Beach, Tea and Spices - Highlights of South India

Beach, Tea and Spices - Highlights of South India: Complete Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Trivandrum
Arrival in Trivandrum in the morning. Breakfast at the hotel and rest. In the afternoon we take a tour of this exciting and beautiful city. In the evening we drive tests Enfield.

Day 02: Trivandrum – Mararikulam (160kms)
In the morning we travel north along the coast. Runs through small villages, people experiencing life, and takes a few breaks where we eat exotic fruits and drinking fresh coconut juice. In the seaside town of Varkala, we take lunch at the Arabian Sea. After lunch the journey continues on to the beautiful beach north of Allapey, Mararikulam, where we will stay two nights.

Day 03: Mararikulam
Relaxing, swimming and short trips in the area for those who want.

Day 04: Mararikulam – Cochin (40kms)
In the morning we drive further north. The goal for the day is Fort Cochin, a charming former Portuguese part of the coastal city of Cochin, which, incidentally, was one of host cities during the last Volvo Ocean Race sailing. On the way here, we pay a visit a training center for elephants!

Day 05: Cochin
Today we see us around the Fort Cochin. Some of the highlights are the Chinese fishing nights, the Jewish Synagogue, Cherry Matta Palace. We eat delicious food in the sunset at the Arabian Sea.

Day 06: Cochin – Munnar (140kms)
We run early inland and up to "The Western Ghat", the mountain range in southern India. The journey goes through the tea and rubber plantations, and we end up on Vannila County, a guesthouse run by the Baby Matthew and his wife. They show us how rubber is produced, and takes us in the herb garden. The food they drive up is amazing! Overnight in Munnar.

Day 07: Munnar
Today we drive through some of the finest and largest tea plantations in south India. We stop and talk with some of teplukkerne along the road and enjoying the wonderful view  on the way to the mountain village of Munnar which is situated at over 1500 meters. Nearby is also located south India's highest peak, at 2695 m. Anamudi. Driving in the mountains offer great motorcycle racing, where the narrow asphalt road winds its way across the valley by valley, with tea plantations.

Day 08: Munnar – Thekkady (110kms)
Early morning we drive forward in exciting ways through small villages. We pause for a tea break  and see how tea is produced. In the afternoon we arrive to the town of Thekkady, where we will spend two nights.

Day 09: Thekkady
We go to "Abraham's Spice Garden" and learn more about the spice plants and other exotic plants in the area. It is time for elephant riding, and in the afternoon we take a boat trip on Lake Pery and will hopefully see wild elephants and other animals. And maybe a tiger? Relaxing evening where we enjoy the nice temperatures and all the sounds of the jungle from our residence, right at the park.

Day 10: Thekkady – Kumarakom (135kms)
The aim of the trip today, Kumarakom, an area that is considered one of the most beautiful paradises on this earth. We drive back to the lowlands, through rubber plantations and palm forests, and at. 11 we arrived. Now wait a journey of the absolute highlight: houseboat tour of Kerala 'backwaters'. To cruise around in his own boat, with its own mate, cook and handyman board, in narrow channels where the palm trees hanging over one, ranked as one of the ten most beautiful vacation experiences one can have. Enjoy!

Day 11: Kumarakom – Kovalam (184kms)
After breakfast on the boat, we drive back south to Trivandrum. This time we drive through town and then to Kovalam, one of the finest beaches in south India. Here is more hustle and bustle than what we experienced in Mararikulam, and it is enough to buy and many good restaurants to choose from.

Day 12: Kovalam
Breakfast at hotel, day free for personal activities relax etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Kovalam – Kanyakumar - Kovalam (80kms one way)
For those who wish, today we drive to the southern tip of India, called Kanyakumari. We start early and run at some deserted beaches. Talking with the fishermen and see how they prepare for today's work. When we arrive, we take our time to photography and to look around, before after lunch drive back to the hotel in Kovalam. In the evening we have dinner all together.

Day 14: Kovalam – Departure
Breakfast and relaxing morning. Later transfer to airport to board flight for your home country.