Duration: 11 Nights/12 Days
Places covered:Cochin - Munnar - Periyar - Kumarakom - Alleppey - Kovalam

Day 01: Arrive Cochin
Arrive Cochin. Asistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel.
(Check-in time 1200 hrs). Rest of the day at leisure.

Evening: Kathakali Dance : A special treat awaits us this evening as we proceed to witness the strength and vigor of Kathakali dance drama, as it enacts episodes from great Indian epics. The extremely stylized gestures, the elaborate make-up, the masks and the splendid costumes of these all-male dancers, recreates an incomparable sense of pageantry.
Overnight in Cochin.

Day 02: Cochin
Breakfast at hotel, Full day tour of Cochin City - With its wealth of historical associations, and its magnificent setting on a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas, Cochin is one of the most fascinating cities of coastal South India. It is a city with indelible marks of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Jewish traditions. Of Special mention is the older parts of the Fort Cochin area. It more or less exists as it used to be a 1000-year behind our times. This part of the city reflects an unusual blend of medieval Portugal, Dutch and English country life grafted on to the tropical Malabar Coast. The 16th century Mattancherry Palace, also known as the Dutch Palace is a fascinating fort with elegant buildings and interesting collections from the Royal traditions of the region. The unique feature of Cochin is the unexpected and isolated Jewish community, whose origins date back to AD 52. They are self-contained and have there own Synagogue. The area around the Synagogue, known as 'Jew Town' is one of the main centres of spice trade. Scores of small firms huddle together in old dilapidated buildings and the air is filled with the aroma of ginger, cardamom, cumin, turmeric and cloves. The area is very busy.
Overnight in Cochin.

We have two days to explore the virgin beauty of the place and its several possibilities. Anaimudi (2694 m), the highest peak in the southern India, is nearby and the views from here are incredible. Munnar offers some great possibility for nature walks and visits to nearby tribal villages where people, though poor are extremely friendly, charming and hospitable. The ethnic lifestyles, traditional homes and the traditional occupation with ethnic tools and implements provides an incredible experience. The forest that surround Munnar are still rich in wildlife. The hills surrounding Munnar are home for one of the world's rarest mountain goats, Nilgiri tahr. The tropical forests are inhabited by elephants, tigers, deer and gaur (bison) Munnar is a birdwatcher delight with a variety of birds that are supported by the evergreen vegetation of the region. If one seek a sense of peace, a desire to communicate with nature and most importantly participate in a journey through a living museum, Munnar is the place that seeks to provide all this in a heavenly setting.
Overnight in Munnar.

Day 04: Munnar
Breakfast at hotel. Explore Munnar, which is surrounded by 30 tea gardens; the atmosphere is fragrant with extensive tea and cardamom plantations. Tea estates are situated mostly on the inner slopes of an elevated basin-like plateau. Estate elevations vary from about 1220 m to over 1830 m. some of the tea plantations, at an elevation of over 2135-m, are among the highest in the world. It would be worthwhile to visit some of these tea gardens to witness the plucking of leaves by women who carry conical bamboo baskets on their back and strapped to their forehead by a cloth band. The work on the field is all done by hand and is a fascinating sight. You may also visit the nearby Lockhart Gap, which provides a panoramic view of the valley and plantation down below. The enchanting high range of lakes and streams, the low-flying clouds and the mist-filled valleys cast a magical spell, which lingers long in the memory.
Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight in Munnar.

Day 05: Munnar /Periyar (140 Kms / 3 Hrs 30 Mins)
Breakfast at hotel. Morning leave by surface to Periyar. Arrive Periyar and check into your hotel.

Afternoon visit Periyar : Periyar and its cool, misty Cardamom Hills - a magnificently scenic region 4000 feet and higher, with forests and valleys, roaring streams and pristine jungles. Arrive at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, one of India¢s first Project Tiger Reserves and an excellent place to view elephants and many other animals.

View wildlife by boat on Lake Periyar where animals come to drink. Sail within close range of elephant groups, feeding and bathing. Scout for statuesque sambar deer and giant wild oxen, or guar, browsing in the marshes. Search the green wooded shores for wild boars, monkeys, and an array of birdlife. If you are lucky, you will get a rare sighting of tiger. Spend the night in splendid isolation at your comfortable jungle cottage.
Overnight in Periyar

Day 06: Periyar/Kumarakkom (140 Kms / 03 Hrs 30 Mins)
Breakfast at hotel. Leave by surface to Kumarakom. Arrive Kumarakom and check into your hotel.
Rest of the day free for independent activities . Else you can also enjoy the an Ayurvedic body massage at the resort. You could also choose to explore the surrounding tribal villages, visit the nearby water bird sanctuary or ride through the narrow backwater channels through back of beyond Kerala.
Overnight in Kumarakom.

The main wood used is "Anjali ". The Houseboat provides all comforts - Beds, a kitchen, western toilets and an upper deck. Traditional lanterns are used as lights. The cuisine is of traditional Kerala flavour along with the local Specialties - delicious fish and prawns. Cruising on a boat through remote tribal villages along the tranquil backwaters of Kerala is a superb experience. We explore the backwaters in your Houseboat .Sensational in its own silent way, the cruise takes you along snake boat docks, friendly cheering villagers, coir (Jute) making communities, toddy (local spirit) shops, fishing nets pitched for the day's catch, bunded paddy fields and manual canoes of different sizes criss-crossing each other. The experience enables you to reach beautiful untouched areas.
Overnight onboard.

Day 08: Allepey /Kovalam (243 Kms / 5 Hrs 30 Mins)
Breakfast at hotel. Disembark at Alleppey and drive to Kovalam. On arrival check into your hotel.
Aftrernoon free for personal activities.
Overnight in Kovalam.

Day 12: Kovalam /Trivandrum Departure
Transfer in time to the Trivandrum international airport to connect flight for onward destination.

OPTIONAL – Goa Extension
Duration: 15 Nights/16 Days

Day 12: Kovalam / Calicut
Transfer in time to the railway station to board train for Calicut.
Overnight onboard.

Day 13: Pick up from Calicut railway Station. Assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel in Calicut. In the after noon a visit to Beypore Beach, One of the prominent ports and fishing harbours iof ancient Keralawas an important trade and maritme centre and Historic Kappad Beach where Vasco da gama landed on the 27th of May 1498, with 170 men in Three Vessels. A monument on the beach commemorates this historic events.
Overnight in Calicut.

Day 16: After Breakfast, Check out from your hotel and depart from Calicut Airport/Railway Station to continue your journey with sweet memories of Tour.