14 Nights and 15 Days Cultural and Wildlife Package
Day 01 Cochin
Arrival at Cochin Airport and transfer to Cochin. On arrival check into the hotel.
Evening witness Kathakali performance in a Kathakali Theatre.
Kathakali literally means ‘story play’ is more popular among the dances of Kerala. It is derived from ancient classical dance forms and story telling. Musicians accompanied by drummers sing the stories of the Indian epics. Dancers with painted face narrate the characters and their expressions by footwork, hand gesture (mudras), dancing and facial expressions including eye movements.
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 harbours in the world. Kochi thus became a haven for seafaring visitors from all over the world and became the first European township in India when the Portuguese settled here in the 15th century.
Day 02 Cochin
After breakfast half day sightseeing of Cochin with English Speaking Guide.
Visiting St.Fancis Church, Chinese Fishing Net, Dutch Palace (Closed on Friday) and Jewish Synagogue (Closed on Friday and Saturday). Back to Hotel for Lunch.
Day 03 Cochin / Alleppey
After Breakfast drive to Aleppey 72 kms 1.5 hrs) to board houseboat. On arrival lunch will be served on board and all other meals tea, coffee, snacks will be served in houseboat. Overnight : Houseboat
Kettuvallam (House Boat) is a country boat that was used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. With the advent of roads, bridges and ferry services, gradually the Kettuvallam went off the scene. Now these Houseboats are back again as a major tourist attraction. A ride on a Houseboat is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.
Day 04 Houseboat /Kumarakom
After breakfast disembark at Kumarakom hotel jetty. On arrival check in to the hotel. Evening have a wonderful walk through the Kumarakom Bird sanctuary.
Overnight : at Hotel
The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake. An unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald never ending green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with while lilies - this is Kumarakom. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres, is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. The most interesting area in the backwaters is the “Kuttanad Region” called the Rice bowl of Kerala.
Day 05 Kumarakom
After breakfast start sight seeing of Kottayam town. Visit two old Catholic churches called “ Cheriya Palli and Valiya Palli”. Later Farm visit and back to Hotel. Overnight at Hotel
Day 06 Kumarakom
Free at Kumarkom. Overnight at Hotel
Day 07 Kumarakom / Periyar
After Breakfast drive to Thekkady (140 kms, 4 hrs). On arrival check in to the hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Thekkady is located in the high ranges of Western Ghats covering 777 sq.kms of grasslands and moist deciduous, tropical evergreen and semi evergreen forest at an altitude varies from 900m to 2000m. A reservoir of water in an area of 25 sq.kms created by a dam built in 1895 by British is Periyar Lake. Periyar wildlife sanctuary is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.
Day 08 Periyar
Visit Periyar Wildlife sanctuary, boating at Lake Periyar by common boat and later plantation tour.
Plantation tour introduces you to a numerous variety of spices. A good explanation of the native spices, tea and coffee will given by the person who will be accompanying in this Garden.
Day 09 Periyar / Munnar
After breakfast drive to Munnar ( 120 kms 3 hrs). This wonderful drive offer you to see cardamom, coffee, tea, pepper etc. On arrival check in to the hotel. PM you are free to walk around the tea plantations.
“Munnar” (Three rivers) is one of the most popular hill stations in India and is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 1600 meters above sea level, this was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience. Munnar is one of the highest peaks in South India and is home to animals like elephants and the rare ‘Nilgiri tahrs’. Among the exotic flora, there is the Neelakurinji, which blooms every 12 years. The next bloom is in this September 2006. Traditions of the British Tea Plantation town are still preserved in the heavenly and un-spoilt hill station.
Day 10 Munnar
After Breakfast, start to explore the different regions of Munnar with local English Speaking Guide. Visit Eravikulam National Park to see the endangered Nilgiri Tahr (Endemic goat-antelope). Guide will explain about the great history of high range. Later visit Tea Museum (to witness the tea processing) and Handicraft center called ‘Srushti’. Lunch at Hotel. Later walk through the lush green tea plantations. Back to the hotel
Overnight at Hotel
Day 11 Munnar / Cheruthuruthy
After Breakfast start drive to Cheruthuruthy. On arrival check in to the hotel. Evening village walk.
Day 12 Cheruthuruthy/ Kalamandalam/ Cheruthuruthy
After breakfast visit Kerala Kala Mandalam and experience the Short demonstration of various art performance and traditional Lunch offered by Kerala Kala Mandalam. This programme is called “A day with the master”.
Kalamandalam is the premier Center of excellence in Indian Performing Arts emphasizing especially on the traditions that developed in the State of Kerala, in the south west coast of India. Established in 1930, this unique institution, devoted to classical performing arts, is situated near the majestic river Bharathapuzha, celebrated in literature as Nila, in the village of Cheruthuruthy in Trissur district.
Back to hotel and at leisure.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 13 Cheruthuruthy/ Palakkad/ Cheruthuruthy
After Breakfast visit Palakkad (40 kms )
The old granite fort situated in the very heart of Palakkad town is one of the best preserved in Kerala. It was built by Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1766. The fort was taken over and modified by the British in 1790. It is now preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Malapuzha Garden (10 km) This famous picnic spot which comprises a dam and beautifully landscaped gardens, is situated on the lower hills of the Western Ghats. There are frequent buses to this place from Palakkad.
Day 14 Cheruthuruthy / Guruvayoor / Cochin
After early Breakfast drive to Cochin. Enroute visit Guruvayoor, where the famous Temple is located, dedicated to Lord Krishna. Later Visit Punnathoor Elephant Fort.
Punnathoorkotta, near the Sree Krishna Temple at Guruvayoor, Kerala, houses probably the largest single group of captive elephants in the world. The number is currently 62. It is here that the elephants that are offered to the deity by the rich and the mighty are kept.
Trichur has an ancient and well-flourished Christian community and the city has 20 big churches including three basilicas. Trichur has many beautiful temples around. People keep old customs and traditions. Trichur has a unique tradition of using elephants for temple festival.
Drive continue to Cochin. On arrival Checkin to Hotel. Overnight
Day 15 Cochin / Departure
Departure transfer to Airport to board your flight.
