Kerala with Flights

The morning after breakfast, you will be met by your Tour Guide at the hotel lobby and proceed for the sightseeing of Cochin.

Take a tour of the city visiting the Dutch Palace, which has some of India’s most beautiful murals, the Jewish Synagogue in the heart of Jew Town and the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. See St. Francis Church where Vasco da Gama was originally buried, and the Santa Cruz Church with its pastel coloured interior and carved wooden panels.

In the evening proceed to witness the Kathakali Dance Performance.

Kathakali literally meaning “story dance” is the pantomimic dance drama, the dancing and the acting being blended together into an inseparable form. It is a combination of facial expressions and body movements, which brings out the thought and emotion of the character. Kathakali is predominantly a male art and the dancing is mostly of the masculine type. The position taken by the actor is angular. He never stands erect while acting, his knees being spread out and his legs forming a rhombus, his hands bent at the elbow and his palms on his hips. The outer feet are never flat on the ground and still the actor maintains a perfect balance. The female character is lasya which is gentle and grateful. This is particularly evident in love scenes.

Overnight is in Cochin.

Today morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to Munnar (130 kms / 03 Hrs).

Upon arrival in Munnar, check-in at the hotel.

Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. 1600 m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower that bathes the hills in blue every twelve years will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m.

Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel.

Overnight is in Munnar.

Today morning after breakfast, proceed for an interesting trek to the Tea Plantations owned and managed by the Estate people.

Tea estates are situated mostly on the inner slopes of an elevated basin-like plateau. 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 will then visit the Tata Tea Museum of Munnar. The Tata Tea Museum diligently portrays the growth of Munnar tea estates, veritably conveyed through some of the displays like the rudimentary tea roller to the modern fully automated tea factory. Visitors to the museum can satiate their curiosity on various stages of tea processing, and also learn a thing or two about the production of black tea. In the evening return back to the hotel.

Overnight is in Munnar.

Today morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to Thekkady (90 kms / 03 Hrs).

Upon arrival in Thekkady, check-in at the hotel.

The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. The Periyar forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.

Later enjoy a visit to the Spice Plantations.

The spice plantation in Thekkady is one of the major spice plantations in Kerala. The spice plantations in Kerala are captivating farms to wander in since different spices are cultivated in different sections of each plantation. The entire tour takes about 45 minutes or so, where the local guide will explain the process of growing the different types of spices being cultivated and how they are used in different cuisines etc in the state. If one wants to buy the same, plenty of shops are located in the area.

Spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight is in Thekkady.

Today morning after an early breakfast, enjoy a guided walk in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

This is an interpretive programme offering excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands.

The programme is offered between 7.00 am. and 10.30 am. and between 2.00 pm. and 3.00 pm. and lasts for about 3 hours. A maximum of 5 persons can go for trekking at a time along each nature trail, accompanied by a trained tribal guide. The Nature walk is the right programme to feel nature, hear her whispers and smell her flowers.

In the afternoon enjoy a boat ride in the Periyar National Park. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across the Periyar adds to the charm of the park. This is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the 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.

Spend the evening at leisure.

Overnight is in Thekkady.

Today morning after breakfast, you will be driven to Alleppey (128 Kms 04 Hrs approx.) where upon arrival you will check in at your houseboat.

Climb aboard the traditional kettuvallams (riceboats) converted into houseboats with bedrooms and attached toilets. Originally these boats were used as ferries to carry rice. Cruise through the backwaters of Kerala. The houseboat is one of the 50 “must do” things as described by the National Geographic Traveller magazine. The backwater cruise through the narrow canals that criss-cross a typical Kerala Village, rich with green paddy fields and verdant coconut trees and is a thrilling experience. The boat cruise takes you to small islets tucked away amidst those waters where you get glimpses of the village at the best of its serenity and innocence. Lunch and dinner will be served on board.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight on board.

Today morning, after breakfast de-board the houseboat and you will be transferred to Kovalam (175 kms / 4 Hrs).

Upon arrival in Kovalam, check-in at the hotels.

Just 12 km to the south of Trivandrum lies Kovalam, an uncluttered beach of silvery sands fringed with rows of tall palm trees. Once just a series of sandy bays separated by rocky promontories, deserted except for some fishing villages, it has become a major tourist centre. Kovalam is a pleasant seaside place with a sheltered bay and a wide choice of water sports.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight is in Kovalam.

Today morning enjoy your breakfast at the hotel.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight is in Kovalam.

Today morning enjoy your breakfast at the hotel.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight is in Kovalam.

Today morning after breakfast, check-out and you will be transferred to Trivandrum airport to connect flight for onward destination.