Tropical South India Tour
Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Places Covered: : Mumbai - Calicut - Kappad - Vythri - Calicut - Cochin
- Kumarakom - Kovalam - Neyyar - Kovalam - Trivandrum
Day 1 : Arrival Mumbai
Arrive at Mumbai (Bombay), the commercial capital of India. Upon arrival, transfer
and check into the hotel. Proceed for an afternoon city tour of Mumbai. Stay
overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 : Mumbai - Calicut
In the morning, board the connecting flight for Calicut, now known as Kozhikode
where Vasco da Gama landed. Upon arrival transfer and check into the hotel.
In the afternoon, city tour of Calicut, visiting the Pazhassiraja Museum,
the Art Gallery, the Krishna Memon Museum and the market. Stay overnight at
the hotel.
Day 3 : Calicut - Kappad
In the morning, drive to Kappad. This historic beach is locally known as Kappakadavu.
Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 : Kappad - Vythri
In the morning, drive to Vythiri and check into a hotel. The rest of the day
would be spent at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 : Vythri
The day would be spent at leisure to enjoy the Eco-Friendly nature at its
best. The hotel is situated close to the Pookode Lake, evergreen forests with
perennial steams and stunning waterfalls. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 : Vythri - Calicut - Cochin
In the morning, drive to Calicut to board a train for Cochin. The city is
now known as Kochi which with its wealth of historic associations and its
setting of a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas perfectly reflects the
eclecticism of Kerala. Upon arrival transfer and check into the hotel. The
evening would be spent at leisure. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 : Cochin
In the morning, enjoy a city tour. Visit the Mattancheery Dutch Palace where
the superb series of murals painted on the wooden walls are its main attraction.
Stay overnight at the hotel. 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 8 : Cochin - Kumarakom
In the morning, drive to Kumarakom and check into the hotel. The rest of the
day can be spent at leisure or one can visit the villages, the Bird Sanctuary,
the Country Boat Cruise, or go for an Ayurvedic Massage. Stay overnight at the
hotel. 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. The entire state of Kerala is blessed with plenty of
rivers and the resources of many are still untapped. The waterways of Kerala
which play a main role in the economy of the state links remote villages and
islands with the main land. The water ways provide a cheap and economical mode
of transport. The water ways of Kuttanad is now a big attraction for tourist.
It is incredibly different experience to cruise in the backwaters in country
boats, absorbing the beauty of Kerala villages. The scenery flashes up vivid
contrasts of breath-taking greens and deep blues. Boat rides are available for
tourist and others at nominal rates.
Day 9 : Kumarakom - Houseboat
The morning would be spent at leisure. In the afternoon, check into a Houseboat
and depart for a cruise through the scenic backwater towards Alleppey. Stay
overnight on the Houseboat.
Day 10 : Houseboat - Kovalam
In the morning transfer to Alleppey by road. Later, drive to Kovalam. Upon arrival,
check into a hotel. The rest of the day would be spent at leisure on the beach.
Stay overnight at the hotel. 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 11 : Kovalam - Neyyar
In the morning, drive to Neyyar situated in the base of the forest, Agastyarkoodam,
where the Hindu Saint Agastya spent his life in meditation. This area has
rich in flora and fauna with lots of medicinal plants and orchids. Upon arrival,
check into the hotel. The rest of the day would be spent at leisure, enjoying
nature and trekking. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 : Neyyar
Early in the morning, attend Yoga and meditation sessions. The rest of the
day would be spent at leisure enjoying nature and mild trekking. Stay overnight
at the hotel.
Day 13 : Neyyar - Kovalam
Early in the morning, attend Yoga and meditation sessions. Later, drive to
Kovalam visiting Aruvikkara en route. Upon arrival, check into the hotel.
Return to Kovalam and stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 : Kovalam - Trivandrum - Departure
In the morning, transfer to the Trivandrum airport for your onward connection
