Enchanting Kerala Tour: 7-Day Trip

Day 1: Arrival Cochin
Arrive Cochin. Meet & assist at the airport & transfer to hotel. Cochin, A port town since early centuries, Cochin attracted traders and invaders from the world over. Cochin offers some fascinating snippets of history and culture. Also known as the spice coast of India. Afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour of cochin including. The Hill Palace Museum, a fully-fledged archeological museum and Kerala’s first ever Heritage Museum are the main attractions (closed on Mondays). Chinese Fishing Nets, this unique style of huge cantilevered fishing nets were erected between 1350 and 1450 AD by traders from the Court of Kubla Khan, a Chinese King. Santa Cruz Basilica, this historic church was built by the Portuguese and elevated to a Cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1558. Pope John Paul II proclaimed the Church a Basilica in 1984. The Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, this is theoldest Synagogue in the Commonwealth (closed on Saturdays & Jewish Holidays). The area around the Synagogue, called Jew Town, is the centre for Spice & Handicraft shops.Mattanchery Palace (Dutch Palace), built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to the Regent of Kochi (closed on Fridays). Return to hotel rest of the day free/ shopping at Ernakulam. Evening Witness Kathakali the famous dance drama of kerala. This dance is characterised by some great story telling, amazing costumes and extensive make-up. Start early to see the artist preparing themselves for the show (5 PM ). Watch in detail the ritual worth seeing hour long process of make-up as part of our daily KATHAKALI performance. After the Performance, you will have a unique opportunity to take photographs along with the artists in colorful costumes as a souvenir. Entire performance will be supported with commentary in English. Night stay in Cochin.

Day 2: Cochin – Munnar
After breakfast drive to munnar 150 kms.On arrival transfer to hotel. Munnar a hill station located 1600 metres above sea level. Once the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in South India it still retains its colonial charm and is famous for its tea plantations, most of which are privately owned. With its sprawling estates, rolling hills, sparkling waterfalls, picture postcard hamlets and undulating valleys, Munnar is an ideal get-away destination. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Munnar tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometers, lust green hills, a place so difficult to describe, very low population too far from pollution, most of the covered by Tata tea. Also the Raja Malai, a top peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain goats), Muttupetty dam, Indo Swiss project; you can also enjoy boating in the Lake (optional). Night stay in Munnar.

Day 3: Munnar – Periyar
After breakfast drive to the Periyar 110 kms. On arrival transfer to hotel. Periyar an area known for its undulating hills, spice plantations, and elephant sightings.One of the 27 tiger reserves in India, the Periyar valley in Thekkady is the oldest. Check into your hotel. Either have the rest of the day at leisure or go on a spice plantation tour where you will be enticed by not only the aroma of spices like cinnamon, cardamom, pepper and nutmeg but will also get to know how they are grown, harvested and processed before they reach the supermarkets. In the evening you could go for a boat ride on lake Periyar for an golden opportunity to sight elephants and other animals. Night stay in Periyar.

Day 4: Periyar – Kumarakom
After breakfast drive to Kumarakom 120kms. Kumarakom is also one of the enchanting backwater regions of Kerala. The labyrinthine network of rivers, canals, streams and lagoons which form the famed backwaters offer stunning views and is an ideal place to relax . Kumarakom, a bird sanctuary located on the banks of the backwaters and renowned for its varied avian population. Local varieties such as Waterfowls, Cuckoos and Owls, as well as the migratory Siberian Cranes can be viewed here. Day excursion to the bird sanctuary and optional boat ride to the nearby village through lagoons. Night stay in Kumarakom.

Day 5: Kumarakom – Alleppey – Kovalam
After breakfast into a motor boatwater crise from Kumarakom to Alleppey for 2 hrs. On Arrival transfer to hotel. Night stay in Kovalam.

Day 6: Kovalam – Kanyakumari
After breakfast proceed for Kanyakumari 100 kms. Kanyakumari, the southern tip of India. It is at the tail point of India, where the three seas meet together. Enroute visiting Padnabhapuram palace – a wooden palace dating back to the 17th century, Suchidram. On arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit Vivekananda rock memorial, Kanyakumari temple etc. Witness sunset in the evening. Night stay in Kanyakumari.

Day 7: Kanyakumari – Trivandrum – Departure
Early morning witness the sunrise from the terrace of the hotel and after breakfast drive to the Trivandrum Airport to connected the flight for your onward journey.