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Meeting assistance on arrival and transfer to
Hotel.
(Check-in time 1200 hrs)
Rest of time free.
Evening Kathakali Dance : A special treat awaits us
this evening as we proceed to witness the strength and vigor
of Kathakali dance drama, as it enacts episodes from great
Indian epics. The extremely stylized gestures, the elaborate
make-up, the masks and the splendid costumes of these all-male
dancers, recreates an incomparable sense of
pageantry
Overnight
at the hotel. |
Day 02
Cochin |
Full day tour of Cochin City : With its wealth of
historical associations, and its magnificent setting on a
cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas, Cochin is one of the
most fascinating cities of coastal South India. It is a city
with indelible marks of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and
Jewish traditions. Of Special mention is the older parts of
the Fort Cochin area. It more or less exists as it used to be
a 1000-year behind our times. This part of the city reflects
an unusual blend of medieval Portugal, Dutch and English
country life grafted on to the tropical Malabar Coast. The
16th century Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch
Palace is a fascinating fort with elegant buildings and
interesting collections from the Royal traditions of the
region. The unique feature of Cochin is the unexpected and
isolated Jewish community, whose origins date back to AD 52.
They are self-contained and have there own Synagogue. The area
around the Synagogue, known as 'Jew Town' is one of the main
centres of spice trade. Scores of small firms huddle together
in old dilapidated buildings and the air is filled with the
aroma of ginger, cardamom, cumin, turmeric and cloves. The
area is very busy.
Overnight at the hotel.
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Day 03 Cochin /
Munnar (158 km /4h) |
Morning drive to Mumnar by surface,en-route
visit
Afternoon visit of Munnar : a hill station on the
Western Ghats and with its lakes, reservoirs, forests and tea
estates is the Nature-Lovers's Paradise. It is beautifully
situated at the confluence of three rivers - the Muthirappuzh,
Nallathanni and Kundala. Munnar is a major center of Kerala's
tea industry.
We have two days to explore the virgin beauty of the
place and its several possibilities. Anaimudi (2694 m), the
highest peak in the southern India, is nearby and the views
from here are incredible. Munnar offers some great possibility
for nature walks and visits to nearby tribal villages where
people, though poor are extremely friendly, charming and
hospitable. The ethnic lifestyles, traditional homes and the
traditional occupation with ethnic tools and implements
provides an incredible experience. The forest that surround
Munnar are still rich in wildlife. The hills surrounding
Munnar are home for one of the world's rarest mountain goats,
Nilgiri tahr. The tropical forests are inhabited by elephants,
tigers, deer and gaur (bison) Munnar is a birdwatcher delight
with a variety of birds that are supported by the evergreen
vegetation of the region. If one seek a sense of peace, a
desire to communicate with nature and most importantly
participate in a journey through a living museum, Munnar is
the place that seeks to provide all this in a heavenly
setting.
Overnight at the hotel. |
Day 04
Munnar |
Morning you explore Munnar, which is surrounded by 30
tea gardens; the atmosphere is fragrant with extensive tea and
cardamom plantations. Tea estates are situated mostly on the
inner slopes of an elevated basin-like plateau. Estate
elevations vary from about 1220 m to over 1830 m. some of the
tea plantations, at an elevation of over 2135-m, are among the
highest in the world. It would be worthwhile to visit some of
these tea gardens to witness the plucking of leaves by women
who carry conical bamboo baskets on their back and strapped to
their forehead by a cloth band. The work on the field is all
done by hand and is a fascinating sight. You may also visit
the nearby Lockhart Gap, which provides a panoramic view of
the valley and plantation down below. The enchanting high
range of lakes and streams, the low-flying clouds and the
mist-filled valleys cast a magical spell, which lingers long
in the memory.
Afternoon free.
Overnight at the
hotel. |
Day 05 Munnar
/Periyar (140 km /3h30 ) |
Morning drive to Periyar by surface, onarrival check
into your hotel.
Afternoon visit Periyar : Periyar and its
cool, misty Cardamom Hills - a magnificently scenic region
4000 feet and higher, with forests and valleys, roaring
streams and pristine jungles. Arrive at Periyar Wildlife
Sanctuary, one of India’s first Project Tiger Reserves and an
excellent place to view elephants and many other
animals.
you viewing wildlife by boat on Lake Periyar where
animals come to drink. Sail within close range of elephant
groups, feeding and bathing. Scout for statuesque sambar deer
and giant wild oxen, or guar, browsing in the marshes. Search
the green wooded shores for wild boars, monkeys, and an array
of birdlife. If you are lucky, you will get a rare sighting of
tiger. Spend the night in splendid isolation at your
comfortable jungle cottage.
Overnight at the hotel.
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Day 06 Periyar /
Kumarakkom (140 km /3h30) |
Drive to Kumarakom by surface, onarrival check into
your hotel.
Day free for independent activities . You can
also enjoy the optional ayurvedic body massage at the resort.
You could also choose to explore the surrounding tribal
villages, visit the nearby water bird sanctuary or ride
through the narrow backwater channels through back of beyond
Kerala
Overnight at the hotel.
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Day 07 Kumarakkom
/Allepey |
Morning drive to Allepey, where we board the Houseboat
for a unique experience through the narrow canals and channels
of the backwaters of Kerala . The material that go into the
making of houseboat are all local and Eco-friendly; bamboo
poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats carpets etc. The main
wood used is "Anjali ". The Houseboat provides all comforts -
Beds, a kitchen, western toilets and an upper deck.
Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The cuisine is of
traditional Kerala flavour along with the local Specialties -
delicious fish and prawns. Cruising on a boat through remote
tribal villages along the tranquil backwaters of Kerala is a
superb experience.
We explore the backwaters in your Houseboat
.Sensational in its own silent way, the cruise takes you along
snake boat docks, friendly cheering villagers, coir (Jute)
making communities, toddy (local spirit) shops, fishing nets
pitched for the day's catch, bunded paddy fields and manual
canoes of different sizes criss-crossing each other. The
experience enables you to reach beautiful untouched areas
.
Overnight at the House Boat
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Day 08 Allepey
/Kovalam (243 km /5h30) |
Disembark at Alleppey and drive to Kovalam ,on arrival
check in to your hotel.
Aftrernoon free.
Overnight at the hotel. |
Day 09 - 11
Kovalam |
Full day free for Own activities.
Overnight at the hotel. |
| Day 10 - Kovalam
/Trivandrum / Departure |
Drive to
Trivandrum airport for your flight to Back home. |