Kerala, wildlife and backwaters
A tour to discover the beauty of Kerala, explore cosmopolitan city of Kochi, green hills of Munnar famous for tea plantations, National park of Periyar, one of the finest wildlife reserves in South India, relaxing sailing on traditional wooden boats kettu wallam. The exotic nature of Kerala is enhanced by a careful hospitality and the well-being dispensed by Ayurvedic massage, a technique of gentle massage origins date back over 3000 years ago directed at restoring mental and physical balance of the person. Its benefit is enclosed in its name : Ayu means life and Veda means science, and the science of long life, achieved with the balance of mind and body.
Day 01: Arrival in Cochin
Arrival in Cochin. Upon arrival at the airport, meeting with our staff and transfer to Hotel.
In the evening, visit of Kathakali dance show. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: Cochin / Munnar (Km. 150 - approx 5 hrs)
After breakfast depart for Munnar famous for its beautiful tea plantations and for its lush green landscapes. During your journey to Munnar you can see small waterfalls, rubber plantation and spice plantations. On arrival at Munnar, check-in at your hotel. Spend rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 03: Munnar
Morning after breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Munnar which includes visit to the flower garden and visit of a Tea factory, after driving to visit Mattupetty dam, Kundale Lake and Eco- point. In the afternoon proceed to Rajamalai where the rarest species of mountain goat "Nilgiri Thars" can be spotted. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.
Day 04: Munnar / Periyar (Thekkady), Km. 120 - approx 4 hrs)
Breakfast and departure to Thekkady, also known as Periyar (900-1800 mt.). Thekkady was declared a Tiger reserve in 1978 and one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. It spread throughout the entire district, there are beautiful spice plantations and thick forests. It's famous for diversity of wild life and scenic beauty. On arrival visit of spiace plantation. In the evening you can take boat ride to the Periyar National Park. The cruise allows you to observation of various species of animals in their natural habitat such as wild boar, deer , monkeys, wild buffaloes. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 Periyar / Alleppey (km. 90 - approx 3 hrs)
After breakfast leave for Alleppey also know as "the Venice of the East". Its home of huge network of backwaters and thousand of houseboats. These traditional houseboats are called "Kettuvallams". On arrival at Alleppey onboard to Houseboat though the backwaters to explore the paddy fields, coconut trees and local villages. Dinner and overnight at houseboat.
Day 06: Alleppey / Cochin (Km. 60 - approx 1 ½ hrs)
After breakfast disembark and depart for Cochin. On arrival proceed for half-day tour of Cochin, a multicultural city which have one of the major seaports of the nation and since 11th century, became an important center for the spice trade on the Arabian Sea coast. It was also colonised by the Portuguese, then he fell under the Dutch, then the reign of Mysore and later under the British rule. Its buildings now evidenced by these dominations. Visit the Dutch Palace, the Mattancherri Palace, the Synagogue and the Church of San Francesco. Visit of Chinese fishing nets, here in use from 1350, built of teak wood and bamboo which work on the lever principle. We witness the spectacle of the movement of the networks that are lowered into the sea and then withdrawn on. Visit the Basilica of Santa Cruz. Later check in at hotel.
Day 07: Departure from Cochin
Transfer to the airport and boarding the flight to return home.