Nature has endowed Kerala with unmatched beauty which grips visitors at first sight. Portuguese and Dutch settlements in port town Kochi reveals the history of ancient foreign inhabitants. Alleppey’s tranquil backwaters are ideal to explore live ashore, away from noise and stress. Ayurveda and spa therapies can be arranged abord houseboats. Munnar’s green hub is population-pollution free, an idyllic hill retreat. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary’s fauna explored on jeep safaris or kayak cruise on lakePeriyar is thrilling.
Day 1 : KOCHI-MUNNAR (180kms; 4hrs DRIVE APPROX.)
Our representative will welcome and drive you to Munnar from Kochi . Check in at hotel and relax. Evening at leisure for your individual activities or unwind yourself in the beautiful landscape of Munnar. Overnight in Munnar
Day 2 : MUNNAR
Enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of Munnar; Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea here has a famous tea museum inside its complex. The museum has photographs and curios which relate the evolution of tea plantations in Munnar. This Tea Museum houses curios, photographs and machinery. Also visit Mattupetty, located about 13 km from Munnar. Mattupetty is known for its dam and the beautiful lake, which offers pleasurable boat rides. Later visit the Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala Lake. The shimmering blue lake is the most photographed part of Kundala. Take a stroll in the tea estate, and enjoy the refreshing mountain breeze. Here you can view the entire process of making tea, right from plucking of tealeaves to their processing. Overnight in Munnar.
Day 3 : MUNNAR-PERIYAR (140kms; 4hrs DRIVE APPROX.)
After breakfast in morning you will check out of the hotel and drive to Periyar; upon arrival Periyar you will enjoy boat ride in Lake Periyar; please note to avail ticket for boat ride/ferry ride guests need to personally stand in queue and need to purchase the ticket accordingly. Thereafter check in at a hotel and relax at hotel. Overnight in Periyar.
Day 4 : PERIYAR-ALLEPPEY (140kms; 4hrs DRIVE APPROX.)
After breakfast drive to Alleppey; on arrival you will board on houseboat and enjoy a day cruise in Alleppey backwaters; Alleppey- "Venice of the East" has a large network of canals that meander through the town and surrounding villages… the Snake Boat Race held every year in August in the backwaters is a major attraction. The Houseboat takes you through palm fringed narrow canals, winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and tiny hamlets. Flocks of ducks swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky share the backwaters with country boats of various types … carrying passengers from all walks of Kerala's rural life ranging from the milkman and newspaper boy to local politicians, priests and wedding parties. Overnight at a house boat in Alleppey.
Day 5 : ALLEPPEY-KOCHI (60kms; 1hr DRIVE APPROX.)
After breakfast you will check out houseboat and then drive to Kochi; enjoy a half day tour of Kochi- (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city, also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala. The twin cities of Fort Cochin and Mattancherry have preserved an extraordinary wealth of really old colonial architecture spanning the Portuguese, Dutch and the British eras. Visit Fort Cochin… walk to the church of St Francis, the oldest European-built church in the country. Also explore the 282-year-old Dutch Cemetery in Fort Kochi. Continue your tour with a visit to Mattancherry, where you will visit the historic synagogue in the Jewish Quarter, built over 400 years ago. The Synagogue itself is elaborately decorated. You will also visit the Mattancherry or Dutch Palace, constructed in 1555. The palace has a fine collection of mural paintings depicting scenes from the Hindu epics. Thereafter, drive past the amazing Chinese Fishing Nets, strung out along the tip of the peninsula. Also drive past Willingdon Island, a man-made island that belongs to the Port Trust and the Indian Navy.
Day 6 : KOCHI
After breakfast you are at leisure for your individual activities (no vehicle). In the evening, witness a Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali is the most recognized dance drama form in Kerala. It dates back to the seventeenth century and is deeply rooted in mythology, taking it themes from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. A traditional Kathakali performance began at dusk continued through the night, culminating at the auspicious hour of dawn, when Good finally conquers Evil. Now, of course, shorter performances are more the norm! Costumes and makeup are dramatically characteristic of the dance, and the technique involves highly intricate gestures and expressions.
Day 7 : KOCHI DEPARTURE
After breakfast you will be given assistance in transfer to board flight for onward destination; henceforth your journey ends and we wish you safe, happy, memorable journey back to your home.