COCONUT TOUR OF KERALA

Day 1

Arrive at Kochi by international flight. After clearing immigration and other formalities at the airport you will be met by our representative. He will assist and escort you to your vehicle and further transfer to your pre-booked hotel. The standard check-in time at the hotel is 1400 hrs and early check-in is subject to availability of rooms and additional charges. Incase if your flight is scheduled to arrive in mid-night or early morning, we suggest blocking your room from previous night for immediate occupancy of room.

Kochi (colonial name Cochin) is a vibrant city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula in the breathtakingly scenic and prosperous state of Kerala, hailed as 'God's Own Country'. Its strategic importance over the centuries is underlined by the sobriquet Queen of the Arabian Sea. Informally, Cochin is also referred to as the Gateway to Kerala.

Later in the evening attend Kathakali dance show at a local theatre.

Kathakali is the classical dance-drama of Kerala that has aficionados across the globe. Ranked high among Indian dance forms, it is a unique blend of dance, music, action, literature and even painting. Kathakali literally means 'story play' and its performance is basically the dance version of a play. It is based on the epics the Ramayana and the Mahabharata as well as the Puranas. Kathakali chronicles the lives, loves and conflicts of the gods and other supernatural beings of Indian mythology. The characters in Kathakali take on superhuman qualities to match the stature of gods. Preparation for the performance is lengthy and disciplined. Striking and vivid make-up is the highlight of the dance form.

Overnight stay at the hotel

Day 2

Cochin to Munnar by road (approx. 130 kms/5 hours)


Post breakfast proceed for a half day sightseeing tour of the city. Dutch Palace (Closed on Fridays): Built and presented by the Portuguese to the Kochi Maharaja Veera Kerala Varma around the year 1555, as a token of appreciation. Ironically it is commonly known as the Dutch Palace, despite the fact that they only renovated it.

Jewish synagogue (Closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays): It was constructed in 1568 but destroyed by cannon fire during a Portuguese raid and was rebuilt 2 years later. Its interiors are captivating. The attractions include 19th century glass oil-burning chandeliers from Belgium.

St. Francis Church: Built in 1503, by a group of Portuguese Franciscans friars this is India's first European Church. The church was initially a wood and mud structure dedicated to St Bartholomew. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524. Although his remains were taken back to Lisbon 14 years later, his tombstone remains intact.

Chinese Fishing Nets: It is a unique method of fishing; with time it has become the biggest tourist attraction. Chinese fishing nets - Cheenavala in Malayalam - are believed to have been introduced in Kochi by Chinese explorer Zheng He, from the court of the Kubla Khan. Fishing nets were established on Kochi shores between 1350 and 1450 AD. The huge cantilevered Chinese fishing nets droop towards the waters like over-sized hammocks have become a hallmark that represent Fort Kochi on the tourist map.

Later continue your drive to Munnar (approx. 5 hours) and on arrival check-in at your hotel.

Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. 1600 m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower that bathes the hills in blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m.

Overnight stay at the hotel

Day 3

Munnar sightseeing tour

Breakfast at the hotel.

After breakfast visit Tea Museum (Closed on Mondays).
It's a place where you can indulge yourself in the aroma of fresh tea leaves and see how your everyday morning tea is prepared. It's a place where you can get to know everything about the tea plantation industry in India. It's a place where you can gain knowledge on the complete processing of tea. The museum ensures that the legacy of those who worked hard to ensure the tea plantations survived this long is recognized publicly.

Later proceed with Day with tea pluckers tour (3-4 hours duration) - Closed on Sundays.
This activity will commence with a 30-45 min drive from Munnar town to get into Lockhart or Suryanelli Tea Factory by jeep. On arrival, you will follow the tea trail to the area where the ladies will be picking tea leaves. Once you are there, join them in picking tea leaves and in weighing the same and all the while interacting with the workers to understands their day-to-day lifestyle. During the trail, you will also visit one of the tea factory to understand the process of tea making followed by tea tasting session.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 4

Munnar to Thekkady by road (approx. 100 kms/3 ½ hours)

After breakfast you will be driven from Munnar to Thekkady (approx. 3 ½ hours)

Undulating hills, picture-perfect greenery, shimmering lakes, and cool, aromatic air - Thekkady has it all. Situated in Idukki district of Kerala, at an altitude of 900-1800 m above sea level, Thekkady is a dream destination for adventure travellers and nature lovers alike. The region is also home to the richly bio-diverse Periyar Tiger Reserve. Thekkady, lying on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is so closely related to this renowned sanctuary that, often, the names, Thekkady and Periyar, are used interchangeably to refer to the area.

