09 NIGHTS / 10 DAYS – TOUR 04

Arrival – (Cochin International Airport) Kochi – Heritage Harbor Town, Beaches, Water Cruiseways, Palaces, Islands, Churches, Temples, Synagogue & Commercial City Centre-(Central Kerala)
It’s an old harbor town with heritage palaces, Temples and Churches. Kochi (Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. From time immemorial, the Arabs, British, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese have left indelible marks on the history and development of Cochin. Over the years, Cochin has emerged as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala and is perhaps the second most important city on the west coast of India (after Mumbai/Bombay). Cochin is proud of its world-class port and an international airport that link it to many major cities worldwide. Places to visit, Jewish Synagogue (Built-in 1568 AD. Closed on Saturdays & Jewish Holidays), Dutch Palace (Built-in 1557 AD. Closed on Fridays & National Holidays), St. Francis Church & Santa Cruz Cathedral (Built by Portuguese in 1503 AD), Maritime Museum- INS Dronacharya Fort Cochin (Monday Holiday), Chinese fishing net (The Chinese Fishing Nets that line the sea-front and exhibit a method of catching fish, introduced by Chinese traders) then proceed to the hotel.
Overnight stay in Kochi.

(Kochi to Munnar) – 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 -Wildlife, 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.

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 Kettuvallam 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 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
Trivandrum sightseeing – The Zoological Park: (10.00am to 6.15 pm- Closed on Mondays). One of the first Zoos in India, it is located in a well planned Botanical Garden, with huge trees, sprawling lawns and wildfowl swimming in the lakes which feel like a small jungle in the heart of the city. A reptile house with different species of snakes is also located in this premise. The Napier Museum & Sree Chitra Art Gallery: (10.00am to 04.45 pm- Closed on Mondays and Wednesday forenoons). Located near the Napier Museum, this art gallery displays paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlana and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali. Lunch Break Science and Technology museum complex: The exhibits here are related to Science, Technology and Electronics (10.00am to 05.00 pm-Closed on Mondays), Priyadarshini Planetarium (Daily shows from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm). Finish your sightseeing trip on and return back to Kovalam Beach. Enjoy the sunset and return back to Hotel.
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 the 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.

(Kanyakumari 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.

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.