Kerala Backwater with Kovalam Beach

Duration: 10 Nights/ 11 Days
Places to See: Cochin - Munnar - Thekkady - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Kovalam

Day 01: Arrive Cochin

Arrive Cochin airport, meet with our office representative, assistance and transfer to hotel.

Later 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), warehouses and spice auction rooms. Later on 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 harbor 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.

Evening Kathakali dance-drama show at local theater. Kathakali can also be described as a visual art because performers do not say any dialogues in this. Rather they are mime. Communication is made effective through the remarkable use of gestures and mudras. This also lends Kathakali its universal appeal. People of varied tastes all over the world appreciate and admire the beauty of this distinguished art. Another distinct feature of Kathakali is its elaborate costume and make-up. It is a magical sight to watch Kathakali artistes performing in their traditional attire. Their larger than life form transport the audience to a make believe wonderland. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Cochin - Munnar (140kms / 3hrs approx)

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

Day 03: 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.

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

Day 04: Thekkady

Breakfast at hotel. 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.

Set on attractive Periyar Lake 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. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Thekkady – Kumarakom (132kms / 3hrs approx)

Breakfast at hotel, drive to Kumarakom check in at backwater resort/hotel. Day free for personal activities & Ayurvedic treatment etc.

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 civilization in India, by organizing the fundamentals of life into proper systems. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: 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 07: 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 08: Alleppey – Kovalam (160kms/ 4hrs approx)

Morning after breakfast disembarks from the houseboat and drive to Kovalam. Rest day free for personal activities relax on the beach etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09: Kovalam

Breakfast at hotel, day free for personal activities relax on the beach etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Kovalam

Breakfast at hotel, day free for personal activities relax on the beach etc. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11: Kovalam - Trivandrum (16kms / 30 minutes)

Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Trivandrum airport to board flight for onward destination.

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