Day 01: ARRIVE COCHIN
Arrive Cochin and transfer to hotel. Afternoon, half day sightseeing of Cochin including Asia's best preserved Synagouge, the Dutch Palace and the oldest European Church in India - the St. Francis Church where Vasco De Gama was originally buried. A leisurely walk through the Fort Cochin area which gives you a close look at the operation of the huge catileavered Chinese fishing nets introduced by Chinese traders which is still used in Kerala backwaters as a traditionalway of fishing. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: COCHIN - MUNNAR
Morning, leave for Munnar. Arrive Munnar and checkin at prebooked hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Munnar, once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Govt. in South India, is located at the confluence of 03 rivers as the very name signifies. The sprawling tea plantations and picturesque towns make Munnar a popular hill resort town in South India. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03 & 04: MUNNAR
Morning, sightseeing of Munnar. Visit the tea plantations, a tea factory (subject to permission being granted), the Eravikulam National Park - home of the endangered Nilgiri Thar (Ibex), followed by visit to the Mattupetty dam, the Indo Swiss Dairy farm, the Kundala Lake and other scenic spots. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 : MUNNAR - PERIYAR
Morning, transfer to Periyar. Periyar has one of the world's most fascinating Natural wildlife reserves noted for its geography, diverse wildlife and scenic beauty. 1300 hrs - Arrive at Periyar and check in at hotel. Evening : 1530 hrs - Boat ride on the Lake Periyar where one can have a unique experience of viewing wildlife at close quarters from the safety of a boat on the lake. The greatest attraction of Periyar, however are the herds of wild elephants that come down to play in the lake. 1800 hrs - Back at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 : PERIYAR - KUMARAKOM
After breakfast, proceed for a spice plantation visit where one can see the cultivation of a whole range of spices like pepper, cardamom, cloves, turmeric, vanilla, all spice cinnamon etc. This is followed by a visit to spice shops which are found in the small town of Kumily just 01 km from the hotels. Drive to Kumarakom. Checkin at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 : KUMARAKOM - KOVALAM
Morning, at leisure. After lunch, checkout of the hotel and take a motor boat cruise to Allepey through the narrow canals seeing the village life along the backwaters. 1530 hrs - Arrive at Allepey and drive to Kovalam. Arrive Kovalam and checkin at prebooked hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07 : KOVALAM
Day at leisure on the beach.
Day 08 : KOVALAM
City tour of Trivandraum & excursion to Kanyakumari. 0800 hrs - Proceed to Trivandrum for city tour of Trivandraum. Visit the famous Padmanabha Swami Temple, the museum and art gallery. Proceed to Padmanabhapuram Palace - 50 kms from Trivandrum city, this palace was the seat of erstwhile rulers of Travancore. It is a wooden palace bearing a glorious testimony to the traditional Kerala architecture. Later, drive to Kanyakumari - "Lands End" and famous of the "Sangamam" - Confluence of three seas. At Kanyakumari visit the Vivekananda Rock Memorial - the holy place where Swami Vivekananda meditated. It is unique blend of all the architectural styles of India. Finally see the florious sunset at Kanyakumari beach and then proceed to Kovalam. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09 : KOVALAM - TRIVANDRUM
Transfer to Trivandrum airport to board onward/return flight.
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