KERALA - Gods Own Country

Duration : 10 Days

Cochin - Munnar - Periyar - Kumarakom - Kovalam - Cochin

Day 01 : Cochin
Arrive Cochin in the morning. Transfer to Hotel by private vehicle.

Afternoon, half day sightseeing of Cochin including Asia's best preserved Synagouge, the Dutch Palace and the oldest European Church in India - the St. Francis Church where Vasco De Gama was originally buried. A leisurely walk through the Fort Cochin area which gives you a close look at the operation of the huge catileavered Chinese fishing nets introduced by Chinese traders which is still used in Kerala backwaters as a traditional way of fishing.
In the evening, witness Kathakali Dance Show.

Day 02 : Cochin - Munnar (140 kms., 3 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, leave for Munnar. Arrive Munnar and check-in at prebooked hotel.

Afternoon, sightseeing of Munnar. Visit the tea plantations, a tea factory (subject to permission being granted), the Eravikulam National Park - home of the endangered Nilgiri Thar (Ibex), followed by visit to the Mattupetty dam, the Indo Swiss Dairy farm, the Kundala Lake and other scenic spots. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 : Munnar - Periyar (100 kms., 3 hrs. drive)
After breakfast, leave for Periyar, one of the world's most fascinating Natural wildlife reserves noted for its geography, diverse wildlife and scenic beauty. Arrive at Periyar and check in at Prebooked Hotel.

Later, boat ride on the Lake Periyar where one can have a unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar, however are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.

Day 04 : Periyar - Kumarakom (140 kms, 03 hrs.)
After breakfast, leave for Kumarakom in time to board houseboat for overnight backwater trip. On arrival in Kumarakom, commence an overnight houseboat cruise, which gives one a fascinating insight into the life of a Keralan Backwater Village. As the boat glides along the backwaters one can see the daily life in the backwater villages. On the narrow strips of land, fisherman fishing, children swimming and playing in the water, women doing their daily chores, mobile shops in tiny canoes, the cultivation of paddy and it's harvesting (during harvest season), huge country barges ferrying the coconuts, rice, coir etc.
Note : The cruise commences at 1300 hrs with lunch served onboard and continues till dusk. At dusk the boat will anchor in a wide waterway or lake for the night. (The backwaters close to boat traffic at dusk as the fisherman lay their nets in the backwaters. Other boats are not allowed to ply in the backwaters after dusk.) On the following day the cruise commences again after breakfast and you will be dropped at Allepey by 1000 hrs.

Day 05 : Kumarakom - Kovalam (174 kms, 04 hrs.)
Checkout from the houseboat and proceed to Kovalam, a beach town on the Arabian Sea in Kerala. 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. Arrive Kovalam and check-in at prebooked hotel.

Day 06-09 : Kovalam
Days at leisure on the beautiful beaches : the paradise of the Sun, Sea, Surf & Sand.

Day 10 : Kovalam - Cochin
Morning, transfer to the airport to board onward/return flight.