Kaleidoscopic Kerala

Day 02: Mumbai / Delhi - Thiruvananthapuram - Kovalam
After breakfast in the hotel, transfer to airport for flight to Thiruvanthapuram. Upon arrival at the airport drive straight to Kovalam - is one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees and truly the coconut trees along the beaches gives it a ravishing look.
The palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, promise a relaxed stay. The boundless blue waters of the Arabian Sea and miles of white sands washed away by the surf at the feet of the stalwart palms and the rocky promontories, makes this beach paradise.

On arrival, check in at the Hotel. Rest the day is free at leisure on the beach

You may take Ayurvedic massage or treatment at the hotel on direct payment basis.

Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 03: Kovalam - Kanyakumari - Kovalam
After breakfast same day excursion to Kanyakumari - is the southernmost point of peninsular India and the meeting point of three oceans-the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. Besides its importance as a Hindu pilgrim center, it is famous for its beautiful views of sunrise and sunset over the waters. The multicolored sand is a unique feature of the beach here.

Visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial. This memorial to Swami Vivekananda was built in 1970. Vivekananda was a social reformer and saint of modern India. He is supposed to have meditated on the rock where the memorial stands.

Ferry service is available to reach the rock memorial.

Visit the Sangam which is the meeting point of the three major bodies of water, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Drive back to Kovalam.

Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 04: Kovalam
After breakfast half day sightseeing of Trivandrum including visit to Shree Padmanabha Swami Temple, Napier Museum, Chitralayam Art Gallery, Zoological Gardens, Reptile House Observatory and Kanakakannu Palace.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 05: Kovalam - Quilon
After breakfast, drive to Quilon - one of the oldest ports of the Malabar Coast and were once the centre of international spice trade. Quilon is famous for its delicious Cashew and Seafood.

After checking in hotel we set out to see some historic remains and the temples built in ornate style. Also visit the village to know the life style and culture of locals.

Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 06: Quilon - Alleppey (Backwaters)
After breakfast take Kerala's traditional houseboat for Alleppy, which is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters.

Overnight at house boat.

Day 07: Alleppey (Backwaters)
Reach Alleppey - It took great skill and meticulousness to construct these Houseboats by tying huge planks of jack wood together, without the use of a single nail. Today these are the most exciting tourism product in India, which usually has one or two bath rooms, an open lounge, deck, kitchenette and a crew comprising oarsmen, a cook and guide.

Sail along the winding network of Kerala backwaters, see the unique water world and experience its myriad charms.

Spot colorful insects and butterflies flitting over flower bunch that adorn the lush green vegetation on the banks of the Kerala backwaters. Let the swaying coconut palms on the water banks dance to the music of oars splashing against the otherwise still Kerala backwaters.

In houseboats, traditional Kerala food will be served.

Overnight at Houseboat.

Day 08: Alleppey - Periyar
In the morning after breakfast disembark the boat, and drive to drive to Periyar - South India's most popular wildlife sanctuary, encompassing an area of 777 sq. km. Though the sanctuary was made a part of Project Tiger in 1973, it is better known for its elephants.

The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a perennial source of water for the local wildlife. The dense forest cover and the variety of flora are also among the tourist attractions in Periyar. There are trees more than 100 years old and over 50 m high.

On arrival in Periyar, check-in at the hotel.

Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 09: Periyar
In the morning enjoy game viewing by boats, which carry you through the jungle along convoluted waterways. This biosphere reserve has a varied range of flora and fauna and you can set out for a tour of this exotic territory with camera in your hand and hope to capture the shy residents of the forest.

The elephants are the most majestic among all the things to watch in Periyar. They can be spotted on the lake shores bathing and basking in the sun.

However, you can come across many other mammalian species such as leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri langur (an endangered primate), bonnet macaque, sambhar, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boar, and sloth bear

Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 10: Periyar - Munnar
After breakfast drive to Munnar - is a serene hill station in the Kannan Devan hills. For those who do not want to be surrounded by crowds, Munnar is one of the best destinations that could be selected. The place has greenery, lakes, reservoirs and some of the highest tea estates in the world. The place also has good facilities for adventure sports. Munnar is located in the eastern part of Kerala at an altitude of 1524 meters.

On the way to Munnar can see tea gardens spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometers, lust green hills, a place so difficult to describe, very low population too far from pollution. On arrival check in to the Hotel and Evening stroll through the tea estates.

Over night stay at hotel.

Day 11: Munnar
After breakfast sightseeing of Munnar which includes the Raja Malai, a top peak of Munnar where you can see Neel Thar (mountain goats), Muttupetty dam, you can also enjoy boating in the Lake (optional / on direct payment basis).

Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 12: Munnar - Cochin
After breakfast drive to Cochin - is a beautiful city situated on the Western Coast of India facing the Arabian Sea, and rightfully called the 'Queen of the Arabian Sea'. It has a rich network of backwaters and is the culture and heritage centre of Kerala. A cluster of islands, Cochin is the commercial city of Kerala and is one of the finest natural harbors in the world.

On arrival in Cochin, check in at the hotel.

In the evening have small city of Cochin. You will visit Jewish Synagogue, constructed in 1568, is the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth. It is closed on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Mattancherry Palace or Dutch Palace has fine collection of mural paintings depicting the scenes from the Hindu epics Mahabharatha and Ramayana. It is closed on Fridays. In Fort Cochin visit St. Francis Church, the oldest church built by European in India. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524 before his remains were moved to Lisbon, Portugal. The tombstone still remains. Also visit Chinese Fishing Nets that are the most efficient means of backwater fishing.

In the evening, you can enthrall yourself with a special presentation of the colorfully costumed Kathakali Dance Show in a local theatre. Kathakali is an ancient religious pantomime dance drama handed down through generations for more than 300 years and performed by dedicated families of Kerala

Overnight in the Hotel.

Day 13: Cochin - Mumbai / Delhi - Home
After breakfast drive to airport to connect flight for onward destination.