Day 1 – Arrival in Cochin: Fasten your seatbelt as you jet off to Cochin for an amazing trip. The red-carpet treatment will be rolled out for you when our friendly representative will welcome and transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, you will have time to freshen up before the afternoon, when you will proceed for a walking tour of Mattancherry. During the tour, the guide will take you to spice warehouses, hidden shrines, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. It is the ideal way to soak up the region’s charming atmosphere. You will also have the chance go on a tuk tuk ride, before spending the evening at leisure.
Day 2 – Cochin: Today you will unravel the many fascinating layer of Cochin and discover how this captivating city effortlessly combines Indian and Chinese cultures. Your city tour will begin with a visit to the oldest Jewish Synagogue in India. Learn how it was built in 1568 but destroyed by the Portuguese and rebuilt by the Dutch a century later. Next, you will visit Chinese fishing nets, which were introduced in the 14th century. You will then visit St. Francis Church, originally named after Santo Antonio and dedicated to him as the Patron Saint of Portugal. As you explore the site, discover how St. Francis Church was the first church to have been built in the new European style. Finally, you will also visit The Dutch Palace at Mattancherry. Get your camera out to snap photos of its intrinsically carved ceilings and mural in the rooms of the palace, which was built in 1555. Make sure you see its coronation hall and murals, which are especially fascinating. In the evening, you will watch a classical Indian dance show known as Kathakali. You will be dazzled as you see this unique combination of literature, music, painting, acting and dance. This is the classical dance of Kerala, which dates from the 17th century, and is rooted in Hindu mythology. Finally, head back to your hotel and relax.
Day 3 – Cochin to Munnar: Start the day with a delicious breakfast before embarking on a drive to your new hotel in Munnar. The journey to Mannar will give you a great opportunity to see the region’s landscape. Once you arrive, check into your hotel and unwind. You will adore exploring the local area, which is a nature-lover’s paradise. You will enjoy the panoramic views of low-flying clouds and mist filled valleys that make it a pretty little heaven. If you are feeling adventurous, then head out and explore its churches that boast stone-structures with ancient chandeliers and rosewood pews. A little beyond that lies Anaimudi, South India's highest peak. Spend the evening at leisure before enjoying an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 4 – Munnar: Today you will discover Munnar's heritage. After breakfast, you will embark on a full day of sightseeing, which starts at The Tata Tea Museum. Here you will have the chance to see everything tea related from a rudimentary tea roller to the modern fully automated tea factory. After this refreshing adventure, you will head back to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure rest of the day at leisure.
Day 5 – Munnar to Thekkady: Be sure to wear comfortable shoes today as you embark on a busy day of travel. After breakfast, you will hop into a private vehicle and travel to Thekkady. This city is well known for its wild life sanctuary, which sits on the banks of Periyar Lake. Once, you have checked-in at the hotel, you will have time to freshen up before the evening, when you proceed to The Kerala Kalari Centre which is a great place to witness the ancient Kalaripayattu martial dance performed and practiced by dedicated local swordsmen. Traditional masters of the art form will perform skits from mythology to entertain the public and show off their swordsmanship.
Day 6 – Thekkady: Enjoy an aromatic start to the day, when you set off on a guided walk through a spice plantation to see the cultivation of cardamom, pepper, vanilla and coffee. Next, you will embark on an unforgettable experience by heading to an interactive session with elephants. Here you will meet five elephants that live in this farm, under the attentive care of their Mahouts. Located just outside of the city, nestled within the cardamom, coffee and pepper plantations, the surrounding itself is very peaceful. You will get the chance to feed your new friend, enjoy a walk within the plantations, and then give him a bath. Later, you will take a boat ride at the Lake Periyar and travel through The Periyar Tiger Reserve and National Park. Keep your camera ready again, because if you’re lucky you can spot game animals, including the world's wild oxen, elephants, wild pigs, barking deer, mouse deer, the rare and endangered lion-tailed macaque, and tigers. Finally, you will travel to your hotel and enjoy a well-earned rest.
Day 7 - Alleppey: Today, you will enjoy a rare opportunity to live on a houseboat. Not surprisingly - staying in a houseboat is one of the 50 ‘must do’ activities described by the National Geographic Traveller magazine. Your adventure will start after breakfast, when you will be transferred to the Alleppey Jetty point to board the houseboat. You will fall in love with Alleppy from the moment you arrive. Often referred to as the “Venice of the East”, this pleasant easy-going market town is surrounded by coconut plantations. Its large network of canals, is a major centre for backwater cruises and spectacular snake boat races. Enjoy being at peace with mother nature, once you climb aboard the traditional ‘Ketuvallam’ rice boats, which has been converted into houseboats with bedrooms and attached toilets. Originally, these boats were used as ferries to carry rice. But instead, you will cruise through the backwaters of Kerala, through the narrow canals that crisscross a typical village, rich with green paddy fields and verdant coconut trees. The boat cruise also takes you to small islets to give you a glimpses of village life. Lunch and dinner will be served on board, so you do not have to worry about anything apart from enjoying yourself. As the sunsets, you can cozy-up in your blanket, close your eyes and relish in the bliss of being gently rocked by the tranquil waves of the canal.
Day 8: Alleppey & Kumarkom: Wake up to the sound of the peaceful canal flowing and birds tweeting. Today, you will start the day with a delicious breakfast on the houseboat, before leaving and heading to Kumarakom. Once you arrive in Kumarakom, you will check-in at the hotel and be free to spend the rest of the day at leisure. Feel free to relax inside the hotel or venture out and explore Kumarkom, which is located on the Southern coast of India. It enjoys a well-balanced tropical climate. You will be wowed as you spot million verdant coconut palms that line the rivers and lean to examine its reflections on the glassy rivers. It is hard to resist the blooming perfumes of flowers and the multi-hued birds.
Day 9 – Kumarakom: You will start the day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel, before spending the day at leisure. You can explore the local area, or stay at your hotel and enjoy the best Ayurvedic Massage - which Kerala is famous for. For an additional cost, you can also book an optional activity. The first option is to visit a Kumbalangi Village where you will also enjoy lunch. This 3-hour excursion includes motorboat riding and walking. The village is home to fishermen, farmers, laborers, toddy tappers and coir spinners. It will give you a real insight into the lives of locals and how they live in an area surrounded by back waters and paddy fields. Alternatively, you can visit Phillipkutty’s Farm and the trip includes lunch. The farm is located on a small island in the backwaters of Vembanad Lake next to Kumarakom. The farm is about 50 acres and is the largest farm on the island.
Day 10 – Kumarakom to Cochin & Departure: Start the day with a delicious breakfast at the hotel, before checking-out at driving to Cochin where you will be transferred to Cochin International Airport for your flight back home. If you would like to extend your stay or travel in a premium cabin, then please speak with our travel specialist who will be happy to assist you.
