Duration: 8 Nights / 9 Days
Destinations covered: – Cochin – Munnar – Thekkady – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Cochin
Day 01: Arrive Cochin
Traditional welcome on arrival at Cochin International airport. Transfer to hotel. Relax for the rest of the day or take a walk along the historic colonial streets of Fort Cochin. Watch a Kathakali Show (Traditional art performance of Kerala). Overnight at hotel in Cochin
Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as ‘God’s Own Country‘. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala
Day 02: Cochin
After breakfast proceed for a guided tour of Fort Cochin and the Jew Street in Mattancherry. Visit the synagogue, century’s old churches and palaces, colonial buildings, Chinese fishing net etc. Spend your evening on the near by Fort Cochin beach or ferry across to Cherai Beach which is half an hour away. Come back to the hotel or visit Ernakulam city for souvenir and other shopping on Mahatma Gandhi Road. Over night stay at the hotel.
Day 03: Cochin – Munnar (140 Kms, 4 hours drive by road)
After breakfast drive to Munnar. Throughout the journey enjoy beautiful streams small water falls, Rubber, Pepper cardamom and Tea plantations and thick forests. Arrive Munnar and check in at resort.
Munnar – breathtakingly beautiful – a haven of peace and tranquility – the idyllic tourist destination in God’s own country. Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations – pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests – aroma of spice scented cool air.
Day 04: Munnar
After breakfast start for a full day sightseeing of Munnar watch beautiful mist kissing romantic green meadows- mind-blowing hills sleeping under green carpet (Tea Gardens) visit Mattupetty Lake & Dam, Echo Point, Kundala Lake, Blossom Garden, Rajamalai, Eravikulam Wildlife sanctuary & Tea Plantation. Overnight stay at Munnar.
Day 05: Munnar – Thekkady (120 kms, 4 hours drive by road)
After breakfast check out of hotel and start for Thekkady. Drive through panoramic western Ghat hills covered with spice plantations and occasional view of water falls and streams. On arrival at Thekkady check into Hotel.
Thekkady – one of India’s most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, where you can watch wildlife at close range. The vegetation, the flora and fauna and the birds of Thekkady are uniquely rich, vast and varied that it does not bear semblance to any other wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Even a casual visitor to this place will not fail to observe the special ecological pattern of Thekkady.
Afternoon experience the mind bowing view of calm crystal clear Periyar lake to view the wildlife. Overnight stay at Thekkady.
Day 06: Thekkady – Kumarakom (145 kms, 4 hours drive by road)
After breakfast start for Kumarakom.
Kumarakom – When nature is all you need to recuperate, Kumarakom is undoubtedly the most invigorating, fascinating paradise in Kerala, God’s own country. The slender coconut palms standing here, there and everywhere, never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties can peacefully calm and invigorate your mind with renewed inspiration for your vocation and life. That is the pristine beauty of Kumarakom.
Arrive Kumarakom and check in at resort.
Visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. In the evening canoe down the narrow canals. Join the evening sunset cruise or enjoy the beauty of backwater by just relaxing near Vembanadu Lake. Overnight stay at the resort.
Day 07: Kumarakom (Houseboat)
Breakfast at resort. Morning at leisure at resort, 1230 hrs check in at houseboat. Rest of the day at leisure on the House Boat. Sit back and relax while the boat cruises through the narrow serene backwater canals. Lunch, Evening Tea/Coffee with snacks, dinner and enjoy your evening on the sundeck away from polluted cities and maddening crowd. Overnight stay on House Boat.
Day 08: Kumarakom-Alleppey (38 kms, 40 minutes drive by road)
After breakfast start for Alleppey.
Arrive Alleppey and check in at Houseboat and enjoy an over night cruise cum stay in your houseboat. Food will be served in the houseboat. Enjoy the unique experience of a day on backwaters in a houseboat, and meander through the labyrinth of canals, that makes Kumarakom a top world destination. The backwater ride paints vivid picture of the traditional country life in all its natural beauty.
Over night stay at the houseboat.
Day 09: Alleppey-Cochin (63 kms, 80 minutes drive by road)
After breakfast start for Cochin to board flight for destination ahead with sweet memories of Kerala, Gods own country.