KERALA BACKWATERS WITH MADURAI & KANYAKUMARI TOUR

Day 01: Arrive Cochin

Day 02: Cochin – Munnar (125kms / 2.5hrs)

Day 03: Munnar

Day 04: Munnar – Thekkady (90kms / 2hrs)

Day 05: Thekkady – Madurai (140 Kms / 3.5 hrs)

Day 06: Madurai – Kanyakumari (250 Kms / 5.5 hrs)

Day 07: Kanyakumari – Kovalam (100 Kms / 2.5 hrs)

Day 08: Kovalam

Day 09: Kovalam – Trivandrum – Kumarakom (200 Kms / 4.5 hrs)

Day 10: Kumarakom / Backwater Day Cruise / Cochin

Day 11: Cochin / Departure 

Day 01: Arrive Cochin

Morning arrive at Cochin International airport. 

Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as 'God's Own Country'. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala.

 On arrival meeting, assistance at airport by our representative and transfer to hotel, where our executive will explain the travel plan in detail and hand over the essential documents (Tour programme, hotel’s vouchers, feedback report, etc) to you.

 

Day 02: Cochin – Munnar (125 kms / 2.5hrs)

After breakfast & checkout from the hotel visit Mattancherry Palace -The Dutch Palace exhibits beautiful mural paintings that depict the scenes from Ramayana. Fort Kochi -Fort Kochi is inhabited by Anglo-Indian community. The whole of the region presents a different aura and ambience. The culture is quite unique and represents the Eurasian culture. St Francis Church -This church was built by the Portuguese in the year 1503 A.D. It is said that Portuguese explorer Vasco-da-Gama was originally buried here and his remains were later brought to Lisbon. Santa Cruz Basilica -Built by the Portuguese around 500 years back, the Santa Cruz Basilica is known for its Gothic exterior with soaring spires. Also visit Chinese fishing net.

 Later in the afternoon drive to Munnar. Munnar - Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air - Munnar has all these and more. It's the place you would love to visit - it's the place you would wish never to leave.

 On arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day free for leisure activities. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 03: Munnar

After breakfast at hotel enjoy full day city tour – Visiting: the famous Nursery Garden, Photo Point, and Jungle Honeybee Nest. There are several marvels of architecture such as the Madupetty Dam, Boating Point, Echo Point, Cinema Shooting Point, Elephant Arrival Spot, Gundala Dam/Lake, Yellapatti Farm, Top Station and Tea Museum which will delight you.

 Once you visit these, you can proceed to enjoy a wildlife experience in Eravikulam National Park to see Nilgiri Tahr, Blossom Park and Pothamedu and sunset view point.Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 04: Munnar – Thekkady (90kms / 2hrs)

After breakfast at hotel drive to Thekkady.

 (Periyar National Park) - Set high in the ranges of the Western Ghats, in Kerala, is the Periyar National Park and Tiger Reserve. The park has a picturesque lake at the heart of the sanctuary. Formed with the building of a dam in 1895, this reservoir meanders around the contours of the wooded hills, providing a perennial source of water for the local wildlife. Herds of elephant and sambar, gaur and wild pigs wander down to the lake-side and can be observed from the launches that cruise the lake.

 On arrival, check in at hotel. After wash and change at hotel enjoy Spice Plantation Tour - The aromatic spice plantations in Kerala are a must see while on a Kerala Tour. There are various kinds of spices cultivated in Kerala. Some of the spices that Kerala is famous for and which you can see in the spice plantations of Kerala are pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, and nutmeg. The spice plantations in Kerala are captivating farms to wander in, since different spices are cultivated in different sections of each plantation. While exploring the Kerala spice plantations, you can go for nature walks, bird watching treks, taste the various spices and breathe in the fragrant air.

 Later in the evening visit to watch traditional Kerala Kathakali dance Show. Overnight at hotel.

