DAY 1
Cochin
Arrive to Cochin by flight, meeting assistance at the airport and transfer to hotel for check-in.
DAY 2
Cochin
After breakfast go on a sightseeing tour of Kochi. Visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. While driving along the coastline, at the harbour’s mouth, one can also view the unique and still-in-use ‘Chinese Fishing Nets’ which were introduced by the Chinese traders in the 14th century. The tour ends in the Fort Kochi area where you can walk through the historical Dutch and Portuguese buildings. Some parts of this nearly 500-year-old fort are still amazingly well preserved. In the evening witness Kathakali dance performance. Enjoy India’s most spectacular dance drama based on stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The dancers are elaborately made up with paint and masks, accompanied with drummers and musicians.
DAY 3
Munnar
Today morning after breakfast leave Cochin and drive to Munnar. Upon arrival check-in at hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
DAY 4
Munnar
Today morning after breakfast proceed to visit the tea museum. A section of the tea museum also houses classic bungalow furniture, typewriters, wooden bathtub, magneto phone, iron oven, manual calculators and EPABX of the 1909 telephone system. A demonstration room for tea tasting is another attraction where one would come across different varieties of tea. Those eager to understand the nuances of tea processing can do so at the CTC and orthodox tea-manufacturing unit at the museum. Usually the visit for same will take 1 hour including a small documentary presented there with fixed timings. Then you will be taken to the nearest tea plantations for a walk where you might meet the tea pickers plucking the tea with the warm smile in their face and welcoming you. The walk will be almost 20-30 min and the guide will explain you the history of tea during the same.
DAY 5
Periyar
Today morning after breakfast leave Munnar and drive to Periyar. Upon arrival check-in at hotel. Periyar is on 1000 meters above the sea level and is rich in spice growing. 95% pepper in India is produced from here. Vasco de Gama was the first European to land at the Malabar Coast in 1498 A.D. in search of spices. Pepper in those days was exported against the equal weight of gold, so in the beginning of 15th century pepper was called black gold.
Afternoon visit to a spice garden to watch different varieties of spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, clove, vanilla, ginger, tea and coffee growing in their natural environment. Rest of the day at leisure, you can also visit the local spice market.
DAY 6
Periyar and Kumarakom
Today early morning guided nature walk in the Periyar wildlife sanctuary. The nature walk is the right program to feel nature, hear her whispers and smell her flowers. This is an interpretive program offering excellent opportunity to watch birds, butterflies and other wildlife. The trails often pass through evergreen and moist deciduous forests interspersed with marshy grasslands. Later return to hotel for breakfast and post breakfast continue drive to Kumarakom, upon arrival check-in at the resort.
DAY 7
Kumarakom and Alleppey Houseboat
Today morning after breakfast embark on the houseboat from Kumarakom jetty. The houseboat cruise takes you through the intricate maze of backwaters, mesmerising and surprising you at every turn with its serene beauty and simple charm. Enjoy the countryside of Kerala at its best. Soak your eyes and soul with array of coconut trees and endless paddy fields. You will also get chance to take a small stroll through the villages and interact with the locals.
DAY 8
Alleppey Houseboat and Kovalam
Today morning after breakfast disembark the houseboat and drive to Kovalam, upon arrival check-in at hotel.
DAY 9 – 11
Kovalam
Days at leisure.
DAY 12
Kovalam
Transfer to Trivandrum airport to board your flight for onward destination.
