Kerala Tour, India
Sample Itinerary
DAY 1
ARRIVE COCHIN
Today arrive Cochin airport by flight TBA, meeting and assistance at airport and transfer to hotel for check in.
Overnight stay at hotel
DAY 2
COCHIN
This morning after breakfast, proceed for sightseeing tour of Kochi. Visit the Dutch Palace (Friday closed), the Jewish Synagogue – (which remains closed on Friday & Saturday) 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.
Evening proceed for 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.
Overnight stay at hotel
DAY 3
COCHIN
Morning after breakfast visit Villa De Perrai. A Unique Heritage Experience – Villa De Parrai. It is a heritage Building built in 1898 and spread in 05 acres of land at Ezhupunna in Alleppey District. The villa is accessible within 15 km from Fort Cochin. Villa De Parrai. Backwater is just 50 metres from this property.
Activity List in Villa De Parrai
* Village walk.
* Canoe ride in the backwater.
* Cooking demonstration followed by lunch
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 4
DRIVE FROM COCHIN TO MUNNAR (130 KMS / 04 HRS)
This morning after breakfast leave Cochin and drive to Munnar, upon arrival check in at hotel
Overnight stay at hotel
DAY 5
MUNNAR
This morning after breakfast, proceed to visit 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 the1909 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 it will take 01 hour including a small documentary presented there with fixed timings. Then the clients will be taken to the nearest tea plantations for a walk where you might meet the tea pickers (Subject to availability) 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.
Overnight stay at hotel
DAY 6
MUNNAR
Excursion to Lockhart Tea Estate.
Make your own tea
On 20 mins drive from Munnar town, we reach Lockhart Tea Factory. After a fresh cup of tea, we start walking into the tea fields. Make your own tea (program) will include tea plantation walk, (minimum of 02 hours) picking the leaves along with the local tea picking ladies, witnessing the weighing process, Lunch at estate bungalow or in Club depending on availability (veg-non veg cooked by local butler). After lunch we can start processing the tea you have collected in one of the oldest factory in this region, which is operated in orthodox method, we also get a chance to work in the factory for about an hour and conclude the program with exclusive tea tasting.
Duration: 4-5 hours
Inclusions: English speaking guide, entrance fee, hot lunch, fruits & refreshments.
Later return to hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 7
DRIVE FROM MUNNAR TO PERIYAR (115 KMS & 03 ½ HOURS)
This 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.
On arrival check –in at hotel
Afternoon at leisure
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 8
PERIYAR
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
Lunch at hotel.
Afternoon proceed for boat ride on lake Periyar.
Wildlife boat cruises on the Periyar Lake: Boating on the Periyar Lake enables guests to have a close look at the wildlife that inhabits the surrounding forests. Groups of elephant, wild boar, bison and sambar can be seen moving along the banks skirting the forest. And water birds, perched on tree stumps with their wings spread, present a delightful sight while boating.
Overnight stay at hotel
DAY 9
DRIVE FROM PERIYAR TO KUMARAKOM (130 KMS / 04 HRS)
Morning visit to a Spice garden to watch different varieties of spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, peeper, clove, vanilla, ginger, tea and coffee growing in their natural environment. 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. Rest of the day at leisure, you can also visit the local Spice Market.
Later checkout from hotel and drive to Kumarakom enroute day cruise in Alleppey
The houseboat cruise takes you through the intricate maze of backwaters, mesmerizing and surprising you at every turn with its serene beauty & simple charm. Enjoy the countryside of Kerala at its best. Soak your eyes & soul with array of coconut trees & endless paddy fields.
Lunch at houseboat
After day, cruise in Alleppey, check-in at hotel in Kumarakom.
Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 10
KUMARAKOM
Kumarakom slumbers on the banks of the famous Vembanad Lake, which is a part of Kuttanad (‘granary’ of Kerala). The Vembanad Lake with its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks weave an intricate and enchantingly beautiful web. The gorgeous green of the fringed palms ripple in the blue waters and blend into wavelets.
After breakfast: Enjoy a local village experience starting with a tuk tuk ride and then a hand rowed boat on the smallest of the backwaters where your local guide will show you the dwellings of the local community and various local skills such as the art of weaving coconut leaves, rope making as well as toddy tapping watching the local fishermen cast their nets. This is a true insight into the local life.
Overnight stay at hotel
DAY 11
DRIVE FROM KUMARAKOM TO COCHIN (80 KMS / 02 HRS DRIVE)
Today checkout from hotel and transfer to Cochin airport to board onward flight.
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