Kerala Vacation Tour
Duration : 14 Days 13 Nights
Destination : Cochin
- Munnar - Periyar - Kumarkom -Kovalam
Day 01 Arrive Cochin
Arrive at Cochin.
You will be met on arrival
and transferred to your hotel Malabar House Residency for three
nights.
Day 02 Cochin
Enjoy a sightseeing of the town in the morning.
(This will
include the Synagogue, Dutch Palace and St Francis' Church)
Cochin - formerly a princely state
beckoned travelers from distant shores. This commercial city, also
called “The Queen of the Arabian Sea” is famous for its
exquisite designer Gold Jewelry. The Indian Navy, the Port and the
Airport share the largely man-made Willingdon Island. The sightseeing
includes the visit to Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese for a local
King in 1555 A.D. The famous Jew Street, a cul-de-sac leading to the
beautiful Parsi Synagogue built in 1568. A walking tour of Fort Cochin
will take you through the streets still graced with traces of
Portuguese, Dutch & British colonial architecture, including a few
old trading factories, the only ones still standing anywhere in
the world.
Afternoon is at leisure.
Evening enjoy a sunset cruise to see
Chinese fishing nets.
(The boats have safety rings but no life
jackets)
At the entrance of Cochin Harbour, Chinese fishing nets
are a fascinating sight. Built of teakwood, these nets were erected
between 1350 and 1450 AD. They are mainly used at high tide, requiring
at least four men to operate their system of counterweights. The nets
are lowered into the water by the crane like structure and raised a
few minutes later.
Day 03 Cochin
Day
is at leisure.
Day 04 Cochin
- Munnar
Drive from Cochin to Munnar, approx four
hours drive.
Check in at your hotel Windermere Estate for two
nights.
Day is at leisure.
About Munnar
A hill station
at a height of 1525 mtrs., Munnar offers a breathtaking view of the
hills draped in folds of green carpet of tea gardens. Munnar - the
right royal resort lazily nestled in the verdant slopes of tea
country, is a quaint little town that exudes a rare old world charm
and strangely reminds one of the days of the Raj in its elegant
splendour. Beyond the rolling hills discover the rich tropical forests
abounding in exotic flora & fauna. It is here that you will find
the Anamudi peak, the highest peak in the Western Ghats, in South
India. Munnar’s serene atmosphere, silver streams and pleasant
climate welcome you to have a whiff of the cool mountain breeze.
Day 05 Munnar
Day
is at leisure to explore the surrounding area.
Day 06 Munnar - Periyar
Drive from Munnar to Periyar, approx five
hours drive.
Check in at your hotel Kanjirapally Estate for two
nights.
Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 07 Periyar
Enjoy
a boat-ride on Lake Periyar to spot herds of wild elephants.
One of the largest wildlife reserves in India, the sanctuary is spread
over an area of 777 sq. kms of the Cardamom Hills region of the
Western Ghats. The greatest attractions are the herds of wild
elephants that come to the lake to frolic in its waters. Besides
elephants, Sambar, Bison, Spotted Deer, Tigers and Leopards are
also found among others. Exotic flowers and trees abound.
Later visit a spice plantation
surrounding area.
The spice plantations of Kerala are
fascinating farms to wander in, for different sections of each
plantation are dedicated to different spices. Apart from spices
traditionally grown in India such as pepper, cinnamon, ginger and
cardamom farmers in Kerala have taken to growing spices that are used
worldwide. Some of the spices cultivated in spice plantations are
vanilla, oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, mint, bay leaf and sage.
Day 08 Periyar - Kumarakom
Drive from Periyar to Kumarakom, approx five
hours drive.
Check in at your hotel Coconut Lagoon for two
nights.
Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 09 Kumarakom
Day
is at leisure.
Day 10 Kumarakom - Backwaters
Board a private rice boat for a cruise along
the backwaters.
(Boat built in traditional style)
The House Boat traditionally known as
'Kettuvallam' is made entirely of natural materials; wood, rattan and
bamboo, in harmonious tones of brown and honey. It has neither engine
nor machinery of any other sort on board. Sixty eight feet long and
ten feet wide, with a slightly unturned prow and rear, it sits low in
the water. In front, roofed but otherwise open to air, is the living
and dining area, its sides shaded by shutters props open at midway by
bamboo poles.
This comfortable space is covered with
coir matting and is furnished with four rattan chairs and a little
table. Although the superstructure was only few years old, the boat
itself is century old - until it was reconditioned as a house-boat, it
has transported rice and wood. Two handsome dark, broad wooden thwarts
- original features of the boat - lay across the space like benches.
Lashed to the ceiling were wooden paddles and a couple of life
preservers.
Overnight is on board the boat.
Day 11 Backwaters - Kovalam
Disembark from houseboat and drive to
Kovalam, approx one and half hours drive.
Check in at Surya
Samudra for three nights.
Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 12 & 13 Kovalam
Days are at leisure.
Kovalam is an
evergreen and pleasant climatic beach resort. It is a dreamy place for
tourists all over the world. Today Kovalam beach is known as the "Paradise
of the South". With high rock promontory and a calm bay of blue
waters, this beach paradise creates a unique aquarelle on moonlit
nights. The Maharaja of Travancore brought Kovalam to the public eye.
Day 14 Kovalam - Trivandrum -
Fly Out
Drive from Kovalam to
Trivandrum airport (drive of approx. 1½ hours) for your flight
back home.
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