Duration
8 Nights 9 DaysDestinations
Cochin Munnar - Thekkady - Periyar - Kumarakom - Kottayam - House Boat Cruise - Alleppey - Trivandrum Kovalam - TrivandrumBook Now
Day 1: Arrive Cochin
Welcome to India, You will be received by Premium India Tour representative at airport and assisted to your hotel. In the Hotel you will have a brief description of your tour and the representative will hand over your documents regarding the tour, Rest of the time at leisure. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 2: Cochin (Sightseeing tour)
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Kochi Cochin was originally settled by the Portuguese and boasts a natural harbor with lagoons, canals, and fishing hamlets. One of the three biggest ports on India’s west coast, it is also an industrially developed area, with the coir industry of special importance (coir is a coarse fiber made from the husk of coconuts). Today you’ll visit the Cochin Harbor Terminus; the Dutch Palace in Mattancherry, originally built by the Portuguese; Jewish Synagogue and Jew Town (the synagogue houses scrolls of the Old Testament); Fort Cochin area; St. Francis Church, the oldest European-built church in India (and where the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama was first interred); and see a stretch of the coastline dotted with massive Chinese fishing nets (cheenavala), believed to have been introduced by traders from the court of Kublai Khan (this is the only place they are found outside of China). In the evening you’ll attend a performance of the Kathakali, an elaborate Indian dance-drama. Overnight at hotel .
Day 3: Cochin – Munnar
After an early breakfast at the hotel, drive down to Munnar - a quaint hill station nestled on the verdant slopes of tea plantations that exudes a rare old world charm.. At a height of 1525 metres, Munnar offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills. On arrival at Munnar, get checked in at the hotel. Later in the day enjoy roaming through the beautiful Tea Gardens and National Park of Munnar. This panoramic hill resort will invite you to fall in love with its beauty. The rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 4: Munnar - Thekkady – Periyar
A short drive south to Periyar, South India’s most popular wildlife sanctuary and home to bison, antelopes, sambar, wild boar, birds and even the odd tiger! Kumli, close to the sanctuary and where you’ll stay, is a pretty little town dotted with small spice and handicraft shops. There is plenty to do in and around Periyar, so we leave the choice to you. Enjoy an included boat ride on Lake Periyar to spot herds of wild elephants or visit the lush nearby tea estates. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 5: Thekkady / Kumarakom
A drive to Kumarakom. Perched sleepily on the eastern banks of the mighty Lake Vembanad in the heartland of Kerala’s famed backwaters, Kumarakom has changed little since the Middle Ages but for it’s string of exotic resorts, making it the perfect point to explore the backwaters. Although right in the thick of a tangle of lush tropical waterways, Kumarakom is technically an island on Lake Vembanad. This is an ideal place to chill-out for a few days. There is also a wonderful bird sanctuary, winter home to many migratory birds which is worth a visit. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 6: Kumarakom - Kottayam – House Boat Cruise
In the morning drive to the Kottayam Jetty to board a "Kettuvallam", the traditional Kerala House Boat. Embark on a cruise on the scenic backwaters towards Alleppey. The still lagoon will welcome you with palm trees lining on the shore. Watching the daily activity of the villagers will enrich your curiosity. The Chinese Fishing Nets set in the shore, and fishermen gliding slowly on the water, bunch of ducks swimming nearby the bank, birds chirping in the sky - all together presents a very pleasant picturesque worth to mesmerize you. You will stick to the deck watching the splendid scenery of backwater and taking sun bath. As you take your lunch, you will reach at Punnamada lake. This is the place where every year world famous boat race is organised. Cruising through the Vembanad lake will unfold a very panoramic view of the backwater full of peace and tranquility. In the evening, you will visit the paddy fields. It will give you better insight of the village life of Kerala as you will have opportunity to interact with the local villagers and will know well their daily activities. Overnight at Houseboat. .
Day 07 and 08 Alleppey - Trivandrum – Kovalam
Morning on arrival at Alleppey you will drive to Kovalam en route visit Trivandrum, the capital of the State of Kerala and a beautiful seaside city. Here visit the ancient temple of Sri Padmanabhaswamy, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the presiding deity of the town, the Sri Chitra Art Gallery and other local sights. Continue drive to Kovalam and check into beach resort. Rest of the day is at leisure. Rest of the time you are free to enjoy your time at beach side. Overnight at hotel.
Days 09: Trivandrum - Departure
Morning is at leisure. In time transfer to Trivandrum airport to board your flight back home.