Kerala Backwater & Beach 9nights/ 10days

Transcription

1 Kerala Backwater & Beach 9nights/ 10days

2 Page 2 of 12 TRIP SUMMARY Arrive Cochin Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel Cochin - Munnar (140kms/ 3hrs approx) Cochin Sightseeing Lunch during sightseeing Munnar Munnar Tea Estate visit Munnar Sightseeing Lunch during sightseeing Munnar - Periyar (Thekkady) (245kms/ 5hrs approx) Lunch Periyar Pariyar (Thekkady) Sightseeing Lunch during sightseeing Periyar - Alleppey (135kms/ 3hrs approx) Alleppey Houseboat (Overnight Cruise) Alleppey - Kovalam Beach (200kms/ 4hrs approx) Kovalam Kovalam Kovalam

3 Kovalam - Departure Page 3 of 12

4 Page 4 of 12 ARRIVE COCHIN Pick-up Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel On arrival at airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel. Rest time free and easy for personal activities relax. Overnight at hotel. COCHIN - MUNNAR (140KMS/ 3HRS APPROX) Breakfast at hotel. Cochin Sightseeing Cochin one of South India s most interesting towns, still largely comprises low rise, picturesque buildings. Visit Mattanchery Palace, built by the Portuguese (1557) as a gift for the Raja of Kochi in exchange for trading rights, it was largely rebuilt by the new occupants, the Dutch. Further visit Jewish Synagogue adjacent to the Palace. This gem of a synagogue dating from 1568 (rebuilt in 1662) at the heart of what is called locally Jew Town, now a fascinating mixture of shops (some selling antiques), warehouses and spice auction rooms. Lateron drive to Fort Kochi beach area to visit St. Francis Church originally dedicated to Santo Antonio, the patron saint of Portugal, St. Francis Church is the first to reflect the new, European influenced tradition. Vasco da Gama died on the site in 1524 and was originally buried in the cemetery. Fourteen years later his body was removed to Portugal. Our final visit will be to huge Chinese Fishing Nets line the entrance to the harbour mouth. Chinese traders are believed to have originally introduced them in the late 14th century although, today, parts of the nets are known by Portuguese names.

5 Page 5 of 12 Lunch during sightseeing Lunch during the tour at your choice of restaurant on direct payment basis. Our guide can suggest the restaurant of your choice meal and within your budget. Later afternoon drive to Munnar check in at hotel. Dinner at your choice of restaurant or at your hotel on direct payment basis. Overnight at hotel. MUNNAR Breakfast at hotel Munnar Tea Estate visit

6 The hill station of Munnar are synonymous with rolling hills that are carpeted with verdant plantations of tea a delicious beverage loved worldwide. This place is recognised for having some of the best and most beautiful tea gardens across the globe. Owing to the presence of large tea estates and big names in the field, it is regarded as a prominent hub of tea trade in the country. As tea has become one of the reasons behind this hill station's international fame, it is considered an important aspect of this place. Keeping this in mind, Tata Tea established a tea museum to provide an insight into the process that is involved behind every delicious sip of tea. Visit Kolukkumalai Tea Estate & Kanan Devan Tea Museum for tea testing. Page 6 of 12 Munnar Sightseeing Devikulam; The quaint hill station of Devikulam rests like a celestial beauty in the midst of luxurious velvet green hills. This pristine hill station is located at a distance of 16 km from Munnar at an altitude of 1700 meters above sea level. The hill station is famous for its crystal-clear lake of Sita Devi. Legend connects Devikulam to the ancient Hindu epic of Ramayana. It is believed that during their exile, Sita Devi - the consort of Lord Rama took a bath in this lake. The water in the lake is considered to contain minerals and is acclaimed for its healing powers. Rajamala; Located at a distance of 15km from Munnar at an altitude of about 2695 meters above sea level. The hills are a part of the Rajamala wildlife sanctuary, home to the endangered mountain goat species locally known as Nilgiri Thars. Half

7 Page 7 of 12 of the world s population of this endangered species is found in this region. The sanctuary was created to protect and revive this rare species of mountain goats from almost near extinction. These goats roam around in small herds climbing the rocky terrain with amazing agility. The total number of mountain goats is estimated to be around 1300 in the region. Visitors are not permitted to enter the sanctuary during monsoon season and also during the breeding season of the goats. Mattupetty; the town of Mattupetty though small in geographical area is a treasure trove of natures abounding glories. Every nuke and cranny of it is crammed with the luxurious bounties of nature. The town is located at a distance of about 13 km from Munnar at an altitude of 1700 meters above sea level. Mattupetty is famous for its much renowned dairy farm; the Indo-Swiss livestock project. A large variety of high yielding cattle are reared in Mattupetty. At a stones throw away lies the picturesque Mattupetty dam and lake. The ideal way to revel in the beauty of this scenic locale is a boat cruise. The spot is preferred by picnickers due to its amazing natural beauty. Nearby is the beautiful Kundala Lake and adjoining Tea Plantations. Lunch during sightseeing Lunch during the tour at your choice of restaurant on direct payment basis. Our guide can suggest the restaurant of your choice meal and within your budget. Dinner at your choice of restaurant or at your hotel on direct payment basis. Overnight at hotel.

