Kerala Nature and Pilgrimage Tour (12 Days)

Kerala Nature and Pilgrimage Tour (12 Days)

Kerala, situated in the south – western sector of India, quietly placed between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, with palm lined coastline, harbour and fascinating beaches. In Kerala you will find vast hill stations, backwater canals, wildlife, spice, coffee and tea plantations. Kerala is worldly known for Ayurveda, the ancient holistic science of healing of human body. You will also explore the ancient temples which will provides you with a deep insight into brilliant architectural, sculptural and artistic skills of the engineers, architects and artisans of the bygone times. Standing tall, these temples are today, India’s precious jewels adding to its rich heritage.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Trivandrum – Kovalam (20kms/ 30minuts drive)

Pass By: Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala
On arrival at Trivandrum airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel in Kovalam (hotels check in time 1200hr afternoon, early check in subject to rooms availability). Rest time free & easy for personal activities and relax. Overnight at beach hotel.

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at beach hotel.

Day 2: Kovalam

Stop At: Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Manjalikulam Road W Nada, East Fort, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) 695023 India
Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Trivandrum. Visit Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple the guardian deity of the city. The Maharaja of Travancore till date pays homage at the Padmanabhan Swamy Temple that enshrines the image of Lord Vishnu reclining under the hood of "Anantha" the great serpent. Also visit Attukal Temple a Hindu religious shrine.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Napier Museum, Museum Rd, Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) India
The city has a rich tradition of nurturing art and culture since ancient times, witness same by visiting Napier Museum, Kuthira Malika & Sri Chitra Art Gallery. Drive thru famous beaches which include Shankumugham Beach, Kovalam Beach, Vizhinjam lighthouse & Light House Beach Road.
Duration: 4 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at beach hotel.

Day 3: Kovalam – Kanyakumari (85kms/ 2hrs)

Stop At: Kanyakumari Tirupati Temple, Chennekothapalli Rd North-Eastern end of Vivekananda Kendram Campus, Kanyakumari 629702 India
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Kanyakumari check in at hotel.

Later city tour visit Kanyakumari Temple one of the 108 Shakti Peetha in Hindu mythology. The temple is one of the major Hindu temples across India and is mentioned in almost all the ancient Hindu scriptures. Gandhi Mandapam and Vivekananda Memorial, watching sun set from here is the big attraction.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Padmanabhapuram Palace, Padmanabhapuram Village Near Thuckalay, Kanyakumari India
Padmanabhapuram Palace, a temple town, located 11km from the city of Kanyakumari. The temples here are built in the distinctive Dravidian style and are adorned with massive gopurams which are a common characteristic of all the Dravidian temples. Kanyakumari is an excellent shopping destination for buying various seashell items.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at beach hotel.

Day 4: Kanyakumari – Rameshwaram (325kms / 8hrs)

Stop At: Arulmigu Ramanatha Swamy Temple, Rameswaram 623 526 India
After breakfast, drive to Rameshwaram, check in at hotel.

Rameshwaram is an island separated from the mainland by a small strait of water. Rameshwaram is famous for the Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Rama who, it is believed, had descended on its shores and built a bridge across the Palk Strait to reach Lanka in his quest to rescue Sita from Ravana. Additionally, the temple is famous for being one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Siva. Lord Rama had constructed a Siva linga in order to offer thanks to the Lord after killing Ravana. Hence, the temple is a sacred site for both Shaivites and Vaishnavites. The grandest part of the temple is the 1219 m pillared corridor consisting of 3.6m high granite pillars, richly carved and well proportioned. Built in the 12th century AD, the temple with its awe-inspiring corridors are the longest in India.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at beach hotel.

Day 5: Rameshwaram – Madurai (175kms/ 4hrs)

Stop At: Adam's Bridge - Rama Setu, between Pamban Island and Mannar Island, Rameswaram India
Early morning visit to Adam's Bridge the name given to the chain of reefs, sandbanks and islets that almost connects Sri Lanka with India. According to legend, this is the series of stepping stones used by the monkey army, lead by Hanuman to cross the ocean in a bid to rescue Sita from the clutch of Ravana.

Breakfast at hotel drive to Madurai, check in at hotel.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, Venmani Rd, Sellur, Madurai 625002 India
Later city tour visit the Meenakshi Sundareshwar, one of the largest temple complexes in India built between the 16th and 18th centuries. Apart from the estimated 33 million sculptures there, the temple is absolutely absorbing with the endless rounds of ceremonies, prostration of countless devotees and glittering market stalls. Later visit Tiruparankundram Murugan Temple, Palamuthirsolai Murugan Temple. Also visit the Tirumal Nayak’s Palace; a highly decorative monument. Its enormous roofed arcade supported by 48 – foot high stone pillar, still stands. In the evening visit the famous Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple to attend the Aarti (Prayers) witnessing interesting rituals and ceremonies.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at beach hotel.

Day 6: Madurai – Periyar (140kms/ 4hrs)

Stop At: Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Kumily, Thekkady India
Breakfast at hotel drive to Periyar, check in at Jungle Resort.

