Best of Kerala

Best of Kerala

Destination:- Kochi (Cochin), Munnar, Periyar, Alleppey, Houseboat, Kovalam

Duration:- 10 Days/ 9 Nights

Major Attractions: Tea Estates, Kerala Beaches, Houseboat tour, Jungle safaris, Elephant ride Palm-fringed backwaters, Spice Plantations, Kathakali dance, Exotic temples

Day 1 : Kochi: Welcome to God's own Country!

You will be received at Kochi airport, assisted and transferred straight to your hotel. After brief leisure, you may visit the colourful old spice market and markets on M.G. Road. Evening you may enjoy Sunset cruise followed by a traditional Kathakali dance performance.

Day 2 : Kochi - Munnar (148 kms 4 hrs drive)

Morning after breakfast proceed towards Munnar, undoubtedly one among the most famous destinations of Kerala. Enjoy your days in sprawling tea plantations, pristine valleys and mountains of the lofty Western ghats. En-route you will visit the Elephant Training Centre in Kodanad. Here you may take an elephant Safari. You may also visit Spice Plantations, Valara & Cheeyappara waterfalls on the way. On arrival at Munnar, check-in at your hotel. Remaining time is at leisure till next morning.

Day 3 : Munnar

Morning proceed for a tour to Eravikulam National Park where you can see the very rare mountain goats also called as the “Nilgiri Tahr”. Later you may explore the fascinating sights around Mattupetty Dam. You may also enjoy boating and horse riding at Mattupetty Lake and can enjoy trekking and bird watching in The Shola forests. Afterwards visit Echo Point, View Point & Tea Gardens.

Day 4 : Munnar Thekkady (110 kms. 03 hrs.)

Morning after breakfast proceed to Thekkady which offers diverse attractions like Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Hill Station and Spice Plantations. After checking in & brief leisure, proceed for a wildlife cruise over Periyar Lake to view an amazing variety of birds, animals, flora and fauna. If lucky you may get to see Wild Elephants, Nilgiri Langur, Sambar Deer, Wild Bison and Wild Boar etc. Stay overnight at your hotel.

Day 5 : Thekkady (Elephant ride and Spice Plantation tour)

Early morning proceed for an Elephant ride in the periphery of the jungle. Also enjoy a guided tour to spice plantations. You may enjoy optional activities like Bamboo Rafting, Trekking, Jeep safari, tribal tour and hiking inside the jungle during the day. In the late evening you have an option to enjoy a night patrolling inside the jungle.

Day 6 : Thekkady - Alleppey (182 kms 05 hrs drive)

Morning you will be driven to Alleppey. Alleppey, rightly stakes claim to its nickname 'Venice of the East', with its meandering lagoons, coconut trees, endless rows of paddy fields. On arrival, you will be transferred straightway to your backwaters resort. Alleppey is an ideal base to experience the beaches and backwaters. During the day you have an option to enjoy different water sports and Ayurvedic massages at your resort.

Day 7 : Houseboat

At appropriate time houseboat will report at your resort. Later check in at your beautifully decorated houseboat (Kettuvallam) to begin your journey through enchanting backwaters. The houseboat cruise in backwaters is among the most exciting tourism products of Kerala. Since Kerala has large stretches of backwaters with plenty of natural sceneries (but only few interesting monuments for sightseeing), sailing through the houseboat makes it a wonderful experience. Enjoy the day sailing through the narrow emerald backwater canals of Kumarakom/Alleppey. Stay overnight in your luxury houseboat.

Day 8 : Kovalam (168 kms 5 hrs drive)

Morning you will be driven to Kovalam. On the way you may visit Palaruvi Falls. On arrival at Kovalam, check in at your beach resort. Remaining day is at leisure at your resort. You may enjoy a cookery lesson during the evening.

Day 9 : Kovalam

Morning proceed for a sightseeing tour of Trivandrum. The temple of Sri Padmanabhaswamy is the most religious icon of the city. Other sightseeing places are Kuthiramalika Palace Museum, Veli Tourist Village (which has an excellent waterfront park) and Shangumugham Beach. Stay overnight at your beach resort.

Day 10 : Departure

Morning after breakfast at appropriate time you will be transferred to Trivandrum airport for your onward journey back to your home destination. The tour ends.