Exotic Kerala Tour
Duration: 12 Nights / 13 Days
Places Covered: Mumbai - Delhi - Thiruvananthapuram - Kovalam - Quilon
- Alleppey - Periyar - Munnar - Cochin - Mumbai - Home
Day 01 - Mumbai / Delhi :
(Arrival) Arrive at Mumbai/Delhi. Overnight at hotel in Mumbai/Delhi.
Day 02 - Mumbai / Delhi - Thiruvananthapuram :
(Thiruvanthapuram Arrival) Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight
to Tiruvanthapuram. From the airport drive straight to Kovalam which has one
of the most beautiful beaches of the world. The surf here is ideal for surf
riding and the water invites the visitor to ride the "Catamaran" or
log with the fisherman, or to take a cool swim. Nearby is the Beach centre of
aquatic sports. Arrive & check in hotel. Rest of the day free to relax &
exploring the beach. Overnight at hotel. Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city
of "God's Own Country" - Kerala is also popularly known by its anglicised
name Trivandrum. Thiruvananthapuram , the southern most district of Kerala state
is situated to the extreme south of India. To the north of Trivandrum is Kollam
district and Thirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts of Tamilnadu are on the
east and south respectively. The district can be divided into three geographical
regions - highlands, midlands and lowlands. The major tourist attractions of
Thiruvananthapuram are its famous beaches, which are the best bet to relax after
a tiring trip.
Day 03 - Kovalam :
Breakfast at hotel. After lunch excursion to Kanya Kumari to visit the stunning
Padmanabhapuram palace and to enjoy the unique experience of Sunset & Moon
rise over the ocean simultaneously. Return to Kovalam in the evening. Overnight
at Kovalam. Kovalam beach is known as the "Paradise of the South".
Kovalam is just 16 kms away from Trivandrum, Kerala's capital city. Kovalam
is an evergreen and pleasant climatic beach resort. Kovalam is a dreamland for
tourists all over the world. With high rock promontory and a calm bay of blue
waters, this beach paradise creates a unique aquarelle on moonlit nights. Kovalam
was brought to the public eye by the Maharaja of Travancore. Over the past three
decades, the place has been well developed, and now figures prominently on the
world tourism map. The warm and clean atmosphere by the coconut trees and the
white sandbed are perfect for relaxing holidays, as the seabreeze gently plays
with the waves.
Day 04 - Kovalam :
Breakfast at hotel. For the half-day visit Shree Padmanabha Swami Temple,
Napier Museum, Chitralayam Art Gallery, Zoological Gardens, Reptile House
Observatory and Kanakakannu Palace at Trivandrum. . Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at Kovalam.
Day 05 - Kovalam - Quilon :
(By Road) After breakfast, we drive to Quilon one of the oldest ports of the
Malabar Coast and were once the centre of international spice trade. Quilon
is famous for its delicious Cashew and Seafood. After checking in hotel we
set out to see some historic remains and the temples built in ornate style.
We also visit the village to know the life style and culture of locals. Overnight
at Quilon.
Day 06 & 07 - Quilon - Alleppey :
(By the backwaters) Breakfast at hotel. From Quilon, we take Kerala's traditional
houseboat for Alleppy, which is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating
beauty of the backwaters. We reach Alleppy by next day morning. Use the rest
of the day in exploring and in shopping. Overnight at Houseboat.
Alleppey: Alappuzha, formerly named as Alleppey, in Kerala is one of
the major backwater destinations. The thrilling boat race awaits you at Alleppey
or Alappuzha. Imagine to just lazing on a houseboat or enjoying fishing in Alleppey
Kerala. Kuttanad is also known as the 'rice bowl' of the state, Kerala India.
Alleppey is a captivating destination in Kerala India that provides backwaters,
traditional Kettuvallooms (house boats), beaches, boat race, swaying palms,
gourmet delight and many more.