 Kathakali dance – It is Kerala's very own, much celebrated dance drama. Kathakali evolved in the 8th century from 'Ramanattam' a dance drama created by Kottarakkara Thampuran, a great admirer and promoter of traditional art forms. Kathakali draws its theme from the wealth of Indian mythology and folklore. The performer is assisted by vocal and percussion accompaniments while the dancer through 'hasta mudras' or hand gestures expounds the theme. Expressions of face and eyes hold the key to perfection. Unique among the Indian dance forms, Kathakali ranks high among the Indian dance forms. Noted for its archaic costumes, weird make up, the elaborately painted faces often mistaken for masks and grand headgears, Kathakali is perhaps the only dance form in India in which the masculine aspect of the dance is preserved in its elemental vigor.

 

Day 05: Thekkady – Madurai (140 Kms / 3.5 hrs)

Early morning enjoy boat safari to explore wildlife inside the park.

 Later after breakfast, checkout from the hotel and drive to Madurai. Madurai is synonymous with the celebrated Meenakshi Temple. Situated on the banks of river Vaigai, Madurai has a rich cultural heritage passed on from the great Tamil era more than 2500 years old. Madurai was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 550 AD. It was the capital city for the great Pandya kings. The Pandyan King Kulasekarar built a great temple and created a lotus shaped city around the temple. On the day the city was to be named, as Lord Shiva blessed the land and its people, divine nectar (Madhu) was showered on the city from his matted locks. This city was henceforth known as Madhurapuri. Madurai is famous for Jasmine Flowers.

 On arrival, check-in at hotel. Later be the witness of Evening ceremony at Meenakshi Temple. Overnight at hotel.

 Day 06: Madurai – Kanyakumari (250 Kms / 5.5 hrs)

After breakfast & checkout from the hotel enjoy half day city tour including Thirumalai Nayak Palace, a magnificent palace that was built by King Thirumalai Nayak with valuable assistance of an Italian architect in the year 1636.Gandhi Museum & Thirupparankunram famous for the Pandyan rock-cut shrines that date back to the 8th century that later came to be known as the Nayaka Hindu temple. You will find a wide range of Hindu deities carved on the walls on your visit to this temple.

 Later in the afternoon drive to Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari - is the land’s end of India where the water of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet. An important pilgrim centre of India. On arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 07: Kanyakumari – Kovalam (100 Kms / 2.5 hrs)

After breakfast at hotel visit Gandhi Memorial, The Vivekananda Rock Memorial, built on a huge rock off the shore off Kanyakumari, Have darshan at Suchindram Temple and Kanya Devi Temple.

 Later drive to Kovalam. Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach with three adjacent crescent beaches. It has been a favourite haunt of tourists since the 1930s. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing.

On arrival check-in at hotel. Rest of the day free to relax at hotel / beach. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 08: Kovalam

Morning breakfast at hotel. Rest of the day free at relax at hotel /beach. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 09: Kovalam – Trivandrum – Kumarakom (200 Kms / 4.5 hrs)

After breakfast & checkout from the hotel drive to Kumarakom.

Enrouteenjoy half day city tour including Padmanabha Swamy Temple (From outside – only Hindu religion followers are allow to enter),Shri Chitra Art Galleryand the Museum.

Later continue to Kumarakom. Kumarakom - A village & a cluster of little islands on the Vembanad Lake, and is part of the Kuttanad region. The bird sanctuary here, which is spread across 14 acres is a favourite haunt of migratory birds and an ornithologist's paradise. On arrival, check-in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 10: Kumarakom / Backwater Day Cruise / Cochin

After a relaxing breakfast, checkout from the hotel and board on houseboat to enjoy Day cruise in backwaters. This cruise is very exciting and sensational to watch the real traditional Kerlan life who lives on the banks of backwaters. Enjoy Lunch on board.

Later disembark from the houseboat and drive to Cochin. On arrival, check-in at hotel. Rest of the evening free to explore local markets. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 11: Cochin / Departure

In time transfer to airport to board your homebound flight with the happy memory of our incredible nation.