Day
1 - Cochin
Arrive
at Cochin where our representative will meet you
at the Airport to extend a warm welcome to Kerala
– sometimes referred to as the Florida of
India. Direct Transfer to the Hotel & relax.
Later
board a boat to see the backwaters and canals
of Cochin. See the Dutch connection in Cochin
– the Dutch Palace. Make a brief stopover
at India’s only Jewish synagogue at Mattancherry.See
the historic St. Francis Church. Get photographed
in front of it. & then proceed to have wonderful
picture-postcard views of Chinese fishing nets
at Fort Cochin.
In
the evening, visit a superb private establishment
in downtown Cochin to enjoy Kathakali –
the exotic and universally popular performing
art of Kerala. ‘Mudra & Make-up’
demonstration follows the performance. Ask the
knowledgeable host questions about this magnificent
art. The two hours pass too soon.
Back
to your hotel. Enjoy a Kerala dinner with seafood
specialties. Over night stay at your hotel.
Day
2 - Enjoy kerala cookery & a country craft
cruise
Morning
Session is for a unique event- the Kerala Cookery
Demonstration. Take a trip to a Traditional Home
at Cochin and experience something new. It is
a rare golden opportunity to enjoy the Delicious
Kerala cuisine, its preparations etc in a traditional
Kerala House. You can prepare different types
of Kerala cuisine, the way it serves and more
from the famous Gastronomy instructor Ms.Nimmi
Paul. The Cookery class for you ends with a Delicious
Lunch offered by her.
Afterwards
get ready for an unusual detour – country
craft canal cruise to experience the unhurried
pace of life in rural Kerala.You will be taken
in a Traditional country craft through the narrow
canals of Cochin which will be a unique experience
for you to explore the typical village life of
Keralites. Taste the tender coconut juice from
the village folk…visit coconut plantations
& Duck farming centers. Return back to your
hotel by evening. Rest of the time shop at the
busy streets of Cochin.
Day
3 - Periyar
After
breakfast, drive to Thekkady, hometown of the
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
On
arrival at Thekkady, check into the Periyar Jungle
Resort. There is time for relaxation.
After Lunch we take you to enjoy a rather unusual
way of exploring a wild reserve – aboard
a boat. The picturesque Periyar Lake is a beautiful
setting. The Afternoon boat ride affords views
of elephant herds and bison. If you are lucky
enough you can spot more exotic animals. Don’t
forget to take your binoculars! Rest of the day
at leisure. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay at
your resort.
Day
4 - Experience Bullock Cart Safari & a Spice
Plantation Tour
Get up early and get ready for a Bullock Kart
Safari through the Villages of Periyar. Visit
the farmlands of a village hidden in the valley
behind the mountains of Periyar Tiger Reserve
in a bullock cart.
The village is rich in bird diversity (New explorations
for a serious bird watcher, also wonderful beginning
for a novice) With vineyards, diverse agricultural
crops of mangoes, tamarind, onions, sunflower,
jasmine and a score of other vegetables, the village
will take your breath away when the guides start
to interpret how farming has woven delicately
with the culture and the life of the natives.
Feel the slow pace of the village life, be part
of the innocence & quench your thirst with
the nectar from tender coconuts.
In the afternoon you can be back to the Sanctuary
site. Next we go on for a Spice Tour that takes
us closer to the majestic nature in this area
– an exciting experience. Visit a cardamom-curing
centre to get a feel of spice industry based here.
Enjoy dinner and overnight stay at your resort.
Day
5 - Kumarakom
After
breakfast, we proceed to Kumarakom – the
spectacular and inviting backwater destination.
Arrive at Kumarakom by noon. Visit the Kumarakom
Bird Sanctuary located along the backwaters. Watch
exotic birds, the migratory Siberian Stork among
them, lead their normal lives unaware of you or
your binoculars.
Later
we set out on a memorable day & night houseboat
cruise, which will eventually take us to Alleppey
.See some of the most spectacular backwater scenery
in the world. Enjoy the excellent amenities of
your boat. Continue our journey to Alleppey. In
the night, the boat drops anchor in the backwaters,
for you to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Enjoy the fabulous sensations of mysterious night
sounds.
Enjoy
a sumptuous dinner and overnight stay on board.
Day
6 - Alleppey
We
reach Alappuzha – ‘the Venice of the
East’ – by noon. Feel enchanted by
the waterways and the charming views. Check out
from the Houseboat & Proceed to Kovalam Beach
Arrive
at Kovalam by noon. Check into your beach resort.
The
Rest of the day is yours to chart an unforgettable
beach holiday. Feel secure because Kovalam, because
of its natural location, is considered one of
the safest beaches in the world. Enjoy overnight
stay at your resort.
Day
7 – Kanyakumari for an unforgettable Sun
Set Moment!
After
breakfast, we drive to Kanyakumari – the
confluence of three oceans and the land’s
end of India. Enroute, visit some of the Historical
places in Kerala’s capital city Trivanidrum.
Arrive
at Kanyakumari by afternoon. Later, we take you
to the ferry for the short crossing to the giant
rock formation on which stands the Vivekananda
Memorial. It is 200 metres above the shoreline.
See the spot where Vivekananda, the great Indian
philosopher sat in deep meditation in the late
nineteenth century.
Later
in the evening, we take you to the seashore to
witness an ethereally beautiful sunset.
Return to Kovalam by evening & reach back
to the Hotel for overnight stay.
Day
8 - Return Home
The
Dream Days come to an end. We are sure that your
Body & soul merged with the tradition of this
Magical Land. But you have to say good bye at
least for the moment. We will take you to the
Airport in time to catch the return flight.
