Tour Duration : 8 nights/ 9 days
Destinations Covered: Cochin - Periyar - Kumarakom - Marari
Tour Details
Day 01: Cochin
Check in at hotel on arrival in 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
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 proceed for KATHAKALI DANCE viewing. Over night stay at hotel in Kochi.
Day 03: Cochin to Periyar (THEKKADY) (160 Kms / 4 Hrs)
Proceed to Thekkady. Enroute see the plantations and small Kerala villages. Thekkady is also known as Periyar because of the Lake Periyar. Checkin at hotel. The river Periyar is the longest river in Kerala. This is the only perennial river in South India with clean water. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in part of the Cardamom Hills on the Western Ghats and is one of the largest wildlife reserves in India. Spend the night at the hotel.
Day 04: Periyar to Kumarakom (130 Kms / 4 Hrs)
Early in the morning take a boat-cruise on the Lake, in the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, to watch the wildlife. The lake is an artificial one created by a dam on the Periyar River. Watch wild elephants, Asiatic deer, black buck and tigers at the lake. After breakfast take a guided walk around the village to see how different spices are grown. Then drive through the winding Ghats and lush green tea plantations to reach Kumarakom (190kms), an enchanting backwater village with palms and paddy fields on the shores of the sparkling Vembanad Lake. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 05: Kumarakom Houseboat
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 Mararikulam
Breakfast on board the houseboat. Sail to Alleppey and get off at Puthenagady Jetty. From here travel to Mararikulam (30kms). This is one of the scenic fishing villages that form the pleasant coastline of Kerala. The beach is fringed with lush green coconut palms. Rest of the day is at your leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 07: Mararikulam
The day is at your leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 08: Mararikulam to Cochin (60 Kms / 2 Hrs)
Cochin is popularly known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea, it is the oldest European settlement in India. Arrive at Cochin and check into the hotel. Take the city tour of Cochin; 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: Cochin
After breakfast proceed to the airport for flight to the next destination.
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