Kerala Backwater Tour

Kerala Backwater Tour: Complete Itinerary

Day 01: Calicut
On arrival at the Calicut Airport meet and greet by our office representative assistance and transfer to the hotel. Calicut also known as Kozhikode. It was formerly the capital of the erstwhile Malabar District. Calicut, the most important city of Malabar region of Kerala, was a leading trading centre for spices on the West Coast of India during the medieval period Lush green forests, rivers, wildlife, hills, a unique culture and a warm friendly ambience invite the tourist. Check in hotel and later on move out for the local tour. Visit Pazhassirajah Museum, Art Gallery, Kozhikode Beach, Dolphin's Point, Thikkoti Lighthouse and so on. Later on return back to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 02: Calicut – Wayanad (85kms/ 2hrs approx)
Morning after breakfast drive to Wayanad. It is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Kerala where man and nature move hand in hand. It was earlier known as Mayakshetra (Maya's land). Mayakshetra evolved into Mayanad and finally to Wayanad. It is known for its spice and tea plantations. It's also the one of the important tribal areas of Kerala. The native Adivasis mainly consist of various sectors like Paniyas, Kurumas, and others. On reaching Wayanad check in resort and relax for the rest of the day.

Day 03: Wayanad
Morning after breakfast drive out for the local tour and visit the interesting places like Banasura Dam – the largest earth dam of India Chembra Peak – the highest peak in Tamil Nadu, Edakkal Cave , Kuruva Island , Muthanga Wild Life Sanctuary, Pookat Lake and so on. Also get involved in the adventurous sports like.

Day 04: Wayanad – Palakad (88kms/ 2hrs approx)
After breakfast full day excursion to Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05: Palakad – Cochin (222kms/ 5hrs approx)
Morning after breakfast drive to Cochin,check in at hotel. Afternoon city tour of Cochin, one of South India’s most interesting towns, still largely comprises low rise, picturesque buildings. Visit Mattanchery Palace, built by the Portuguese (1557) as a gift for the Raja of Kochi in exchange for trading rights, it was largely rebuilt by the new occupants, the Dutch. Further visit Jewish Synagogue adjascent to the Palace. This gem of a synagogue dating from 1568 (rebuilt in 1662) at the heart of what is called locally Jew Town, now a fascinating mixture of shops (some selling antiques), wareshouses and spice auction rooms. Lateron drive to Fort Kochi beach area to visit St. Francis Church originally dedicated to Santo Antonio, the patron saint of Portugal, St. Francis Church is the first to reflect the new, European influenced tradition. Vasco da Gama died on the site in 1524 and was originally buried in the cemetery. Fourteen years later his body was removed to Portugal. Our final visit will be to huge Chinese Fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour mouth.  Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the late 14th century although, today, parts of the nets are known by Portuguese names.

Afternoon drive to Munnar, check in at hotel. Rest time free for personal activities, relax etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Munnar - Thekkady (110kms/ 2½hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, sightseeing tour of Munnar: situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, 1600mt above sea level surrounded by sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns & winding lanes. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji, this flower that bathes the hills in blue.

Visit Devikulam: An enchanting Hill station. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings. Powerhouse water falls, Anayirankal Dam. Nyamakadu water falls, Anaimudy view (South India Highest peak – 8841 feet from sea level = 2695 meters) Eravikulam National Park. Rajamala the Nilgiri tahr, a very rare type of mountain goat (Hemitragas bylocres), on the verge of extinction. Half the world population of this rare goat is seen in and around Rajamala. The kurinji flowers blooming once in twelve years abound here. The combination of these two rare sights will make any visitor come again and again to this place.

Afternoon drive to Thekkady, check in at hotel. Rest time free for personal activities, relax etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Thekkady
Set on attractive Periyar Lake side is in a beautiful setting and was designated a part of Project Tiger in 1973, though Tigers are very rarely seen and it is better know for its elephants, which are very likely to be seen until Mar/Apr. Most bull elephants here are tuskless. Bison, Sambar, Wild boar and the barking Deer are fairly common. In addition to 246 species of birds, there are 112 species of butterfly.

Explore the park by hiking through the buffer zone of the forest with tribal tracker as a local guide from the forest department. We return from our hike at 08.00hrs and back to hotel for breakfast. Further make a short drive to nearby plantations to know more about the spices of Kerala and the plantation crops. Evening again explore the sanctuary which offers a lovely and comfortable way to see the animals via boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife area encircles. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Thekkady – Kumarakom (132kms / 3hrs approx)
Ayurveda: is the oldest surviving complete medical system in the world. Derived from its ancient Sanskrit roots - ‘ayus' (life) and ‘ved' (knowledge) – and offering a rich, comprehensive outlook to a healthy life, its origins go back nearly 5000 years. To when it was expounded and practiced by the same spiritual rishis, who laid the foundations of the Vedic civilisation in India, by organising the fundamentals of life into proper systems.

The main source of knowledge in this field therefore remain the Vedas, the divine books of knowledge they propounded, and more specifically the fourth of the series, namely Atharvaveda that dates back to around 1000 BC.Of the few other treatises on Ayurveda that have survived from around the same time, the most famous are Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita which concentrate on internal medicine and surgery respectively. The Astanga Hridayam is a more concise compilation of earlier texts that was created about a thousand years ago. These between them forming a greater part of the knowledge base on Ayurveda as it is practiced today. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09: Kumarakom
Breakfast at hotel, day free for personal activities & Ayurvedic treatment.

Optional visit to Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary: This sanctuary is rich with a number of noteworthy species include the Dater or Snake Bird, Little Cormorant, Night Heroin, Golden- backed woodpecker, Crow Pheasant, White Breasted Water Hen and Tree Pie etc. The season for migratory birds are from November to March. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Kumarakom – Alleppey (50kms / 1hrs approx)
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Alleppey, also called the Venice of East, interlocked with a large number of canals and bridges. Board a houseboat from Alleppey and enjoy the cruise through the enchanting backwaters. Houseboat comprises twin bed room, with attached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in which to relax and enjoy the sights on the shore. Start our sail through scenic backwaters, passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level. The houseboat will cruise through the Chambakulam area by mid-morning and anchor to explore the boat yard, which displays the traditional long snake boats used in races. Visit St. Mary’s Church, established by St. Thomas in 1721. In the evening, catch a glimpse of village life along the backwaters and experience a way of life unique to this region. The boat will pass through picturesque stretches of the backwaters of Alleppey and moor up for overnight in Vemabanadu Lake. Overnight at Houseboat.

Day 11: ; Alleppey – Kovalam (160kms/ 3hrs approx)
Morning after breakfast check out houseboat at Alleppey, as you would have reached Alleppey by then. Board the cab to drive to Kovalam - the Paradise of the South. It is tiny beach which is one of the major tourist attractions. It is a picture perfect tropical beach.Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and it is true to its name, one can get an endless sight of the coconut groves. On reaching Kovalam check in at the beach resort and spend the rest of the day relaxing at this beautiful beach resort.

Day 12: Kovalam
Morning after breakfast drive out for the local tour and visit the important places like Padmanabhapuram Palace, Kawdiar Palace, Napier Museum , Sanghumugham Beach , Varkala Beach and others. Later on return back to the resort for an overnight stay.

Day 13: Kovalam - Trivanduram
Morning after breakfast drive to Trivanduram Airport to board your flight to the onwards destination.