Keralan Experience

Morning flight with Qatar Airways to Cochin via Doha.

Arrive in Cochin and transfer to your hotel for two nights. Set amidst lagoons & backwaters on the Malabar Coast, Cochin is also known as the ‘Venice of the East’. Over the centuries Europeans have been trading here for ivory, spices and teak. The British, Dutch and Portuguese left their influence on this great city. Afternoon a Sunset harbor cruise to see the Bolgahtty Island and the Chinese fishing nets.

Morning city tour visiting the Dutch Palace, with its 17th century murals of Ramayana. Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568, contains Grand Scroll of the Old Testament. Also visit Fort Cochin and St France s Church, the oldest European church in India. Vasco de Gama, who discovered India, was first buried here. Afternoon see the famous Kathakali dance performance (Optional), a traditional folk dance of Kerala, enacting stories from the Hindu epics Ramayana and Mahabhartha.

Leave by road to Munnar, a hill resort in the midst of Cardamom and tea plantations, on the Western Ghats. Situated on the confluence of three mountain streams, this British summer retreat of the Raj has lakes, reservoirs and lush green forests. Munnar is a major center for tea industry in Kerala. Afternoon explore the town. Two nights stay in Munar.

Visit to tea and spice plantations and see the crops grown. Munnar is close to Anaimudi (2695m), the highest peak in South India and offers plenty of natural walks. Optional visit to the nearby Mattupetty Dam & Evarikulam National park to see the Nilgiri Thar (wild goat). This park is also rich in variety of bird life.

Drive to Periyar National Park, noted for its Elephant herds and a rich variety of bird life. Afternoon wildlife viewing by boat. Two nights stay in Periyar.

Morning and afternoon boat ride in the lake Periyar in search of more wildlife.
Day 8   Periyar to Kumarakum After breakfast drive to Chengnacherry and take a boat Cruise. The cruise takes over 3 hours passing along most picturesque narrow canals. Comfortable cottages with swimming pool and Ayurvedic message facilities. Two nights stay in Kumarakum.

A day at leisure to relax on the shores of the Vembanad Lake. At your leisure visit the nearby bird sanctuary or a local village.

After breakfast join the Riceboat and cruise slowly through the palm-fringed waterways of the Vembanad Lake. Your captain and cook will cruise with you. See the life in the backwaters as you pass through various villages. Overnight on board the houseboat. Days 11   Backwaters to Alappuzha

Morning leave the houseboat in Alappuzha (Alleppey), an enchanting backwater destination famous for coir and carpet products, fish and lakes. Every year boat race is held hear and features the gigantic snake-boats of Kerala. Afternoon tour of the town includes visit to a coir factory. Overnight stay in Allepy

Morning train to Trivandrum and transfer to Kovalam, an uncluttered beach of silver sands with rows and rows of tall palm. Reminder of the day at leisure. Three nights stay in Kovalam. Days 13 & 14   Kovalam

At leisure. During your stay you will be provided with a day excursion to Kannikumari (Cape Cemorin) ‘The Lands End of India’ where India Ocean, Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal meet, visiting Padmanabhapuram Palace & Suchindram en route. Sunset at the Lands End is spectacular.

Transfer to the Trivandrum airport for your flight home.