ELEMENTS OF KERALA

Kerala is probably the greenest place you will ever see. It is one of the 10 paradises in the world. The coconut palms, the red tiled houses, the innumerable lakes, winding backwater canals and beaches will remain long lasting impressions to any visitor. The colourful festivals, various types of dances, martial arts and wildlife sanctuaries are the other attractions. Ayurveda the 5000-year-old system of medicine is becoming very popular with tourists visiting Kerala.
This “God’s own country” is a narrow strip of land located on the south-western edge of the Indian sub continent. It is sandwiched between the Western Ghats mountain chain range on the East and the Arabian Sea on the west.
Legend say that Parashurama, the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu threw his axe into the sea from Gokarnam (present day Mangalore) and it is believed the sea retreated till where the axe fell to give birth to Kerala.

Places Covered: Cochin-Munnar-Periyar-Kumarakom-Alleppey-Kovalam-Trivandrum

Day 01: RRIVE COCHIN
Morning: On arrival in Cochin airport, meet and greet by our representative and transfer to hotel. Afternoon: Guided tour of Cochin. Evening: Attend Kathakali dance performance.
Cochin the palmgreen commercial town of Kerala has one of the finest natural harbours in the world. A town with a hoary past, Cochin is the gateway to Kerala. The Jewish Synagogue – built in 1568 AD contains Grand Scrolls of the Old Testament and the copper plates containing the privileges granted to the Jews by the Cochin rulers. The floor of the synagogue is paved with exquisite Chinese hand painted tiles. The Dutch Palace was built by the Portuguese and presented to the Cochin Raja in 1555 AD. 17th century murals depicting scenes from the Indian epic, the Ramayana can be seen here. St Francis Church, built originally by the Portuguese in 1510 AD is believed to be the first church built by Europeans in India. Vasco da Gama was originally buried here. The Chinese fishing nets can be seen at the entrance of the harbour. The Chinese through trade contact taught this technique of catching fish .

Overnight in Cochin

Day 02 : COCHIN / MUNNAR
Morning: Drive to Munnar (135 kms/04½ hrs) and on arrival in Munnar, check in at hotel. Afternoon: Visit tea plantations.
Munnar(1,524 M), is the highest town of Kerala, with a cool, bracing climate exuding an old-world charm. The atmosphere is fragrant with extensive tea and cardamom plantations. There are enchanting high ranges, lakes and streams and beautiful view of low-lying clouds and the mist filled valleys.

Overnight in Munnar

Day 03 :IN MUNNAR
Morning: Tour of Munnar visiting Eravikulam National Park where you can see the very rare mountain goat, locally called teh Nilgiri Tahr. Pothamedu – view of tea, coffee and cardamom plantaions and breath taking view of hills and lush mountains.
Overnight in Munnar

Day 04: MUNNAR / PERIYAR
Early Morning: Drive to Periyar (100 kms/03 hrs) and on arrival, check in at hotel. Afternoon: Boat ride in Lake Periyar to watch wildlife. Later visit Kumily spice market to see and buy spices.

Periyar Tiger Reserve, 777 sq. km in area is set in a rich, mixed deciduous forest, interspersed with open areas of tall grass. Periyar has a splendid artificial lake dotted with snags of dead wood, which provide a perch for waterbirds; darter, grey heron, egret and kingfisher. It is one of the finest habitats for the Asiatic elephant. These enormous mammals swim in the waters and streams and usually they can be observed during the boat ride. Periyar also holds, apart from Tiger leopard, sambar, wild dog, barking deer, the lion tailed macaque, the Nilgiri langur. The forest harbours a variety of woodland birds. Boat travel is the only means of transport in the Sanctuary.

Overnight in Periyar

Day 05 : PERIYAR / KUMARAKOM
Morning: Drive to Kumarakom (125 kms/03 hrs) and on arrival check in at a lake facing resort. Rest of the day free to visit Kumarakom bird sanctuary or independent activities.

Overnight in Kumarakom

Day 06: HOUSE BOAT
Morning Switch over to House Boat and cruise along the backwaters towards Alleppey passing through villages, paddy fields, markets and other sites.

The cruise is through `Kuttanad’ literally meaning the land, which is lower than the sea level but is kept intact by its bunds and dikes. It is the `rice bowl’ of Kerala. The rice fields are very beautiful and this lush land and surrounds governs the placid way of life of the people who live on the backwaters.

Overnight on board House Boat

Day 07: ARRIVE ALLEPPEY
Morning: On arrival in Alleppey disembark from HouseBoat and check in at a resort. Rest of the day free to visit the village markets, temples, and churches or to relax on the lakefront.

Overnight in Alleppey

Day 08: ALLEPPEY / KOVALAM
Morning: Drive to Kovalam enroute stop at Trivandrum (190-kms/04½ hrs) and on arrival in Kovalam, check in at a beach resort. Rest of the day to relax at the beach or indulge in Ayurvedic massages.

Kovalam is a sheltered bay endowed with unusual beauty, located on the magnificent Arabian Sea coast. This natural bay is a safe sea-pool, free from high waves and surges. The 30 kms drive from the Tiruvanantapuram airport to the beach through groves of palms is refreshing. It is an ideal place to swim, sunbathe and perhaps enjoy the ancient rites of an Ayurvedic massage and oil bath.

Overnight in Kovalam

Day 09: IN KOVALAM
Full day free on the beach. Optional excursion to Kanyakumari (87 kms)

Kanyakumari (87 kms)  the land’s end of India, is also known as Cape Comorin. It is the southernmost tip of the subcontinent, where the waters of the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian sea and the Indian Ocean meet. It is famous for its fabulous sunrises and sunsets. Off the coast on an imposing rock, is the Vivekananda Memorial.

Padmanabhapuram was the capital of the Maharajas of Travancore. Their erstwhile Palace known as the Padmanabapuram Palace is a splendid example of traditional Kerala architecture. It has beautiful mural paintings and elaborate woodwork. The Palace complex consists of elegant buildings with steep tiled roofs and intricate wood-carving and small courtyards.

At Suchindram , on the way to Kanyakumari , is the great Temple dedicated to Brahma Vishnu and Siva . This was where Indra performed penance and was cleansed. The temple here is known for its intricate stone carvings.
Overnight in Kovalam

Day 10 : KOVALAM / TRIVANDRUM / DEPART
Morning: Assistance and transfer to Trivandrum airport (25 kms) in time to connect flight onward flight home…..

(End of Tour)