Day 08 - Alleppey - Periyar :
(By Road) Leisurely breakfast in the morning. We reach Periyar by noon. After
lunch we take safari to a nearby Coffee Plantations & villages.
Periyar: One of the well known wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar
sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers every year. Also called the
Thekkady Wildlife Sanctuary, this place is ideal for watching the animals in
their natural habitat. The forest here, slopes into the manmade lake at the
bottom of the hill. This lake serves as the waterhole for the animals and they
come here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar and even tigers can
be spotted here. There are boat services which takes the visitor around the
lake. The best season to visit the park is between October and June. Spread
over 777 sq.km of the Cardamom Hills of Western Ghats, the Periyar sanctuary
is located 137 km from Madurai.
Although an excursion on the splendid artificial lake is the standard way to
experience the sanctuary, you can also walk around with the local guide in a
small group. Wild Elephant herds come to the lake to frolic in the water. Other
attractions of the sanctuary are the Sambhar, Bison, Spotted Deer, Tigers, Leopards,
Malabar Flying Squirrels, Stripe necked Mongooses, etc. There are over 260 species
of birds here, including Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, blue-winged Parakeets, White
bellied Tree Pies, laughing Thrushes and Fly Catchers.
Day 09 - Periyar :
(By Road) Early morning we take boat ride over the Lake Periyar to watch animals
in their natural habitat on the water's edge. While cruising on Lake Periyar,
you are likely to see animals like Wild Boars, Sambars, Wild Dogs, Langur
Monkeys and Wild Elephants. For the lunch we return back to hotel. Late After
noon we again visit the park by cruise, as once is not enough to explore it
fully.
Day 10 - Periyar - Munnar :
(By Road) From Periyar we continue to Munnar set amid Southern India's most
dramatic mountain scenery and the combination of craggy Peaks, Manicured Tea
Estates.Crisp mountain air makes Munnar a delightful alternative to the better
known hill stations of Tamil Nadu. It is a perennial favorite of 'Honeymooners'
and offer magnificent scenery and wonderful walks. At Munnar you are free
to explore its beauty of nature.
Day 11 - Munnar :
Complete day at leisure. Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain
streams namely Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. This hill station, located
at an altitude of 1600 m above sea level, 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 is the 'Neelakurinji'.
This flower which bathes the hills in 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
Day 12 - Munnar - Cochin :
(By Road) We reach Kochi by noon and keep the day for the shopping and personal
activities. At the time of sunset we take Boat Cruise on the backwater which
gives an opportunity to behold the great charm of this city. Cochin set on a
cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas, the port city of Cochin (Kochi) (Queen
of Arabia) reflects the eclecticism of Kerala perfectly. With a rich past and
a bustling present, it has been the business hub of the region from the very
early days after Alleppey (Alappuzha). Cochin consists of mainland Ernakulam,
the islands of Willington, Bolgatty and Gundu in the harbour, Fort Cochin and
Mattancherry on the southern peninsula, and Vypeen Island north of Fort Cochin,
all was linked by ferry but now some islands have bridges. The influence of
Chinese, Jews, Arabs and Europeans is evident in Cochin and its people. The
oldest church in India, 500-year-old Portugese houses, old tiled houses built
in the Chinese pagoda style, the famous Chinese fishing nets, a Jewish community
whose roots go back to the Diaspora, synagogues and mosques all tell the fascinating
story of this harbour town. The harbour is still at the heart of the city and
pepper, sea food, rubber and coir mats and matting are exported from here. Despite
this, Cochin is an attractive city with serene creak & lagoons overhung
with feathery coconut palms and picturesque islands. The older parts of Fort
Cochin and Mattanchery are an unlikely blend of medieval Portugal, Holland and
an English country village grafted onto the troppical Malabar coast. Cochin
is one of India's largest ports and a major naval base.
Day 13 - Cochin - Mumbai -Home :
Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai and then connecting
flight home.
