11 NIGHTS / 12 DAYS – TOUR 04

(Arrival – Cochin International Airport) – Airport Village (Kochi) – Waterfalls/Pilgrim/Lakes-(Central Kerala)

Pick up from the Cochin International Airport and stay in a Hotel in the Airport village itself. Get ready for an exotic holiday in Gods own country. (To Athirappally – Water Falls & Tribal village – Kodanad – Elephant Training Centre Visit; Birdwatching Sanctuary & Reservoirs/Dams –  Thattekkad) – The soothing sounds take you to nature’s most relaxing, rejuvenating place, East of Chalakkudy The Athirapally Waterfalls. Athirappally is an 80ft high waterfall which literally takes your breath away. Starting calmly from the high ranges, and crashing through gorges overhung with trees. Athirappally Waterfalls is located 60 kms from Cochin Airport located at the entrance to Sholayar ranges, this waterfall is a popular picnic spot.

Later proceed to Kodanad, a rural riverside village of Ernakulam district. Elephants are an integral part of Indian mythology and culture. They are often referred to as the sons of the ‘Sahya'(the Western Ghats). Once a part of daily life, these animals are ornamental and auspicious pieces now. No festival or celebration is complete without rows of caparisoned elephants, replete with silk parasols. Situated on the southern banks of the Periyar, amid the high ranges, near Perumbavoor, Kodanad is one of the largest elephant training centers in Kerala.

Thattekad bird sanctuary was the first bird sanctuary in Kerala. It is popularly known as Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and is situated at the foot of Western Ghats. It expended over 25 km on the North side of Periyar River.

Overnight stay in Airport Village.

(Cochin to Cherai)

Cherai – Experience the best of both the worlds of the beach and the backwaters. Cherai beach is famous for dolphin watching as well. The calm and shallow waters make Cherai beach well cut for swimming and bathing. The recently revamped main beach with well-illuminated walkways makes the beach accessible even at night.  Unlike the many other beaches in Kerala, Cherai has an added advantage of having backwaters at one side and lake on the other, which would surely make your Cherai visit exceptionally beautiful.

Overnight stay in Cherai.

(Cherai 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.

(Thekkady to Vagamon)

Vagamon – A complete tourist destination for adventure, fun and more. Vagamon is a pretty hill station located in Idukki district of Kerala. The windy conditions, Rocky Mountains and the sprawling valleys are well suited for activities like trekking, paragliding, mountaineering and rock climbing. Vagamon adventure tourism is drawing scores of travelers from far and wide. The three hills Thangal, Murugan and Kurisumala hills which are thought to represent the three chief religions of Hindu, Muslim and Christian in Kerala , stand tall as the icon of cultural harmony.  While the Kurisumala Hill is a popular hill station and is a spiritual centre for Catholics, Thangal Hill, the burial chamber of Sheikh Fariduddin makes it a popular pilgrimage centre for Muslims. The Murugan Hill is devoted to Hindu God Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva. Some of the other must see spots in Vagamon include the Indo-Swiss Dairy farm project, the suicide point in Thangal hill, which is a popular view point that offers a panoramic view of the meadows and grasslands.

Overnight stay in Vagamon

(Vagamon to Kumarakom)

Kumarakom – Backwaters & Canals, Paddy fields, Palm groves, Boat Cruises & Stay – (Central Kerala) – Serene backwaters, coconut palm groves 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.

(Kumarakom to 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.

(Houseboat to Alleppey)

Alleppey – Alappuzha – Backwaters & Canals, Paddy fields, Palm groves, Boat Cruises/Stay & Beaches – (Central Kerala) – Mirror still lagoons, picture book lakesides, palm-fringed canals, shores bustling with glimpses from day to day life in the countryside. To label Alappuzha (The Malayalam name for Alleppey) The ‘Venice of the East’ might today appear a far-fetched cliche of travelogue writers, but this quaint little town is certainly the Venice of India. Nowhere else will you find, spread out across the center of town, a unique crisscrossing network of canals on which thatched country boats punt along leisurely. The proximity of lakes adds to the Venetian ambience. Places to visit at Alleppey are Krishnapuram palace, Ambalapuzha, Kuttanad, Alleppey Beach, etc.

Overnight stay in Alleppey.

(Alleppey to Kochi)

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.

(Cochin to Guruvayoor)

Guruvayoor – a thriving township in Trichur district, Guruvayoor is known for its scenic beauty and serenity. The place is noted for the Guruvayurappan Temple, Anakotta – Guruvayoor Devaswam elephant sanctuary – one of the largest elephant sanitarium in all over the world. Also known as Punnathurkotta, Anakotta is 3 km far from Guruvayoor Temple. Evening Darshan at Guruvayoor Temple.

Overnight stay in Guruvayoor.

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.