Duration of Kerala Trip: 8 Days
Places to Visit: Kochi - Munnar - Periyar - Kumarakom - Alleppy
Day 1: Kochi
Arrival at Kochi (Cochin) from ( Delhi / Mumbai / Chennai / Bangalore ) meet
and assistance at the airport / railway station by our representative and
transfer to your hotel.
Half day sight seeing of Cochin by boat.
A few interesting sites included in the tour are the Chinese fishing nets
along the Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church, VOC
Gate, Bastion Bungalow etc. Apart from these architectural splendors, an array
of restaurants serving fresh seafood is also popular among tourists. The Chinese
fishing nets erected on teak wood and bamboo poles work on the principle of
balance. Records say they were first set up here between AD 1350 and 1450.
Vasco Da Gama Square, the narrow promenade that parallels the beach, is the
best place to watch the nets being lowered and pulled out of the sea.
In the evening proceed for KATHAKALI DANCE PRESENTATION.
Over night stay at hotel.
Day
2: Kochi to Munnar
By Road :130 km in 4 hr
Proceed to Munnar enjoying the scenic beauty & the marvelous waterfalls,
high mountains with the low flying clouds passing by.
In the evening you can go for sight seeing of Munnar which includes the Raja
Malai - a top peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain goats).
Other important places are Muttupetty dam and Indo Swiss project (you can
also enjoy boating in the Lake) and witness tea gardens spread like a green
carpet over hundreds of kilometers.
Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha,
Nallathani & Kundala. 1600 meter above sea level this hill station was
once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India.
Sprawling Tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, and holiday
facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in
the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes
the hills in the blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar
also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi, which towers over 2695
m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.
Enjoy boating in the afternoon.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 3: Munnar - Anamudi - Munnar
Morning, after breakfast, visiting tea plantations, Anamudi, Eravikulam National
Park, Devikulam, Mattupetty, Pallivasal, Pothamedu, Attukal etc. Rest of the
day at leisure.
Overnight at Munnar.
Day 4: Munnar - Periyar (THEKKADY)
By Road :110 km in 3 hr
Morning, proceed to Periyar on the way visiting Idukki dam.
On arrival check in at hotel. Periyar wildlife sanctuary is home to nomadic
tribes of wild elephant, boar, deer, the great Indian tiger and more. Evening
go for boat cruise in the lake to watch wild animals. Overnight stay at Periyar.
Day 5: Periyar
Morning, after breakfast boating through Periyar lake - Wildlife sanctuary.
You can visit the rare species of plants and animals.
Afternoon visit spice plantations like cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee,
tea estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local
market and pick up some fragrant spices. Overnight stay at Periyar.
Day 6: Periyar - Kumarakom
By Road :130 km in 4 hr

Early morning proceed to Kumarakom. Reach and visit the Bird Sanctuary. Proceed
to the Vembanand Lake.
The backwaters of Kerala are a unique product of Kerala and are found nowhere
else in the world. Backwaters are a network of lakes, canals and estuaries
and deltas of forty-four rivers that drain into the Arabian Sea. The backwaters
of Kerala are a self supporting Eco-system teeming with aquatic life. The
canals connect the villages together and are still used for local transport.
Over 900 km of this labyrinthine water world is navigable.
Check into a traditional houseboat of Kerala Style and go on a leisurely backwater
cruise along the lake on a thatched houseboat. The houseboat with all modern
comforts lets you discover the countryside at your own pace. You will have
lunch, dinner and breakfast in the Houseboat. A ride on the houseboat is a
fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.
Cruise through the backwaters to Alleppy. Overnight will be at Houseboat.
Day 7: Alleppey
Disembark the boat at the reception of the backwater resort at Alleppey.
Alappuzha is famous for its boat races, houseboats, coir products, fish and
lakes. Alappuzha remains prominent on the tourist trial of Kerala as one of
the major centres for backwater boat trips. "Kuttanad" in Alappuzha
is one of few places in the world where farming is done below sea level. Kuttanad
is a land of lush paddy fields and is called the 'Rice Bowl' of Kerala. Kuttanad
stretches for 75 Km sandwiched between the sea and the hills.
Check in at the resort. This resort is one of the finest one in Alleppey Here
you can enjoy the lively villages and backwaters. Overnight will be at Alleppy.
Day 8: Kochi
After breakfast proceed to Kochi. Reach and spend the day shopping and exploring
FORT COCHIN AREA. Visit Shiva Temple and transfer to airport/railway station
according to the timings of flight/train.