Day 01: Arrive Cochin
On your arrival in Cochin, our representative would assist you at the airport and transfer you to hotel for check-in.
Cochin always had a very popular and historical sea trade connection with Middle East, Mediterranean Europe and Dutch. It has one of the finest natural harbours on the Arabian coastline.
Today you will visit St. Francis Church, which is the oldest European Church in India and the Jewish Synagogue, built in the year 1568 and magnificently decorated by Chinese tiles & Belgian chandeliers. Giant scrolls of the Old Testament can be found here. You will also visit the spice market, where the air is filled with the pungent smell of spices. Chinese fishing nets, (Cheenavala) are distinctly unique to Cochin. It is believed that traders from the court of the Chinese ruler Kublai Khan introduced these nets here. In the evening enjoy Kerala’s most popular classical dance performance, Kathakali. Overnight stay in the hotel
Day 02: Cochin – Alleppey
After Breakfast, we drive to Alleppey, also known as Alappuzha, and called Venice of the East. Alleppey is a town with picturesque canals, backwaters & lagoons. History says Alappuzha had trade relations with ancient Greece and Rome in the pre Jesus era. Alleppey is now the hub for backwaters tourism in Kerala. On arrival we board the Houseboat, locally called Kettuvallam and cruise around backwaters of Alleppey to Kumarakom to observe and experience the daily life of the villagers along the backwaters. Cruising on the houseboats is an out-of-this-world experience. Overnight stay in the Houseboat
Day 03: Kumarakom- Periyar
Morning after breakfast we disembark the houseboat in Kumarakom. It is a cluster of little islands, on the Vembanad Lake in Kerala. Vembanad Lake is home to several types of marine life exclusively the Karimeen (Pearl Spotted Fish), Chemeen (Prawns) and Konju (Tiger Prawns). Kuttanad, the ‘Wonder Land’ believed to have been lying below the sea level, sprang out into the marshes when the sea receded later. Kumarakom, the land of lakes, canals and paddy fields, gives you sheer ecstasy.
Today, you will head to Periyar (Thekkady), one of India’s most fascinating natural wildlife sanctuaries, where one can watch wildlife at a very close range. The vegetation and birds are uniquely rich and varied and do not bear semblance to any other wildlife sanctuaries in the world. The very sound of the name conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hill and spice scented plantations. Notable among the inhabitants are the tigers, majestic Asiatic wild elephants and distinctive Nilgiri Langur. In the evening you will go for a Spice Plantation Tour. Overnight stay in Periyar hotel.
Day 04: Periyar – Kovalam
In the morning we take an Elephant Safari (outside the park). Later we drive to Kovalam, one of the popular beach destinations of Kerela. A massive rocky promontory on the beach has created a beautiful bay of calm waters ideal for sea bathing. The leisure options at this beach are plenty and diverse-sunbathing, swimming, herbal body toning massages, special cultural programs, Catamaran cruising, etc. Life on the beach begins late in the day and carries on well into the night. Overnight stay in Kovalam hotel
Days 05: Kovalam
Free and easy to explore water sports and various Ayurvedic/ Spa treatments in Kovalam. Overnight stay in Kovalam hotel
Day 06: Kovalam – Trivandrum Airport
After Breakfast, you will travel to Trivandrum, an ancient city with traditions dating back to 1000 BC. It was a trading post for spices like the rest of ancient Kerala. The early rulers of the city were the Ays. With their fall in the 10th century, the city was taken over by the rulers of Venad. Thiru-v-anantha-puram is a three syllable name meaning the abode of the sacred Snake God ‘Anantha’. Lord Vishnu of the ancient Indian mythology rests on this huge serpent.
Here you will visit the Padmanabha Swami Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and held sacred by the Hindus since ages. The temple has a large complex with a huge Gopuram. It has a tank besides it for ritual bathing. The next in the list is the visit to the Museum, which displays an eclectic assortment of historical and contemporary ornaments, temple carts, ivory carvings and life-size figures of Kathakali dancers in full costume. It houses famous collection of 8th-18th century south Indian bronze artifacts.
Your trip comes to an end with a drop to Trivandrum Airport for departure
© Copyright www.travelplannersmart.com. All Rights Reserved