The Romance of Kerala

God’s own country of serenity and wonder

About trip

Travel through Kerala’s historical heritage, the tea gardens, wilderness and the magic of the Arabian Sea.

Destinations

Cochin - Munnar - Periyar - Kumarakom - Kovalam - Trivandrum

Duration

12 nights / 13 days

The Romance of Kerala

This tour covers the wonderland of Kerala – Gods Own Country. The tour covers a mixture of cultural and historical aspects of the state. You will travel through Cochin’s historical heritage, the Tea Estates of Munnar, wilderness of Thekkady and pristine Lake Vembanad and the magic of the Arabian Sea at Kovalam. This is a treat for people who love exploring nature and culture.

 

With the Arabian Sea to the west, the Western Ghats to the east and networked by over 44 rivers, Kerala is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the sub-continent. Blessed with serene beaches, emerald backwaters and sprawling plantations, lush hill stations and exotic wildlife, authentic Ayurveda treatment centres and enticing cuisine, vibrant festivals and vivid dance forms.

 

Kerala is also one of the most literate states in the country – with hundred percent literary. With a socially advanced population, the state enjoys access to utilities in every nook and corner despite not honing city culture. For eons Kerala has been a commerce center due to its strategic location and coastal line. Traders from all over the world including the Greeks, British, Romans, Arabs, have reached Kerala for trade. You can notice the spills of their presence all over the state.

 

The Natural beauty of Kerala coupled with serene atmosphere is the perfect place for a romantic gateway.

starts £ 1995 per person

Day 00 : Departure from UK

Departure from UK to begin your holiday experience

Day 01 : Arrive Cochin

On arrival at the Cochin airport, you will meet our representative who will assist you at the 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.

 

In the afternoon you will enjoy a sunset cruise at the Cochin harbour. See the cantilevered Chinese fishing nets and the beautiful coastline from the motor boat. Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 02 : Cochin

After breakfast, you will begin the day with a guided sightseeing tour of Cochin. Highlights include the Chinese Fishing Nets ‘Cheenavala’, which are distinctly unique to Cochin. While the tell-a-tale says that these nets were introduced by Chinese ruler Kublai Khan, however, these nets are not found out of Cochin. Fishing is one the major occupations among its local residents. A whole stretch of the coast along Fort Kochi and Vypeen is dotted with these nets.

 

You will also visit the St. Francis Church in Fort Kochi, the oldest church built by Europeans in India. On his 3rd visit to Kerala, Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese trader who reached India from Europe by the sea, fell ill and died in Kochi. He was buried in the St. Francis Church. Later, his remains were taken back to Portugal. In spite of that, his burial spot inside the church has been clearly marked out.

 

Jewish Synagogue, built in 1568, is magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. It is located near the Dutch Palace in Mattancherry. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 03 : Cochin - Munnar

On this day, after breakfast you will be driven to Munnar, a hill station. The road consists of high range hills with tea plantations all over. Munnar is a perfect retreat from other metropolitan cities in India.

 

Munnar, which means three rivers, is the tea capital of the state. The entire area and surrounding hills are filled with tea estates and in some places – spices.

 

You will visit the nearby tea plantations followed by a visit to the Tea Museum at Munnar. You will be taken through various stages of the tea making process, and you can even purchase freshly produced tea. The tea museum, however, is not limited to tea making, it also stores various artefacts from about 40-50 years ago such as typewriters, really old telephone instruments, and more. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 04 : Munnar

On this day, you will visit the Muttupetty Dam where every few hours herds of elephants visit the dam.  After the Muttupetty Dam, you’ll visit the Eravikulam National Park, which habitats many of the endangered species and is a natural habitat for Nilgiri Tahr, a kind of goat. You’ll get to walk through serene hilly lanes inside the forests commonly known as Shoals. You can see the entire Munnar valley from the heights of the mountain. Followed by Lakkom Water Fall, a famous tourist attraction near to the Eravikulam National Park. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 05 : Munnar - Periyar

After breakfast, you will be driven to Periyar. Periyar is one of the hill stations which produces large quantity of spices, like pepper, cardamom etc. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, India’s largest wildlife sanctuary is one of the well maintained wildlife sanctuaries of South India. Situated on the banks of an artificial lake, formed with the construction of a 120 year old irrigation dam named “Surki”, this sanctuary is spread over an area of 777 sq km.

 

Later, visit the spice plantations, and also witness the trading at one of the spice shops. Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 06 : Periyar - Kumarakom

On this day, you will be driven to Kumarakom. The entire village is set on backwaters and surrounded by palm trees on the eastern shore of Lake Vembanad. Spending a night at the village will give you the experience of simple life that the Kuttanad’s live.

 

Overnight stay at Hotel

Day 07 : Kumarakom

This day you will get a chance to experience a day cruise on a rice boat on the Lake Vembanad at Kumarakom. Kettuvallam, locally known as rice boats, are country boats that were used in the early days for the transport of goods from the isolated interior villages to the towns. Sailing through the backwaters, you will also get a glimpse of paddy fields, one of the major crops produced at Kumarakom.

 

Kumarakom is also known for its “Kerala Massages” with its usage of natural Ayurvedic oils. Submerging yourself into a full body spa will not only rejuvenate your skin but also your mind.

Day 08 : Kumarakom - Alleppey

Located on the other side of the Lake Vembanad, Alleppey is a popular starting point for the house-boats. The delightfully charming house boats and narrow lake canals is a captivating experience. While Kumarakom houses  plush resorts, Alleppey allows you to take a closer look at the village life.

