Palm & Backwaters Tour: 9-Day Trip In Kerala

Day 01: Arrival Cochin
Arrive Cochin International airport & after customs formalities walk out of the main exit gate where our representative will meet.
Transfer from airport to hotel & check-in (standard check in time at hotel is 1400 hrs).
In the evening, you will be taken for one-hour show of Kathakali Dance show – the ancient dance form of Kerala.
Overnight at Cochin.

Day 02: Cochin – Munnar
After breakfast proceeds for the guided city tour and you will be walking through the old sections. Our walking tour will take us to; Jew Town, including the Pardesi Synagogue (closed on Fridays & Saturdays); The Mattancherry Palace, known locally as the Dutch Palace; Fort Cochin, reminiscent of European streets and houses; the Chinese Fishing Nets on the northern shore of Fort Cochin; and St Francis Church, near to a typical English village green. A highlight is watching the fishermen working the nets (which operate on a weight system) as the sun is setting.
Later drive to Munnar.which is the most popular hill station in South India and the best tourist place in Kerala. It has a unique views of verdant mountain slopes which are covered with about 80,000 miles of green tea farms like organic bedding over mountains which offer views of low-flying clouds and misty valleys. Munnar is usually cold and relaxed and gives you a incredible sensation, with the dense spray around you in the center of the organic tea farms. Munnar was once the summer season of the erstwhile English and English settlers found that the elevation, slope and alignment of the hills were particularly designed for the farming of tea. The modern end result is the lavish organic mountains decorated by tea gardens which is the sight to look out for in modern Munnar. There are also lot of waterfalls and hiking routes in Munnar for the adventure seeking guests. With its drowsy little bungalows, bungalows, old play areas and tea factories, Munnar is one of those unique hill stations in India with an old world colonial feel to the area.
Upon arrival check In at Hotel and Day is free to relax and to walk around
Overnight at Munnar.

Day 03: In Munnar
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).
Evening will be at leisure for your own activity
Overnight at Munnar.

Day 04: Munnar – Periyar
Today morning drive to Periyar –This is one of the best elephant sanctuaries in India. It also has monkeys, wild boar and sambals. This beautiful hill station in the Western Ghats is 1,000 metres above sea level and is famed throughout India for the quality of its spices. Periyar is synonymous with pepper as 95% of India’s production comes from the district.
Check-in on arrival & rest.
Afternoon explore , cruising the waters of the lake. The park is home to many mammals that come to the shore to drink. These include elephant, bison Gaur, Sambar, Cheetal, Sloth Bear and Wild Dog, plus many species of birds. During the dry season when water holes within the forest are dry, leopards and tigers also come to the lake for water. The reserve’s range of flora and fauna is breath-taking, and includes more than 100 orchid species and trees such as mangoes and banyans as well as wildlife like elephants and Bengal tigers. The River Periyar, which is known as ‘Lifeline of Kerala’, originates in the park’s dense forests. The lake also attracts many species of local and migratory birds.
Later Enjoy Kalaripayattu Show In Munnar which is one of the oldest fighting styles in the world, Kalaripayattu is the traditional martial art practiced in Kerala. Famed as the mother of all martial arts, this ancient art-form is believed to have been adapted into various martial art forms like karate, kung-fu and judo. The one hour evening performance show of Kalaripayattu in Munnar, includes showcasing of body control, flexibility and various form of exercises. Performed by skilled and trained artists, this show showcases their fighting skills with bare hands andmetallic weapons like swords, spears, shield and others.
Overnight at Periyar.

Day 05: Periyar – Kumarakom
Early morning go for Nature walk tour which is an interpretive programme offering excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife. Different nature trails traversing diverse habitats form the trekking routes, generally 4 to 5 km in length. The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands. The programme is offered in six time slots, and lasts for two-and-a-half hours. A maximum of 6 persons can go for trekking at a time along each nature trail, covering the boat-landing – Kokkara route, accompanied by a trained tribal guide. Nature walk is the right programme to feel nature, hear her whispers and smell her flowers.
Later take to the road for Kumarakom which is a a village on Vembanad Lake in the backwaters of Kerala, southern India. It’s laced with canals, where houseboats ply the waters. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is home to many species including cuckoos and Siberian storks.
On arrival check in at the hotel.
Afternoon head to the shore to board houseboat for a scenic and leisurely backwaters cruise. The houseboats are adaptations of kettuvallam boats, which were used for generations to transport rice and spices. Allow yourself to drift away as the beautifully decorated houseboat glides through mangroves and under coconut groves while you feast on traditional Keralan dishes.
Overnight at Kumarakom.

Day 06: Kumarakom – Alappuzha
Morning drive a short distance before switching over to a boat for a through many canals and waterways up to Alleppey.
On Arrival embark on your private houseboat and cruise on the Backwaters, a splendid area full of canals, lakes and coves. Your houseboats or ‘Kettuvalloms’ are luxurious boats with well-appointed bedrooms and ensuite bathrooms. You can sunbathe on the deck or observe the palm fringed landscape from your cabins. Apart from the mesmerizing surroundings it’s the life along the coast that adds a touch of exotica to this experience. The locals’ travel in canoes and you will find vegetable sellers, fishermen and other traders bringing household goods, door to door in small wooden boats. As you cruise along the backwaters you can ask your captain to stop at villages, paddy fields and other places, enroute.
Overnight at Alleppey Houseboat.

Day 07: Alappuzha – Kovalam
After breakfast drive to Kovalam. Upon arrival check inn at Hotel
Kovalam is the international beach Resort with full of Coconut trees. Also it is an internationally renowned beach of Kerala, with three adjacent crescent beaches. Kovalam has been a favorite haunt of tourists, especially Europeans, since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful Bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse – sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programs, Catamaran cruising etc.
In the evening enjoy the beautiful beaches of Kovalam.
Overnight at Kovalam.

Day 08: Kovalam – Trivendrum – Kovalam
Breakfast at Hotel and after breakfast drive to Trivandrum- gateway to one of the most beautiful states in Kerela. The city presides over one of the most scenic states, stretching along the southern coast of the country, with the backwaters of the Arabian sea reaching deep into the veredant countryside, kerela affords a fascinating experience.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Trivandrum visiting The ancient temple of Sri Padmanabhaswamy is one of the major attractions in the city of Thiruvananthapuram.Napier Museum was built in 1880 and shows a harmonious blending of Kerala, Mughal, Chinese and Italian architectural styles. Sri Chitra Art Gallery has a good collection Tanjore, Mughal, and Rajput schools of art. The Zoo in Thiruvananthapuram has many shady and delightful walks
Later drive back to Kovalam.
Overnight at Kovalam.

Day 09: Departure by Flight
In time transfer to Trivendrum airport to board your flight for onwards destination.