Fascinating Kerala

Fascinating Kerala

Incredible India is more than a country – it’s a multicultural subcontinent with dozens of languages and religions. And nowhere is this diversity more evident than in the exotic south. With the Arabian Sea to the west, the Western Ghats towering in the east and networked by 44 rivers, Kerala enjoys unique geographical features and an equable climate. With tranquil stretches of emerald backwaters, lush hill stations and exotic wildlife, Kerala is a destination that will capture your heart.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Kochi: Sightseeing tour with visits to the Mattancherry Dutch Palace, the synagogue, St Francis’s Church and Santa Cruz Basilica as well as the famous Chinese fishing nets

Munnar: Visit a tea museum and plantations in this picturesque hill station in the heart of Kerala's tea country

Itinerary

Day 1: ARRIVAL KOCHI

Pass By: Cochin International Airport, Airport Rd, Kochi, Kerala 683111, India
Meet your tour representatives on arrival at Kochi International Airport, from where you’ll be escorted to the hotel by our airport coordinator. Kochi, which was formerly known as Cochin, is one of the most culturally diverse cities in India, with ancient Christian and Jewish communities as well as more traditional Hindu, Muslim and Buddhist ones. Its colonial past has also bequeathed a heritage that features Portuguese, Dutch and British culture and architecture.

In the afternoon, explore the town’s historic districts. Our walking tour will take us to Jew Town, where we can see the Pardesi Synagogue (Closed on Fridays & Saturdays); the Mattancherry Palace, known locally as the Dutch Palace (Closed on Fridays); Fort Kochi, reminiscent of European streets and houses; the Chinese Fishing Nets on the northern shore of Fort Kochi; and St Francis Church, near a typical English village green. Enjoy some time observing the fishermen working the nets as the sun sets. In the evening, enjoy a one-hour Kathakali dance show - the ancient and intriguing dance form of Kerala.

Overnight in Kochi

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Starlit Suites or similar 4*

Deluxe Hotel Category = Crowne Plaza Hotel or similar 5*

Day 2: KOCHI – MUNNAR (210km – 5.5 hrs)

Pass By: The Silvertips, Aluva - Munnar Road, Moolakadai, Munnar, Kerala 685612, India
Take to the road after breakfast at the hotel, driving inland to Munnar, about 1,600 metres above sea level in the Western Ghats mountain range. Pass lush and verdant landscapes, which become progressively more beautiful the higher you climb. On the way, we stop at Athirappilly Falls, some of the most impressive waterfalls in India. These magnificent falls on the Chalakudy River are located at the entrance to the Sholayar hill range. Dropping from a height of 25 m , it is the biggest waterfall in Kerala. During the monsoon season, the water rises, gaining power, and the streams merge to lend the falls the nickname of ‘The Niagara of India’. Admire the spectacular Sholayar hills and a knockout view of the waterfalls from the viewpoint.

Continue to Munnarand, after checking in at the hotel, spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the market of this quaint little hill station at your leisure. Also worth a gander are the street food kiosks, very popular among the locals.

Overnight in Munnar.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Silver Tips Hotel or similar 4*

Deluxe Hotel Category = Fragrant Nature Resort or similar 5*

Day 3: MUNNAR

Pass By: The Silvertips, Aluva - Munnar Road, Moolakadai, Munnar, Kerala 685612, India
Following breakfast at the hotel, head out on a sightseeing tour of Munnar. Nowadays, Munnar is all about the tea industry, but its development dates from its days as the cool summer retreat of British administrators in Kerala, and English country cottages dot the landscape around Munnar and its hinterland. The surrounding area features rolling hills of virgin forests, scenic valleys, mountain streams, splashy waterfalls and sprawling tea plantations, which seem to go on forever into the horizon. Visit the informative Tea Museum in the Nallathanni Estate to learn more about the process of tea making. The museum has exhibits that include old machinery used for tea production as well as intriguing photographs documenting the history of the local industry. A documentary screening also informs about Munnar’s tea heritage and how it went from being a rainforest as recently as the 1880s to one of the world’s prime tea producing areas.

Then visit the CSI Church of Christ. Built by the British in 1910, the church boasts unique architecture for the area. Built on a rocky outcrop, it displays some lovely stained glass and commemorative brass plaques. Lastly, spend the afternoon relaxing at leisure at the resort or strolling through the quiet pathways that crisscross the endless tea plantations.

Overnight in Munnar.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category = Silver Tips Hotel or similar 4*

Deluxe Hotel Category = Fragrant Nature Resort or similar 5*

Day 4: MUNNAR – KUMARAKOM (150km – 4.5 hrs)

Pass By: Lakesong Resort, Ammankari Road, 686563 Kumarakom,, Athikkalam, Kumarakom, Kerala 686563, India
After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Kumarakom on the eastern shore of Lake Vembanad, with its majestic canals, streams and distributaries along its banks that weave an intricate and beautiful web. Kumarakom is a stunningly beautiful cluster of backwater fishing villages set against the backdrop of Lake Vembanad. On arrival, check in at the hotel and spend the afternoon acquainting yourself with this fascinating location at your leisure.

Optional spice plantation tour (not included): If time allows after check-in, join a fascinating and informative visit to the spice plantations and the smaller spice gardens whose owners pride themselves on their adaptation of organic farming methods. The visit helps you get a deeper understanding of how the spices, used in everyday cooking throughout the world, are grown, harvested and processed before finally finding their way to the local supermarkets. A must for foodies.

Overnight in Kumarakom.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category =Lakesong Resort or similar 4*

Deluxe Hotel Category = Vasundhara Sarovar Portico or similar 5*

Day 5: KUMARAKOM

Pass By: Lakesong Resort, Ammankari Road, 686563 Kumarakom,, Athikkalam, Kumarakom, Kerala 686563, India
Spend the day exploring in the streets of Kumarakom at your own pace or even enjoying the various facilities available at the hotel. An enchanting destination, Kumarakom is truly one of the gems of Kerala, offering exotic sights of flora and fauna, boat cruises, and fishing experiences. Also, spread across 14 acres, the local bird sanctuary here is a birder’s paradise.

Optional backwaters cruise (not included): If you want to venture further from the hotel and see more sides of Kumarakom, head to Alleppey and boarding a houseboat for a scenic and leisurely cruise through the famed backwaters. The houseboats are adaptations of kettuvallam boats, which were used for generations to transport rice and spices. Only natural materials are used and not a single nail should have to hold the boat together. Sail through the intricate labyrinth of backwaters, canals and brooks, which crisscross paddy fields, marshlands and lagoons. The serene natural beauty and simple charm of the backwaters surprises at every turn. This is the Kerala countryside at its best. As your boat journey comes to an end, disembark at Alleppey and you’ll be driven back to your hotel in Kumarakom

Overnight in Kumarakom.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Superior Hotel Category =Lakesong Resort or similar 4*

Deluxe Hotel Category = Vasundhara Sarovar Portico or similar 5*

Day 6: KUMARAKOM – DEPART KOCHI (55km – 1.5 hrs)

Pass By: Cochin International Airport, Airport Rd, Kochi, Kerala 683111, India
Enjoy one last breakfast at the hotel before the transfer to Kochi Airport.

Breakfast included.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.