07 Nights / 08 Days
1N Kochi – 2N Munnar – 1N Thekkady – 1N Kumarakom – 2N Kovalam (Jatayu Earth Center & Kanyakumari Excursion)
PACKAGE HIGHLIGHTS
In Cochin visit Mattancherry palace & Jewish Synagogue
Trip to Eravikulam National Park, Tea Plantation & Museum, Munnar
Visit Abhayaranyam, a place where rehabilitating elephants
Stay in Alleppey backwater and cruise in Kerala backwaters
Sunset cruise in Vembanand Lake, Kumarakom
Aymanam Village -Village life Experience at Kumarako (optional)
Kovalam beaches, Napier Museum, Art Gallery Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Trivandrum
Enjoy rides at Jatayu Earth Centre
Excursion to Kanyakumari
Sightseeing tours by private air-conditioned vehicle
Start in Cochin and End in Trivandrum
ITINERARY
Day 01 – Arrival in Kochi
On arrival proceed to Kochi city Hotel. Later proceed for Kochi sightseeing inclusing Fort Kochi and Mattancherry, consists of Jewish Synagogue (closed on Fridays), Mattancherry Palace also known as Dutch Palace (closed on Friday afternoon and Saturday), Famous Chineese Fishing nets, St. Francis church and Many more historic sites. Later free at leisure.
Overnight stay in Kochi Hotel.
Day 02 – Drive from Kochi to Munnar (150 kms / approx. 4.5 hours)
Visit to Abhayaranyam, a place where rehabilitating elephants are taken care with (Subject to Exemption of Current restriction – COVID 19). After Breakfast proceed to Munnar, a famous Hill station in Kerala. 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, a large variety of flora and fauna.
Overnight stay in Munnar.
Day 03 – Munnar Sightseeing
Explore 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.
Overnight in Munnar.
Day 04 – Munnar – Thekkady (130 kms / approx. 4 hours)
After breakfast, drive to Thekkady (Periyar) and on arrival check-in at the hotel. Enjoy a 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. Enjoy a boat ride on the lake to view the wildlife at close quarters. 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.
Overnight in Thekkady.
Day 05 – Drive from Thekkady – Kumarakom (130 kms / approx. 4 hours)
After breakfast get transferred to 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. Spend the rest of the day at beautiful resort of Kumarakom.
Overnight at Kumarakom.
Day 06 – Drive from Kumarakom – Kovalam (180 kms / approx. 4.5 hours)
This morning you experience Village life of Kumarakom or you can opt to proceed Jatayu Earth Centre for adventure activities.
Aymanam Village Visit
Aymanam is a typical Kerala village (08 Kms away from Kumarakom). Arundhati Roy’s Booker prize-winning novel “The God of Small Things” was set at Aymanam . Aymanam village is a gem hidden in the landscape of Kerala. While there are no particular sightseeing places or tourist attractions in the village, the vibe and ambience of the village make people come back to it again and again. The best things to do here would be taking a stroll through the natural setting, exploring the beauty of the village, and getting to know the locals of the region and their customs and traditions. This village visit includes, Interaction with Kathakali Master, Canoe Ride, Temple Visit, Traditional Kerala Lunch (subject to availability) and English Speaking Guide.
OR
Jatayu Earth’s Center, which situates at Chatayamangalam. It has the World’s Largest Bird Sculpture, Swiss made Cable Car Ride, Rock Adventure Activities, Heli Ride, Zip Line. Later drive towards, Kovalam- located close to the state capital Trivandrum, it 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. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel and spend rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Kovalam
Day 07 – Excursion to Kanyakumari
Today, enjoy a full day excursion to Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of peninsular India and the meeting point of three oceans-the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean. The multicolored sand is a unique feature of the beach here. Visit the Kumari Amman or the Kanyakumari Temple, located on the shore. It is dedicated to a manifestation of Parvati. Swami Vivekananda is said to have sat in deep meditation here. Visit the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial built in 1970. Also visit the Gandhi Memorial, built on the spot where the urn containing the Mahatma’s ashes was kept for public viewing before immersion. Return to Kovalam for overnight stay.
Day 08 – Kovalam – Trivandrum Airport
After breakfast, enjoy a half-day sightseeing trip of Trivandrum. Visit the Napier Museum, built in the 19th century. This Indo – Saracenic structure boasts of a “natural” air-conditioning system, and houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts… bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. Located near the Museum, the Shree Chitra Kala Art Gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich, and exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of Art. Visit the Kuthiramalika Palace, built by the King of Travancore. The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family you will be transferred to Trivandrum airport for return flight back home. End of Services
End of Services
PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
7 nigh accommodation in well-appointed hotels or equivalent
Meal plan as on either Bed & Breakfast / or with Lunch or Dinner basis
Sunset cruise in Vembanand Lake, Kumarakom
Sightseeing as per itinerary by private tourist vehicle
Drivers allowances & toll taxes
Package Exclusions
Air tickets and airport taxes
Kathakali Show in Cochin
Kalaripayattu show in Thekkady
Boat-ride in Periyar Lake
Guide service as per the itinerary
Entrance fees to Abhayaranyam & Jatayu Earth Centre
Additional charges for Kumarakom village life tour
Entrance fee & Monuments charges as per the itinerary
Special activities as per the itinerary
Items of personal nature like laundry, phone calls, tips to guides / drivers etc.
Camera / Video camera fees applicable at monument
NOTES
Check Inn & Check out time as per Hotel Policy
All Major tourist places are open (except few mention in day wise schedule) and state body reserves right to close any places if found necessary.
Medium vehicle will be provided for 1-3 travellers and Innova will be provided for 4 travellers
Rooms in Munnar and Thekkady will be Non AC
Jatayu Earth centre had suspended the online booking. So only spot booking possible
Visit to Periyar Boating; private vehicles / taxi are not allowed. Guest have to use the vehicle from forest department for the transfer
Traditional Kerala Lunch(subject to availability)
Monument Closed On
Cochin – Jewish Synagogue will be closed on Friday/Saturday/Jewish Holidays
Cochin – Mattanchery Palace will be closed on Friday
Munnar – Eravikulam National Park will be closed in the month of February & March
Munnar – Tata Tea Museum will be closed on Monday
Abhayaranyam – will be closed on Monday
Trivandrum – Padmanabhaswamy Temple – Non-Indians are not allowed. Dress code to enter at the temple is Dhoti for Men & Saree for Women