Classical Kerala

Day 1: Arrive in Cochin

Arrive in Cochin, You are met at the airport and transferred to the hotel.

Kochi “The Queen of the Arabian Sea” is the oldest European settlement in India and is believed to be the finest natural harbour in the world – with ferry rides commanding its breathtaking view. Cruise around man-made islands with lush green lawns sloping down to the water’s edge. Layered impressions – Chinese, Arab, Jewish, British, French and Portuguese are jostling within the environment here. The settlements have left their distinctive imprint here. A great city to explore on foot, the quaint alleys and by-lanes of Kochi will transport you back in time.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 2: Cochin

After breakfast, you will enjoy a half-day tour of Kochi’s (Cochin’s) satellite towns, followed by Ernakulum – which includes visits to the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, St. Francis Church and the Santa Cruz Basilica. See the Chinese fishing nets, which dot the harbour as you drive along the coastline. The tour ends in the Fort Kochi area where you can walk through the historical Dutch and Portuguese buildings. Some parts of this nearly 500-year-old Fort are still amazingly well preserved. Also, visit “Jew Street” which is famous for antiques.

Evening: visit a traditional Kathakali school to enjoy a Kathakali dance performance. Kathakali is a traditional dance form of Kerala and is performed by men only. Alternatively, enjoy a boat ride at the harbour.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 3: Cochin –Munnar

After breakfast, drive to Munnar. On arrival in Munnar, you will be met and assisted with check-in at the hotel.

Munnar: breathtakingly beautiful – a haven of peace and tranquillity; the idyllic tourist destination in God’s own country. Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in the Idukki district, Munnar was the favoured summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in colonial days. The unending expanse of tea plantations, pristine valleys and mountains gifts exotic species of flora and fauna, accompanied by an aroma of cool, spice-scented air.

The rest of the evening is spent at your leisure.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 4: Munnar – Periyar

After breakfast, walk-in Munnar and visit the Tea Museum or factory: a visit to the Tea Museum enlightens you about the art of tea-making. An encounter with very interesting pieces of history and an antique of Munnar is guaranteed to excite during a guided tour of the mini Tea Factory in the museum. Tea (Chai) is the most widely consumed beverage in the world. The tea plant, Camellia Sansis, is a cultivated variety of a tree that has its origins in an area between India and China. There are three main varieties of the tea plant – China, Assam, and Cambodia – and a number of hybrids between the varieties. The China variety grows as high as nine feet (2.75 meters): it is a hardy plant able to withstand cold winters and has an economic life of at least 100 years.

In the afternoon, drive to Periyar. On arrival in Periyar, you will be met and assisted with check-in at your hotel.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: Periyar is best known for its wildlife, is a must-see for all visitors to Kerala. The Periyar Lake, lying at the heart of the sanctuary provides one with a unique opportunity to view wild animals in their natural surroundings. The Asiatic wild elephant, majestic gaur, deer, wild boar, tortoise, flying squirrels and the distinctive Nilgiri langur are often spotted along the lake along with waterbirds. Sprawled over an area of 777 Sq. km. Periyar is one of the 27 tiger reserves in India: the zealously guarded and efficiently managed reserve is a repository of rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna

Return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

Day 5: Periyar

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast day free for walks,

Periyar National Park, Kerala and the Tiger Reserve are one of the most captivating wildlife parks in the world. The park is well connected with Kottayam and Madurai, which are the nearest railway and airport connections. Situated within the confines of the Western Ghats in the southern Indian state of Kerala, elephants in Periyar are another major attraction. In 1895, the British undertook water resource management plans for the area and started work on a dam and an artificial lake under the auspices of Col. J. Pennycuick. The picturesque lake in the heart of the sanctuary was originally 26 sq km but now spans an area of 55 sq km. This perennial source of water, which initially led to the submersion of large tracts of forestland, slowly attracted wild animals. It eventually resulted in the adjoining forests being granted protection by the Maharaja of Travancore. Post-1975 Periyar finds itself in the enviable position of being a national park as well as a protected tiger reserve.

Return to the hotel for an evening at leisure.

Day 6: Periyar – Kumarakom

After breakfast, drive to Kumarakom. On arrival in Kumarakom, you will be met and assisted with check-in at the hotel

Kumarakom in Kerala is a beautiful backwater destination. Located on the picturesque Vembanad Lake and is enthrallingly beautiful. The blue backwaters and the surface of Vembanad Lake reflect the azure sky. The amazing shades of green of the vegetation (that include mangroves, coconut palms, and paddy fields) cover the verdant countryside. Channels and waterways wind their way through this green paradise. Water lilies and lotuses bloom in the water and birds from the bird sanctuary on Vembanad Lake call as they fly across the clear tropical sky. Kumarakom is an idyllic holiday destination that you must visit on Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater. The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake and is part of the Kuttanad region. An enchanting destination, Kumarakom is a perfect leisure getaway. Here you can see how people have adapted their lives to the waterways and do everything on these winding canals.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 7: Kumarakom

After breakfast, proceed to visit the Bird Sanctuary: this ornithologist’s paradise is a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron and teal. Located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, the bird sanctuary is spread across 14 acres. A visit to the bird sanctuary, set within the lush acres of wooded land nearby, acquaints you to the variety of migratory birds that flock in thousands, some from the Himalayas, some even from as far as Siberia. Also, the native kingfishers ablaze in psychedelic colours are certain to entertain. Experience a walk under rookeries of egrets and night herons or lone golden-backed woodpeckers and even delight in the acrobatics of the paradise fly-catchers.

The bird sanctuary, set within the lush acres of wooded land nearby, acquaints you to the variety of migratory birds that flock in thousands, Pathiramanal (sands of midnight) – an enchanting island on the lake – can be accessed by boat from here. A cruise along the Vembanad Lake is the best way to experience the sanctuary. The main attractions are local birds like the waterfowl, cuckoo, owl, egret, heron and the water duck, as well as the migratory Siberian cranes, parrots, teal, larks, wood beetle, and other birds are seen here during their respective migratory seasons.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 8: Kumarakom – Mararikulam

After breakfast, drive to Mararikulam. On arrival in Marariculam, you will be met and assisted with check-in at the resort.

The village of Maraikulam lies on a forgotten shore, midway up the Malabar coast where the Indian Ocean becomes the Arabian Sea. Marari Beach is an endless vista of sand and surf: offering an authentic experience of the world of Kerala’s traditional fishing villages, and a recreation of an ancient, harmonious way of life. Marari Beach Resort is a celebration of Kerala’s coastal fishing villages. Inspired by this ancient way of life, they sought to capture its essence and create a new experience in sensitive travel for the modern-day visitor.

The rest of the day at leisure to explore the beach at Mararikulam.

Overnight at the Hotel

Day 9: Mararikulam

Spend the day at leisure to enjoy the activities at the resort.

Overnight at the Hotel

DAY 10: Mararikulam – Cochin

After breakfast, drive to Cochin. On arrival in Cochin, you will be transferred to the airport for flight back homes.

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