Kerala Backwater & Beach 9nights/ 10days

TRIP SUMMARY

Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel

Cochin Sightseeing

Lunch during sightseeing

Dinner options

Munnar Tea Estate visit

Munnar Sightseeing


Dinner options

Lunch

Dinner options

Pariyar (Thekkady) Sightseeing


Dinner options

Alleppey Houseboat (Overnight Cruise)

Kovalam

Arrive Cochin

Cochin - Munnar (140kms/ 3hrs approx)

Munnar

Munnar - Periyar (Thekkady) (245kms/ 5hrs approx)

Periyar

Periyar - Alleppey (135kms/ 3hrs approx)

Alleppey - Kovalam Beach (200kms/ 4hrs approx)

Kovalam

Kovalam

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Kovalam - Departure

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Pick-up

ARRIVE COCHIN

Pick up from airport and transfer to hotelOn arrival at airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel.Rest time free and easy for personal activities relax. Overnight at hotel.

COCHIN - MUNNAR (140KMS/ 3HRS APPROX)

Breakfast at hotel.

Cochin SightseeingCochin one of South India’s most interesting towns, still largely comprises low rise,picturesque buildings. Visit Mattanchery Palace, built by the Portuguese (1557)as a gift for the Raja of Kochi in exchange for trading rights, it was largely rebuilt bythe new occupants, the Dutch. Further visit Jewish Synagogue adjacent to thePalace. This gem of a synagogue dating from 1568 (rebuilt in 1662) at the heart ofwhat is called locally Jew Town, now a fascinating mixture of shops (some sellingantiques), warehouses and spice auction rooms. Lateron drive to Fort Kochibeach area to visit St. Francis Church originally dedicated to Santo Antonio, thepatron saint of Portugal, St. Francis Church is the first to reflect the new, Europeaninfluenced tradition. Vasco da Gama died on the site in 1524 and was originallyburied in the cemetery. Fourteen years later his body was removed to Portugal. Ourfinal visit will be to huge Chinese Fishing Nets line the entrance to the harbourmouth. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the late14th century although, today, parts of the nets are known by Portuguese names.

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Lunch during sightseeingLunch during the tour at your choice of restaurant on direct payment basis. Ourguide can suggest the restaurant of your choice meal and within your budget.

Later afternoon drive to Munnar check in at hotel.

Dinner optionsDinner at your choice of restaurant or at your hotel on direct payment basis.Overnight at hotel.

MUNNAR

Breakfast at hotel

Munnar Tea Estate visit

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The hill station of Munnar are synonymous with rolling hills that are carpeted withverdant plantations of tea – a delicious beverage loved worldwide. This place isrecognised for having some of the best and most beautiful tea gardens across theglobe. Owing to the presence of large tea estates and big names in the field, it isregarded as a prominent hub of tea trade in the country. As tea has become one ofthe reasons behind this hill station's international fame, it is considered animportant aspect of this place. Keeping this in mind, Tata Tea established a teamuseum to provide an insight into the process that is involved behind everydelicious sip of tea.

Visit Kolukkumalai Tea Estate & Kanan Devan Tea Museum for tea testing.

Munnar SightseeingDevikulam; The quaint hill station of Devikulam rests like a celestial beauty in themidst of luxurious velvet green hills. This pristine hill station is located at a distanceof 16 km from Munnar at an altitude of 1700 meters above sea level. The hill stationis famous for its crystal-clear lake of Sita Devi. Legend connects Devikulam to theancient Hindu epic of Ramayana. It is believed that during their exile, Sita Devi - theconsort of Lord Rama took a bath in this lake. The water in the lake is consideredto contain minerals and is acclaimed for its healing powers.

Rajamala; Located at a distance of 15km from Munnar at an altitude of about 2695meters above sea level. The hills are a part of the Rajamala wildlife sanctuary,home to the endangered mountain goat species locally known as Nilgiri Thars. Half

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of the world’s population of this endangered species is found in this region. Thesanctuary was created to protect and revive this rare species of mountain goatsfrom almost near extinction. These goats roam around in small herds climbing therocky terrain with amazing agility. The total number of mountain goats is estimatedto be around 1300 in the region. Visitors are not permitted to enter the sanctuaryduring monsoon season and also during the breeding season of the goats.