Upon arrival check-in at hotel and the remainder of the day will be at leisure.

Overnight stay at the hotel

Day 5

In Thekkady

Morning enjoy shared boat ride at Lake Periyar.

Periyar Lake is often also referred to as Thekkady Lake. However, its unmistakable location inside the Periyar National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary has ensured that it's widely known by the name of Periyar Lake. Governed by the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department, the lake sees footfalls of hundreds of thousands each year. Interestingly, this lake was created artificially when Kerala's longest river, Periyar or Mullaperiyar, was dammed in 1895. The Mullaperiyar Dam formed the present day Periyar Lake which is spread across 10 square miles or 26 square kilometers. This reservoir is famous for its water birds which can be observed from close quarters when you go boating on the lake. Periyar Lake is inside a protected area and contributes to the conservation of plants, fowl, fish and wild animals, some of which are rare, endemic and also endangered.
Buffet breakfast at the hotel.

Later proceed for a spice plantation tour (Plantation guide).

The spice plantation tour begins with a walk through the plantation (with plantation guide), where visitors can see how the spices are grown and harvested. They can also learn about the various traditional and modern techniques used in cultivation and processing of spices, including organic farming methods. Spice plantation tour also help to know how the spices are sorted, graded, and packaged for sale and also visitors can buy fresh spices from farm at lowest price. As visitors walk through the plantation, they are welcomed with the aroma of different spices. The air is filled with the fragrance of cinnamon, cardamom, and pepper.

Rest of the day at leisure for independent activities.

Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 6

Thekkady to Alleppey by road (approx. 140 Kms/4 ½ hours

Later today you will be transferred to Alleppey boat jetty (approx. 4 ½ hours) to board your houseboat which sails gently on the backwaters of Kerala. The day will be spent sailing around Vembanad lake.

A visit to Kerala is incomplete without a visit to the backwaters. A series of canals, which thread their way through the state to the sea, it allows you a glimpse of life in Kerala impossible to get from road transport. Along the way you will pass rice fields, tiny villages, boats transporting children to school and farmers transporting their produce to the market, and women completing household tasks such as laundry and washing utensils. You will disembark from the boat to wander in the villages and talk to the people. At night the boat will anchor mid-stream, and your meals will be specially prepared by the crew from freshly bought produce.
Kettuvalloms were the original transportation of Kerala, boats used to transport produce. With the advent of vehicular traffic, these slowly became redundant. Eventually the craft was revived and today these boats are used to tour the backwaters. They are made completely of natural material (wood and thatch) and have a bedroom and a sit out. The room is decorated using local material and artifacts. Each room has an attached shower and bathroom.

Lunch and dinner will be served onboard and overnight stay on Houseboat.

Day 7

Alleppey to Kumarakom by road (approx. 30 to 45 minutes)

Later today you will disembark at Alleppey boat jetty and transfer to your hotel in Kumarakom.

Kumarakom is an unbelievably beautiful paradise of mangrove forests, emerald, green paddy fields and coconut groves interspersed with enchanting waterways and canals adorned with white lilies. Situated on the Vembanad Lake, this small water world has plenty of traditional country boats, crafts and canoes which take you in to the heart of scenic Kerala. The resorts nearby offer comfortable accommodation and exclusive leisure options like Ayurvedic massages, Yoga and meditation besides boating, fishing, angling and swimming.

The remainder of the day will be at leisure for independent activities.

Overnight stay at the hotel

Day 8

Kumarakom

The day will be at leisure for independent activities

Day 9

Kumarakom to Cochin airport by road (approx. 75 kms/ 2 ½ hours)
Departure from Cochin by international flight
Later in-time assisted departure transfer to Cochin airport (approx. 2 ½ hours) to connect the international flight for onward destination.

B=Breakfast Included, L=Lunch Included, D=Dinner Included