Unforgettable Kerala (7N)

Day 1: Arrival in Cochin

Cochin is amalgam of medieval Portugal, Holland and an English village grafted onto the tropical Malabar Coast. Enjoy city tour covering Mattanchery Palace- gifted to the king of Cochin, by Portuguese in 1555, about 500 year old Jewish Synagogue, Chinese fishing nets, local spices market followed by colorful performing art – Kathakali Dance.

• Meet our representative upon arrival in Cochin and drive towards hotel to check-in.
• Enjoy city tour
• Later in the evening, return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2: Drive from Cochin to Munnar (120 km/approx. 4.5 hours)

Munnar – derived its name from the confluence of the three rivers around which the town grew. Today, it offers beautiful vistas, cardamom and spice plantations, aromatic oil factories, sights of several endangered species and the purple-blue of the Neelakurinji flowers that bloom every 12 years.

• After breakfast, check-out from hotel and drive to Munnar.
• Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and spend evening at leisure.
• Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3: Sightseeing in Munnar

Eravikulam National Park, home to various elusive and endangered species. It is a great place to enjoy trekking and offers mind-blowing views of the tea plantations. Later, proceed towards Tea Museum (closed on Monday), which gives an insight to the history of tea plantations of this region. Later visit Mattupetty Dam, Eco Point and Flower Garden. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

• Explore Eravikulam National Park
• Visit Tea Museum (closed on Monday).
• Visit Mattupetty Dam, Eco Point and Flower Garden.
• Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 4: Munnar – Thekkady (90 kms / approx. 2.5 hours)

Enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Periyar. Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats in Kerala, is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. Periyar wildlife sanctuary has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Herds of playful wild elephants have made Periyar Lake their favorite haunt for frolicking in the water. They can be witnessed bathing and swimming here.  Other inhabitants of Periyar include the leopard, wild dog, barking deer, mouse deer, Nilgiri langur, bonnet macaque, sambhar, porcupines, squirrels, gaur (Indian bison), wild boar and sloth bear. Later, take a spice plantation tour. The aroma and pleasant ambiance of the spice and tea plantations of Periyar are fascinating. Spices found in Thekkady include pepper, clove, cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, vanilla and curry leaves.

• After breakfast, drive to Thekkady (Periyar) and on arrival check-in at the hotel.
• Enjoy a boat ride on the lake to view the wildlife at close quarters.
• In evening, watch traditional Kalaripayattu show. (Optional) – You can also enjoy an elephant ride in Periyar.
• Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 5: Drive from Thekkady – Kumarakom (130 kms / approx. 3.5 hour)

Kumarakom – a charming emerald peninsula jutting into the picturesque Vembanad Lake dotted with innumerable traditional country rafts, boats and canoes. The fresh water of the lake flows into the mainland, making a labyrinth of lagoons, canals and waterways.

• After breakfast, check-out and proceed to Kumarakom.
• Enjoy a sunset cruise in Vembanad Lake.
• Overnight at the backwater resort.

Day 6: Drive from Kumarakom – Kovalam (180 kms / approx. 4.5 hours)

Kovalam is internationally famed for its palm-fringed beaches and rejuvenating centers. This coastal town initially came to notice with the construction of Halcyon Castle by the last Maharani of Travancore – Sethu Lakshmi Bayi. With the arrival of hippies in 1970s, the place gained recognition as a tourist destination and is today renowned for its 17 km-long coastline, which is formed by three beautiful beaches – Lighthouse, Hawah and Samudra.

• After breakfast, drive towards south of Kovalam.
• Upon arrival, check-in at hotel and spend rest of the day at leisure.
• Overnight in Kovalam.

Day 7: Excursion to Kanyakumari, with Trivandrum sightseeing

After breakfast, take excursion trip to Kanyakumari(One way – 85 kms / approx. 2.5 hours)– visit the Vivekananda Memorial, Gandhi Museum and southernmost point. While returning, also cover Napier Museum, Art Gallery and Padmanabhaswamy Temple.

• After breakfast, take excursion trip to Kanyakumari.
• Return to Kovalam for overnight stay.

Day 8: Departure from Trivandrum

• After breakfast, you will be transferred to Trivandrum airport for return flight back home.

END OF TRIP!