Mattupetty; the town of Mattupetty though small in geographical area is a treasuretrove of natures abounding glories. Every nuke and cranny of it is crammed with theluxurious bounties of nature. The town is located at a distance of about 13 km fromMunnar at an altitude of 1700 meters above sea level. Mattupetty is famous for itsmuch renowned dairy farm; the Indo-Swiss livestock project. A large variety of highyielding cattle are reared in Mattupetty. At a stones throw away lies the picturesqueMattupetty dam and lake. The ideal way to revel in the beauty of this scenic localeis a boat cruise. The spot is preferred by picnickers due to its amazing naturalbeauty. Nearby is the beautiful Kundala Lake and adjoining Tea Plantations.



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MUNNAR - PERIYAR (THEKKADY) (245KMS/ 5HRS APPROX)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Periyar check in at hotel.

LunchLunch at hotel or at local restaurant on direct payment basis

Explore the park by hiking through the buffer zone of the forest with tribal tracker asa local guide from the forest department. Further make a short drive to nearbyplantations to know more about the spices of Kerala and the plantation crops.Evening again explore the sanctuary which offers a lovely and comfortable way tosee the animals via boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife areaencircles.


PERIYAR

Breakfast at hotel

Pariyar (Thekkady) SightseeingExplore Periyar National Park by boat cruise. The forests rich in bird life andarboreal animals like giant squirrel and Nilgiri langur. The rafting is for about threehours and one gets a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake.Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges ofthe lake. Pariyar Wildlife Sanctuary set on attractive Periyar Lake side is in abeautiful setting and was designated a part of Project Tiger in 1973, though Tigersare very rarely seen and it is better known for its elephants, which are very likely tobe seen. Most bull elephants here are tuskless. Bison, Sambar, Wild boar and thebarking Deer are fairly common. In addition to 246 species of birds, there are 112species of butterfly. This sanctuary is rich with a number of noteworthy speciesinclude the Dater or Snake Bird, Little Cormorant, Night Heroin, Golden- backed

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woodpecker, Crow Pheasant, White Breasted Water Hen and Tree Pie etc. Theseason for migratory birds is from November to March.



PERIYAR - ALLEPPEY (135KMS/ 3HRS APPROX)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Alleppey check in at hotel/ houseboat.

Alleppey Houseboat (Overnight Cruise)Alleppey, also called the Venice of East, interlocked with a large number of canals

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and bridges. Board a houseboat from here and enjoy the cruise through theenchanting backwaters. Houseboat comprises double/ twin bed room, withattached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in which to relax and enjoythe sights on the shore. Start our sail through scenic backwaters, passing throughone of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level. Thehouseboat will cruise through the Chambakulam area by mid-morning and anchorto explore the boat yard, which displays the traditional long snake boats used inraces. Visit St. Mary’s Church, established by St. Thomas in 1721. In the evening,catch a glimpse of village life along the backwaters and experience a way of lifeunique to this region. The boat will pass through picturesque stretches of thebackwaters of Alleppey and moor up for overnight in Vemabanadu Lake.

Lunch, dinner and overnight at houseboat.

ALLEPPEY - KOVALAM BEACH (200KMS/ 4HRS APPROX)

Breakfast at hotel drive to Kovalam check in at hotel.

Kovalam

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Kovalam a world-famous beach resort, has lovely coconut palms fringe the goldensands. Foreigners throng Ayurvedic parlors, yoga and meditation centers, that havesprung up all over the place. There are a number of beach resorts in and aroundKovalam. The sea port of Vizhinjam is famous for its special varieties of fish, oldHindu temples, big churches and a Muslim shrine. It was among the mostprominent tourist spots in India during the hippy era. It still has a high status amongtourists (mostly European) even now the glory of this beach attracting more andmore tourists. The sands on the beaches in Kovalam are partially black in colourdue to the presence of ilmenite and thorazite. There are two main beaches atKovalam, separated by a high cliff. There is small light house in the Eve's beach.

KOVALAM

Breakfast at hotel day free and easy for personal activities & relax on the beach.Overnight at hotel.

KOVALAM

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Breakfast at hotel day free and easy for personal activities & relax on the beach.Overnight at hotel.

KOVALAM - DEPARTURE

Breakfast at hotel day free and easy for personal activities & relax on the beach.

As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

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Kerala Backwater & Beach 9nights/ 10days · 2017-09-14 · Alleppey - Kovalam Beach (200kms/ 4hrs...

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Transcript of Kerala Backwater & Beach 9nights/ 10days · 2017-09-14 · Alleppey - Kovalam Beach (200kms/ 4hrs...