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Day 01
Cochin |
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You will arrive at Cochin International Airport. Following customs,
immigration formalities and baggage collection, a our representative
will meet you as you EXIT the ARRIVALS TERMINAL building after which
you would be transferred to your hotel.
COCHIN
A city with a rich past, Cochin from time immemorial had seen
maritime trade with the outside world. Biblical Ophir visited by
King Solomon’s ships about 1000 B.C was believed to be a village on
the Malabar Coast. The phoenicians came here to trade for spices,
ivory and sandal-wood. Galleys from Greece and Rome, dhows from
Arabia and great junks from China, they all came here. The Portugese
led by Vasco Da Gama arrived in 1502 and later the Dutch and the
British. And descendants of the Jews who arrived in ancient days
still live here..
Upon arrival at the hotel, you will be accorded with a Traditional
Welcome. Welcoming guest is an age-old tradition. ‘Atithi Devobhava’
- treat your guest as if he were God. Indian hospitality can be
savored immediately as one arrives at the hotel. The guest’s
forehead is anointed with the traditional red ‘tika’ which is
considered auspicious along with garlanding. Relax with a
non-alcoholic welcome drink following which proceed to check in at
your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 02
In
Cochin |
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After
leisurely buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed for a full
day combined city tour of Cochin
Sightseeing tour of Cochin takes you to the Jewish section where the
first emigration of Jews to Kerala is said to have taken place in
the 6th Century B.C (In the Ist Century A.D. Jews had fled from
Roman persecution and sought haven in Cranganore, 50 miles away).
The Jewish Synagogue in Mattancherry was built in 1568 and rebuilt
in 1664 with Chinese willow-patterned tiles and gold crowns and has
ancient scrolls. Visit the Dutch Palace built by the Portuguese in
1510 and later taken over by the Dutch. See St. Francis Church, the
first European Church in India, where Vasco Da Gama was burried
until his remains were taken back to Portugal, and the Chinese
Fishing nets named after the country of their origin. A boat cruise
in the backwaters takes you in the midst of a lush green setting of
shady lagoons, wooded islands and canals. You have the opportunity
to see the life of the local people as your boat goes winding past
villages and houses on stilts, coconut groves, and small-scale
industries making coir rope and mats.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 03
Cochin -
Munnar by Surface |
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After
buffet breakfast in the hotel you will be driven from Cochin to
Munnar.
Munnar - breathtakingly beautiful - a haven of peace and tranquility
- the idyllic tourist destination in God's own country. Set at an
altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored
summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days.
Unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and
mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries
and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air - yes!
On arrival in Munnar, check in at the hotel.
Rest of the day free to visit the Tae Gardens
The Kundale Tea Plantation: An area surrounding a lovely lake that
offers some of the most stunning views of the region. If you arrive
on a Sunday, make sure to drop in at the small Kundale Club in the
afternoon, where the local planters gather with their family.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 04
Munnar -
Periyar |
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After
buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven from Munnar to
Periyar.
PERIYAR
The sanctuary is spread at estimated 777 sq- km.One has to treat
Periyar as a pleasant escape from the rigours of Indian travel, a
nice place to cruise on the lake, and an opportunity to see some
wildlife and enjoy a jungle walk, then you will probably find a
visit well worthwhile. The park encompasses a 26 -sq-km artificial
lake, created by the British in 1895 to provide waterto Madurai, and
spreads into Tamil Nadu. It is home to bison, antelopes, sambars,
wild boars, monkeys,langurs, tigers, leopards, a wide variety of
birds,and many elephants. Boat trips on the lake are thestandard way
of seeing the sanctuary.
Half day visit to the wild life sanctuary at Periyar.
The Periyar
National Park and Tiger Reserve 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. You
may even get a glimpse of the tiger during this season. A summer
palace of the former Maharaja of Travancore, set along the lake, is
a hotel and a fine place to stay. Spice gardens and plantation
estates surround the national park.
Later in evening boat cruise at Periyar Boat cruises make the best
bet to explore the wilds of Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary. Today the
Periyar Lake presents an excellent boating spot for tourists.
Although it is unusual to see many animals from the boats, still you
spot a family of Elephants, Wild Boar, and Sambar Deer by the
water's edge.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 05
Periyar
- Alleppey |
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After
buffet breakfast and drive to Alleppey.
On arrival in Alleppey, Transfer to the houseboat. Embark the
houseboat from Alleppey.
Overnight at the Houseboat. |
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Day 06
Alleppey - Kumarakom by Surface |
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Disembark the houseboat at Kotayam. Later drive to Kumarakom.
On arrival in Komarokom, transfer to the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 07
Kumarakom - Trivandrum by Surface |
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After
an early buffet breakfast, drive from Kumarakom to Trivandrum.
TRIVANDRUM
A modern city with wide avenues and several beautiful parks and
picturesquely situated on small hills. The highlight of the tour is
a visit to the ancient Padmanabha Swami Temple, the “Gopuram”
(temple-tower) of which is the main architectural landmark of the
city, and which has in the main courtyard and on some 400 pillars
intricate granite sculpture.
On arrival in Trivandrum, transfer to the hotel.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 08
Trivandrum - Kumarakom - Trivandrum |
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After
buffet breakfast, proceed for half city tour of Trivandrum.
Proceed to the Chitralayam Art Gallery to view the collection of
Oriental paintings and then visit the Trivandrum Museum to see the
display of local arts and crafts.
Later drive to Kovalam. Walk through the backwater at Kovalam.
Return to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel. |
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Day 09
Depart
Trivandrum |
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Breakfast at the hotel.
Later in time transfer to airport to board flight to Back home.
(NO HOTEL ENVISAGED IN DELHI FOR THIS DAY) |
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The
God who made Kerala, according to a popular Malayali (Local
Language) saying, had a Green Thumb. Indeed, India’s most verdant
state-rated by “National Geographic Traveler” as one of the world’s
must see destinations, is a Paradise landscape of palm lined
beaches, teary jungles, plantation-covered hills, tropical rivers
and calm as ever lakes.