DAY 02 COCHIN Morning after
breakfast we visit the old city, with its Dutch Palace containing gorgeous
frescoes of the Mahabharata in Kerala style, its ancient Jewish quarter and
fifteen hundred year old synagogue, and its famed antique shops. Later on
drive to St. Francis Church - the oldest church constructed by the Europeans
and also visit Chinese Fishing Nets - introduced by traders from the court
of Kublikhan.
Evening we watch the dance drama of Kerala - the
Kathakali in a local theatre. O/n Hotel.
DAY 03
COCHIN TO ALLEPPEY Morning after breakfast drive to Alleppey (about
60 kms/ 02 hrs) to board our houseboat that comprises twin rooms, with
attached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in which to relax and
enjoy the sights on the shore. We start our sail through scenic backwaters,
passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done
below sea level. The houseboat will cruise through the Chambakulam area by
mid-morning and anchor to explore the boat yard, which displays the
traditional long snake boats used in races. Visit St. Mary's Church,
established by St. Thomas in 1721. In the evening, catch a glimpse of
village life along the backwaters and experience a way of life unique to
this region. The boat will pass through picturesque stretches of the
backwaters of Alleppey and moor up for overnight in Vemabanadu Lake. O/n
Houseboat.
DAY 04 ALLEPPEY TO KUMARAKOM
Morning after breakfast disembark from the houseboat, transfer to Kumarakom,
a small picturesque village located on the banks of Vemabanadu Lake. Check
into the hotel, rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
05 KUMARAKOM TO THEKKADY Morning after breakfast we start our drive
towards the highlands of Kerala - Thekkady (about 140kms/03hrs). The journey
takes you through softly contoured hill slopes surrounded by plantations of
rubber, pepper and spices like cardamom, coffee & tea. Upon arrival,
check into the hotel.
Explore Thekkady - picturesquely located in
Kerala's highlands and home to the renowned Periyar Tiger Reserve with its
unspoilt tropical forests and its incredible wealth of animal and plant life
is a naturalist's paradise. The forest here slopes into the manmade lake at
the bottom of the hill. This lake serves as the waterhole for the animals
and they come here to drink or take a dip. Elephants, Gaur, Sambhar deer and
even tigers can be spotted here.
Evening we make a 02 hrs cruise through
the lake to watch the rich flora and fauna. O/n Hotel.
DAY
06 THEKKADY Morning after breakfast we will go for a full day
trekking & rafting at Periyar wildlife sanctuary. The adventure starts
at 0800 hrs from the Lake Periyar boat landing. Maximum of 05 persons are
allowed per raft and 02 rafts are functioning. It involves a 2-hour trek in
to the core area, 3-hours rafting and 2-hours return trek. There will be
one-armed guard and 2 tribal trackers along with each raft. A simple
vegetarian lunch will be served as well as snacks and tea or coffee. Rest of
the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 07 THEKKADY
TO MUNNAR Morning after breakfast we drive to Munnar (about
110kms/03hrs) through the 'Cardamom Hills of Kerala', where you can have a
close look up to the spices plantations of Kerala. The ascend and descends
and the stunning views make this journey a memorable drive. Upon arrival,
check into the hotel. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
08 MUNNAR Situated in the heart of the Cardamom Hills, at an
altitude of 1700m, Munnar is surrounded by endless green, rolling hills and
30 of the world's highest tea estates. Morning after breakfast we make a
short drive to Rajamalai Wildlife Sanctuary proclaimed as a National Park
since it supports the largest population of Nilgiri Thar existing in the
world now. A wide variety of plant life is present here. The Nilgiri Tahr is
seen in the Highlands and rocky regions of this national park. Explore the
sanctuary by walking; the views are superb from here. Afternoon free to
relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY 09 MUNNAR Today
after an early breakfast we drive to Chinnar wildlife Sanctuary (about
60kms), located in the rain shadow of High Ranges in the Southern Western
Ghats. Its dry deciduous forest makes it easier to view the wildlife.
Undulating terrain with rocky patches increase the forest make its easier to
view the wildlife. The forest type comprise thorny scrub forest, dry
deciduous forests, high altitude shoals and wet montane grasslands. Herds of
Asiatic Elephants, Guar, Spotted Deer, the elusive Leopard, the legendry
'white bison of Manjampatti' and the colourful bird and butterfly life make
Chinnar a must see destination in the wildlife map of Western Ghats.
On arriving at Chinnar at 08:00 A.M, you will be guided by trained guides
from the local indigenous community to a Cultural site through the dry
deciduous forests of Chinnar. There are chances of sighting wildlife. After
lunch go for a short trek through the riparian forests along the Chinnar
river. These forests are home to one of the most endangered mammals of
India, the grizzled Giant Squirrel.
Back to Munnar in the evening,
on the way visit Marayoor - only place in Kerala where one gets to see a
sandal forest. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
10 MUNNAR Morning after breakfast we start our 10 kms cycle ride
through the tea plantations covering beautiful terrain and amazing views
over Munnar valleys. Rest of the day at leisure or to stroll around the
picture book town of Munnar. O/n Hotel.
DAY 11
MUNNAR TO CHERUTHURUTHY After an early breakfast we descend to the
plains of Kerala to Cheruthuruthy (about 200kms/06hrs), home of the renowned
repository of the tradition of the Kathakali dance form. Check into the
retreat, the erstwhile summer palace of the Maharaja of Cochin, situated on
the banks of the beautiful river Baharathapuzha. Rest of the day free to
relax and enjoy the dinner under the stars. O/n Hotel.
DAY
12 CHERUTHURUTHY TO VYTHIRI Morning after breakfast we visit the
Kerala Kalamandalam, a distinguished centre of excellence in performing
arts, which spearheaded the movement of cultural renaissance in Kerala.
Established in 1930, this beautiful campus, seeped in classical music and
dance, lies near the Nila river in the village of Cheruthuruthy in Thrissur
district. Kalamandalam is acknowledged as the best institution in India
imparting training in the ancient art forms of Kathakali, Mohiniyattam,
Panchavadyam and Thullal. Proceed to Vythiri (about 170kms/05hrs) through
the interior villages of Kerala and on to Wayanad hill roads, which offers a
panorama of undulating hills and dales. The hills, which might have been
thick forest once, are now plantations of coffee, cardamom and pepper. There
is luxurious greenery all around. Check into the hotel at Vythiri - a place
of great scenic beauty with picturesque hills, streams and luxuriant
vegetation. Rest of the day free to relax. O/n Hotel.
DAY
13 VYTHIRI The day at leisure for experience the healing power of
Ayurveda. O/n Hotel.
DAY 14 VYTHIRI The
day at leisure for Ayurveda. O/n Hotel.
DAY 15
VYTHIRI TO CALICUT Morning after breakfast drive to Calicut (about
65kms/03hrs), check into the hotel. Evening free to stroll around the famous
old street 'Mittai Theruvu' (Sweet Street). O/n Hotel.
DAY
16 CALICUT TO MUMBAI Morning free to relax, afternoon transfer to
airport to board flight to Mumbai to connect with your int'l flight.
India