Kerala Backwaters Tour 08 Days

The backwaters of Kerala offer you the perfect opportunity to feast in the laid back indulgences of life. The land of affluent nature, Kerala is the place where rustic pleasures and tranquil inspirations mark the beginning of a journey that will leave you charged. Interspersed with expansive beaches, historic influences and the invigorating experience of Ayurveda, Kerala Backwater Tours bring you every element you desire on your holiday.

With its inimitable presentations of houseboats, churches and plantations, the Kerala Backwater Tours take you through a journey of the state and its grandeur. The foods are delicately laced with local staples like jackfruit, coconut, jaggery and fish. With delights that arouse every sense with longing, this is a magical India Tour which brings you excitement, thrill and space within the same frame. Amid lush greens and the greatest beasts of the wild, Kerala Backwater Tours crowd you with a sense of disbelief and awe. Come to Kerala and be a part of this miracle.

Itinerary Details

Destinations Covered : Trivandrum - Thottapally - Alleppey - Kumarakom - Periyar - Munnar - Cochin - Kovalam Beach - Trivandrum

Day 01: ARRIVAL TRIVANDRUM - KOVALAM
Morning after breakfast disembarks from houseboat and proceeds by road to kovalam,

KOVALAM:
Thirty years ago, Kovalam was a hippy idyll: a picture perfect tropical beach; a traditional fishing village providing fresh fish, fruits and toddy (coconut beer). Today this tiny beach is the focus of a multi-million dollar business, drawing thousands of tourists for a week dose of ozone, UV and a refreshing Indian Experience. 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. Kovalam is just 16 kms away from Trivandrum. Today Kovalam beach is known as the "Paradise of the South".

Its scenic beauty and serenity is supplemented by the availability of excellent accommodation. There are a lot of restaurants which provide western style food as well as Indian, which is delicious. The grilled seafood items such as lobster, king prawns and kalamari are got fresh from the sea at Kovalam. Ayurvedic massage parlours, yoga centers and water sport facilities, makes Kovalam a popular haven for tourists from all over the globe.

Overnight stay at hotel,

Day 02: KOVALAM - ALLEPPEY (House boat)
After breakfast, drive to Alleppey, check in at houseboat; enjoy the backwater cruise by watching beautiful villages, paddy fields, small churches, temples and day-to-day life of village people. Your crew will cook you delicious meals on the boat.

Overnight stay at Houseboat

Day 03: ALLEPPEY
Aleppey is one of the most important tourist centers in the state, with a large network of inland canals earning it the sobriquet "Venice of the east". These large networks of canals provide Alleppey its lifeline. Alleppey was one of the busiest centers of trade in the past with one of the best known ports along the Malabar Coast. Even today it retains its charm as the centre for Coir carpet industries and prawn farming. Alleppey the ideal headquarters for backwater tourism as well as for visits to the lovely church filled town of Kottayam, and the town of Aranmula, famous for its historic Aranmula Snake Boat Race which is an annual event.

The eventful history of this city began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw open the estuary at Kochi, till then a land locked region, turning it into one of the finest natural harbors in the world. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring visitors from all over the world and became the first European town-ship in India when the Portuguese settled here in the 15th century.

Enjoy the boat ride in the harbour watching the dolphins playing and enjoying the city from the water.

Day 04: ALLEPPEY - PERIYAR
Proceed for Periyar after breakfast.

The river Periyar is the longest river in Kerala. This is the only perennial river in South India with clean water. The river occupies an important place in the history of Kerala. In the Sangam age Tamil epics such as Chilapathikaram, 'Akananuru', 'Purananuru' etc much has been said about this mighty river, formerly known as the 'Choorni Nadi' or 'Thamraparni Nadi' (Sukasandesam -stanza 66). A land route existed in the Sangam age from Mussuris (present-day Kodungalloor) to Madurai, which passed near the banks of the river Periyar. The capital of the old Chera Empire presumably existed on the banks of the river Periyar. It is believed that there was a flood in the 4th century AD that severely damaged the areas along the Periyar and the people living there had to escape to safer locations, abandoning their homes and livelihoods. The flood of AD 1341 resulted in the closing of Kodungalloor port and the opening of a new port at Kochi. The huge landslide that began in the high ranges as a result of the heavy downpours sent massive flows of mud and sand which created an Island at the 'Azhimugham' of the Periyar which is now known as the Vyppin Islands.

Proceed for enjoying a Boat cruise in Periyar Lake with lunch break. The most enjoyable part of seeing the wildlife is going around the lake in a boat. From the safety of a boat you can witness herds of wild elephants coming down to water and swim. The other prominent fauna to be seen are Tiger, Sambar, Barking deer, Mouse deer, Nilgiri Tahr, Wild Pigs, Wild dogs, Porcupine, Lion-tailed macaque, Malabar Squirrel, Flying Squirrel, Sloth Bear, Gaur and Black Langur (Monkey). Tigers and Leopards seldom come to the lakeside by day.

Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at hotel in Periyar.

Day 05: PERIYAR
Morning breakfast at hotel, and visit full day sightseeing tour of periyar,

Overnight stay at hotel,

Day 6: PERIYAR - MUNNAR
Morning breakfast at hotel and drive to Munnar by road, on arrival at the most beautiful Hill Stations of Kerala, "Munnar". Munnar is famous for its manicured tea plantations and quiet colonial atmosphere. Check in the Munnar Hotel and spend

MUNNAR: Munnar has an ancient history and prehistoric relics discovered around the area point to Stone Age civilization. However the written history begins from the 10th century onwards.

In Tamil, the word Munnar means three rivers and as it is at the confluence of three mountain streams, the name is apt. In the year 1790, the Duke of Wellington became the first European to visit the area and the Tamilians (known as 'Muthuvans') also migrated to Munnar and nearby places during this period. In the early 19th century, the headman of the villages of Anchanad, Kannan Thevar, held lands to the north of the high ranges, which belonged to the local Rajah of Poojar.

In 1877 said Poonjar chief, a subordinate of the Maharaja of Travancore, leased 588 sq. km of land around Munnar to a Mr. J D Munro, a British lawyer cum tea planter. This tract, henceforth called the Kannan Devan (Kannan Thevar) Concession Land, was completely undeveloped, largely unexplored, and covered with thick jungle.

Overnight in the hotel

Day 7: MUNNAR - COCHIN
Morning breakfast at hotel and proceed by road to cochin,

KOCHI (COCHIN): The eventful history of this city began when a major flood in AD 1341 threw open the estuary at Kochi, till then a land locked region, turning it into one of the finest natural harbors in the world. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring visitors from all over the world and became the first European town-ship in India when the Portuguese settled here in the 15th century.

Overnight stay at hotel,

Day 08 - 14 : COCHIN - DEPART
Morning leisurely breakfast at hotel and afternoon transfer to airport to catch flight for onward destination with sweet memories of tour to India

TOUR END