Tour Plan
1
Day 1: Arrive Cochin
Arrive Cochin. Upon arrival you will be met by our representative at the airport, who will escort you till check in at the Hotel.
Cochin, originally built by the Portuguese, has a natural harbour with lagoons, canals and fishing hamlets. One of the three biggest ports on the West Coast, it is also an industrious developed area. An excursion by boat through the backwaters is enchanting.
On arrival check in at the hotel.
Overnight in Cochin
2
Day 2: In Cochin
Morning after breakfast, proceed for the city tour.
Visit the Mattancherry Dutch Palace - open from 10.00 to 15.00 hrs. (Closed on Fridays and public holidays), which was built by the Portuguese in 1555 and renovated by the Dutch in 1663. In the ancient rooms are 17th century murals that relate in vibrant color the story of the epic Ramayana. Visit a Jewish Synagogue - open 10.00 to 12.00 hrs. & 15.00 to 17.00 hrs. (Closed on all Saturdays and Jewish holidays) in Jew Town and Fort Cochin Area - Legend dates Jewish trade with Kerala from the times of King Solomon. There are a couple of streets of picture-postcard houses out of another age, in 17th century Dutch and traditional Kerala styles.
Visit St. Francis Church - open from 09.00 to 13.00 hrs. And 14.30 to 17.30 hrs. (Closed for visitors on Sundays from 08.00 to 11.00 hrs.) The oldest European Church in India. It has several antiquities including a wealth of records. These include a palm-leaf title deed the local Raja gave the Portuguese in 1503. See the Chinese Fishing Nets, along the tip of Fort Cochin unique to this part of Kerala and living symbols of a centuries-old Chinese influence on this coast.
Evening witness the Kath Kali dance show in an Auditorium.
Kath Kali performances, a dance-drama based on the ancient epics forming among the most colorful of the country’s stage tradition. Male actors in makeup that takes as much as two to three hours to apply cavort on the stage in a spellbinding display of morality-theatre. The women perform the more graceful dance form, the Mohiniattam.
Overnight in Cochin.
3
Day 3: Cochin – Alleppey (55kms / Approx. 1.5hrs)
Morning post breakfast leave Kumarakom to Alleppey to board House Boat.
A House Boat is about 70 feet in length and has a width of around 13 feet in the middle. The materials that go into the making are all local and Eco friendly bamboo poles, coconut fiber ropes, bamboo mats, coir carpets etc. The House Boats have fully furnished single and double rooms with Sundeck, comfortable chairs, Kitchen and toilet with A/C. In addition, there is also separate rest room for the crew. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The crew includes a chef and two oarsmen. The houseboat takes you through the scenic backwaters of Kerala. The Traditional Kerala cuisine will be served on the board.
Overnight on House Boat.
4
Day 4: Alleppey – Kumarakom (65kms / Approx. 2hrs)
Morning post breakfast drive to Kumarakom.
The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teals, waterfowls, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian Stork visit here in flocks and are a fascinate the visitors
On arrival check in at the Hotel.
Later proceed for the city tour.
Overnight in Kumarakom.
5
Day 5: Kumarakom – Periyar (135kms / Approx. 3hrs)
Morning post breakfast drive to Periyar.
Thekkady, located in the Idukki district of the state of Kerala, is the place where the Periyar National Park is located. Thekkady lies very close to Kumily, which lies on the border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, spread across an area of 300 square miles, is home to thick evergreen forests, deciduous forests and a host of animal species, viz. Elephants, sambar, tigers, Nilgiri Langurs, etc.
On arrival check in at the Hotel.
Afternoon Game Drive in Lake Periyar.
The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice scented plantations. The Periyar forests of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. Spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunities for treks and mountain walks.
Overnight in Periyar.
6
Day 6: Periyar – Madurai (116kms / Approx. 3hrs)
Morning post breakfast drive to Madurai.
