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Kerala
Programme |
| 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. |
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| 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.
Overnight
at the hotel. |
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| Day
03 Cochin / Munnar (158 km /4h) |
Morning
drive to Mumnar by surface,en-route visit
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. |
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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. |
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| Day
05 Munnar /Periyar (140 km /3h30 ) |
Morning
drive to Periyar by surface, 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. |
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| Day
06 Periyar / Kumarakkom (140 km /3h30)
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Drive
to Kumarakom by surface, onarrival 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. |
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Day 07 Kumarakkom /Allepey |
Morning
drive to Allepey, where we 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. |
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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) |
Disembark
at Alleppey and drive to Kovalam ,on arrival check in to
your hotel.
Aftrernoon free.
Overnight
at the hotel.
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| Day
09 - 11 Kovalam |
Full
day free for Own activities.
Overnight
at the hotel. |
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| Day
12 Kovalam /Trivandrum / Departure |
| Drive
to Trivandrum airport for your flight to Back home. |
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END
OF OUR SERVICES
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