|
|
|
| Day 01 (14 March) |
ARRIVE TRIVANDRUM /KOVALAM Morning: On arrival in Trivandrum by your international flight, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to Kovalam (16 kms/ ½ hr). Rest of the day free on the beach. Overnight in Kovalam. Kovalam is a sheltered bay endowed with unusual beauty, located on the magnificent Arabian Sea coast. This natural bay is a safe sea-pool, free from high waves and surges. The 16kms drive from the Trivandrum airport to the beach through groves of palms is refreshing . It is an ideal place to swim, sunbathe and perhaps enjoy the ancient rites of an Ayurvedic massage and oil baths. |
 |
Day 02 (15 March) |
IN KOVALAM Full day free for independent activities. (Optional half day guided city tour of Trivandrum) . Overnight in Kovalam. Trivandrum, the capital of the state of Kerala, is a beautiful seaside city. Visit the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. A sacred place of the Hindus from antiquity-with its magnificent tower rising in seven stories against the reflecting pool in front, is a fine specimen of South Indian architecture. Visit the Art Museum known as the museum- a colorful and attractive turreted structure standing on the crest of the public gardens, is a land mark in the city with its unique ornamentation and architectural style with gothic roof and minarets, pointed walls and cellings. Later visit the Art Gallery known as Sri Chitra Art Gallery which has a good collection by Raja Ravi Verma and Roerich. Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore paintings, and that of the Ajanta and Bagh coves. |
|
Day 03 (16 March) |
KOVALAM /ALLEPPEY Morning: Drive to Alleppey (175 kms/ 04 hrs) and on arrival check in at Coir Village, a resort set amidst coir village. Rest of the day free. Overnight in Alleppey. |
|
Day 04 (17 March) |
ALLEPPEY /KUMARAKOM (HOUSE BOAT) Morning: Switch over to House Boat and cruise in the enchanting backwater, passing through the villages, market, paddy fields etc. Overnight on Board House Boat. From Alleppey a private boat cruise on the backwaters takes you through 'Kuttanad' literally meaning the land which is lower than the sea level but is kept infact by its bunds and dykes. It is the 'rice bowl' of Kerala. The rice fields are very beautiful and this lush land and surrounds govern the placid way of life of the people who live on the backwaters. |
 |
Day 05 (18 March) |
ARRIVE KUMARAKOM / PERIYAR Morning: Arrive Kumarakom and switch over to coach and drive to Periyar (120kms/03 hrs) and and arrival check in at a jungle resort. Late afternoon boat ride in lake Periyar to watch the wild life. Evening visit to Kumily Spice Market to see and buy spices. Overnight in Periyar. |
 |
|
Periyar Tiger
Reserve. 777sq.km. in area is set in a rich mixed deciduous
forest, interspersed with open areas of tall grass. Periyar has a
splendid artificial lake dotted with snags of dead wood, which provide a
perch for water birds, darter, grey heron, egret and kingfisher. It is
one of the finest habitats for the Asiatic elephant. These enormous
mammals swim in the waters and usually they can be observed during the
boat ride. Periyar also holds, apart from Tiger, leopard, sambar, wild
dog, barking deer & the lion tailed macaque, the Nilgri languor. The
forest harbours a variety of woodland birds. Boat travel is the only
means of transport in the Sanctuary. |
||
Day 06(19 March) |
PERIYAR/ MUNNAR Morning: Drive to Munnar (110kms/03hrs) and an arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the free. Overnight in Munnar. |
|
Day 07 (20 March) |
IN MUNNAR Full day free in Munnar to visit plantation, boating etc. Overnight in Munnar. Munnar (1524M) is the highest town of Kerala, with a cool, bracing climate exuding an old-world charm. The atmosphere is fragrant with extensive tea and cardamom plantations. There are enchanting high ranges, lakes and streams and beautiful view of low-lying clouds and the mist filled valleys. |
 |
Day 08(21 March) |
MUNNAR / KUMARAKOM Early Morning: Drive to Kumarakom (210kms/05hrs) and on arrival check in at a lake front Resort. Rest of day free. (Optional visit to the bird sanctuary). Overnight in Kumarakom. Kumarakom is an idyllic floating Island situated on Vembanad Lake. The adjoining bird sanctuary with a spectacular collection of resident and migratory birds can be viewed from here. Nature walks, backwater boart cruises. Ayurvedic massages in traditional form (practiced since ancient times in Kerala) and swimming are all-possible. For those interested in fishing special arrangements can also be made. |
 |
Day 09 (22 March) |
IN KUMARAKOM Morning: Guided visit to the Churches and nearby village. Afternoon: Free for independent activities. Evening: Visit the Kottayam Thirunnakara Temple to witness the festival proceedings. Overnight in Kumarakom. The Thirunnakara temple is the heart of Kottayam and dedicated to Lord Shiva is also famous for the grandeur of its traditional architecture. The annual festival of this temple falls in the month of March-April when folk arts like mayliattam (Peacock dance) and Velakali (Martial arts) are presented in the temple grounds in the evening. |
|
Day 10 (23 March) |
KUMARAKOM / VAIKOM / TRISSUR Morning: Drive to Trissur (165kms/04hrs) enroute enjoy a country boat cruise at Vaikom to experience the local life of Kerala. Here one can see pottery, khadi weaving and coconut oil extraction. Also enjoy a sumptuous traditional Kerala lunch served on banana leaf. After lunch proceed to Trissur and on arrival check in at hotel. Overnight in Trissur. |
|
Day 11 (24 March) |
IN TRISSUR Full day free to witness the Arattupuzha Pooram at Arattupuzha temple (about 14kms fro Trissur town). Overnight in Trissur. Arattupuzha Temple Pooram-Sixty one elephants take part in this spectacular Pooram pageantry accompanied by temple percussions. The Arattupuzha temple is dedicated to Sre Ayyappa. The Pooram festival is a replication of the annual visit of the deities of the neighbouring temples. Earlier there were a hundred tuskers participating in the Pooram. |
 |
Day 12 (25 March) |
TRISSUR Morning: Drive to Cochin breeding centre, Palayoor and Kadakallu (umbrella aristocratic families long Overnight in Cochin. |
|
Day 13 (26 March) |
IN COCHIN Cochin-the palm green co of the finest natural ha hoary past. Cochin is the The Jewish Synagogue-Scrolls of the Old Tes containing the privileges rulers. The floor of the Chinese hand painted tile the Portuguese and pre AD. The 17th century Indian epic, the Ramayana Portuguese in 1510 AD Vasco da Gama was origin the harbour. The Chinese nets along the back-water. |
 |
Day 14 (27 March) |
IN COCHIN Full day free fro independent. Evening: Attend a fare |
|
Day 15(28 March) |
DEPART COCHIN Check out of hotel at 120 onward flight home |
|
 |
| Travel |
 |