The tour covers entire state of Kerala
including most popular tourist circuit of Cochin, Periyar and Kumarakom as
also the undiscovered North Kerala & the Hills. The region of Malabar is
gifted with the best of scenic beauty where rich tradition still continues.
The tour also covers the hill station of Munnar 1600 m above sea level, once
the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. The
tour ends at internationally renowned Kovalam Beach.
Day 1 : Cochin
Arrive Cochin. Met upon arrival and transfer to Hotel. Evening Harbour
Cruise of Cochin. With one of the finest natural harbors in the world
-Cochin was once a major centre for commerce and trade with the British,
Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch etc. All communities found a welcome in
Kerala.
Day 2 : Cochin
Morning sight seeing of Cochin including Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue,
Chinese Fishing nets, St. Francis Church etc. Afternoon free. Evening
witness the Kathakali Dance Show.
Day 3 : Cochin - Kozhikode (Calicut)
Morning drive to Kozhikode (185 kms. / 4 hrs.). Afternoon free for boating.
Day 4 : Kozhikode
Visit Calicut including Pazahssiraja Museum & Art Gallery and Kappad
Beach -a historic beach where Vasco da Gama landed in 1498 and Beypore -a
prominent port and important trade and maritime centre. Ancient Beypore was
much sought after by merchants from Western Asia for its shipbuilding
industry. The art of "Uru" (Arabian trading vessel) building is a
tradition of over 1500 years and you can even witness some of them being
built and you could also buy their miniature versions from local shops.
Day 5 : Kozhikode - Guruvayur
Drive to Guruvayur (3 hrs) -the temple town. Walk around the temple to
witness the small colourfull shops. Afternoon visit punnathoorkotta -the
home of 50 elephants offers unusual spectacles of the gently pachyderm.
These temple elephants are decorated for the various festivals and most
important of them is Thrissur, Pooram at Trichur when 30 caparisoned
elephants decorated with gold ornaments line up on opposite sides and
traditional music (panchvadhyam) is played.
Day 6 : Guruvayur - Munnar
Morning drive to Munnar (175 kms /4 hrs.) the hill resort (alt. 1600 m).
Afternoon free to witness the beauty of nature at its' best.
Day 7 : Munnar
Morning visit Eravikulam National Park - the natural habitat of the Nilgiri
Tahr (a rare mountain goat) and the highest peak of South India - Anamudi
(2695 meters) is also within its limits. Afternoon free (optional visit to
Kunnakkamalai Tea estate by jeep).
Day 8 : Munnar - Periyar
Drive to Periyar (100 kms / 3 hrs ) which is most scenic while you drive
down through Tea and spice plantations through the green and blue hills.
Afternoon take a Boat safari in lake Periyar inside the Periyar National
Park.
Day 9 : Periyar - Kumarakom
Drive to Kumarakom (130 kms/3 Hrs) a unique backwater destination situated
on the banks of the Vembnad lake. Evening sunset cruise on lake after
visiting Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.
Day 10 : Kumarakom - Kollam (House boat)
Embark on the Kettuvallam -the typical House Boats and sail through the
most beautiful backwaters region towards Kollam These traditional boats
gently sail on through the rural interiors of Kerala which remain hidden
from the road.
Day 11 : Kollam - Trivandrum - Kovalam
Disembark at Thottappalli and drive to Kovalam (100 kms / 3 Hrs) enroute
visiting Trivandrum_the ancient city and capital of Kerala state. Places of
interest in Trivandrum are Sri Padmanabha Temple, Kuthiramalika Palace,
Trivandrum Zoo, Srichithra Art Gallery and Napier Musiem. Evening free to
relax on the beach.
Day 12 : Kovalam
Day free to relax on the beach
Day 13 : Kovalam - Kanyakumari - Kovalam
Full day excursion to Kanyakumari (also known as Cape Comorin which is 67
kms / 1 ½ 2 Hrs) -the tip of peninsular India where 3 seas -Indian
Ocean, Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal meet. Enroute visiting
Padmanabhapuram Palace_well known for wooden works. Visit Kanyakumari
Temple, Gandhi Memorial and Vivekananda Memorial. Evening visit the
spectacular Sunset and drive back to Kovalam hotel.
Day 14 : Kovalam -Trivandrum - Out
Drive to Trivandrum airport (17 Kms) and connect your international flight
for home. (Hotel Checkout 12:00 Hrs).
