14 NIGHTS / 15 DAYS – TOUR 07

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)- The soothing sounds take you to the 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.

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

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

To Kozhikode/ Calicut

Calicut or Kozhikode is well known for its beautiful landscape, festival calendar and above all its warm and fun loving local populace. There are many tourist places to visit in Calicut. Take a peek at the past by visiting the Kappad Beach & Beypore Fort. The unspoilt and unbelievably uncrowded, the Kappad beach offers a memorable experience. Enjoy one of the best sunsets that you have ever seen or soak up the enviably slow pace of life here. The bird watchers cannot afford to miss out a trip to the Kadalundi Bird Sanctuary, which is home to over hundred bird species. All Calicut holidays would invariably have a trip to the Thusharagiri waterfall that beats down from an impressive height. It is a popular trekking and rock-climbing spot as well, which makes it popular among adventure tourists. It also has crocodile farm, managed by the state forest department. Peruvannamuzhi dam site is another must see in Calicut Tourism . Nestled amidst verdant green hillocks, it is a popular picnic spot. Speed boat and slow boat cruise options are available in the reservoirs.

Overnight stay In Calicut

To Wayanad

Wayanad – Explore the wilderness of the Western Ghats. Wayanad, is a rich treasure trove of some of the relics of the New Stone Age civilizations in the forms of engravings and pictures in the caves of Edakkal and Ampukuthimala, which offer clues about the past civilizations. Wayanad sightseeing includes  various attractions like the Chembra Peak, Edakkal Cave, Kuruva Island and Lakkidi, which is the highest point in Wayanad.  No trip to Wayanad can be complete without a trip to Muthanga wild life sanctuary and Pakshipatahalam, which represent the wilderness and the wild life of this part of Kerala at its best. In case you are looking for some adventure sporting activities, you can set out on jungle trails or trekking and hiking expeditions. A boating trip in the serene Pookot Lakeand a stop over the picturesque Sentinel Rock Waterfalls, Kanthanpara Waterfalls, Soochippara Waterfalls will top off the Wayanad holidays in style.

Overnight stay In Wayanad

Wayanad

The Banasura Sagar dam is another attraction. Located at a distance of 15 Km from Wayanad, Banasura Dam is the largest earth Dam in India, which is flanked by verdant hills on all three sides. The spectacular views offer ample photo shoot opportunities; speed boating facilities are also available. Wayanad tourism has a rich smattering of cultural and historical attractions too. There are many ancient religious places like Sulthan Bathery Jain Temple, Thirunelli Temple and Valliyoorkavu Temple. Wayanad has the only temple in Kerala dedicated to Sita and the twin sons of Lord Ram, Lava-Kusha.

Overnight stay In Wayanad

To Thrissur

Kerala’s Cultural Capital. Thrissur, the renowned cultural capital of the state of Kerala, offers a fantasy escapade into Kerala’s rich and vibrant cultural heritage. The city built around the pivot of Vadakkumnathan Temple will stupefy you with its exotic festivals, imposing temples, magnificent palaces, historic monuments, and abounding natural splendor. Thrissur gets its present name from “Thiru Siva Perur”, which means a town with the name of Lord Siva. Thrissur has always upheld secular views and Hindus, Malabar Mappilla Moslems, Syrian Christians and Jews have peacefully co-existed here from ancient times. Places to visit at Thrissur incluses Kerala Sahitya Academy, Town Hall in Thrissur, Vadakkumnathan Temple, Kerala Lalithakala Academy, The Sakthan Thampuran Palace, The Church of Lady of Dolours, Thrissur Archeological and Art Museum, Thrissur Zoo, Kuriachira, Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy, Vilangan Hills.

Overnight stay In Thrissur

Thrissur 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 meter above sea the 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 hylocres), 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 & Eco tourism – (East Kerala) – Thekkady, it’s a land of rainforests, wildlife and spices. Thekkady (Ever Green 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 wild life 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 wild life scenario.

Overnight Stay in Thekkady

Thekkady

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 groves and green paddy fields. Beneath the back waters 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 House Boat 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 Alapuzha. The name Pathiramanal means Sands of night which is 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 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 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 planed Botanical Garden, with huge trees, sprawling lawns and wild fowl 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 select 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