8 Page 8 of 12 MUNNAR - PERIYAR (THEKKADY) (245KMS/ 5HRS APPROX) Breakfast at hotel drive to Periyar check in at hotel. Lunch Lunch at hotel or at local restaurant on direct payment basis Explore the park by hiking through the buffer zone of the forest with tribal tracker as a local guide from the forest department. Further make a short drive to nearby plantations to know more about the spices of Kerala and the plantation crops. Evening again explore the sanctuary which offers a lovely and comfortable way to see the animals via boat rides on the man-made lake, which the wildlife area encircles. Dinner at your choice of restaurant or at your hotel on direct payment basis. Overnight at hotel. PERIYAR Breakfast at hotel Pariyar (Thekkady) Sightseeing Explore Periyar National Park by boat cruise. The forests rich in bird life and arboreal animals like giant squirrel and Nilgiri langur. The rafting is for about three hours and one gets a panoramic view of forest-clad hills reflected on the lake. Animals like elephant, gaur and sambar are sighted keeping close to the edges of the lake. Pariyar Wildlife Sanctuary set on attractive Periyar Lake side is in a beautiful setting and was designated a part of Project Tiger in 1973, though Tigers are very rarely seen and it is better known for its elephants, which are very likely to be seen. Most bull elephants here are tuskless. Bison, Sambar, Wild boar and the barking Deer are fairly common. In addition to 246 species of birds, there are 112 species of butterfly. This sanctuary is rich with a number of noteworthy species include the Dater or Snake Bird, Little Cormorant, Night Heroin, Golden- backed

9 woodpecker, Crow Pheasant, White Breasted Water Hen and Tree Pie etc. The season for migratory birds is from November to March. Page 9 of 12 Lunch during sightseeing Lunch during the tour at your choice of restaurant on direct payment basis. Our guide can suggest the restaurant of your choice meal and within your budget. Dinner at your choice of restaurant or at your hotel on direct payment basis. Overnight at hotel. PERIYAR - ALLEPPEY (135KMS/ 3HRS APPROX) Breakfast at hotel drive to Alleppey check in at hotel/ houseboat. Alleppey Houseboat (Overnight Cruise) Alleppey, also called the Venice of East, interlocked with a large number of canals

10 Page 10 of 12 and bridges. Board a houseboat from here and enjoy the cruise through the enchanting backwaters. Houseboat comprises double/ twin bed room, with attached bathrooms, running water, and a lounge area in which to relax and enjoy the sights on the shore. Start our sail through scenic backwaters, passing through one of the few areas in the world where farming is done below sea level. The houseboat will cruise through the Chambakulam area by mid-morning and anchor to explore the boat yard, which displays the traditional long snake boats used in races. Visit St. Mary s Church, established by St. Thomas in In the evening, catch a glimpse of village life along the backwaters and experience a way of life unique to this region. The boat will pass through picturesque stretches of the backwaters of Alleppey and moor up for overnight in Vemabanadu Lake. Lunch, dinner and overnight at houseboat. ALLEPPEY - KOVALAM BEACH (200KMS/ 4HRS APPROX) Breakfast at hotel drive to Kovalam check in at hotel. Kovalam

11 Page 11 of 12 Kovalam a world-famous beach resort, has lovely coconut palms fringe the golden sands. Foreigners throng Ayurvedic parlors, yoga and meditation centers, that have sprung up all over the place. There are a number of beach resorts in and around Kovalam. The sea port of Vizhinjam is famous for its special varieties of fish, old Hindu temples, big churches and a Muslim shrine. It was among the most prominent tourist spots in India during the hippy era. It still has a high status among tourists (mostly European) even now the glory of this beach attracting more and more tourists. The sands on the beaches in Kovalam are partially black in colour due to the presence of ilmenite and thorazite. There are two main beaches at Kovalam, separated by a high cliff. There is small light house in the Eve's beach. KOVALAM Breakfast at hotel day free and easy for personal activities & relax on the beach. Overnight at hotel. KOVALAM

12 Page 12 of 12 Breakfast at hotel day free and easy for personal activities & relax on the beach. Overnight at hotel. KOVALAM - DEPARTURE Breakfast at hotel day free and easy for personal activities & relax on the beach. As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.