km /4h) |
Morning
drive to Mumnar by road, on arrival check in at hotel.
Afternoon
visit of Munnar : a hill station on the Western Ghats
and with its lakes, reservoirs, forests and tea estates
is the Nature-Lovers's Paradise. It is beautifully situated
at the confluence of three rivers - the Muthirappuzh,
Nallathanni and Kundala. Munnar is a major center of Kerala's
tea industry. |
|
We
have two days to explore the virgin beauty of the place
and its several possibilities. Anaimudi (2694 m), the
highest peak in the southern India, is nearby and the
views from here are incredible. Munnar offers some great
possibility for nature walks and visits to nearby tribal
villages where people, though poor are extremely friendly,
charming and hospitable. The ethnic lifestyles, traditional
homes and the traditional occupation with ethnic tools
and implements provides an incredible experience. The
forest that surround Munnar are still rich in wildlife.
The hills surrounding Munnar are home for one of the world's
rarest mountain goats, Nilgiri tahr. The tropical forests
are inhabited by elephants, tigers, deer and gaur (bison)
Munnar is a birdwatcher delight with a variety of birds
that are supported by the evergreen vegetation of the
region. If one seek a sense of peace, a desire to communicate
with nature and most importantly participate in a journey
through a living museum, Munnar is the place that seeks
to provide all this in a heavenly setting.
Overnight
at the hotel. |
Day
04 Munnar
|
Morning
you explore Munnar, which is surrounded by 30 tea gardens;
the atmosphere is fragrant with extensive tea and cardamom
plantations. Tea estates are situated mostly on the inner
slopes of an elevated basin-like plateau. Estate elevations
vary from about 1220 m to over 1830 m. some of the tea
plantations, at an elevation of over 2135-m, are among
the highest in the world. It would be worthwhile to visit
some of these tea gardens to witness the plucking of leaves
by women who carry conical bamboo baskets on their back
and strapped to their forehead by a cloth band. The work
on the field is all done by hand and is a fascinating
sight. You may also visit the nearby Lockhart Gap, which
provides a panoramic view of the valley and plantation
down below. The enchanting high range of lakes and streams,
the low-flying clouds and the mist-filled valleys cast
a magical spell, which lingers long in the memory.
Afternoon
free.
Overnight at the hotel. |
Day
05 Munnar /Periyar (140 km /3h30 min. )
|
Morning
drive to Periyar by road, onarrival check into your hotel.
Afternoon visit Periyar : Periyar and its cool, misty
Cardamom Hills - a magnificently scenic region 4000 feet
and higher, with forests and valleys, roaring streams
and pristine jungles. Arrive at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary,
one of India’s first Project Tiger Reserves and
an excellent place to view elephants and many other animals. |
|
you
viewing wildlife by boat on Lake Periyar where animals
come to drink. Sail within close range of elephant groups,
feeding and bathing. Scout for statuesque sambar deer
and giant wild oxen, or guar, browsing in the marshes.
Search the green wooded shores for wild boars, monkeys,
and an array of birdlife. If you are lucky, you will get
a rare sighting of tiger. Spend the night in splendid
isolation at your comfortable jungle cottage.
Overnight
at the hotel. |
| Day
06 Periyar / Kumarakkom (140 km /3h30 min)
|
Drive
to Kumarakom by road, on arrival check into your hotel.
Day free for independent activities . You can also enjoy
the optional ayurvedic body massage at the resort. You
could also choose to explore the surrounding tribal villages,
visit the nearby water bird sanctuary or ride through
the narrow backwater channels through back of beyond Kerala
Overnight
at the hotel. |
|
Day 07 Kumarakom / House Boat
|
Morning
board the Houseboat for a unique
experience through the narrow canals and channels of the
backwaters of Kerala . The material that go into the making
of houseboat are all local and Eco-friendly; bamboo poles,
coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats carpets etc. The main
wood used is "Anjali ". The Houseboat provides
all comforts - Beds, a kitchen, western toilets and an
upper deck. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. |
|
The
cuisine is of traditional Kerala flavour along with the
local Specialties - delicious fish and prawns. Cruising
on a boat through remote tribal villages along the tranquil
backwaters of Kerala is a superb experience.
We
explore the backwaters in your Houseboat .Sensational
in its own silent way, the cruise takes you along snake
boat docks, friendly cheering villagers, coir (Jute) making
communities, toddy (local spirit) shops, fishing nets
pitched for the day's catch, bunded paddy fields and manual
canoes of different sizes criss-crossing each other. The
experience enables you to reach beautiful untouched areas
.
Overnight
at the House Boat |
Day
08 Allepey /Kovalam (243 km /5h30 min)
|
Disembark
at Alleppey and drive to Kovalam ,on arrival check in
to your hotel.
Aftrernoon free.
Overnight
at the hotel. |
Day
09 - 11 Kovalam
|
Full
day free for Own beach activities.
Overnight
at the hotel. |
|
Day
12 Kovalam /Trivandrum / Departure
|
| Drive
to Trivandrum airport for your flight for onward destination. |
|
END
OF OUR SERVICES
|