Tour Duration : 8 nights/ 9 days
Destinations Covered: Cochin - Varkala - Kumarakom - Periyar - Cochin
Tour Details
Day 01: Kochi (Cochin)
Check in at hotel on arrival in Kochi (Cochin). Half day sightseeing of Cochin - Vasco Da Gama Square, Santa Cruz Basilica, St. Francis Church etc.
Overnight stay at hotel in Cochin.
Day 02: Cochin to Varkala (100 Kms / 2:30 - 3 Hrs)
From morning enjoy the city tour includes the Mattancheery Dutch Palace where the superb series of murals painted on the wooden walls are its main attraction. Also visit the 16th century Jewish Synagogue and the Church of St. Francis. Vasco da Gama was originally buried in the Church''s cemetery. Walk around the Fort Cochin area and admire the Chinese Fishing Nets. It was believed to have introduced by Chinese traders in the late 14th century.
Afternoon would be spent at leisure.
Evening drive to Varkala. Over night stay at hotel in Varkala.
Day 03: Varkala
Morning visit the Portugese church of Anjengo dated to the time of occupation, which maybe the Elanchoros of the geography of Ptomempee (2nd century A.D.). Also visit the English Fort constructed in 1695 A.D. by the English 'East India Company'.
Afternoon free.
Overnight at hotel
Day 04: Varkala to Kumarakom (100 Kms / 2:30 - 3 Hrs)
Morning drive to Kumarakom check into hotel. Afternoon visit the superb Bird Sanctuary in adjacent wooded marshland - which boasts of egrets, tree pies, black headed orioles, bee-eaters & a whole host of herons.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 05: Kumarakom
In the morning take a cruise on the backwaters in a traditional country canoes called "vanjis" and watch the activities of the local people on the backwaters. Visit the bird sanctuary. After lunch at the hotel board the traditional rice boats or "Ketuvallam" and set out on your journey through the charming backwaters taking in the tranquil beauty of God's Own Country. Spend the night on this houseboat and enjoy authentic Kerala cuisine made from fresh local produce and cooked on board.
Day 06: Kumarakom to Periyar
Morning drive to Periyar check into hotel.
Afternoon boatcruise on the Lake of the famous Periyar wildlife sanctuary to see wild life. Periyar Lake or reservoir created by a dam on Periyar River is the heart of the Wildlife Sanctuary wild elephants, Asiatic Deer, Black Buck and even Tigers come to shores of the lake for a drink.
Evening at leisure to explore the neighboring spice market.
Day 07: Periyar
The day is at your leisure. You may go for an Ayurvedic therapy on direct payment basis.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 08: Periyar to Cochin (160 Kms / 5 Hrs)
Kochi is popularly known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, it is the oldest European settlement in India. Arrive at Kochi and check into the hotel. Take the city tour of Kochi; visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, Church of St. Francis, the Bolghatty Palace and the Chinese fishing nets. In the afternoon go on a cruise of the harbour. Cochin has one of the finest natural harbors in the world. In the evening watch a Kathakali dance performance with make up demonstration. Kathakali is a unique dance form that has a 2000 year old history and more that 100 different 'mudras' or hand gestures. The Kathakali dances are based on episodes from the Ramayana and Mahabarata, the two great Indian Epics. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 09: Kochi
After breakfast proceed to the airport for flight to the next destination.
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