Tranquil Kerala

Kerala also was known as God’s own Country and voted as one of the top 10 destinations in the world by Conde Nast Traveler is a completely unique experience than anything else in India. It is the home of the backwaters, where you can see elephants in the wild, sit on a hammock and relax in natures embrace, enjoy spice seafood and experience the natural therapies of Ayurveda. This 8 day holiday covers the finest experiences of where you visit Cochin, Kumarakom, Munnar, Periyar, and Alleppey.

Our Program

Day 01 - ARRIVE COCHIN

Welcome to God’s own Country! On arrival at Cochin airport, meet and greet by our representative and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is free to get over the jet lag. Evening you will have an introduction to the traditional dance form of Kerala – Kathakali! This dance form tells you the story from the epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata. It takes a couple of hours for the artists to do their makeup. You will be witnessing their makeup session and see the mortal men transfer into the character they play.

Day 02 - IN COCHIN

Today morning you will be met by your guide for a tour of Cochin which despite being the commercial hub is a self-assured combination of both the past and the present. It’s the melting pot of history including, Dutch, Portuguese, Chinese and Jewish influence. Chinese fishing nets of Fort Kochi is an unusual form of fishing — shore operated lift nets; St. Francis Church is the oldest European church in India that has great historical significance as a mute witness to the European colonial struggle in the subcontinent. Also, visit The Mattancherry Palace also known as Dutch Palace and the Jew Town including the Jewish Synagogue the oldest synagogue in the commonwealth nations. Rest of the day is at leisure to explore the spice & fish market or to take a sunset cruise in the harbor.

Day 03 - DRIVE COCHIN TO MUNNAR

After a leisurely breakfast drive to the hill town of Munnar (4 hrs). On the way make many stops to capture the stunning beauty of the Western Ghat hills, waterfalls, and plantations. On arrival in Munnar, check in at your hotel. Rest of the day is to relax by the pool, reading a book or just marveling the scenic beauty.

Day 04 - IN MUNNAR

Today morning you will be visiting some tea plantations and the Tea factory where you will witness the process of the tea leaves being turned into the high-quality tea that lands in your daily cup of brew. Rest of the day free to explore the Munnar town.

Day 05 - DRIVE MUNNAR TO PERIYAR

After an early breakfast, you will drive to Periyar (2 hrs) on the way visit spice plantations. There are over twelve varieties of spices that are cultivated in this region such as cardamom, pepper, vanilla, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, Ayurvedic herbs etc. The trip also passes through coffee and tea plantations. On arrival in Periyar, with the assistance of our representative, you check in at the hotel. Later leave for an afternoon boat cruise on Lake Periyar to watch wildlife. This 777 sq km national park is home to the Asiatic elephants and Royal Bengal tiger along with other animals, birds, and reptiles. The boat cruise is the best way possible to explore the park and to watch the wildlife from close quarters. Evening explores the Kumily spice market to see and buy spices if you have already not bought some during the spice plantation visit.

Day 06 - DRIVE PERIYAR TO KUMARAKOM

We start with an early morning drive to Kumarakom (3 hrs), and on arrival switch over to House Boat and cruise along the backwaters towards Alleppey. The Backwaters of Kerala is a network of interconnected canals, rivers, lakes, and inlets formed by more than 900 km of waterways. The backwaters have a unique ecosystem – freshwater from the rivers meets the seawater from the Arabian Sea. While cruising through these canals in a canoe boat you would come across many interesting aspects of day to day life in the land as well as on water. You can see the flourishing paddy fields, coconut lagoons & isolated islands. Also, enjoy the lifestyles of the villagers while walking through the paddy fields.

Day 07 - IN ALLEPPEY

Today morning on arrival in Alleppey switches over from Houseboat to a lake facing resort in Alleppey. Rest of the day is to laze around the pool, visit nearby temples or to indulge in an Ayurvedic massage.

Day 08 - DRIVE ALLEPPEY TO COCHIN - DEPART

Today morning you will bid farewell to God’s own country and be transferred to Cochin airport in time to connect onward flight home.

Important notes

Inclusion:

  • All sightseeing program as per the itinerary.
  • All transfers, sightseeing & excursions will be by an AC Vehicle.
  • Services of an English speaking local guide for the monuments as per the program.
  • All entrances to the monuments and activities as per the program.
  • Road taxes, parking fee, fuel charges and interstate taxes as per the program.
  • Mineral water bottles in the vehicle [02 bottles each day]s
  • Wet tissues places in the vehicle for the entire tour.
  • Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers with meet and Assist.
  • All currently applicable taxes, including, GST of 5% applicable on total invoice amount

Little gifts from Travel East:

  • Departure Gift.
  • Free WIFI in Vehicles.

Exclusion:

  •  Expenses of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone / fax calls, alcoholic beverages, Camera /video camera fees at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure taxes, etc.
  • Any meals, other than those specified above.
  • Any meals other than specified in the quote-supplement mentioned above.
  • Any insurance
  • Any visa fees
  • Any optional activities
  • Any optional activities as mentioned in the program
  • Domestic air-fare.
  • Any other services not mentioned in the inclusion
  • Any additional transfers
  • Early Check-In/Late Check Out
  • Any Tips / Porter charges

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Tour Map

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Historic Kochi – Parsi Synagogue, Dutch Palace, St Francis Church, Fort Cochin, vibrant boats and Chinese Fishing nets on the waterfront
  • The protected Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Lake – elephant and tiger reserve.
  • Coastal Alleppey – the Venice of the East
  • Munnar Hill Station – the summer retreat of the British in the coursework of colonial times.
  • Tropical Kumarakom & the famous Keralan backwaters

Tour Map

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Historic Kochi – Parsi Synagogue, Dutch Palace, St Francis Church, Fort Cochin, vibrant boats and Chinese Fishing nets on the waterfront
  • The protected Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Lake – elephant and tiger reserve.
  • Coastal Alleppey – the Venice of the East
  • Munnar Hill Station – the summer retreat of the British in the coursework of colonial times.
  • Tropical Kumarakom & the famous Keralan backwaters