SOUTH INDIA- KERALA DISCOVERY/11 Days

Description

Kerala is a land of rivers, backwaters, the verdant paradise, exotic coconut palms and wonderful beaches; a trip starting with wonderful Kathakali dance performance to relax in backwater cruises. Starts KOCHI /Ends TRIVANDRUM

Tour code: JRI

Highlights:

• Kochi- Kathakali Performance, Mattancherry Dutch Palace, Jewish Synagogue, Francis Church
• Munnar: Tea plantations, Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty Lake and Dam and Echo Point
• Thekkady: Periyar Nature Park, Kalaripayattu – an ancient South Indian martial art
• Spice market at Kumily, Boat ride on Lake Periyar
• Kumarakom: Sunset Cruise on backwaters
• Poovar: Beautiful beach of Kovalam
• Kanyakumari: Meeting point of three major seas, Gandhi Mandapam, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Swami Vivekananda Memorial rock, Thiruvalloor, Goddess Kanyakumari
• Private Single supplement available, No Single extra to share with same sex
• Private tour Supplement available

 Inclusions:

• Airport Arrival & Departure Transfers
• Daily Breakfast
• 1 Nights accommodation in Kochi
• 2 Nights accommodation in Munnar
• 1 Night Accommodation in Thekkady
• 1 Night houseboat at backwater cruising
• 1 Night accommodation in Kovalam
• 1 Night accommodation in Poovar
• 1 Night accommodation in Trivandrum
• Guided Sightseeing as per itinerary
• English speaking local guide
• Entry fees to the monuments as per itinerary
• All domestic taxes
• All transportation using air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions:

• Camera fees at the monuments.
• Any Airfare
• Australia airport transfers
• Visa
• Tips and gratuities.
• Medical & Travel Insurance.
• Personal expenses such as laundry, beverages, telephone calls, Tips etc.
• Any other expenses not covered above.
• Anything not mentioned in itinerary

Itinerary:

Day 1: Australia to Kochi

Fly with your preferred airlines enjoy the food, get excited about your trip and sit back and relax

Day 2: Arrive Kochi

Welcome to Incredible India, You are in Kochi also called as Cochin and Ernakulam. Meet and greet at the airport and evening is free for leisure. You may explore the city at your pace. Later watch “Kathakali Performance”.  Get your complimentary HENNA Tatoo. Stay at a hotel in Kochi.

Day 3: Kochi sightseeing to Munnar

After breakfast, we set out for a city tour of Kochi. We start with the Mattancherry Dutch Palace (closed on Fridays & Public holidays), which is a Portuguese architecture built by them in circa 1555. The Dutch in circa 1663 renovated the palace. We proceed to a Jewish Synagogue (closed on all Saturdays and Jewish holidays) located in the Jew Town and Fort Cochin Area. There are some beautiful houses as if taken out from a page of a history picture book. We move to the oldest European Church in India, the St. Francis Church (closed on Sundays from 0800 to 1100 hours). The Church houses some valuable antiquities including some rare records. We move to the tip of Fort Cochin and observe the Chinese Fishing Nets, which is a unique feature and marks the century old influence of the Chinese. Later depart to Munnar by road. Check-in to a hotel in Munnar for an overnight stay.

Day 4: Munnar Sightseeing

After breakfast, we start with a sightseeing tour of Munnar. Munnar has some exotic and serene sights to offer. The famous tea plantations and the Eravikulam National Park (closed from 15 January to 15 March) will bring you close to nature. In the afternoon, we will visit the Mattupetty Lake and Dam. We will also visit the Echo Point and if time permits, we will also pay an homage to the Tea Museum (closed on Monday and Good Friday). The overnight stay is at a hotel in Munnar.

Day 5: Munnar to Thekkady

After breakfast, we will depart for Thekkady by road. On arrival at Thekkady, we will check-in to a hotel and start with a tour of the town. Thekaddy has a wildlife sanctuary, which is considered to be one of the best in the world. We would also be visiting Periyar, which is at an altitude of 700-1900m above sea level and, therefore, has a pleasant climate. A nearby activity camp awaits us in the afternoon. Enjoy the ride through a small spice plantation and witness Kalaripayattu – an ancient South Indian martial art form and also one of the oldest fighting systems in existence today. Visit the spice market at Kumily where you can buy fresh spices. Overnight stay at the hotel in Thekkady.

Day 6: Thekkady – Kumarakom

In the morning, a boat ride in Lake Periyar awaits you. The artificial lake occupies an area of 26 sq. km. As the lake is within the wildlife park, wildlife and water birds are on full display during the boat ride. You can sight herds of elephants and bisons. Subsequently, after checkout, we embark on our journey to Kumarakom by road. You will enjoy the sunset on a Backwaters Cruise. The overnight stay is on the Cruise.

Day 7: Kumarakom to Poovar

The next morning, we will move to Poovar by road. After checking into a hotel, enjoy the peaceful beach of Kovalam at your pace.

Overnight stay is at a hotel in Poovar.

Day 8: Kovalam – Kanyakumari Excursion

From Poovar, we embark to the southern most tip of India, Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari is the meeting point of three major water bodies of the Indian subcontinent— Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal. Apart from its spiritual ambience, Kanyakumari offers a myriad of tourist locations like the Padmanabhapuram Palace (Palace of Marthanda Varma – Padmanabhapuram Palace is close to the town of Thuckalay in Kanyakumari District, Tamilnadu) which is located on the route to Kanyakumari. The setting sun imparts a mystical hue to the Vivekananda Memorial Rock, which we would reach by boat (on direct payment basis) after reaching Kanyakumari. Statue of Thiruvallor, Gandhi Mandapam and the temple of Goddess Kanyakumari adds a fillip to the spiritual and peaceful ambience of Kanyakumari. After the sunset, we return to Poovar and spend the night at the hotel.

Day 9: Poovar to Trivandrum

After breakfast at Poovar, we set for Trivandrum by road. You will get a last chance to grab some souvenirs for friends back home, as we will hit the markets for the last time.

Day 10: Trivandrum to Australia

You will leave for the Trivandrum International Airport to board your flights back home.

Day 11: Arrive Australia

You arrive in Australia, with a rejuvenated mind, body and soul. Cheers!