The Tropical South India Tour
The Tropical South India Tour
Day 01/ Kochi (Cochin)-Arrival
Arrive at Cochin international airport, you will be received by the representative and would be further assisted & transferred to your hotel. Rest of the time is kept free to recover from jetlag. Cochin is a commercial capital and gateway of Kerala. It is also one of the best harbours of the world. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 02/ Cochin
After having breakfast, start a daylong sightseeing tour of Fort Kochi including Dutch Palace – this palace was constructed in 1555 AD by the Portuguese rulers and offered to the king of Kochi. The 17th of century murals portrayed scenes from the Ramayana an epic of India may be witnessed here. Also take a tour of St. Francis Cathedral, it was originally built in 1510 AD by the Portuguese and is considered as the first church made in India by the Europeans. Vasco Da Gama was buried out here originally. Later visit Chinese fishing net – this may be looked from the entrance of the Cochin harbour. The techniques of catching the fish were told by Chinese through business contacts. Along with the back water, these Chinese nets are a charming sight. Take a short tour of Jewish Synagogue. The Jewish Synagogue was built during 1568 AD; it contains Old Testament Grand Scrolls and the copper plates having the privileges approved by the rulers of Cochin to the Jews. The floor of the synagogue is cemented with exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles. Later take a walk in the spice markets of Cochin. In the evening, visit one of the many theatres to watch the live performance of traditional Kathakali Dance. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 03/ Cochin-Munnar
In the morning, you would be transferred to the highest place of Kerala Munnar (1524 meters) visiting spice and tea plantations on the way. Munnar has bracing and cool climate displaying the charm of an old world. The environment out here is perfumed having extensive plantations of cardamom and tea. In Munnar, one may witness charming high mountain ranges, beautiful lakes, streams and fabulous views of the mist full valleys and low lying clouds.
Day 04/ Munnar
During the day take the tour of the markets, tea & spice plantations. You may buy the tea from Munnar. Stay overnight at the resort.
Day 05/ Munnar-Periyar
Have breakfast and leave Munnar for Periyar National Park (Thekkady) through a picturesque route. Arrive at Periyar, check in to the hotel. In the afternoon, take a boat ride over Lake Periyar to see the rich wildlife. Periyar Tiger Reserve or Periyar National Park is spread in an area of 777 square KMS. It is a quite rich, diverse deciduous jungle, combined with the open area of the tall grass. The Lake Periyar is an artificial fabulous lake scattered with dull wood’s snags that offers as the perch to water birds, grey heron, darter, kingfisher and egret. Periyar is one of the best places to see the wild Asiatic elephants. The huge mammals out here swim over the water & the streams and normally these animals may be spotted while taking the boat ride at Lake Periyar. It is also the home of Royal Bengali Tiger, leopards, wild dog, Sambhar, Barking deer, macaque with lion tail and Nilgiri langur. Periyar Tiger Reserve has the various species of woodland birds. The boat is the only available mode of transport at Periyar National Park.
Day 06/ Periyar
During the day take morning and afternoon boat rides over Lake Periyar. Also take a spice plantation tour with an expert guide. Stay overnight at a jungle resort.
Day 07/ Periyar-Kumarakom
In the morning depart Periyar National Park for Kumarakom – an exotic backwater destination of Kerala. On arrival at Kumarakom, check in to the hotel. Rest of the day is kept free for leisure. Stay overnight at the backwater resort.
Day 08/ Kumarakom
The day is kept free to enjoy the natural beauty and tranquil backwaters of Kerala. Stay overnight at the backwater resort.
Day 09/ Kumarakom-Houseboat (Backwater Cruise)
In time, you would be transferred to the boat jetty at Kumarakom to embark the awaiting Houseboat/ overnight backwater cruise to experience the fabulous Kerala backwaters Houseboat is also known as a ‘Kettuvellam’ it is basically a traditional Kerala houseboat going by Vembanad Lake’s narrow channels, the lush green paddy fields, the tiny local villages witnessing the rural life of Kerala. Stay overnight at the houseboat.
Day 10/ Houseboat-Alleppey-Kollam
We will finish the backwater cruise at Alleppey jetty. Disembark the houseboat after breakfast. Later transfer to Kollam (Quilon). Arrive at Quilon, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the time is free for optional activities. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 11/ Kollam (Quilon)
During the day take an excursion to the Ashram of Mata Amrita Anandmayi (Guru Women/ hugging mother) and visit few other attractions of the town. Stay overnight at the hotel.
Day 12/ Kollam-Kovalam
After having breakfast, leave Kollam for Kovalam Beach. Arrive at Kovalam, check in to the hotel. Rest of the time is free to enjoy the beaches of Kovalam. Stay overnight at the beach resort.
Day 13/ Kovalam
The day is kept free at leisure. Stay overnight at the beach resort.
Day 14/ Kovalam-Kanyakumari-Kovalam
Today take a day return excursion to Kanyakumari and Padmanabhan Palace. At Kanyakumari, visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue and other important places. Stay overnight at the beach resort.
Day 15/ Kovalam-Trivandrum-Departure
In time, transfer to the Trivandrum airport to board the onward flight. The tour ends.
