Kerala Backwater Tour

Kerala Backwater Tour

Duration: 9 Nights / 10 Days
Places Covered: Mumbai - Cochin - Munnar - Thekaddy - Periyar - Alleppey - Kollam - Kumarakom - Kumarakom - Trivandrum - Kovalam - Cape Camorin - Kovalam - Kovalam - Trivandrum - Mumbai

Day 01:
Mumbai / Cochin
9W 405 at 0545 AM

Arrival in Cochin.
You will be met and received by our representative and transferred to Hotel. Relax for few hours.

Kochi is one of India's larges ports and a major naval base. Formerly known as Cochin, it is a cluster of islands and narrow peninsulas with a history so rich and a setting so perfect that it could make a vacation destination in itself.
Famed for its natural harbour, one of the finest in the world, Kochi has earned the sobriquet
"Queen of the Arabian Sea."

Evening enjoy the sunset harbour cruise visiting Jewish Synagogue, Dutch Palace, St Francis Church, Chinese fishing nets and Bolgatty Palace.

Overnight in Cochin.

Day 02:
Cochin
Morning after breakfast check out from the Hotel. Start a city tour of the Cochin city.

During City tour visit the Jewish Synagogue - Built in 1568 the oldest synagogue in the common- wealth stands, adorned by hundreds of exquisite hand - painted Chinese tiles in blue & white. St. Francis church originally, built out of wood in 1503 and thus earning fame as the oldest European church in India. Vasco da Gama was buried there. Dutch Palace - As you climb its stone steps, you enter a different world of Palanquins and heraldry, jewels and rich murals. Roam about in the cobbled streets, you will love it.

Overnight at Hotel.

Day 03:
Cochin - Munnar
By Road 4 hrs journey

Morning after breakfast start for Munnar, a place which is called as "nature lover's paradise" Sprawling tea plantations. Picture book's town. Winding lanes filled with the heady fragrance of fresh tea, all 1800m above the sea level. After arriving there, check into hotel.
Munnar
Nature's Lovers Paradise

Visit the around by sightseeing places in Munnar.

Munnar has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi - which towers over 2695m. An assortment of wild life such as the Nilgiri Thar, Nilgiri Langur, Sambhar, Gaur and the lion tailed Macaque are found in the rich tropical forests around. Devikulam - This serene hill township is a nature lover's retreat. Trout fishing on the Devikulam Lake is a major attraction. Eravikulam National park - It is the best place to see Nilgiri Thar, the mountain goat of South India.

Day 04:
Munnar - Thekaddy/ Periyar

Drive to Thekkady.

Getting to Periyar is as sublime as the destination itself. A scenic journey past mist capped mountains, spice plantations and open grasslands lined with spectacular water falls & delightful trekking trails form the access to your hide way here. On arrival check into hotel, refresh yourself & be relaxed.

Tiger! Isn't the word exciting & horrifying too! Today you might have an opportunity to meet the beast. Come! Let's pierce into the Den & go to Periyar Tiger Reserve.

A boat safari on the Periyar Lake extends a life- time's chance to spot exotic wildlife in its natural habitat. Like the eccentric bathing habits of the wild elephants that come down to the lake.

Overnight at Thekkady.

Day 05:
Thekkady - Alleppey

Morning the nature lovers can Trek in the Jungle with a local guide familiarizes you to the rare birds, trees & flowers that are come across here. You can even set upon a walk through the plantations filled with the heady fragrance of fresh spice.

Later proceed to Alleppey to board on the house boat for a day cruise to Kollam.

Alleppey - Kollam (Day cruise on the back waters)

Proceed to the backwaters of Alleppey where you will board the Traditional Houseboat, which is a fabulous way to explore the fascinating beauty of the backwaters for a memorable day & night cruise. The boat will take you through the virgin villages of Kuttanad - the only location in Kerala situated below sea level.

Cruise through the backwaters.

Lunch will be served on board.

Travelling through the backwaters of Kerala is a marvellous experience with the simple, unique pleasures it offers. Life on your houseboat will be interrupted by delightful surprises. Flocks of graceful ducks; small restaurants on the banks which offer delicious kapa (boiled tapioca) and fried karimeen (a kind of fresh water fish); women in little canoes selling tender coconuts; the song of the cuckoo; the heady fragrance of rich green paddy fields..... A journey with no traffic jam! An experience to breathe life back into your engine!

