Duration: 9 nights / 10 days |
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Day 01: Arrival Cochin (35 km-1 hrs)
Arrive
by flight, after 'Indian Swagat' (Welcome)
our company representative would assist you at airport
& transfer to hotel. Overnight Hotel
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Day 02: Cochin
After breakfast, we proceed on a guided tour of the City. The true character of the city is to be found in the older parts of the Fort Cochin area. It more or less exists as it used to be a 1000 years back, when it was first built. The roads have not been widened because the old haggard buildings, through patchwork repairs over the centuries, still stand on the edges. This part of the city reflects an unusual blend of medieval Portugal, Dutch and English country life grafted on to the tropical Malabar Coast. The fishing community of Cochin is also very interesting. They ancient cantilevered fishing nets called Chinese Fishing Nets. The net is fixed to a pole on the shore. While fishing, the entire net is lowered by a primitive fulcrum mechanism using long bamboo poles. By the same mechanism the pole is lifted along with the catch. We will explore the sights of Photographic as well as cultural interest. We would also visit the 16th century Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace since the Dutch substantially renovated the palace in the 17th century. The double storied quadrangular building surrounds a courtyard containing a Hindu temple. The Central Hall on the first floor was the coronation hall of the Rajas of Cochin; on display are their dresses, turbans and palanquins. The most important feature of this palace, however, is the astonishing murals in the bedchambers and other rooms, which depict scenes from the Ramayana and other religious legends. These murals are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful and extensive anywhere to be seen in India. The unique feature here is the unexpected and isolated Jewish community, whose origins date back to AD 52. They are self-contained and have there own Synagogue.
The area around the Synagogue, known, as ‘Jew Town’ is one of the main centres of spice trade. Scores of small firms huddle together in old dilapidated buildings and the air is filled with the aroma of ginger, cardamom, cumin, turmeric and cloves. The area is very busy. The potters are loading gunny bags of spices on to carts, which keep running up and down the narrow lanes. We would visit Jew Town, in the Mattancherry section and a short walk from the ferry, is one street long. Jews used to occupy virtually all the houses on Jew Town Road, where they sold fruits, vegetables and spices or worked as oil pressers or carpenters. The spice markets are still located on the narrow street.
Day 03: Cochin - Thekkady (160 km- 5 hrs)
On the third day, move on to Thekkady and check in at the Hotel/Resort to have a blast. Spend the whole day contemplating at leisure and have an overwhelming overnight stay at Thekkady.
Day 04: Thekkady
Take
the breakfast at the hotel and then move on to attend
a game viewing cruise on the Periyar Lake, where you
will get a glimpse of elephants, monkeys, deer, wild
boar and quite a lot of unique birds. After the refreshing
cruise come back to the hotel, take rest and after lunch
set off for a spice plantation tour. It is then time
to return and relax on your stay at Thekkady.(Lying
close to the plantations, in the rich jungles of Periyar
in Thekkady is one of the world's most fascinating natural
wildlife reserves - the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Spread across 777 sq. km, of which 360 sq. km is thick
evergreen forest, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary was
declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. Noted for its geo-morphological
diversity of wildlife and scenic beauty, the Reserve
attracts visitors from all over the world. The splendid
artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Dam across
the Periyar river adds to the charm of the park. This
is the only sanctuary in India where you can have the
unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters
from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest
attraction of Periyar remains the large herds of wild
elephants that come down to the lake's edge.)
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Day 05: Thekkady - Kumarakom (30 Km-1 hrs)
On fifth day take the breakfast and move on to Kumarakom. Check-in to your Hotel/Resort on the banks of the Vembanad Lake and get indulged into the luxury of an Ayurvedic Massage (Optional). Spend your leisure at the place and have an overnight stay at Kumarakom.
Day 06: Kumarakom
Now it is time to go for bird watching at the bird sanctuary. Have a look at the exotic collection of birds; enjoy the twittering and all kinds of mellifluent bird songs. Later come back to the resort and after breakfast visit to the farm house. Rest of the day is meant for leisure, so relax and enjoy your another stay at Kumarakom.
Day 07: Kumarakom Houseboat
Take your breakfast and check in to the waiting houseboat. On the way, get mesmerized by the romantic beauty of the nature of "God's Own Country", Kerala. The coconut palm fringed canals are really beautiful to watch. Get flavors of everyday life in the villages by having a look at the local people going for a fresh catch of the day & the tapping of toddy (Local beverages) from palm trees. Return to your place of halt and take rest for the rest of the day. Stay overnight at the houseboat.
Day 08: Alleppey - Kovalam (180 Km-5 hrs)
On the 7th Day make your schedule a little slow. After sumptuous breakfast proceed to Kovalam and spend the whole day at leisure at the exotic Beach. Overnight stay at Kovalam and sink into the natural beauty.
Day 09: Kovalam
After breakfast, set off for a sight seeing of Thiruvananthapuram covering Museum complex, Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Science & Technology museum, Veli Tourist village, Aakulam boat club, Shangmugham Beach. Come back to Kovalam for yet another stay at Kovalam.
Day 10: Departure Trivandrum (30 kms-1 hrs)
Check out of the houseboat cruise as it is the time as per the schedule to leave for the Airport/ Railway station at Cochin for your onward journey back home
tours end |