Unexplored Kerala Tour

Explore the stunning south of India, taking in the plush tea plantations of lofty Munnar & Ooty in the magical Nilgiri Hills, riding the toy train to Coonoor & going wild in Muthanga Wildlife Reserve!

Our Program

Day 1: Kochi

Welcome to the tropical south! Arrive at Kochi International Airport in Kerala by 10 am included transfer to hotel. In the afternoon embark on a short sightseeing tour of historic Fort Kochi, highlights include the Chinese Fishing Nets, the ancient Jewish Synagogue which was built in 1567, the Dutch Palace, with its 17th Century murals of the Ramayana and St. Francis’ Church. and in the evening we watch a Kathakali Dance show, the most popular and sacred dance-drama of Kerala, which has evolved over the last 400 years. Overnight – Kochi

Days 2 - 3: Tea Estates of Munnar

Kochi – Munnar. On day two they travel to lofty Munnar. At an altitude of 6000 feet, the tea plantations of Munnar are beautifully spread like the green carpet over hundreds of kilometres and surrounded by lush green hills. The tea plantations of Munnar offer a striking scope of the Western Ghats, Munnar is fundamentally a tea town which becomes obvious on approach to Munnar as tea gardens cover the hillsides for miles. The Assam variety of tea is grown in Munnar & the tea plants are kept to a manageable height of one to one.5 metres, if left to grow in the wild tea plants can reach as high as 25 metres & cuttings are used from these strong healthy plants to be definite the bushes are of fine quality than raising the bushes from a seedling. This afternoon they visit Raja Malai – the highest peak of Munnar, where you might be lucky to see Neel Thar or mountain goats. Then they explore Munnar’s tea estates & the tea museum. After breakfast on day three, they travel to Club Mahindra for an adventurous jeep safari in the Kolukumalai Hills to visit a tea factory and learn more about the industry. Overnight – Munnar

Days 4 - 5: Coimbatore – Coonoor

Munnar – Coimbatore – Coonoor. The morning of day four is spent at Eravikulam National Park & Mattupetty Dam. note that Eravikulum National Park is closed from 1st February – 30th March. So departures within this period will have a day of leisure on the morning of day four. Later on, they drive north to Coimbatore in the state of Tamil Nadu, arriving late afternoon the remains of the day are spent at leisure. Continuing our journey the following morning they travel on to Coonoor. of the most popular hill stations of Tamil Nadu, Coonoor is beautifully located in the Nilgiri Hills or the Blue Mountains. Blessed by nature, Coonoor has a scenic charm that attracts the massive number of tourists every year. Surrounded by tea plantations Coonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris region, situated at an altitude around 6000 feet it’s a cooler, mild climate and is popular as a weekend getaway. Fundamentally a small tea garden town the weather is consistent all year long, jogging the plantations on chilled mornings can be a surreal experience as heavy mists sit on the hills and give the sensation of jogging through clouds. In the afternoon visit the picturesque Botanical Gardens and Dodabetta Peak, the highest known peak in the region. Overnight – (one) Coimbatore and (one) Coonoor

Day 6: Ooty Tea Plantations & Toy Train

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing today! They visit the stunning tea & coffee plantations of Ooty & the Rose Gardens. The tea gardens are surrounded by lush green hills covered in pine & eucalyptus forests & spread like a green carpet over hundreds of kilometres. Possibly the highlight of the day is a brilliant joy ride on the charming Toy Train from Ooty to Coonoor. Negotiating the Blue Mountain Railway line the blue & cream steam livery chugs from Mettupalayam to Otty by Coonoor, negotiating 16 tunnels, 31 major bridges & climbing to 2193 metres. Ooty usually has pleasant & ideal weather all year round & was initially established around 1820 as a place for the British to escape the extreme heat of the plains finally developing in to of the most popular resort towns. The scent of Eucalyptus trees, pine trees, coffee & tea plantations fill the air with a spicy fragrance. While tea is the main produce of the region essential oils of Eucalyptus, clove, geranium, lemongrass & camphor extracted from local plants of high quality are also produced in Ooty. Situated in the Nilgiris or the Blue Mountains, are a mountain range made up of at least 24 mountain peaks bordering Karnataka and Kerala and jogging through Tamil Nadu. At 7,500 feet the charming hill station of Ooty, which is actually short for Ootacamund and is now officially named Udhagamandalam is found lying between mountain peaks Club Hill, Snowdon, Doddabetta and Elk Hill offering spectacular landscapes. Overnight – Coonoor

Days 7 - 8: Wayanad & Muthanga

Coonoor – Wayanad. After an early start, they head to our next cease on our journey, the hill district of Waynard. This is of the most beautiful regions of Ooty, situated 70km east of Kozhikode, with its tracts of forest covering the western flanks of the Nilgiris. Wayanad is renowned for its plantations of tea, coffee and cocoa, verdant jungle and the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary. Tours of the tea and coffee plantations can be arranged on request. Wayanad is also famous for other crops grown in the region from black pepper, ginger and turmeric to rubber and vanilla. The black pepper grown in Wayanad is famous throughout India and the world due to a distinctive quality and aroma. Wayanad covers an area of around 2100 sq kilometres and retains its pristine nature nestled between the mountains of the Western Ghats. Later on today they visit the fascinating pre-historic Edakkal Caves. On the morning of day 8, they go in search of animals in Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary on a three-hour jeep ride. Muthanga is famous for it is herds of wild elephant, spotted deer and bison. You can also catch sight of some time host of vibrant birdlife and Malabar squirrels. Overnight – Wayanad

Day 9: Calicut

Wayanad – Calicut. After breakfast, they drive to Karipur and transfer to Calicut International Airport in Kerala. Note: Flights departing Calicut ought to be booked after 12 midday. Additional accommodation can be arranged in case you need.

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

  • Kochi – colonial Fort Kochi, Parsi Synagogue, St Francis Church, the Dutch Palace & Chinese Fishing Nets
  • Munnar Hill Station – tea plantations, the Tea Factory & Tea Museum
  • Toy Train journey on the scenic Blue Mountains narrow gauge railway line from Ooty to Coonoor
  • Wayanad – lush hill district, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary & Edakkal Caves. 
  • Munnar – Raja Malai, the regions highest peak, Eravikulam National Park and Mattupetty Dam ** note the Eravikulam National Park is closed between 1st February and 30 March. **
  • Ooty – tea and coffee plantations, Rose Gardens
  • Coonoor Hill Station and the Nilgiri Hills – Botanical Gardens and Dodabetta Peak 

Tour Map

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Kochi – colonial Fort Kochi, Parsi Synagogue, St Francis Church, the Dutch Palace & Chinese Fishing Nets
  • Munnar Hill Station – tea plantations, the Tea Factory & Tea Museum
  • Toy Train journey on the scenic Blue Mountains narrow gauge railway line from Ooty to Coonoor
  • Wayanad – lush hill district, Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary & Edakkal Caves. 
  • Munnar – Raja Malai, the regions highest peak, Eravikulam National Park and Mattupetty Dam ** note the Eravikulam National Park is closed between 1st February and 30 March. **
  • Ooty – tea and coffee plantations, Rose Gardens
  • Coonoor Hill Station and the Nilgiri Hills – Botanical Gardens and Dodabetta Peak