Fringing the coast of Kerala and winding far inland is a vast network of lagoons, lakes, rivers and canals. These backwaters represent a unique geological formation and are the basis of a distinct lifestyle.

Travelling through the backwaters is one of the highlights of a visit to Kerala.

The larger boats are motorized but there are numerous smaller boats propelled by pushing with a long bamboo pole. The boats cross shallow, palm - fringed lakes studded with cauklevered Chinese fishing nets, and travel along narrow, shady canals where coir, copra and cashew are loaded into boats.

Along the way are small settlements where people live on narrow spits of reclaimed land only a few metres wide. Although practically surrounded by water, they still manage to keep cows, pigs, chickens and ducks and cultivate small vegetable gardens. Prawns and fish, including the prized Karimeen, are also farmed.

Reach Kollam and check in to your resort for overnight stay. Evening at leisure.

Day 06:
Kollam - Kumarakom (By road)

Morning after breakfast time at leisure. Start for Kumarakom passing through the lake side villages and Markets. Reach and check in to the backwater resort by the Lake Side.

Day 07:
Kumarakom - Trivandrum
By Road

Sightseeing and proceed to Kovalam.

Morning after breakfasts proceed to Trivandrum. Reach Trivandrum. Our representative will meet you and introduce the tour guide to you. Start sightseeing tour of Trivandrum.
Visit to the famous

Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), the capital of the state of Kerala is a beautiful seaside city built on seven hills. Located at the apex of southwest India, Thiruvananthapuram district is surrounded by the Arabian Sea on the west and Tamil Nadu on the east. The city gets its name Thiruvananthapuram, meaning the city of Anantha or the abode of the sacred Serpent Anantha on which Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu trinity, reclines.

Thiruvananthapuram has a long shoreline, with internationally renowned beaches, historic monuments, backwater stretches and a rich cultural heritage which make some of the most enchanting picnic spots and a much sought after tourist destination.

Start the sightseeing tour of Trivandrum and again return back to Kovalam.

The famous Sri. Padmanabha Swami Temple is dedicated to Vishnu and is a landmark in the city.

Some of the Interesting Places to Visit:

Padmanabha Swamy Temple: The temple is located inside the east fort and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is a blend of the Kerala and Dravidan styles of architecture. It is known for its mural paintings and stone carvings. One among the 108 sacred Vishnu temples in India, the presiding deity here is Lord Vishnu reclining on Anantha the Serpent. Only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. There is a dress code in this temple where a man is supposed to wear dhoti and a women must wear sari and blouse.

Kuthirarnalika (Puthenmalika) Palace Museum: The Palace was built by the King of Travancore, who was a great poet, musician, social reformer and statesman. This rare specimen of workmanship in the traditional Travancore style of architecture also has exquisite woodcarvings. The palace museum displays paintings and various priceless collections of the royal family and is located near the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple.

Museum Complex: The IndoSaracenic structure dating back to the 9th century, and boasting a natural air conditioning system, houses a rare collection of archaeological and historic artifacts, bronze idols, ancient ornaments, a temple chariot and ivory carvings. The use of plastic is banned in the museum premises.

Sree Chithra Art Gallery: Located near the Napier Museum, this art gallery displays select paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich and exquisite works from Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art in India. The collection also includes paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali.

After sightseeing proceed to Kovalam. Check in at your resort. Rest of the Day at leisure in Kovalam.

Day 08:
Kovalam - Cape Camorin - Kovalam
Later proceed to Kanyakumari to see the sunset at the Southern tip of India.
Visit Famous Kanyakumari Temple, Dedicated to the virgin Goddess KanyaKumari picturesquely located close to the sea shore. On a little rock island just off the coast is the memorial to that great Indian Philosopher- Swami Vivekananda. Gandhi Memorial and Guganathaswamy temple are worth a visit.

Visit the Vivekananda Memorial. Return back to your resort.

Day 09:
Day free to relax by the beach side.

Day 10:
Kovalam - Trivandrum/ Mumbai.
Flight Number: 9w- 337
Dep: 1335 Hrs Arr: 1535 Hrs
Morning after breakfast time at leisure. In time transfer to Trivandrum airport for flight to Mumbai.