 

You’ll also get to experience native village life by staying in a house boat overnight.

Day 09 : Alleppey - Kovalam

You’ll leave for Kovalam, popularly known as a beach town. With the Arabian on one side, this beach town was brought into the public eye by the arrivals of hippies decades ago. Kovalam has three crescent shaped beaches, with palm trees covered beaches, it’s a perfect place to descend into tranquillity.

Day 10 : Kovalam

On this day, you will visit the Lighthouse beach, which got its name from the Vizhinjam lighthouse that stands the coast on a rocky headland. The long stretch of the beach, surrounding palm trees, and stark blue water gives it a magnificent view. You can indulge in sun bathing, surfing or swimming at the beach.

 

Coupled with typical Kerala style sea food available at the nearby stalls lined up along the beach, this day will rejuvenate both mind and body. In the evening you may also be able to visit Hawa beach, also known as Eve’s beach for its beautiful surroundings.

 

You’ll retire for the night at the hotel.

Day 11 : Kovalam

Like the previous day, this day too will be spent leisurely starting with visit to Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple. It’s is believed to be one of the 108 holy residence of Lord Vishnu. Men wearing Dhoti (local mens clothing covering waistline and down) and Women wearing sarees (traditiona local clothing) are allowed inside the temple.

 

Post temple visit, you will visit the Vizhinjam Marine Aquarium, which is one of the most visited tourist spots. The aquarium has preserved a variety of marine wealth including fish, other aquatic animals and corals. The aquarium is also known for its pearl production.

 

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 12 : Kovalam - Departure Trivandrum

Leisurely breakfast on this day, and drive back to the Trivandrum airport for your onward journey.

You will begin this journey from Kochi, the fishing capital of Kerala. The city is known for its unique fishing nets. With Arabian sea on one side and a bustling city on the other, Kochi is one of the most interesting cities in Kerala. We will drive to Munnar from Kochi. While Kochi is a prime example of a hustling bustling city, Munnar is more calm as it’s situated on a hill and is surrounded by tea plantations everywhere.

 

The next destination is Periyar in Thekkady. While this is also a hill station that produces a variety of spices, it is popularly known for its wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary is spread over an area of 777 Sq Km, and provides access to tourists up to a certain point. You can either opt for a boat safari or walk into the jungle with a guide. Wildlife that can be spotted here include wild elephants, bison, tigers, among others.

 

From Periyar, you will proceed to Kumarakom, a beautiful village situated on the backwaters. The Lake Vembanad gives the village a scenic beauty that’s more than breathtaking. After spending some time in Kumkarakom, you will move towards the other side of the lake Vembanad to Alleppy. You will spend a night in house boat, an experience you could treasure for a lifetime.

 

You will finally end this tour at Kovalam, a beautiful beach destination on the western ghats over looking the Arabian sea. Besides this, many water sports such as surfing, parasailing, etc. can be enjoyed on the shore of the Arabian sea at Kovalam.

Offer Starting from : £ 1995 per person * and Supplements may apply peak periods, city sold out dates, and high seasons.

 

Supplements may apply peak periods, city sold out dates, and high seasons. 

PACKAGE COST INCLUDES:

  • Economy class flights UK to India.
  • Accommodation at above mentioned or similar hotels as per the chosen Option
  • Daily buffet breakfast at all hotels except stay at houseboat will be on full board basis (breakfast/lunch/dinner) as mentioned in the itinerary
  • All transfers / visits / excursion as per the program by air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Services of English speaking local guide for sightseeing in Cochin & Munnar as per itinerary.
  • Guides are not allowed in the houseboat.
  • During visit to the Spice Plantation at Periyar the care taker of the area will give a brief of the area.
  • Entrances at the Monuments (01 visit).
  • 01 Harbor Cruise in Cochin (minimum 02 hours)
  • 01 Boat Cruise in Kumarakom
  • All road taxes, parking fee, fuel charges & interstate taxes
  • Escorted arrival/departure transfers at airport as per itinerary in Cochin & Trivandrum only.
  • Government service Tax  (Subject to change)

 

PACKAGE COST DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • Expenses of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone/fax calls, alcoholic beverages camera/video fee at monuments, medical expenses, porterage, airport departure tax etc
  • Meals other than those specified above
  • Transport during days at leisure

 

MONUMENT CLOSURE DAYS

 

Cochin

  • St. Francis Church in Fort Kochi (closed on Sunday during mass)
  • Jewish Synagogue (closed on Friday & Saturday)
  • Dutch Palace (closed on Friday) 

 

SPECIAL REMARKS:

  • Check-in time & check-out time at all hotels is 1200 noon Except at Vivanta by Taj, Spice Village, Zuri, Leela Kempinski, Trident, Brunton Boatyard,  Kumarakom Lake Resort where check in time is at 1400 hrs &  the check-out time at Houseboat  is 0900 hours, check-out time at Cardamom County,Spice Village & Brunton Boatyard is 1100 hours.
  • Above rates are not applicable from (20 December – 10 January) and will be advised separately from case to case basis.
  • Please be advised in South India the clients will visit the temples from outside as Non Hindus are not allowed to enter in Temple premises.
  • Clients will board the Mini bus operated by Forest Department in Munnar (Erivakulam National Park) which will take the clients to the Park (5 kms Drive from the Ticket Booth), they have approx 1 km of road inside the park to walk around (Closed From 01st Feb till 1st week of April)

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