Afterwards take a spice plantation tour to see crops of cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, coffee, tea estates etc. You could stop at the local market and pick up some fragrant spices.
Duration: 2 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at beach hotel.

Day 7: Periyar – Munnar (110kms/ 3hrs)

Stop At: Periyar Tiger Reserve, Idukki and Pathanamthitta Districts, Thekkady 685536 India
Breakfast at hotel sunrise, explore the forest by boat or by trekking through the forest, you may have opportunity to see the herd of Elephant bathing in the river.

Animals found here include elephant, gaur, wild boars and birds like ibis and grey heron. Take a boating at Periyar Lake to view animals with a bit of extra luck we may be able to see the rare tiger as well.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Munnar, Munnar, Idukki District, Kerala
Later drive to Munnar, check in at hotel. The word "Munnar" means three rivers, 3 mountain streams (Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala) are joining together here. During the British rule in India, Munnar was the summer resort of the Government officials. The natural beauty, calmness and mild cold climate throughout the year make it the favorite tourist places. The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar range expose its beauty.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Kannan Devan Tea Estate, Aluva - Munnar Rd, Kerala 685612, India
During the British rule in India, Munnar was the summer resort of the Government officials. The natural beauty, calmness and mild cold climate throughout the year make it the favorite tourist places. The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar range expose its beauty.

Visit a tea estate and have tea testing tour.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at beach hotel.

Day 8: Munnar

Stop At: Mattupetty Dam, Munnar Top Station Highway, Munnar 685616 India
After breakfast, visit to Pothamedu which offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks.

Mattupetty dam and its reservoir, this concrete gravity dam is built between the hill ranges and it is used mainly for water storage for hydroelectric projects.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Rajamalai (Eravikulam) National Park, Munnar India
Eravikulam National Park, The Nilgiri Tahr can be observed at close quarters here. This park established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiri Ibex) is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Echo Point, Munnar-Top Station Highway, Munnar 685616 India
Echo Point, go there and scream as loud as you can and wait for a minute. You can hear your echo back!
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Mattupetti Indo-Swiss Farm, Ldukki hills, Munnar India
Mattupedi Dairy Farm, famous for the Indo-Swiss Farm, this is a highly specialized dairy farm which comes under Indo-Swiss Livestock Project.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at beach hotel.

Day 9: Munnar – Kumarakom (150kms/ 3hrs)

Stop At: Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, Kumarakom India
After breakfast, drive to Kumarakom check in at hotel.

The village of Kumarakom is a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and this small water world is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here is a favorite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. Egrets, darters, herons, teal, waterfowl, cuckoo, wild duck and migratory birds like the Siberian stork that live there in flocks is a fascination for visitors. The best way to watch the birds of the Kumarakom sanctuary is a boat trip round the islands.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at beach hotel.

Day 10: Kumarakom – Alleppey (Backwaters tours through sailing boat to Alleppey)

Stop At: Alleppey Backwaters, Alappuzha India
After breakfast, embarks at the houseboat. The day for the journey of backwaters in the boat, through the tropical countryside enchanting backwaters of Alleppey. While sailing enjoy palm fringed narrow canals winding through the vast expanse of paddy fields and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are panoramic sights one can never forget.

The Chinese fishing nets, the reminiscent of our past trade links, are also found on the way. Flocks of duck swimming around the banks and tiny birds flying across the sky remains as enduring pictures reflecting the charm of this tourist land, you also enjoy fishing from the houseboats, evening enjoy sunset from the sun-deck of the houseboats. The Houseboats have generated electricity; sitting cum dining area, separate bedroom with attached English toilets, sun deck and fully loaded kitchen with a Chef, and Driver. Dinner and overnight at the houseboat.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at beach hotel.

Day 11: Alleppey – Cochin (60kms/ 1.30hrs)

Stop At: Kochi (Cochin), Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
After breakfast, disembark from the houseboat and drive to Cochin, check in at hotel.

Later city tour of the Cochin visit; Fort Cochin famous for Chinese fishing nets, scenic beaches and architectural style of ancient buildings. At St. Frances Church see the town of Vasco da Gama. The Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568 in the old part of Mattancherry Town, is one of the oldest lively synagogues. Mattancherry "Dutch" Palace has an incomparable collection of huge Kerala Temple murals, exhibits & portraits. You may also visit the famous Hill Palace Museum, the largest archaeological and heritage museum in Kerala. Bolgatty Palace is the oldest living Dutch palaces outside Holland, now converted into a heritage hotel.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Willingdon Island, Kochi Port, Off Kochi City, Kochi (Cochin) India
Willingdon Island; is a man-made island created in 1933 with wonderful walkways and jetty’s.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Kerala Kathakali Centre, near Santa Cruz Basilica K.B. Jacob Road, Fort Kochi, Kochi (Cochin) 682001 India
In the evening, enjoy the Kathakali Dance, one of India's most famous Classical dances with lavish costumes, exotic makeup & Masks intensifying the beauty of the dancer’s intricate moments.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at beach hotel.

Day 12: Cochin – Departure (flight)

Pass By: Kochi (Cochin), Kochi (Cochin), Ernakulam District, Kerala
Breakfast at hotel, as per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at beach hotel.