UNEXPLORED KERALA
Kerala, India
Day 1: ARRIVAL COCHIN
Upon arrival at Cochin international airport, you will be met by our representative who will assist you with the arrival transfer and check in formalities at the hotel.
Day 2: COCHIN- VYTHIRI (By: Surface)
Morning after breakfast you will be driven towards Vythiri (approx 270 Kms/ 5- 6 Hrs).
Vythiri: is a resort town nestled deep in the interior of Wayanad’s forests and valleys. Vythiri is a classic blend of old world charm, peaceful environs & modern amenities. Tourists throng to the town of Vythiri throughout the year to soak in the dense green cover and explore its breathtakingly serene surroundings.
Rest of the day is at leisure and overnight stay.
Day 3: VYTHIRI
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day is at leisure for own independent activities and to enjoy explored nature.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 4: VYTHIRI- GURUVAYUR (By: Surface)
Morning after breakfast you will be driven towards Guruvayur (approx 180 Kms/ 5-6 hrs drive).
Guruvayur: is the holy abode of Lord Krishna, one of the forms of Lord Vishnu. A bustling pilgrim town it is located in the Thrissur district of Kerala. Guruvayur is one the most famous religious destinations in God's Own Country. Thousands of devotees throng to this city year after year. The temple is called "Bhooloka Vaikuntam" meaning "Holy abode of Vishnu on earth" as this shrine is the most important place of worship among Hindu's.
Upon arrival, transfer and check in at the hotel, later in the afternoon visit Sri Krishna Temple (Guruvayurappan Temple) (Non Hindus not allowed in the sanctum sanctorum).Also visit the elephant camp at Punnathur kotta where over forty elephants are groomed /trained.
Overnight stay at the hotel
Day 5: GURUVAYUR- MUNNAR (By: Surface)
Morning after breakfast you will be driven to Munnar (approx 170 Kms/ 5 Hrs drive) en route visit Kalamandalam dance school training in Kathakali dance drama and other indigenous performing arts of Kerala like Mohiniyattam, Panchavadyam and Thullal.
Munnar is One of the most popular hill stations in India, Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 1600 Mts. above sea level, this was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience. Munnar is essentially a tea town.
Upon arrival in Munnar, check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit of Tea /Spice Planatations.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6: MUNNAR- PERIYAR (By: Surface)
Morning after breakfast you will be driven to Periyar (approx 120 Kms/ 3-4 hrs drive), upon arrival transer and check in at the hotel.
The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 777 km2 (300 sq mi), of which 360 km2 (140 sq mi) is thick evergreen forest. The Wild Life Sanctuary was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1978. The sanctuary is famous for its dense evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savanna grass lands. It is home to herds of elephants, Sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed Macaques and Nilgiri Langurs. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaiperiyar Dam across the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attractions of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake.
Late afternoon enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Periyar to view wildlife. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7: PERIYAR- KUMARAKOM (By: Surface)
Morning after breakfast you will be driven to Kumarakom (approx 120 Kms/ 3-4 Hrs drive).
Kumarakom is undoubtedly the most invigorating, fascinating paradise in Kerala, God's own country. This rich green, sleepy little village of Kumarakom is located on the Vembanad lake amidst mangrove forests and coconut groves. Kumarakom is an enchanting picnic spot and provides boating, fishing and sightseeing experiences that are truly exhilarating. The slender coconut palms standing here, there and everywhere, its never ending paddy fields, meandering lagoons and backwaters, mangroves nesting birds of a hundred varieties can peacefully calm and invigorate your mind. On the scenic Vembanad lake you will come across plenty of traditional country crafts or houseboats, boats and canoes. The fresh water of the lake runs into the mainland making a labyrinth of lagoons, brooks, canals and waterways. The backwater houses a variety of species of both fauna and flora and marine Life.
Rest of the day is at leisure to explore the beauty of Kumarakom or enjoy a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage at the hotel, overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8: KUMARAKOM- ALLEPPEY (By: Houseboat)
Today after breakfast embark houseboat which will cruise to Alleppey, backwater cruise gives one a fascinating insight into the life of a Kerala Backwater Village. As the boat glides along the backwaters one can see the daily life in the backwater villages: the daily life in villages on narrow strips of land, fisherman fishing, children swimming & playing in the water, women doing their daily chores, mobile shops in tiny canoes, the cultivation of paddy & its harvesting (during harvest season) huge country barges ferrying the coconuts, rice, coir etc. people traveling to mainland for work and numerous small market places, tiny temples & churches etc.
Lunch, Dinner and overnight stay at the houseboat
Note: The cruise commences at 1230 hrs with lunch served on board and continues till dusk. At dusk the boat will anchor in a wide waterway or lake for the night (The backwaters close to boat traffic at dusk as the fisherman lay their nets in the backwaters. Other boats are not allowed to ply in the backwaters after dusk. On the following day the cruise commences again after breakfast and you will be dropped at jetty in Kumarakom.
Day 9: ALLEPPEY- MARARI (By: Houseboat)
Today after breakfast disembark from the houseboat at Alleppey and then you will be driven to Mararikulam (approx 25 Kms/ 1 hr).
Marari: is the small fishing village on the backwaters of Kerala. This small village has a beautiful beach which has only sea, sand and the coconuts swinging to the rhythm of the sea winds. There is hardly any person other than the local fisher folk that one can find on this beautiful beach. The only possible thing that one gets here is proximity to nature without any middlemen!! The sea and the sand are most virgin and one can actually enjoy being with nature here. The beach here is cleaner better and gives one the actual feeling of the village life of Kerala.
Upon arrival transfer and check in at the hotel, rest of the day at leisure for own independent activities
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10: MARARI
Breakfast at the hotel
Full day is at leisure.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11: MARARI
Breakfast at the hotel
Full day is at leisure.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 12: MARARI- COCHIN (By: Surface)
Morning after breakfast you will be driven to Cochin, one of the finest natural harbors on the Arabian Sea coast. Upon arrival, transfer and check in at the hotel.
Later proceed for city tour Cochin: visiting Asia's best preserved Synagogue, the Dutch Palace and the oldest European Church in India the St. Francis Church where Vasco Da Gama was originally buried.
In the afternoon take a harbour cruise to see some of the nearby island and Chinese fishing nets. Later in the evening proceed for traditional Kathakali dance performance.
Return back to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 13: COCHIN- DEPARTURE (By: Surface)
In time transfer to the airport to connect flight for onward destination .
** TOUR END **