Spices of Kerala Tour
Duration: 13 Nights - 14 Days
Destinations: Trivandrum - Poovar - Kanyakumari - Thekkady - Munnar -
Kumarakom - House Boat - Cochin
Day 1 : Arrive Trivandrum -
Poovar Island
Arrive
Trivandrum airport. Upon arrival, the guest will be met by our representative
and then proceed straight to Poovar Island (30 kms). Poovar Island is an unspoilt
resort enveloped by the most serene backwaters, and opening out to the sea and
a dream golden sand beach. Poovar is truly a window into paradise. The tranquility
is punctuated by the sound of waves and the birds. The acreage is abundant in
well-preserved local flora, with hundreds of species of spices, exotic flowers,
complete with banana and coconut groves. Poovar Island Resort is a mix of floating
cottages, and conventional accommodation. The floating units are constructed
on hollow lightweight concrete hulls. They are air conditioned and fully equipped
with all modern amenities. On arrival check-in at hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at hotel
Day 2 : Poovar IslandFullday at
leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3: Poovar Island -
Kanyakumari Morning drive to Kanyakumari (87 kms), which is located
at the southern most tip of India is meeting point of three oceans, famous
for its beautiful views of Sunrise over the waters. Upon arrival, check-in
at hotel. Later visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial and the Kanyakumari
Temple or the Kumari Amman Temple on the shore, which is dedicated to a
manifestation of Paravati. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4 :
Kanyakumari - Periyar (Thekkady)Early morning witness the sunrise.
Thereafter drive to Periyar (340 kms). Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.
Periyar - Sprawling across 777 sq kms of the Cardamom Hills of the Western
Ghats, it is the home to one of the largest wildlife reserves in India.
Alive with exotic flora and vibrant wildlife, it is the perfect getaway
tucked away among hills. Overnight at hotel
Day 5 : Periyar
Early morning boatcruise on Lake Periyar - an artificial lake which is
the heart of the famous Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and animals such as wild
Elephants, Asiatic deer, Black buck, wild boars and others from the
surrounding sanctuary come to the shores of the lake to drink water. Lake
Periyar is or reservoir created by a dam on Periyar River. Afternoon at
leisure to explore the local spice market. Overnight at hotel
Day
6 : Periyar - Munnar
Morning
drive to the beautiful hill station of Munnar (106 kms).Upon arrival, check-in
at hotel. Munnar - is the beautiful hillstation housing world's highest tea-growing
estates. Beyond these estates are rich tropical forests that houses an assortment
of wildlife such as Nilgiri Langur, Sambhar, Gaur, Elephant and Lion-tailed
Macaques. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 :
Munnar Morning, visit Ervikulam National Park (16 kms) - it is the
home of the endangered Nigiri Tahr (a type of mountain goat) that roams on a
stretch of grassland or is seen climbing the pinnacles of the undulating
hills. Afternoon visit the popular tea estates. Overnight at hotel.
Day
8 : Munnar Full day at leisure Overnight at hotel
Day
9 : Munnar - Kumarakom Morning drive through the winding "Ghats"
lined with prosperous tea plantations & then arrive the fascinating
countryside of low-lying palms and paddy fields to Kumarakom (150 kms)
enroute visit the tea estates. Kumarakom-is a beautiful backwater village on
the shores of the enchanting Vembanad Lake, criss-crossed with meandering
waterways and ancient cottages. Overnight at hotel
Day 10 :
Kumarakom Morning visit the superb Bird Sanctuary in adjacent
wooded marshland, which boasts of egrets, tree pies, black headed orioles,
bee-eaters & a whole host of herons. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at
hotel
Day 11 : Kumarakom - HouseboatMorning at
leisure. Afternoon, board the traditional rice boats - "Kettuvallam"
for a fascinating cruise through the backwaters of Kerala which offer one of
the world's truly unforgettable experiences. These traditional houseboats of
Kerala are one of the most enduring images of the backwaters, its natural,
cocoon-like profile complementing the surrounding countryside. You can relax
on the sundeck and watch the way of life and activity of the local people,
sipping from a tender coconut and enjoying the sheer peace of the
surroundings. Overnight on board
Day 12 : Houseboat - Cochin
After
breakfast on board. Disembark at Alleppey. Upon arrival proceed directly to
Cochin (60 kms). On arrival, check-in at hotel. Afternoon tour of Cochin or
"Kochi"- the palm green, commercial captial of Kerala is known as
the "Queen of the Arabian Sea". From time immemorial, Arabs, Chinese,
Dutch, British & Portuguese seafarers followed the sea route to Kochi &
left their impression on the town. Modern Kochi is thus a splendid mosaic of
these myriad influences. Visit the Dutch Palace, the Jewish Synagogue, the Church
of St. Francis, the Bolghatty Palace & the famous Chinese fishing nets.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 :
CochinMorning enjoy a stroll in the Jew Town. Evening witness the
Kathakali dance performance - Kathakali is a unique dance which has a 2000
year old history with more than 100 different 'mudras' or gesture depicting
deities, demons, heroes, heroines and kings - each based on episodes from
the Mahabharata and Ramayana, the two epic Indian myths. Overnight at hotel
Day 14 : Depart Cochin
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight back home.
Spices of Kerala Tour Reservation Form
