Beautiful Kerala

On arrival at Cochin, proceed to Munnar. A breathtakingly beautiful - haven of peace and tranquility which cannot be portrayed in a single canvas. Situated at 1,600m above sea level with unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains, you’re often up above the clouds watching veils of mist clinging to the mountain tops. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji / Strobilanthes. This flower which bathes the hills in blue once in every twelve years, will bloom next in 2018. On the way to Munnar visit Cheeyappara & Valara waterfalls. The Cheeyappara Waterfall cascades down in seven steps. Valara has a chain of waterfalls surrounded by thick green forests. Overnight stay at Hotel.

• After breakfast at the hotel, we will take you for full-day sightseeing of Munnar with private transfers. We start from the Rajamalai National Park, the only sanctuary and place in the world where you can observe the Nilgiri Tahr, a threatened, endemic species of the Nilgiri Hills.
• Then we move to the Mattupetty Dam, a Concrete Gravity dam built in the mountains of Kerala. As one of the main generators of the Kerala state, it provides power from hydroelectricity. The Kundala Dam Lake, next on the list, is a tranquil location where tourists can boat through the calm water. We take you from the waters to the top of the hills as we visit Echo Point and Pothamedu View Point. Breathe in the smell of the lush greenery and fresh air as you enjoy the view of a nearby tea plantation and the valley.

• Enjoy a delightful breakfast at the hotel before we set off for Thekkady. We check in at the hotel or resort before taking a tour around the vacation area. Known for its warmer weather, we suggest you wear lightly as we take you to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary to observe wild animals such as elephants, boars, deer, and the ultimate sighting, the Great Indian Tiger.
• Next on the list is the Mullaperiyar Dam, a 126-year-old masonry gravity dam that was the main reservoir for irrigation of local farmers, and also provides hydroelectricity on the side. We’ll also stop along local spice plantations where you can find the most exotic spices sold directly from the farmers. Then we’ll enjoy a boat cruise on the lake while enjoying nature.
• Thekkady is also home to many outdoor activities for active people, from going on an elephant ride and bamboo rafting to trekking and jungle patrol. For those who prefer to enjoy a relaxing day, you’ll love watching the martial arts of Kerala, the Kathakali dance, the jeep safari ride, or the nature walk. We’ll also invite you to enjoy ayurvedic massages for a good night's sleep if you wish before ending the tour.
• Overnight stay at the hotel in Thekkady.

• After breakfast in your hotel in Thekkady, we check out of the hotel and head for Alleppey, known for its immensely vast virgin natural landscape. Due to how gorgeous the lakes and the greenery are Allepey is also referred to as the “Venice of the East.” We’ll check you into your hotel, which can be the houseboat for an extra luxurious vacation, upon arrival. Several activities popular here are backwater cruising and boat racing.
• We can cruise through the Narrow Canal, pass through the Paddy Fields, and visit the Coconut Lagoon located on the Vembanad Lake, where you can enjoy the sight of the beautiful backwater, and the Coir Village located on an island that spoils you with even more tranquilizing sights of Kerala backwaters. Overnight at Houseboat.
• Note: If you had opted for the hotel to stay in, an optional additional schedule is a one- or two-hour Shikara Ride through the backwater narrow canal experience.

• After breakfast check out from hotel & proceed to Trivandrum, city of the Holy Ananth which is named after Ananthan, the cosmic serpent with a thousand heads. Visit Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple (260 yrs. old) - the most religious icon of the city built by the Travancore Royal family, here the deity Padmanabha reclines on the sacred serpent & is made from over 10,000 salagramam (sacred stones) that were transported from Nepal by elephant.
• Later proceed to Kovalam. Kovalam is an internationally renowned beach destination with three adjacent crescent beaches & also known as the "Paradise of the South". On arrival check in at the hotel & relax for a while amidst the comforts of your room. By evening explore on your own to see how the everlasting sea touches the everlasting sky. Kovalam is the place where one can see the golden sand at the day time & silver sand in the night, with high rock promontory & a calm bay of blue waters, this beach paradise creates a unique aquarelle on moonlight nights. Overnight stay at Hotel.

• Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. On this day, you’ll enjoy a full-day trip around Kovalam to let you enjoy the panoramic views of Kovalam and the fresh air of nature. We start from Hawah Beach, named after the hippies who came to the shore in the seventies. It’s a popular destination for families and is just a hop away from Lighthouse Beach, which is also part of the day’s schedule.
• Then we head for Vellayani Lake, Kerala’s largest freshwater lake in the Thiruvananthapuram district. Then to the Halcyon Castle, also known as the Kovalam Palace, built in 1932 of the princely state of Travancore. We spend the rest of the day shopping at the local market for their specialties.
• We will return to the hotel and will spend the night in Kovalam.

• After breakfast proceed to Kochi & transfer to the hotel. Later head out for sightseeing covering the historical towns of Fort Cochin & Mattancherry which consists of wonderfully built atmosphere - thick with the smell of the past.
• Jewish Synagogue - a 400-year-old synagogue. Enter the synagogue & the large main hall arrests your attention with display of rare antique objects that add to the grandeur of the place.
• Secondly, The St. Francis Church well-known for its beautiful architecture & ambience & is believed to be one of the oldest churches built by the Europeans in India.
• Santa Cruz Basilica - (at extra cost) one of the eight Basilicas in India, this church is one of the finest & most impressive churches & visited by tourists the whole year round.
• Vasco House (built in the Portuguese style of architecture) is believed to be the house where Vasco Da Gama stayed during his visits to Kochi, right until his death in 1524.
• Later visit Fort Kochi beach & Chinese Fishing Nets - Nowhere else in India could you find such giant fishing nets from China. Back to the hotel for an overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast, check out from hotel & transfer to Cochin airport for departure, back to home with beautiful memories of God's Own Country.