| Day No. |
Location |
Program |
B |
L |
D |
| 1 |
Arrive Cochin |
Arrive Cochin
|
|
|
D |
|
Arrive in Cochin - a commercial city set amidst lagoons, backwaters and palm trees. Cochin is a trading port, which has been dominated over the years by the Portuguese, Dutch and British. You will be met at the airport and transferred to the Grande Residencia Hotel in Fort Cochin. Balance of the day at leisure.
|
|
| 2 |
Cochin |
Fort Cochin, Sunset Cruise, Kathakali Dance Performance
|
B |
|
D |
|
This morning, set off by boat to visit ancient Mattancherry with its old houses, docks and Jewish Quarter. Visit the oldest Jewish Synagogue in India, built in 1568, with its exquisite interior. Next, take a walking tour of Fort Cochin, Indias first European settlement and stroll the fishing dock with quaint fishing boats and Chinese fishing nets. Later this afternoon, relax on a backwaters cruise until sunset. This evening, attend a Kathakali Dance Performance a unique Keralan experience.
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|
| 3 |
Cochin / Munnar |
Optional visit to DARE Project
|
B |
|
D |
|
Depart by road this morning for Munnar, an old British Hill Station, set amidst spectacular tea estates. Check into Windermere Estate, located on a Cardamom Plantaion in the hills above Munnar Town. The balance of the day at leisure to relax or explore the area. An excursion may be arranged to visit the DARE (Development Activities in Rehabilitative Education) Project a school for special children established by the TATA Tea Company in 1991 to benefit children of the plantation workers. The purchase of greeting cards or strawberry preserves produced by the children will help support the continuing rehabilitation efforts of this facility.
|
|
| 4 |
Munnar |
Tea Museum, Plantation Trek, Munnar Town
|
B |
|
D |
|
Today there are opportunities to visit the town, a local tea museum, trek on the estate, or just relax and enjoy your surroundings. If you are feeling energetic, you may wish to take a trek through the plantation, where you can see cardamom cultivation and processing, or walk through nearby tea estates. Munnar Town is buzzing with activity, and offers a great opportunity to buy tea and spices.
|
|
| 5 |
Munnar / Periyar |
Spice Garden Visit
|
B |
|
|
|
Depart by road this morning for Thekkady, adjacent to Periyar Wildlife Reserve, a Project Tiger Sanctuary. Check into the Cardamom County Hotel. There will be an optional visit to a local spice garden this afternoon, or you may enjoy walking in the town for some shopping, or just relax and enjoy your surroundings.
|
|
| 6 |
Periyar |
Leisure to choose your activity
|
B |
|
D |
|
A day at leisure to enjoy the many optional activities offered by the hotel. (To be booked and paid directly.) Options include a variety of tours and treks in the sanctuary, boat cruise, bird watching, fishing plus the hotels Ayurvedic Health Centre offers massage and other rejuvenation therapies.
|
|
| 7 |
Periyar / Rice Barge |
Overnight Backwaters Cruise
|
B |
L |
D |
|
Depart Periyar early this morning for the drive to Kottayam, where you will board a Rice Boat for an overnight journey. Relax as you slip through the backwaters of Kerala the crew will cook you wonderful meals, so you just need to sit back, relax and enjoy.
|
|
| 8 |
Rice Barge / Kovalam |
Leisure time in Kovalam
|
B |
|
D |
|
Arrive in Alleppey this morning, and bid farewell to your boatmen. Transfer by road to Kovalam. Check into the Travancore Heritage Hotel upon arrival. Balance of the day at leisure.
|
|
| 9 |
Kovalam |
Trivandrum City Tour
|
B |
|
D |
|
This morning take a guided tour of Trivandrum City. Sights include Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Napier Museum, Chitralayam Arts Gallery, Zoological Gardens and Kanakakunnu Palace. Afternoon at leisure.
|
|
| 10 |
Kovalam |
Leisure
|
B |
|
D |
|
|
| 11 |
Depart Kovalam |
Transfer to Trivandrum for departure
|
B |
|
|
|
Transfer to Trivandrum Airport today for departure, or extend your stay.
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|