Madurai, known as the City of Festivals, Madurai is the most ancient home of culture and the first Tamil Academy was founded here by scholars and pious kings. The town has developed encircling the famous Meenakshi Temple built in the Dravidian style - one for Shiva and the other for his spouse Meenakshi. The temple has beautiful sculptures of Shiva. The court of a thousand pillars built in 1560 AD also has lovely sculptures. From any side inside the hall, the visitor can get a kaleidoscopic view. Outside the temple, are the Musical Pillars, which produce different swaras or notes when tapped. To the east, is the Vasanth Mandapam with life-size statues of nayakas of Madurai.
On arrival check in at the Hotel.
Evening witness Aarti Ceremony.
Evening witness the “Aarti” a must see for all visitors. The Consort of Goddess Durga - Shiva, is brought to her chamber in procession. This procession goes around the temple, and has various short ceremonies at different shrines, before the final prayer at the entrance of her chamber. The entire procession takes 45 mins.
Overnight in Madurai.
7
Day 7: In Madurai
Morning post breakfast city tour of Madurai.
‘The Temple City’ was the capital of the Pandya kingdom, but it was during the reign of the Nayaks (10th to the 18th century) that the magnificent Meenakshi Temple Visit the Palace of Thirumalai Nayak, the most famous king of the Nayak dynasty. It has a great audience hall, a three-sided pavilion and a courtyard.
Day free at leisure.
Overnight in Madurai
8
Day 8: Madurai – Kanyakumari (250kms / Approx. 5hrs)
Morning post breakfast drive to Kanyakumari.
Kanyakumari, literally meaning the Virgin, the Cape owes its Indian name to Hindu mythology. At Cape Comorin where the three mighty: The Bay of Bengal, The Indian Ocean and The Arabian Sea meets. It is located in the southernmost tip of the Indian subcontinent. Significant landmarks include the Kumari Amman Temple dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, the Gandhi Memorial, where an urn containing the Mahatma’s ashes is kept, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial built in honor of Swami Vivekananda, exuding a calm and peace rarely found elsewhere and the church of our Lady of Ransom starkly etched against the beautiful shoreline
On arrival check in at the Hotel.
Afternoon city tour Kanyakumari.
Visit the Kumari Amman Temple dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, the Gandhi Memorial, where an urn containing the Mahatma’s ashes is kept, the Vivekananda Rock Memorial built in honor of Swami Vivekananda.
Overnight in Kanyakumari.
9
Day 9: Kanyakumari – Kovalam (90kms / Approx. 2hrs)
Morning post breakfast drive to Kovalam.
Day free to Enjoy the Beach and the Nature
On arrival check in at the Hotel.
Overnight in Kovalam.
10
Day 10: In Kovalam; Excursion to Trivandrum
Morning sightseeing of Trivandrum.
Trivandrum is famous for many tourist attractions. Set out in a Trivandrum city tour to explore some of the best landmarks and attractions of this city. Sree Padmanabha Swami Temple, one of the richest temples in the world, the Kanakakkunnu Palace and the Kowdiar Palace are some of the last remaining royal insignia of this city, which will remind you of the erstwhile kingdom of Travancore.
Some of the other stopovers in the city include the Observatory, the Science and Technology Museum, Trivandrum Zoo and museum, the Government Secretariat and the Tagore Centenary theatre, where live shops and entertainments take place regularly. Sree Chitra Art Gallery is famous for its impressive collection of exquisite paintings, with separate sections for Ravi Varma paintings, murals, water and oil
Balance day at leisure for independent activity
Overnight in Kovalam.
11
Day 11: Kovalam – Trivandrum (20kms / Approx 40 mins); Leave Trivandrum
Morning in time transfer to the Trivandrum airport to connect flight to onward destination.
Tour Location
COCHIN - ALLEPPEY - KUMARAKOM - PERIYAR - MADURAI - KANYAKUMARI - KOVALAM - TRIVANDRUM