Kerala Kaleidoscope (11 Nights / 12 Days)

(Cochin – Munnar – Periyar – Kumarakom – Kovalam -Trivandram)

Day 01 - Arrive Cochin
Arrive Cochin International Airport. You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to you hotel in Fort Cochin (90 mins). Stay at your hotel in Fort Cochin for 02 nights.

Today evening enjoy a sunset cruise along the Cochin harbour to see the various activities and to see the Chinese fishing nets.

Day 02 - Cochin
Cochin Today we visit the sights including the Dutch Palace, with its murals from the Ramayana, the Jewish Synagogue in Mattancherry, and St Francis’ Church in Fort Cochin. Take a stroll around the Jew Street to hunt for antiques, spices and handloom before proceeding back to the hotel. This evening we enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance-drama form of Kerala.

Day 03 - Cochin – Munnar
After breakfast, a 4 hour drive will take you to the famous tea county of Munnar. Check. Stay at your resort for 03 nights. Unending expanse of tea plantations…pristine valleys and mountains…exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests…aroma of spice scented cool air. Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, situated at the confluence of three mountain streams, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience.

Day 04 - Munnar
You have the whole day to enjoy the beautiful views of the stunning mountains and sprawling tea estates. You could also visit the Eravikulam National Park to see the endangered species of Nilgiri Tahr, Tea Museum and the Tea Factory. Later take a walk through the mist covered tea plantations to see the workers plucking the tea leaves.

Day 05 - Munnar
Full day at leisure to relax at the resort to enjoy a walk through the tea and spice plantations.

Day 06 - Munnar – Periyar
Leaving Munnar after breakfast you are driven southwards to the 777square kms/485 square miles of Southern India’s best known Nature Reserve, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (4 hrs), in the Cardamom Hills. This is spice country. Stay at your resort 2 nights. Evening enjoy a spice garden visit to learn more about the spices grown in this region and later enjoy an elephant ride in the plantation.

Late evening learn to cook with spices at the evening cookery classes at your resort. The focus is on Kerala cuisine, with the accent being on (of course) the effective use of spices.

Day 07 - Periyar
Morning at leisure.

Afternoon enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Periyar to spot herds of Wild Elephants, Bisons, Sambar Deers, Nilgir Langurs, Malabar Giant Squirrels and variety of species of birds.

Evening at leisure to explore the spice town.

Day 08 - Periyar - Kumarakom
After breakfast, drive to Kumarakom (4 hrs), which is famous for its backwater & scenic beauty, sprinkled with traditional houseboats, country crafts, rural lifestyles and Tranquility. Stay at your backwater resort for the nights.

Remainder of the day to explore the beauty of the Kerala backwaters. The slender coconut palms standing here, there and everywhere, its never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties can peacefully calm and invigorate your mind with renewed inspiration for your vocation and life. That is the pristine beauty of Kumarakom. You have the option to take a rejuvenating Ayurvedic Massage.

Day 09 - Kumarakom
Morning at leisure.

Afternoon, board your Houseboat for a day cruise with onboard lunch, covering the nearby villages and the ethnic life around these villages of Kumarakom, through the famous Vembanad Lake.

This afternoon you’ll enjoy a relaxing cruise through the waterways which gives you an opportunity to observe rural Kerala up close. For the people living on the banks, the backwaters are a part of their day to day life. You stop to look at paddy cultivation, watch local fishing, and see historic churches and local temples. During the evening, you can generally see the people of the community meeting and relaxing by the backwaters.

Evening disembark from the Houseboat. Overnight at the backwater resort.

Day 10 - Kumarakom – Kovalam
Morning after breakfast drive to Kovalam, check into the hotel for 2 nights.

Day 11 - Kovalam
Relax, Leisure at resort, Or enjoy Yoga, Meditation and Kovalam beach.

Day 12 - Kovalam – Trivendram departure
In goodtime you will be transferred to Trivendram airport to board your return flight.