10 DAYS – BEST OF KERALA

(COCHIN – MUNNAR – PERIYAR – KOVALAM – ALLEPPEY – KUMARAKOM)

Day 01: Arrival Cochin (D)

On arrival Cochin, you will receive a warm welcome at the International Airport by our representative and will be transferred to hotel. CHECK-IN 1400 hrs. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 02: Cochin – Munnar (4.5 hrs drive) (B/D)

After breakfast, visit St. Francis Church, built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars where Vasco De Gama was buried for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Lisvon.  Nearby is the Mattancherry Palace or ‘Dutch Palace’ (Closed on Fridays). Amazing are the Chinese fishing nets. They were introduced by traders from the courts of Kublai Khan. You will also see Jew City with Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Fridays & Saturdays), constructed in 1568, with hand-painted, willow-pattern floor tiles.

Afternoon drive to Munnar. On arrival transfer to hotel. One of the most popular hill stations in India, Munnar is situated at the confluence of three Mountain streams - Mudrapuhza, Nallathanni and Kundala. On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 03: Munnar (B/D)

After breakfast visit Eravikulam National Park, a rare wild garden of rolling grasslands and evergreen tropical forests. Top station is a picturesque place with laterite Rocky Mountains. Afternoon visit Mattupetty Dam and Lake memorable spot renowned for their scenic beauty and Tea Museum, set up at the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea in Munnar is a fitting tribute to the toils and rigorous of its pioneers. A section of the Tea museum also houses classic bungalow furniture, typewriters, wooden bathtub, magneto phone, iron oven, manual calculators and EPABX of the1909 telephone system. A demonstration room for tea tasting is another attraction where one would come across different varieties of tea. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 04: Munnar – Thekkady (Periyar) (around 3 hrs drive) (B/D)

Breakfast at hotel. Later drive to Thekkady. On arrival transfer to hotel. Later visit Periyar National Park, this unique wildlife sanctuary is about 780 sq. km centred on an artificial lake fed by the Periyar River. Different nature trails traversing diverse habitats form the trekking routes. This is an interpretive program offering excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05: Periyar - Kovalam (around 6.5 hrs drive) (B/D)

After breakfast, drive to Kovalam and transfer to hotel. Kovalam is one of the most beautiful beaches of the world & ideal place for honeymooners.  Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 06: Kovalam (B/D)

Breakfast at hotel. Rest day free for beach activities. Overnight stay at hotel.  (No transport)

Day 07: Kovalam - Alleppey (around 6 hrs drive) (B L D)

After breakfast, drive to Alleppey. On arrival transfer to jetty to board the houseboat for overnight stay. The coastal town of Alleppey on the Arabian Sea is the Venice of the east, for the numerous canals that meander through the town. The backwater cruise takes off through a network of canals & paddy fields with a back drop of villages and coconut trees on the shores. It is also known for its cashew nuts, coir trade, rice pepper crops & coconuts. Also gain the experience of local villager’s life style. Overnight stay at Houseboat.

Day 08: Alleppey - Kumarakom (around 45 minutes drive) (B/D)

After breakfast disembark the houseboat and drive to Kumarakom. On arrival, transfer to hotel. The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist’s paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and birds like the Siberian stork that live there in folks are a fascination for visitors. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 09:Kumarakom – Cochin (around 2 hrs drive) (B/D)

After breakfast, drive to Cochin. On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 10: Cochin – Departure (B)

Breakfast at hotel. CHECK-OUT NOON.

On time transfer to airport for onward destination.

*** END OF TOUR ***