07 NIGHTS/08 DAYS
DAY 01 ARRIVE COCHIN
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel.
Overnight in the hotel.
DAY 02 COCHIN
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel.
If Kerala is India’s most beautiful state, which many tourists believe, then the lovely port of Cochin is its jewel. It has been variously hailed as Queen of the Arabian Sea, Venice of Orient, etc. Some choose to call it simply a museum city for its rich past and colorful present. Cochin displays a blend of peoples and architecture. It is one place where you can see a Jewish
Afternoon sightseeing of Cochin, a city till today influenced by medieval Portugal, Holland and England. You visit St. Francis Church, built in 1503 by Portuguese Franciscan friars where Vasco da Gama was buried for 14 years before his remains were transferred to Lisvon. His tombstone still stands. Nearby is the Mattancherry Palace or “Dutch Palace”. The central hall on the Ist floor was the coronation hall of the rajas of Cochin. Other rooms depict scenes from the
Ramayana and Puranic legends connected with Hindu gods. Amazing are the Chinese fishing nets. These cantilevered fishing nets line the entrance to the harbour mouth. They were introduced by traders from the courts of Kublai Khan. You also see the Jew City with the Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, with hand-painted, willow-pattern floor tiles brought from Canton in the mid-18th century by a Rabbi, who had trading interest in that city.
Evening enthrall yourself with a special presentation of the colourfully costumed Kathakali Dance Drama. This mask dance form is originally from Kerala and 1500 years old. This classical dance has 24 mudras expressing the nine emotions of serenity, wonder, kindness, love, valor, fear, contempt, loathing and anger.
Dinner and Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 03 COCHIN – KUMARAKOM By surface 55 Kms
After the breakfast leave for Kumarakom by surface. On arrival check-in at hotel.
The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist’s paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live There in flocks are a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.
In the evening enjoy the sunset boat cruise on the Vembanadlake provided by the hotel.
Dinner and Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 04 KUMARAKOM – PERIYAR By surface 127 Kms 3 hours
After breakfast in the hotel drive to Periyar National Parken route visit tea factory which is about 40 km from Periyar (tea factory remain closed on public, local holidays and in the event of local issues like death, regional function etc.). This unique wildlife sanctuary is about 780 sq. km centered on an artificial lake fed by the Periyar River.
Afternoon Elephant ride, spice plantation visit and game viewing is on board boat, which carry you through the jungle along convoluted waterways and afford sightings of elephant, bison, deer and occasionally, tiger. Small animals include black Nilgiri langur, bonnet and lion tailed macaque, Giant and Flying squirrel. There are some 246 species of birds and 112 species of butterfly. There are trees more than 100 years old and over 50 m high.
Evening Kalaripayattu performance.
Dinner and Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 05 PERIYAR – ALLEPPEY By surface 142 Kms 3 hours
After breakfast drive to Allepay, upon arrival board the house Boat. Boat cruse through the day through the backwaters to Alleppey, an idyllic experience. Pass through the lagoons watching the waterside local activities of the villagers – coir-making, toddy tapping, fishing, rice growing along the palm lined banks and narrow strips of land that separate the water-ways, and the constant traffic are typical. It also offers the opportunity to see tropical vegetation, bird life and crops.
Overnight is on board the house boat.
DAY 06 ALLEPAY – KOVALAM By surface 162 Kms 4 hours
After breakfast in the hotel drive to Kovalam, upon arrival check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 07 KOVALAM
Day is at leisure.
Optional Tour of Kanyakumari:
Transfer from hotel for a two hour drive to Kanyakumari popularly called as Land’s End. En route visit Padmanabhapuram Palace (closed on Mondays), the former summer palace of the Travancore Kingdom. Rich with its intricate woodcraft, the palace also has a superb collection of mural paintings and granite statues. This is followed by a visit to Sucheendram Temple. Dedicated to Lord Siva this temple is a repository of art treasures. Temple is famous for a huge Hanuman statue and musical pillars. (Men have to remove shirt for entering the temple).
Take a ferry to Vivekananda rock memorial, the main landmark of Kanyakumari where the famous Indian philosopher Swami Vivekananda meditated and got enlightenment. The memorial stands on one of two rocks located about 500 meters off the mainland. Later visit Gandhi Mandapam& Kanyakumari Devi temple before leaving for Kovalam.
Dinner and Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 08: DEPARTURE
In time transfer to the airport to connect flight for onward destination.