08 NIGHTS / 09 DAYS – TOUR 08

Arrival – Cochin International Airport/Ernakulam railway station – Pick up from the Cochin International Airport/Ernakulam railway and proceed to Munnar – Misty Hills, Spectacular Tea Plantations, Lakes, Flora & Fauna – (East Kerala)
Land of Misty mountains and spectacular tea plantation, Munnar. Tucked away in sunny, tropical Kerala is a cool green paradise away from heat and dust, state’s finest Tea plantations, the best hill station of Kerala. Watch the spectacular beauty of Tea gardens. Enjoy the nature, where the cloud turns into mist, which may touch you with a romantic feeling. It is located 1600 meters above the 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 and most wanted tourist place of Kerala. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana). Munnar is an idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna. Breathing of fresh, cool mountain air is a rare experience. Visit Kundale Lake, Eco Point, Mattupetty Dam.
Overnight stay in Munnar.

Munnar
About 15 km from Munnar, the famous hill station of Kerala, is the beautiful Rajamala. The natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocrius), the Eravikulam – Rajamala region is now home to half the world Tahr population estimated at around 1300. But the Tahr is only one of the reasons to make a visit to Rajamala. The picturesque beauty of this mountain will make you want to tent here forever. Later visit Tea Museum and Blossom Park.
Overnight stay in Munnar.

Munnar to Thekkady/Periyar – Thekkady – Periyar – Wild Life, Rain Forests, Spice Plantations, Forest lake Boating, Flora & Fauna, Adventure & Ecotourism – (East Kerala)
Thekkady, it’s a land of rainforests, wildlife and spices. Thekkady (Evergreen Forest’s Land with Spice Plants) the very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. In the Periyar Forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India, and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks. This plantation town is situated on the outskirts of the Periyar sanctuary. Get ready with your camera for the wildlife scenario. Fill your eyes with the lush green spice plants blessed with cardamom and pepper plantations, a generous gift of ginger, clove and nutmeg and a variety of Ayurvedic medicinal plants, go for an exotic spice plantation visit. Optional activities like; Elephant safari, Kalari Payattu (A traditional Martial Art), Kathakali Show (A traditional performance-Art), Jungle Jeep Safari and Ayurveda Massages etc are available here in Thekkady.
Overnight stay in Thekkady.

Thekkady to Kumarakom – Kumarakom – Backwaters & Canals, Paddy fields, Palm groves, Boat Cruises & Stay – (Central Kerala)
Serene backwaters, coconut palm grove, and green paddy fields. Beneath the backwaters Kumarakom – Kottayam is a vast network of rivers and canals which empty into the great expanse of water called the Vembanad Lake. This lake, an enchanting picnic spot, and a fast developing backwater tourism destination, provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The Kumarakom Tourist village offers houseboat cruises and nature entertainments. The serene lake comes alive during Onam – The most celebrity festival in Kerala – with a spectacular regatta-the Snake Boat Race.
Bird Sanctuary: The village of Kumarakom is located on the bank of the Vembanad Lake is a cluster of little islands and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The Kumarakom bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist’s paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck, and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live there in flocks fascinate the visitors.
Pathiramanal: Located on the border of Kottayam and Alappuzha. The name Pathiramanal means Sands of the night which is a 10-acre island on the backwaters and is home to many rare varieties of migratory birds from different parts of the world. This little island on the backwaters is a favorite haunt of hundreds of rare migratory birds from different parts of the world.
Overnight stay at Kumarakom.

Houseboat
Have you ever gone cruising in a houseboat on the backwaters of Kerala? If you haven’t, make sure you do. This one is really a wonderful and unforgettable experience!
Present day houseboats are huge, slow-moving exotic barges used for leisure trips, and are in fact a reworked version of Kettuvallams of olden times. The original Kettuvallams were used to carry tons of rice and spices. A standard Kttuvallam can hold up to 30 tons from Kuttanad to the Kochi port. By constructing special rooms to accommodate travelers, these boats cruised forward from near-extinction to enjoy their present great popularity. The backwaters of Kerala is a network of interconnected canals, rivers, lakes and inlets formed by more than 900 km of waterways. The backwaters have a unique ecosystem – freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea.
Overnight stay in houseboat.

Alleppey to Varkala – Varkala – Beaches, Cliffs, and Lakes – (South Kerala)
Varkala, a calm and quiet hamlet, lies on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram district. It has several places of tourist interests like a beautiful beach, a 2000-year-old Vishnu Temple and the Ashramam – Sivagiri Mutt a little distance from the beach. Varkala is the only place in southern Kerala where cliffs are found adjacent to the Arabian Sea.
Overnight stay in Varkala.

Alleppey to Kovalam – Kovalam (Thiruvananthapuram) – Beaches & Estuary Islands, Historical Temple, Zoo, Museums & Art Galleries – (SK)
Kovalam a haven of peace and tranquility, the idyllic tourist destination in God’s own country. Kovalam offers an excellent diversity with Kovalam beach to suit all desires and occasions. Three curve shaped beaches, alienated by stony outcroppings, from the major attraction of this coastal resort.
Overnight stay in Kovalam.

Kovalam to Kanyakumari – Kanyakumari – Southern Tip of India for Full Swing Sunrise & Sunset, Beaches, Temples & Fishermen Lifestyle – (South Kerala)
Kanyakumari is a land which is famous as a place where one could watch the Sunrise and Sunset at the same spot. The sight of full moon rising along with the sun setting is a unique sight that one could see only in Kanyakumari in India. Places to Visit: Vivekananda Rock, Beaches, Wax museum, Triveni Sangamam.
Overnight stay in Kanyakumari.

Do the shopping at Cochin City as time permits, and drop at Cochin International Airport, where your memorable tour comes to an end. Do spare a few minutes to fill in the feedback form. Your valued suggestions will be most appreciated.