Exotic Kerala Tour

Overview
You just can not ask for better than. It covers the real heat of Kerala. Covers the forts and Churches of Cochin followed by luxuries at beach. It covers "the secure beauty of Munnar followed by wildlife in Periyar. The tour ends with the backwater in Kumrakam & Alleppey

Inclusions
Accommodation, Meal, Transport, Services of local guides for sightseeing tours, Boating, One night stay at Houseboat.

Exclusions
Shopping and other meals apart from breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 01 : Arrival Cochin
Assistance on arrival at Cochin airport, you will be meeting our representative and transferred to the hotel. After some rest and relaxation take a sightseeing tour of Cochin: Oasis state of Kerala & on to the Malabar Coasts & Kochi (formerly Cochin), one of the India's most colourful cities. This inter, connected series of Islands & shoreline presents a vivacious blend of Cultures & Religions; Visit to Fort Cochin & St. Frances Church to see the town of Vasco da Gama. We also see the Jewish Synagogue & the Mattancherry "Dutch" Palace. This evening a memorable experience in any journey in Kerala is a Boat Trip along the Palm Fringed Lakes & Backwaters of the Area; we enjoy this extraordinary excursion today. As we sail along the shady canals we see cantilevered Chinese fishing nets. From our launch, we enjoy use of narrow produced - Laden dugouts & the everyday life of families living on narrow spits of land between the waters. In the evening enjoy the Kathakali, one of India's most famous Classical dances. Lavish Costumes & Exotic makeup & Masks intensify the beauty of the dancers, intricate moments. Overnight at Cochin.

Day 02 : Cochin - Cherai Beach (35 kms - 1 hour)
Morning after breakfast check out the hotel and drive to Cherai. The closest decent beach to Cochin. The beach shelters a backwater and supports an active fishing community, some of whom use Chinese fishing nets. Overnight stay at Cherai beach.
Day 03 : Cherai Beach
After breakfast the day is free for rest and individual activities in the Cherai beach, the paradise of sun, sand, sea and surf. Later return to the hotel for overnight at Cherai beach.

Day 04 : Cherai Beach - Munnar (132 kms - 2 ½ hours)
After breakfast checkout and drive to Munnar. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Day free for rest and leisure activities in the Munnar. Later visit at Rajmalai Wild Life sanctuary - this is the only sanctuary in India where Indian Ibex's are found, followed by visit at Kannan Devan Hills from here you can have a panoramic view of Munnar Tea Estates & the Lake of Munnar. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05 : Munnar
Day After breakfast you can opt to visit to Mattupetty famous for its highly specialized dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss live stock project. Over 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into three of the eleven cattle sheds at the farm, followed by visit to Pothamedu which offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and Long Mountain walks. Later visit at Devikulam (7 km from Munnar). This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing. Return to the hotel for overnight stay at Munnar. Optionally you can visit Eravikulam National Park (15 km from Munnar) the park is 97 sq. km, situated in the Devikulam Taluk and is home to the Nilgiri Tahr. Considering the ecological, faunal, floral, geo-morphological and zoological significance, it was declared as a National park in 1978. The park is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world. Later return to the hotel for overnight at Munnar.

Day 06 : Munnar- Periyar: (110 kms 2 ½ hour drive)
After breakfast checkout and drive to Thekkaddy, on arrival transfer to the hotel, later visit at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary one of India's biggest wildlife sanctuaries covering 777 sq. Km (300 Sq. miles) is a Tiger Reserve. Its centrepiece, the man-made Periyar Lake at the height of 2000 ft. covers 26 sq. km, running through the forests of the Western Ghats in Kerala, discover the park, animals found here include elephant, sambar, gaur and wild animals found here include elephant, sambar, gaur and wild boars and birds like ibis and grey heron. The visit is done in a boat to view animals with a bit of extra luck we may be able to see the rare tiger as well. Later in the evening take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. on your way back to the hotel, you could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices. Overnight at Periyar.
Day 07 : Periyar - Kumarakom (114 kms - 2 hrs)
After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat and drive to Kumarakom - for the nature-lover. Here in this backwater town, you can laze in a canoe amidst sylvan surroundings where the only presence is yours and the egrets. Later visit at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, located on the banks of the Vembanad Lake, to see bird viewing where numerous species of birds, including Darters, Bitterns, Brahminy kites, Marsh Harries, Teals and several varieties of Herons roost are found. For an inquisitive bird watcher, it is always advisable to carry their binoculars at all times. Return to hotel, Make sure you do not miss out on Karimeen and fresh toddy the favourite fresh water food and the local wine. Overnight stay at Kumarakom.

Day 08 : Kumarakom - Alleppey: Backwaters tours through sailing boat to Alleppey
After breakfast checkout and drive for Alleppey, on arrival embark at the houseboat. The day for the journey of backwaters in the boat, through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters of Alleppey by regattas (snake boats) for which Kerala is very famous, while sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget. The Chinese fishing nets, the reminiscent of our past trade links, are also found on the way. Flocks of duck swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures reflecting the charm of this tourist land, you also enjoy fishing from the houseboats, evening enjoy sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats, moving towards Kumarakom. The Houseboats have generated electricity; sitting cum dinning area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a Chef, and Srank (Driver). Overnight at the houseboat.

Day 09 : Alleppey - Cochin (65 Kms - 1 ½ hour) - Hometown (By Air)
After breakfast disembark the houseboat and drive to Cochin. On arrival transfer to the international airport to board the scheduled flight for your Home Town. On departure the tour concludes with happy memories.