| Tour Route: | Kochi (2) – Munnar (2) – Periyar (2) – Marari (02) – Backwater Houseboat (1) – Kumarakom (02) – Kochi |
| Tour Duration: | 11 Nights / 12 Days |
Day 1: Arrive Kochi
Arrive Kochi, the most cosmopolitan city of Kerala. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for 2 nights stay.
Kochi, also known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, is one of the finest natural harbours in the world. Starting from the Dutch, Portuguese and the British, Kochi was the site of the first European colonial settlements in India.
Overnight Stay In Kochi
Day 2: Day in Kochi
This morning explore Fort Kochi on a cycling tour. Fort Kochi, a historic trading port of Kochi is a laid-back town and cycling through its streets is a great way to discover it. With narrow cobbled stone streets, cafes that open for business late in the morning and fishermen that line the coast at sunrise with their Chinese fishing nets, Fort Kochi blends its old world charm seamlessly with its contemporary vibrancy
Post Breakfast visit the Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church and see the authentic Chinese fishing nets still in active use by the fishermen in Kerala.
This evening, watch a spectacular Kathakali performance. Kathakali is one of the oldest theatre forms in India. One of the most complex and highly stylized Indian art forms, this performance is a spectacular combination of drama, dance, music and ritual. Characters with vividly painted faces and elaborate costumes re-enact stories from the Hindu epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. Reach early for the unique opportunity to see the performers dressing up in their very elaborate and colorful costumes and painting their faces with make up to create the special persona for the performance. Also visit the onsite cultural museum to see sculptures of Kerala's unique dance forms, a large replica of an authentic Keralan wooden canoe and see how Keralan handicrafts and saris are woven.
Overnight Stay in Kochi
Day 3: DRIVE Kochi – Munnar (135 kms / 5 Hrs)
After breakfast embark on a scenic drive to Munnar, one of the most popular hill resorts of south India. Under the British Raj, Munnar was popularly called ‘Switzerland of India' for its natural surroundings and cool climate. The entire area is occupied by thick forests and tea estates. The specialty of Munnar is its jungle honey, tea and a rare flower ‘Neela Kurunji’ which blooms once in 12 years.
Upon arrival check-in at your hotel for 2 nights stay and later afternoon enjoy a short hike through the mountain grasslands of Munnar. Hike through the green scenic beauty to
Meesapulimala (2640m), the second highest peak in the Western Ghats, You may also catch a glimpse of elephants, sambar, sloth bear and the Nilgiri tahr along the way.
Overnight Stay in Munnar
Day 4: Day in Munnar
After breakfast, visit a local tea plantation and the Tata Tea Museum to learn about the cultivation and processing of a variety of Indian teas. Then we visit a unique welfare initiative in Munnar, which focuses on enhancing the hidden talents of differently abled children, most of whom are from families of local tea pluckers of Munnar. Here we see three projects that aim to equip disabled children to secure a better future: a centre for special education; a natural dye fabric printing project; and a unit that manufactures handmade paper and paper products. The products made by these children are sold at a small outlet near the workshops and are exported to Japan and Europe. A visit to this unique initiative reiterates how enthusiasm is a sign of spiritual health and imperfections are what make you beautiful! Enjoy the rest of the time at leisure.
This evening visit one local family for a cooking demonstration with the chef and learn uses of various spices in everyday cooking. The chef will be happy to share their secret recipes and give you some handy tips about south Indian cooking
Overnight Stay in Munnar
Day 5: DRIVE Munnar - Periyar (100 Kms / 4 Hrs)
After a leisurely breakfast, we embark on a scenic drive to Periyar, the spice plantation hub of Kerala.
Upon arrival in Periyar, check in to your hotel for 2 nights stay and enjoy the rest of the time at leisure!!
This evening watch Kalaripayattu performance, one of the oldest form of martial arts and known as the mother of all martial arts. Kalarippayattu consists of punches, leg moves, stretches, twists, and jumps performed in a particular sequence. In Periyar, you get a unique opportunity to witness a performance of this ancient art along with the locals at the village arena
Overnight Stay in Periyar
Day 6: Day in Periyar
Early this morning, we take a guided walk with a naturalist in Periyar Wildlife Reserve. Observe some rare species of flora and fauna, along with a variety of birds and if you are lucky you may even spot a few elephants and wildlife across the lake.
This afternoon, take a spice plantation tour and learn about the mystery and history of Indian spices. The spice plantations in Periyar are captivating farms growing different spices in different sections of the plantations. You will be intrigued to see the vast variety of spices
Ranging from cloves, cardamom, ginger, pepper, chilli, turmeric etc and during the spice plantation tour, you have the option to experience elephant safari through the plantation. Undisturbed by the mechanical roar of a car or jeep, open to the skies accompanied only by the rhythmic sound of the elephant, enjoy the ride through spice scented breeze.
Overnight Stay in Periyar
Day 7: DRIVE Periyar to Marari (150 Kms / 5 Hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Marari, a fishermen’s village. Upon arrival in Marari check in to your hotel for 02 Nights retreat for complete relaxation by reconnecting your mind, body and soul and some leisure time!!
Rest of the day at leisure or free for independent activities.
Overnight Stay in Marari
Day 8: In Marari
Early this morning post breakfast; take a guided village walk through the neighboring fishermen’s village to get a glimpse into the local life along the coast of Kerala
Rest of the day at leisure or free for independent activities.
Overnight Stay in Marari
Day 09: DRIVE Marari to Alleppey (15 Kms / 0.5 Hrs)
This morning, drive to Alleppey, a coastal town in the backwaters of Kerala. Upon arrival in Alleppey, board your houseboat to cruise through the backwaters. Kerala backwaters consist of a complex network of lagoons, lakes, & canals and are best experienced while slowly rowing down the labyrinth of canals in a traditional thatch-roofed houseboat, known as 'Kettuvallam'. Discover the daily life along the backwaters and watch the circle of life in endless shades of green. Enjoy the comfort of a floating suite, relax and discover the flavors of Kerala served on the sundeck as the fascinating life along the waterfront passes by.
Overnight stay on Houseboat
Day 10: DRIVE Alleppey to Kumarakom
This morning, enjoy breakfast on board. Alight your houseboat and disembark journey directly at hotel jetty for check-in Kumarakom Resort.
Kumarakom is a popular tourism destination located near the city of Kottayam {16 kilometres (10 minutes), in Kerala, India, famous for its backwater tourism. It is set in the backdrop of the Vembanad Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Kerala
Rest of the day at leisure or free for independent activities.
Overnight Stay in Kumarakom
Day 11: In Kumarakom
Breakfast in Hotel
Day at leisure or free for independent activities
Overnight Stay in Kumarakom
Day 12: DRIVE Kumarakom to Kochi (70 Kms / 2 Hrs)
This morning, enjoy breakfast on board. Alight your houseboat and embark on your return drive to Kochi.
En-route to Kochi, visit a lush green island model village (agri farm), surrounded by backwaters and paddy fields. Meet the locals to understand essential elements of local village lifestyle of Kerala, which is predominated by coconut. Enjoy a backwaters boat cruise in a traditional country boat. Spend the afternoon seeing coir yarn processing, copra processing, crab farming, clam meat processing, operation of Chinese fishing nets, weaving coconut leaves and fish groping.
Continue your drive to Kochi. This evening, you will be transferred to the airport to connect to your flight back home