KERALA ADVENTURE TOUR
Kerala is probably the greenest place you will ever see. It is one of the 10
paradises in the world. The coconut palms, the red tiled houses, the innumerable
lakes, winding backwater canals and beaches will remain long lasting impressions
to any visitor. The colourful festivals, various types of dances, martial arts
and wildlife sanctuaries are the other attractions. Ayurveda the 5000-year-old
system of medicine is becoming very popular with tourists visiting Kerala. This
"God’s own country" is a narrow strip of land located on the
south western edge of the Indian sub continent. It is sandwiched between the
Western Ghats mountain chain range on the East and the Arabian Sea on the west.
Legend say that Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu threw his
axe into the sea from Gokarnam (present day Mangalore) and it is believed the
sea retreated till where the axe fell to give birth to Kerala.
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DURATION :- 10
DAYS
PLACES COVERED :- Cochin -
Munnar - Periyar - Kottayam - Alleppey - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Mumbai
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Day
01 ARRIVE COCHIN
Late night, arrive Mumbai and transfer to the
domestic airport for your flight to Cochin by 9W 405 at 0545 hrs. On arrival
in Cochin at 0730 hrs, assistance at airport and transfer to hotel. Rest of
the day free.
Evening attend the Kathakali dance performance.
Overnight
in Cochin.
Day 02 IN COCHIN Morning Guided city
tour.Afternoon free.
Cochin - the palmgreen commercial town of
Kerala has one of the finest natural harbours in the world. A town with a
hoary past, Cochin is the gateway to Kerala.
The Jewish Synagogue
- built in 1568 AD contains Grand Scrolls of the Old Testament and the
copper plates containing the privileges granted to the Jews by the Cochin
rulers. The floor of the synagogue is paved with exquisite Chinese hand
painted tiles. The Dutch Palace was built by the Portuguese and presented to
the Cochin Raja in 1555 AD. 17th century murals depicting scenes from the
Indian epic, the Ramayana can be seen here. St Francis Church, built
originally by the Portuguese in 1510 AD is believed to be the first church
built by Europeans in India. Vasco da Gama was originally buried here. The
Chinese fishing nets can be seen at the entrance of the harbour. The Chinese
through trade contact taught this technique of catching fish.
Overnight
in Cochin.
Day 03 COCHIN - MUNNAR Morning: Drive to
Munnar (135 kms/04½ hrs) enroute visit tea plantations. On arrival in
Munnar, check in at hotel. Afternoon: Boat ride in the lake.
Munnar
(1,524 M), is the highest town of Kerala, with a cool, bracing climate
exuding an old-world charm. The atmosphere is fragrant with extensive tea
and cardamom plantations. There are enchanting high ranges, lakes and
streams and beautiful view of low-lying clouds and the mist filled valleys.
Overnight in Munnar.
Day 04 IN MUNNAR
Full day free to visit the bazaars, plantations etc.
Overnight in
Munnar.
Day
05 MUNNAR - PERIYAR
Early Morning: Drive to Periyar (100 kms/03
hrs) and on arrival, check in at hotel. Afternoon: Boat ride in Lake Periyar
to watch wildlife. Later visit Kumily spice market to see and buy spices.
Periyar Tiger Reserve, 777 sq km in area is set in a rich, mixed
deciduous forest, interspersed with open areas of tall grass. Periyar has a
splendid artificial lake dotted with snags of dead wood, which provide a
perch for waterbirds; darter, grey heron, egret and kingfisher. It is one of
the finest habitats for the Asiatic elephant. These enormous mammals swim in
the waters and streams and usually they can be observed during the boat
ride. Periyar also holds, apart from Tiger leopard, sambar, wild dog,
barking deer, the lion tailed macaque, the Nilgiri langur . The forest
harbours a variety of woodland birds. Boat travel is the only means of
transport in the Sanctuary.
Overnight in Periyar.
Day
06 PERIYAR - KOTTAYAMEarly Morning: Drive to Kottayam (120 kms/03
hrs) and on arrival, switch over to the House Boat and cruise along the
backwaters, passing through paddy fields, villages, market etc.
The
cruise is through `Kuttanad' literally meaning the land which is lower than
the sea level but is kept intact by its bunds and dikes. It is the `rice
bowl' of Kerala. The rice fields are very beautiful and this lush land and
surrounds governs the placid way of life of the people who live on the
backwaters.
Overnight on board HOUSE BOAT.
Day 07
ARRIVE ALLEPPEY - KOVALAM Morning: Drive to Kovalam (180 kms/04½
hrs) and on arrival in Kovalam, check in at a beach resort. Rest of the day
to relax at the beach or indulge in Ayurvedic massages.
Kovalam is
a sheltered bay endowed with unusual beauty, located on the magnificent
Arabian Sea coast. This natural bay is a safe sea-pool, free from high waves
and surges. The 30 kms drive from the Tiruvanantapuram airport to the beach
through groves of palms is refreshing. It is an ideal place to swim,
sunbathe and perhaps enjoy the ancient rites of an Ayurvedic massage and oil
bath.
Overnight in Kovalam.
Day 08 IN KOVALAM
Full day free on the beach.
Overnight in Kovalam.
Day 09 IN KOVALAM
Full day free on the beach.
Overnight
in Kovalam.
Day 10 KOVALAM - TRIVANDRUM - MUMBAI - DEPART
Morning: Assistance and transfer to Trivandrum airport (25 kms) in time to
connect flight 9W 335 at 1335 hrs to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai at 1535
hrs, assistance at airport and transfer to city hotel for wash and change.
Rest of the day free for last minute shopping/packing. Evening: After
farewell dinner, assistance and transfer to International airport in time to
connect your onward flight home….
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